The freezer cold fridge warm issue has been a real cause of concern for many homeowners because the food often gets spoiled and left unusable due to incorrect storing temperature.
If your freezer is cold, but the fridge is warm, incorrect thermostat settings or frozen evaporator coils might be the reasons behind it. To fix this, set the thermostat to optimal settings or unplug the refrigerator at the mains, remove the food items, leave the door open, and defrost the evaporator coils to fix the issue.
In this article, we’ll explore the possible causes for the freezer cold and fridge warm issue and discuss solutions to help you fix this problem and keep your food fresh.
Why Is My Fridge Warm But My Freezer Cold?
The freezer cold fridge warm issue can occur if the damper control assembly is stuck and cannot circulate the airflow from the freezer to the fridge compartment.
Other than that, we’ll discuss 8 reasons for the freezer cold fridge warm issue below in detail to help you identify what is causing this frustrating problem.
Incorrect Thermostat Settings
If the thermostat settings on your refrigerator are set too low or turned off, it can cause your fridge to stay warm and spoil the food stored in it.Â
Too Many Items In the Fridge
Another possibility is that you’ve packed the fridge with too many food items, blocking the air vents. This prevents the airflow from circulating throughout the appliance, keeping your fridge warmer.
Greasy Or Faulty Gasket
Over time, the fridge door gasket can become greasy or damaged, preventing it from closing and allowing the hot air from the surroundings to enter the fridge. This also happens when the appliance is not lying on a flat surface.
INFO: Faulty gasket can also cause your freezer to stay warm but the fridge remains cold.
Dirty Condenser Coils
Dirty refrigerator condenser coils dirty can result in the fridge section failing to maintain its temperature while the freezer stays cold.
The Evaporator Coils Are Frozen
If the evaporator coils at the back of the freezer become covered in ice, the cold airflow from the freezer to the fridge compartment is hindered. As a result, the freezer cold fridge warm issue can surface.
Faulty Evaporator Fan Motor
Another reason for the problem can be a malfunctioning evaporator fan motor. This fan draws the air over the coils and circulates it throughout the refrigerator to maintain the desired temperature. But if it stops working, this leads to the fridge remaining warm.
Stuck Damper Control Assembly
The damper control assembly between the fridge and freezer opens and closes to regulate the airflow.
So, when this assembly gets stuck, it restricts the cold airflow from the freezer to the fridge, leading to an increased temperature inside.
Faulty Compressor
The compressor circulates the refrigerant and maintains the overall cooling process in your refrigerator.
But if the compressor is faulty or not functioning correctly, it can cause insufficient cooling in the appliance, which causes the freezer cold fridge warm problem.
What To Do If My Freezer Is Cold But Fridge Warm?
To fix the freezer cold fridge warm issue, unload some unnecessary food items to create space for adequate air circulation or replace the door gasket with a new one. If the problem persists, check the evaporator fan motor for any damage or fault and replace it.
Let’s discuss the solutions in detail to help you quickly fix your fridge and prevent the food from spoiling due to stored heat.
Check The Thermostat Settings
The first solution is to check the thermostat settings in your warm fridge. If you’ve accidentally configured low settings, adjust them accordingly and allow some time for the temperature to stabilize.
NOTE: Make sure your refrigerator is not lying on a curvy surface, and the door is closing correctly.
Check the Gasket
Inspect the gasket around the fridge door to check if it is greasy, and clean it with mild detergent/soap and warm water to remove debris or dust build-up.
However, if the gasket is bent or damaged, get a new one from a retailer or online store and install it correctly to ensure a proper seal.Â
INFO: Remove unnecessary or spoiled food items from your refrigerator, specifically around the vent area, to allow proper air circulation and get the fridge cold again.
Defrost the Evaporator Coils
The next solution to fix your freezer cold fridge warm issue is to defrost the evaporator coils with these steps:
- Unplug your refrigerator’s power cable at the mains.
- Remove all the food items from the freezer and store them in a cooler storage with ice packs.
- Leave the freezer door open and allow the evaporator coils to defrost naturally.
- Afterward, use towels or a sponge to soak the water and wipe the surfaces.
- Plug the refrigerator back into the mains and wait for it to start.
- Close the refrigerator doors and give it some time to cool down.
If this doesn’t help, perform a more detailed test to check the evaporator fan motor in the following way:
- Take a multimeter and configure it to “ohms” settings.
- Touch the multimeter’s leads to both terminals of the evaporator fan motor.
- Observe the multimeter display and if you see any readings. If not, you need to replace the motor with a new one through professional help.
Repair the Damper Control Assembly
Place your hand in front of the damper control assembly in your refrigerator to determine if the air is flowing from the freezer to the fridge. If not, this could be why your freezer is cold, but the fridge section is warm.
However, you cannot fix the vents as they require specialized knowledge and tools. So, seek professional assistance to repair the damper control assembly.
Clean the Condensor Coils
Check the compressor coils to see if they are dirty, affecting the refrigerator’s efficiency.
Use a coil brush or vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to gently remove any dust, dirt, or debris from the coils and see if the fridge works now.
Relace the Compressor
It is possible the condenser is faulty or damaged, due to which your fridge is staying warm. In this case, it’s best to call a refrigerator repair technician to inspect and replace it as soon as possible.
Conclusion
In this detailed guide, we’ve discussed the “freezer cold fridge warm” issue and what you can do to fix it so you can store your food items safely for longer intervals.
We hope you can now enjoy a properly functioning refrigerator with the freezer and fridge sections maintaining their respective temperatures.
