Simple Solutions for Addressing Common Refrigerator
Is your refrigerator running? What used to be a common prank quickly loses its humor when your refrigerator malfunctions. If your refrigerator isn't performing up to its usual standards, it's important to act quickly to prevent any issues from becoming larger problems. While some refrigeration issues may require the attention of a trained professional, there are many refrigerator repairs that you can complete easily at home with some basic troubleshooting and minor adjustments.
Here are some common symptoms requiring refrigerator repair, along with steps you can take toward resolving them:
Temperature Instability: If your refrigerator is warm, or if it is too cold and is freezing your food, the first thing to check is the internal temperature control dial. If adjusting the temperature setting doesn't resolve the issue, check the condenser coils, located on the back of your refrigerator. Occasionally, these coils can become coated in dust and debris, prohibiting the unit from cooling efficiently. If you continue to experience problems with temperature instability after cleaning the coils, you may need to call a refrigerator repair service to adjust the internal thermostat settings.
Leaking: A leaking refrigerator is a particularly urgent issue, requiring immediate attention to prevent exacerbated problems including water damage to the floor and other surfaces in your home. If you've got water on the floor outside of the refrigerator, check the condensing defrost tray underneath the fridge. If the tray is tilted, not level, or damaged, it could allow water to leak out onto the floor. If you've got water leaking inside the refrigerator, it may be due to a malfunctioning humidity control. If your refrigerator has an ice/water dispenser, check the water lines for leaks.
Excessive Noise: A certain amount of noise is completely normal for a refrigerator, but excessive groaning, knocking, or banging noises are indicative that something's wrong. Check to see where the noise is coming from. If you've got a banging or rattling noise coming from the back of the refrigerator, you may have a loose compressor or fan. If the sound originates underneath or near the front of the fridge, you may need to loosen the screws that hold the condensing defrost tray. A sputtering noise can be typical of a refrigerator going into defrost mode. If you're unable to determine the source of the sounds, or if adjusting the loose components doesn't resolve the issue, you may need to contact your local refrigerator repair service.
Failure to Run: If your refrigerator isn't running, it may be tied to a power issue. The easiest fix is to check and make sure that the power cord is plugged in, and that your outlet is working properly. If that doesn't fix the problem, check whether the light inside the refrigerator cabinet is on. If it isn't, it's a sign that your refrigerator isn't receiving power, and indicates a problem with the power cord. If the light is on, however, but the refrigerator won't cool, it's likely an issue with the condenser or cold control.
If you're unable to determine the cause of your refrigerator's malfunction, or if a minor parts adjustment doesn't resolve the issue, you may need to contact your local appliance repair service for professional refrigerator repair. Although fixing a problem yourself may save you some money in the short term, refrigerator repairs can be complex, and you don't want to risk personal injury or property damage due to a faulty amateur repair job. When it doubt, rely on the knowledge and expertise of the pros to restore your refrigerator to proper working order.