How do i fix my refrigerator not cooling but the freezer is fine

It’s the middle of summer and you’re trying to keep your food cool. For some reason though, your freezer is doing a great job at keeping things cold while your refrigerator isn’t. What could be causing this issue? We’ll discuss some of the most common reasons why your freezer is cold but refrigerator is not along with tips on how to fix them. We’re going to walk you through each one, so stay cool and keep reading!

Freezer Is Cold but Refrigerator Is Not Explained

Overstuffing

When your fridge is full, the air can’t circulate properly and as a result, the temperature inside rises. The solution to this problem is simple: don’t overstuff your fridge!

To make sure your fridge isn’t overstuffed, keep it organized and try to keep it at around 3/4 capacity. This will help ensure that the air can circulate properly and keep your food at a consistent temperature.

Blockage in the Vents

If your fridge has vents on the back or sides, make sure that they are not blocked by food or other items. If the vents are blocked, the air can’t circulate and your fridge won’t be able to maintain a consistent temperature.

It’s simple to check for a blockage in the vents: simply inspect them for anything that could be obstructing airflow. If there is, remove it and see if that fixes the problem.

Condenser Coils Need Cleaning

Dirty condenser coils are another common reason why your refrigerator won’t get cold but the freezer will. The condenser coils are responsible for removing heat from the air inside your refrigerator. If they are covered in dust or debris, they won’t be able to expel heat properly.

To clean your refrigerator coils, start by unplugging your fridge and using a brush or vacuum hose extension to remove any dirt buildup. Once they are clean, plug your fridge back in and see if that fixes the problem.

Faulty Evaporator Fan Motor

The evaporator fan motor is responsible for blowing cold air over the evaporator coils. If this motor malfunctions or fails, it can be another reason why the freezer is cold but refrigerator is not. To fix this problem, you will need to replace the fan motor with the correct replacement part for your model as the motor itself cannot be repaired.

Defective Thermistor

The thermistor is a temperature sensor that monitors the temperature inside the refrigerator. If your refrigerator won’t get cold but freezer will this component may be faulty. To solve this problem, you’ll need to purchase and install a new thermistor.

Defrost System Failure 

Another potential cause of this issue is a defrost system failure. When the defrost system isn’t working properly, it can make it so the fridge isn’t cold but the freezer is. To fix this problem, we recommend hiring a refrigerator repair specialist who is trained to service the defrost system.

In this blog post, we’ve gone over some of the most common reasons why your freezer is cold but refrigerator is not. We hope this article was helpful and that you were able to find a solution to your problem. And remember, for problems too big to solve at home, call the trusted refrigerator repair team at Best Service Company Appliance Repair!

The Evaporator Coils are Frosted Over

If the freezer is cold but the refrigerator is warm and the evaporator coils are frosted over, there may be a defrost system problem. Several times a day the defrost heater assembly turns on for a few minutes to melt away any frost or ice that may have accumulated on the evaporator coils. If the defrost heater assembly has burned out, or the defrost thermostat or defrost control have failed the frost will build up on the coils and eventually no air will be able to travel through the coils to provide cooling. The most common cause for this condition is a problem with the defrost system.

Evaporator Fan Motor

If the refrigerator freezer is cold but the refrigerator is warm, the evaporator fan motor might have failed. Every refrigerator has a set of coils called an evaporator. These are the coils that get cold. A small fan and motor is mounted near the coils. This fan and motor - called the evaporator fan and motor, draws air over the evaporator coils and circulates it throughout the freezer and refrigerator. If the fan fails, the freezer or refrigerator will get much warmer than usual.

Damper Control Assembly

If the freezer is cold but refrigerator is warm the air damper control might be stuck closed or broken. The air damper control is either an automatic or manually operated door which opens and closes to let more or less cold air into the refrigerator compartment. If it doesn't open properly it won't let enough cold air into the refrigerator. If the evaporator fan is running, the damper door is open and no air is coming out. The evaporator may be frosted up caused by a defrost problem.

Thermistor

If the freezer is cold but the refrigerator is warm the thermistor might be defective. The thermistor is a sensor which monitors the air temperature. It is connected to the control board. If the thermistor is defective the refrigerator does not cool or may cool continuously.

Temperature Control Board

If the refrigerator's freezer is cold but the refrigerator is warm the temperature control board might be defective. The temperature control board provides the voltage to the fan motors and compressor. These boards are often misdiagnosed. Check all other components to be certain this is the cause of the problem.

Defrost Thermostat

If the refrigerator freezer is cold but the refrigerator is warm, the defrost thermostat might be defective. Several times a day the defrost heater turns on for a few minutes to melt away any frost that may have accumulated on the evaporator coils. In order for this to work, the defrost thermostat has to sense that the coils are cold enough. If the coils are cold enough the defrost heater will turn on. If the thermostat is defective it may not be able to sense the temperature of the coils and then won't turn on the defrost heater. If the defrost heater doesn't turn on, the frost will build up on the coils and eventually no air will be able to travel through the coils to provide cooling to the freezer or refrigerator. The defrost thermostat can be checked for continuity. It should have continuity when it reaches the low temperature of its operating range.

Main Control Board

If the refrigerator's freezer is cold but the refrigerator is warm the main control board might be defective. This is not common. The cause of this problem is almost always in the defrost components.