A refrigerator that stops cooling is a genuine emergency. Every hour counts. Here are the five most common causes, ranked from easiest to hardest to fix yourself.
1. Dirty Condenser Coils
Condenser coils sit underneath or behind your fridge and release heat from the refrigerant. When coated in dust and pet hair, they can't release heat efficiently — the compressor overworks and the fridge gradually warms.
Fix: Unplug the fridge, pull it forward, and vacuum the coils with a brush attachment. Do this every 6–12 months.
2. Evaporator Fan Motor Failure
The evaporator fan circulates cold air from the freezer into the refrigerator section. If it fails, the freezer stays cold but the fridge warms up. You'll often hear a clicking or grinding noise from the freezer area first.
Fix: This requires a technician. The fan motor is accessible but involves removing the freezer back panel.
3. Frost Build-up on the Evaporator
If the defrost heater or defrost thermostat fails, frost accumulates on the evaporator coils and blocks airflow completely. Symptoms: fridge warm, freezer has a layer of frost thicker than normal.
Fix: A defrost heater replacement is a relatively affordable repair ($80–$150 parts and labour).
4. Faulty Door Gasket
A worn or torn door seal lets warm air in continuously, forcing the compressor to run non-stop without ever reaching the set temperature.
Test: Close the door on a piece of paper. If you can pull it out without resistance, the gasket needs replacing.
5. Compressor Failure
The compressor is the heart of the refrigeration system. When it fails, the fridge makes a clicking noise every few minutes (the start relay trying and failing) or goes completely silent.
Cost: Compressor replacement runs $300–$700 including labour. On older units, this may not be worth it — use the 50% rule: if the repair costs more than half the replacement value, consider a new fridge.
Not sure which fault your fridge has? Book online — free diagnosis with every service call.