Fridge Not Cooling

When a fridge stops cooling, the most common causes can be dirty condenser coils that can't release heat properly, though a worn door seal, a failing fan, or an electrical fault can also be the culprit. Most cases are fixable, but a fridge that stays warm for more than a few hours risks spoiling food. 

Common Causes 

• Dirty condenser coils. These coils release heat from inside the fridge into the room. When they're coated in dust and pet hair, they can't shed heat efficiently, so the compressor works harder and the fridge struggles to reach temperature. This is one of the most common calls we get, especially in homes with dogs or cats, since coils tucked under or behind the fridge collect hair and dust faster than most people expect. 
• Worn door gasket. The rubber seal around the door keeps cold air in. Once it cracks or loses its grip, warm air constantly leaks in, and the fridge can't keep up no matter how hard it runs. You can often spot this yourself by closing the door on a piece of paper. If it slides out easily, the seal isn't holding. 
• Failing evaporator fan. This fan pushes cold air from the freezer section into the fridge compartment. If it stops turning, the freezer may stay cold while the fridge section warms up. A faint buzzing or rattling near the back wall of the freezer is often the first sign the fan is struggling. 
• Faulty start relay or compressor. The relay sends power to the compressor to start the cooling cycle. A worn relay or a failing compressor means the cooling cycle never properly starts, so the unit runs but doesn't get cold. This is one of the pricier repairs on this list, but it's still usually far less than replacing the whole fridge. 
• Thermostat or control board fault. The thermostat tells the compressor when to turn on and off. If the sensor or board misreads the temperature, it can shut the compressor off too early or never signal it to start at all. Because this is an electrical fault rather than a mechanical one, it's harder to diagnose without testing equipment. 

When to DIY vs. Call a Pro 

You can safely check a few things yourself: clean the condenser coils with a vacuum or coil brush, make sure nothing inside is blocking the vents, confirm the door seal is making full contact around the frame, and check that the fridge isn't pushed too tightly against the wall. Anything involving the compressor, refrigerant, or the sealed cooling system needs a licensed technician, since those systems are pressurized and were never intended to be worked on by a customer. 

FAQ 

How long can a fridge sit warm before food goes bad? 

Perishable food kept above 4°C (40°F) for more than two hours should generally be thrown out, so it's worth checking the actual temperature with a thermometer rather than guessing by touch. If you catch the problem early, moving essentials to another fridge or a cooler with ice can buy you some time while you get it looked at. 

Why is my freezer cold but my fridge warm? 

This usually points to a blocked or failing evaporator fan, or a vent that's blocked by food packed too close to the wall. It's one of the more common patterns we see, and it's rarely the compressor. Clearing a bit of space around the vents inside the fridge section is worth trying before anything else. 

Can I just add refrigerant myself? 

No. Refrigerant is part of a sealed, pressurized system, and handling it requires certification in Canada. If your fridge is low on refrigerant, there's also a leak somewhere that needs to be found and fixed first, not just topped up, or the same problem will come right back. 

Is it worth repairing an older fridge instead of replacing it? 

Often yes, especially for common issues like coils, seals, or fans, which cost far less to fix than a new fridge costs to buy. A technician can identify that the system has a leak or a bad compressor and give you a straight answer on cost versus replacement once they've diagnosed the actual fault, rather than you having to guess. 

Will cleaning the coils fix it every time? 

Not always, but it resolves a large share of "not cooling" complaints, especially in homes with pets or fridges that haven't been pulled out and cleaned in a few years. If cleaning the coils doesn't help within a day, the cause is likely something else on this list. 

If your fridge is still not cooling after checking the basics, Boreal's factory-trained technicians can diagnose and repair it, backed by a 90-day warranty on parts and labour.