A broken fridge or freezer is a race against time. The clock starts ticking the moment your appliance stops working, and if you don’t act fast, you could be dealing with spoiled food, leaks, or even costly repairs. Luckily, there are steps you can take to minimize the damage and, in some cases, even get your fridge or freezer working again without calling for professional help.
Here’s what you should do the moment you notice something’s wrong.
1. Check for Power Issues
First things first—make sure the fridge or freezer is actually broken. It may sound obvious, but sometimes the issue is as simple as a tripped breaker, a loose plug, or a faulty outlet.
- Check the power cord: Is it securely plugged in? If it’s loose, push it in firmly.
- Inspect the breaker box: If a breaker has tripped, reset it and see if the fridge powers back on.
- Test the outlet: Plug in another device to confirm if the outlet is working. If it’s not, the problem might not be your appliance at all.
If the power supply is fine and your fridge or freezer still isn’t running, move on to the next step.
2. Keep the Doors Closed
The more you open your fridge or freezer, the faster the temperature will rise. If your appliance has stopped cooling, keeping the doors shut will help preserve the cold air inside.
- A full freezer can keep food frozen for about 48 hours if you leave the door closed.
- A half-full freezer will last around 24 hours.
- A fridge can keep food safe for about 4 hours before things start to warm up.
If you suspect a long-term outage, consider moving perishable items to a cooler with ice packs.
3. Look for Warning Signs
If your fridge or freezer is still running but not cooling properly, take a closer look at these common red flags:
- Strange noises – A buzzing, clicking, or loud humming sound could mean a failing compressor or fan.
- Leaks – Water pooling under the fridge may indicate a clogged defrost drain or a broken water line.
- Frost buildup – Excess frost in the freezer could be caused by a faulty defrost system.
- Warm air inside – If the fridge feels warm, check the thermostat settings and make sure nothing is blocking the vents.
Spotting these signs early can help you prevent further damage and save on repair costs.
4. Clean the Condenser Coils
Dirty condenser coils can cause your fridge to overheat and stop cooling properly. Over time, dust and pet hair build up on the coils, making your appliance work harder than it should.
To clean them:
- Unplug the fridge.
- Locate the condenser coils (usually at the back or bottom of the appliance).
- Use a coil brush or vacuum attachment to remove dust and debris.
- Plug the fridge back in and check if it starts cooling again.
If your fridge is still struggling after cleaning the coils, it may need professional attention.
5. Adjust the Temperature Settings
Sometimes, the issue is as simple as the thermostat being set too high.
- The fridge temperature should be set at or below 40°F (ideally 37°F).
- The freezer should be set at 0°F.
If the settings are off, adjust them and wait a few hours to see if the temperature stabilizes.
6. Call for Professional Help If Needed
If you’ve gone through these steps and your fridge or freezer is still not working, it’s time to call in the experts. Waiting too long can lead to spoiled food, higher energy bills, and expensive repairs down the line.
At TC Appliance Repair, we specialize in same-day refrigerator repair service in Austin. Whether your fridge is leaking, making strange noises, or just not cooling, our experienced technicians can diagnose the problem and get it fixed quickly.
Don’t let a broken fridge or freezer turn into a bigger headache contact us today for fast and reliable service.
