Fridge Problems: What’s Wrong and How to Fix Them

When your fridge stops keeping food cold, it feels like a mini emergency. The good news is that many issues are easy to spot and often fixable without a full service call. Below we break down the typical signs, the likely culprits, and step‑by‑step tricks you can try at home before dialing a repair tech.

What’s Going Wrong?

First, ask yourself what the fridge is actually doing. Is it not cooling at all, making weird noises, or leaking water? Here are the three most common complaints:

• Not cooling or only cooling a few shelves: Usually a problem with the compressor, condenser coils, or the thermostat.
• Strange sounds or rattling: May be a fan that’s jammed, a loose motor mount, or ice buildup on the evaporator.
• Water pooling inside or at the bottom: Often a blocked defrost drain or a faulty door seal.

Pinpointing the symptom narrows down the possible fixes and saves you time.

How to Fix Common Fridge Problems

1. Clean the condenser coils. Dusty coils act like a clogged radiator – the compressor has to work harder and can overheat. Pull the fridge away from the wall, locate the coils (usually behind or under the unit), and vacuum them with a brush attachment. This simple job can boost cooling performance dramatically.

2. Check the door gasket. A cracked or dirty seal lets warm air slip in. Run a dollar‑bill test: close the door on a bill, pull it out. If it slides out easily, the seal isn’t tight. Clean the gasket with warm, soapy water, or replace it if you see cracks.

3. Defrost the freezer. Ice buildup on the evaporator blocks airflow, causing warm spots in the fridge. Turn the fridge off, empty it, and let the ice melt. Once dry, restart the unit and watch the temperature drop back to normal.

4. Unclog the defrost drain. If you notice a puddle at the bottom, the drain pipe may be blocked by food particles. Locate the drain (often a small hole at the back of the freezer) and flush it with a mixture of hot water and a tiny bit of bleach. This clears the blockage and stops leaks.

5. Listen for the compressor. A humming compressor that clicks off after a few seconds usually means it’s overheating. After cleaning the coils, give the unit a 30‑minute cool‑down and restart it. If the compressor keeps cutting out, it’s a sign of a deeper issue that needs a professional eye.

These DIY steps cover about 80 % of everyday fridge hiccups. If you’ve run through them and the fridge still acts up, it’s time to call in a qualified repair service.

Why trust a local specialist? A trained technician can safely test the sealed system, replace a faulty compressor, or recharge refrigerant – tasks that require special tools and certifications. Plus, a local pro knows the make and model trends in the Glastonbury area, so you get a faster, more accurate fix.

Bottom line: start with the easy checks – clean coils, seal the door, melt ice, clear the drain. If those don’t solve the problem, don’t gamble with the food inside – reach out to a trusted fridge repair service. A quick call can save you from a spoiled dinner and a costly replacement.