Fridge Not Cold Enough

A fridge that's not cold enough is more than an inconvenience – it's a food safety issue. Here's how to diagnose the problem and whether you can fix it yourself.

Quick Temperature Check

Your fridge should be at or below 5°C. Your freezer should be at or below -18°C.

If you don't have a fridge thermometer, a glass of water left overnight should feel noticeably cold.

DIY Fixes to Try First

1. Check the Temperature Setting

It sounds obvious, but settings can get knocked accidentally.

Try this:

• Check the thermostat dial or digital display
• Set to mid-range (usually 3-4 on a 1-5 scale)
• Wait 24 hours for temperature to stabilise

2. Check the Door Seal

A worn or dirty seal lets warm air in constantly, making the fridge work overtime.

How to test:

• Close the door on a piece of paper
• If it slides out easily, the seal needs attention
• Clean the seal with warm soapy water
• Check for cracks or gaps

3. Don't Overfill (or Underfill)

Both cause problems:

• Overfilled: Blocks air circulation
• Too empty: No thermal mass to hold cold

Try this:

• Leave space between items for air to circulate
• If nearly empty, add bottles of water for thermal mass

4. Check the Vents

Cold air flows from the freezer to the fridge through vents. If blocked, the fridge won't cool.

How to check:

• Find the vents (usually at the back of the fridge compartment)
• Ensure nothing is pushed up against them
• Check for ice buildup (indicates defrost problem)

5. Clean the Condenser Coils

Dusty coils can't release heat efficiently. The fridge runs hot and struggles to cool.

How to clean:

1. Unplug the fridge
2. Find the coils (back or underneath)
3. Vacuum or brush off dust
4. Plug back in

When the Problem Is More Serious

If you've tried everything above and your fridge still isn't cold, you likely have a component failure.

Failed Compressor

The compressor is the heart of your fridge – it pumps refrigerant through the system.

Signs:

• Fridge is silent (no humming)
• Back of fridge isn't warm
• Complete failure to cool

DIY fix? No. Compressor replacement requires a Gas Safe registered engineer for refrigerant handling.

Repair cost: From £200-350 (sometimes not economical on older fridges)

Thermostat Failure

The thermostat tells the compressor when to run. If faulty, it may never turn on.

Signs:

• Fridge runs constantly OR never
• Temperature swings
• Clicking sounds

DIY fix? Not recommended – requires electrical work.

Repair cost: From £80-150

Evaporator Fan Failure

The fan circulates cold air. If it fails, the freezer stays cold but the fridge warms up.

Signs:

• Freezer cold, fridge warm
• No airflow in fridge section
• Unusual noises from freezer

DIY fix? Possible if you're handy, but accessing it is complex.

Repair cost: From £100-180

Refrigerant Leak

If the sealed system is leaking, the fridge gradually loses cooling ability.

Signs:

• Gradual loss of cooling over weeks
• Oily residue near pipes
• Frost in unusual places

DIY fix? No. Requires professional repair with refrigerant recharge.

Repair cost: From £150-300

Food Safety Actions

If your fridge fails:

1. Don't open the door – it keeps cold longer
2. Move critical items to a neighbour's fridge
3. Pack a cool box with ice
4. Use thermometer to monitor temperature
5. Dispose of dairy, meat, and fish if above 5°C for 2+ hours

Get Expert Help

When DIY fixes don't work, get a fixed price quote. Our engineers diagnose the problem and give you honest advice on whether repair is worthwhile.