A refrigerator is unarguably one of the most important electronic appliances in your home – after all, it prevents your food from spoiling, saving you from unlimited trips to the grocery store. Nevertheless, refrigerators are not indestructible. They are prone to daily wear-and-tear just like other home appliances.

Nearly 80% of the problems a refrigerator might be facing more likely require easy adjustments and there all good to go. These problems aren’t much serious and can be resolved by a quick fix without the assistance of a refrigerator technician. However, before fixing any problem, it is important that you go to the root of its cause.

Carefully pay attention to the symptoms exhibited by your fridge in order to find the source of the problem. Then refer to our guide below on quick fixes that don’t require you to call a specialist or purchase a new fridge entirely. It may just be a case of merely unplugging and re-plugging or buying some replacement parts.

Problem # 1

Water Leaking on the Floor

Water leakage can be a dangerous problem as people who are walking around in the kitchen are vulnerable to slipping down and breaking bones. Ouch! That has got to hurt. Though, this problem can be a bit tricky to solve as it can be caused by a number of reasons. Fortunately, the two most common causes have a swift and easy fix that usually doesn’t require the help of a professional. Sigh of relief!

One of the causes of water leakage is a blocked de-frost drain. The defrost drain is normally situated on the back wall of the freezer, right above the slant from the floor to the back. A buildup of food particles or debris can congest the drain hose, leading to ice buildup and water leaking out of the freezer and fridge compartments. To fix this, try draining the hole from the inside using lukewarm water. Use a long, lean instrument such as a pipe cleaner or something similar to remove the clog.

If this doesn’t help, you might have to physically remove the buildup that is blocking the valve at the end of the drain hose. Find the defrost drain hose in the back of the service panel by pulling your fridge away from the wall. This hose should have a rubber valve that prevents debris and clogging. Simply wash the valve with hot water and soap, then reinstall.

Problem # 2

Cooling Issues

If your freezer or fridge compartment isn’t cooling the way it should, chances are that your food is going to be spoiled. This is a common issue that most people face, but it also has the easiest fix. If you experience this problem in your freezer unit, check if whether the back wall of the freezer is cold or not.

If it is cold, check if you can listen to the evaporator fan running or if you can feel air flowing from the freezer apertures. If you can’t then it is most likely an issue concerning the freezer evaporator fan. If you can sense the air flowing and hear the fan running, you should examine the refrigerator’s compressor. Clean any dust particles that could be preventing air from moving across the coils. These condenser coils are meant to release heat from inside the fridge into the room. If your condenser coils seem to be clean, it may be time to invest in that classy glass door refrigerator you’ve always had your eyes on.

Problem # 3

The Fridge Sounds like a Drill Machine

Let’s admit it, nobody likes a noisy fridge. Not only is it unpleasant to the ears but it can also cause your energy bills running crazy, leaving your pockets empty at the end of the month. Other reasons causing your fridge unit to cycle too often can be a buildup of debris or dust around the condenser coils.

To fix this, begin with unplugging your fridge. The condenser coils are usually located on the bottom of your refrigerator and can be effortlessly opened from the front or the back. To find the condenser coils, first trace the “grill” and remove it by popping out the snaps that hold it in place. After this, use a small vacuum to take out the buildup of dust or debris around the condenser coils. Use a cloth to remove any buildup in hard-to-access areas. Once all of the dirt is removed, place the grill back on and plug the fridge back in. Hurrah! Problem solved.

Another common reason of your refrigerator unit cycling too often is adjusting the temperature too low. Not only will this spoil your food but will also result in the refrigerator working overtime. The ideal solution is setting your fridge temperature at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Check the thermostat from time to time to make certain that it is running at the right temperature. If the problem still persists, it is recommended to call in a repair technician as it might be the case of a faulty part such as a condenser fan motor or thermostat sensor.

Problem # 4

Fresh Food Section is Warming Up

Before discussing the solution to this problem, it’s important to understand the connection between your refrigerator and your freezer unit. Normally, the cold air produced by refrigerators comes from the freezer unit, which then flows into the fresh food segment of your fridge. Therefore, if your fresh food compartment is heating up, it is most likely because of an airflow problem.

The freezer holds an evaporator fan that is responsible for stirring the cold air from the freezer into the fresh food section of the fridge. This air travels through a diffuser, which is positioned in the back of the fresh food section of your fridge. If you can feel the evaporator fan running or can feel air blowing from the freezer flues and are still facing an issue, your diffuser duct may be blocked due to ice. This may be preventing the cool air from passing through and is oftentimes triggered by the door being left open for a longer period of time.

However, if you’re unable to hear the evaporator fan running or hear an unusual humming noise, it might be time for you to invest in a new motor for your evaporator fan.

Problem # 5

Ice Sheets Building Up on the Freezer Floor

If you observe ice sheets building up on the floor of your freezer or water droplets dripping into the fridge every then and now, a blocked defrost drain might probably be the cause of the problem. To rectify this issue, simply store your food somewhere else for the time being, turn off the fridge, and let it defrost. This should usually fix the issue.

Problem # 6

Refrigerator Compartment is Freezing Food

If your refrigerator is freezing food, it is most likely due to a faulty temperature control thermostat. The thermostat is responsible for controlling the voltage of the compressor and evaporator fan motor; therefore, if it isn’t operating properly, it may cause the fridge system to run for an extended period, causing the unit to be too cold than usual.

Assess whether the thermostat is faulty by turning it from the lowest setting to the highest, listening for a click. If you’re able to hear the click, rest assured that it is likely not out of order. However, if you don’t, simply replace the thermostat. That’s it!

Your refrigerator is definitely a life saver. Knowing what indicators to look for and understanding how to fix them can save you both time and money. If you come across any of these problems and are unable to fix them, it is advised you call a refrigerator specialist for assistance. If they tell you that it is time to invest in a new fridge, we hope you turn to Orient.com.pk for all your home appliance needs. We carry a wide selection of scratch resistant refrigerators in glass and metallic finishes ranging from 3.5 CU ft. all the way up to 18 CU ft. at highly affordable prices.