Amana Refrigerator: not cooling properly

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Is your Amana refrigerator not cooling properly? If the interior is warmer than normal and food is spoiling faster, you may have an issue with dirty condenser coils, malfunctioning fans, or a faulty door gasket. Address this problem quickly to prevent further spoilage and ensure your appliance operates efficiently.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Amana Models

Some models may have â€˜Showroomâ€™ or â€˜Demoâ€™ mode that disables cooling
Controls may need to be manually reset after power outage to restore cooling

Possible Causes

Condenser coils dirty or blocked

How to Identify: Visible dust, dirt, or debris on coils; fridge runs constantly with poor cooling

Part: Condenser coils

Evaporator fan or condenser fan malfunction

How to Identify: No airflow noise from fan when compressor runs; freezer cold but fridge warm; fan blades stuck or not spinning freely

Part: Evaporator fan, Condenser fan motor

Faulty door gasket allowing warm air infiltration

How to Identify: Cold air escaping around door, visible gaps in gasket, fridge cycling more often

Part: Door gasket/seal

Damper control assembly stuck (cold air not reaching fridge compartment)

How to Identify: Freezer is cold but fridge section is warm; damper may not open

Part: Damper control assembly

Compressor or start relay failure

How to Identify: Compressor does not start; clicking noises; warm surfaces; fridge not cooling at all

Part: Compressor, start relay

Refrigerant leak or sealed system issue

How to Identify: Hissing sounds, oily residue near sealed system, frost pattern abnormalities

Part: Refrigerant circuit

DIY Solutions

Clean condenser coils

Moderate 30â€“60 minutes

Tools Needed: vacuum with brush attachment, coil brush, screwdriver (if access panel)

Unplug refrigerator and pull it away from wall
Locate condenser coils (back or under fridge)
Use brush and vacuum to remove dust and debris
Reassemble any panels and plug refrigerator back in

⚠️ Safety First: Unplug first to avoid electric shock

Inspect and test fans

Moderate 20â€“45 minutes

Tools Needed: screwdriver, multimeter (optional)

Unplug refrigerator and open freezer to access evaporator fan
Attempt to manually spin fan blades to check for obstruction
Restore power briefly to listen for fan operation (with door switch override)
If blades donâ€™t spin and no noise is heard, test motor for continuity and replace fan if necessary

⚠️ Safety First: Cut power before disassembling components

Check and adjust thermostat

Easy 5â€“10 minutes

Locate thermostat control inside fridge
Verify thermostat is set to recommended colder setting
Listen for click when adjusting temperature
Wait several hours to see if temperatures improve

Inspect & clean air vents

Easy 5â€“10 minutes

Open fridge and locate internal air vents
Rearrange food items to ensure vents are unobstructed
Remove any ice buildup near vents with warm air or defrost

⚠️ Safety First: Do not use sharp objects to clear ice or blockages

Check door gasket seal

Easy 5â€“15 minutes

Tools Needed: paper strip

Close door on a strip of paper
Try pulling paper out; if it slides out easily, gasket may be faulty
Clean gasket with mild soap and water
Replace gasket if damaged

Professional Repairs

Replace evaporator or condenser fan motor

Estimated Cost: $70 - $200

Replace damper control assembly

Estimated Cost: $100 - $250

Compressor or refrigerant system repair

Estimated Cost: $300 - $800+

When to Call a Professional

Compressor does not start or runs but no cooling

Refrigerant leak symptoms (hissing, oily residue)

Electrical faults or frequent breaker trips

Damage to sealed system components

Preventive Maintenance

Clean condenser coils: Poor cooling due to dirty coils
Frequency: every 6 months
Check door gaskets: Warm air infiltration
Frequency: every 3â€“6 months
Ensure vents are unobstructed: Airflow-related cooling issues
Frequency: ongoing as food is rearranged

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Amana Refrigerator not cooling properly?

Common causes include dirty condenser coils, malfunctioning fans, faulty door gaskets, or a stuck damper control.

How do I fix Amana Refrigerator not cooling properly myself?

You can clean the condenser coils, check fan operation, adjust the thermostat, and inspect the door gasket for issues.

How much does it cost to fix not cooling properly?

Professional repairs can range from $70 to $800+, depending on the problem and parts needed.

When should I call a technician for not cooling properly?

If DIY solutions don't resolve the issue or if the compressor or refrigerant system is suspected, it's time to call a pro.

References & Sources

5 Reasons Why Your Refrigerator May Not Be Cooling Official

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

100%

DIY Success Rate Difficulty: DIY

Common Issues Reported by Users

Defrost issues (evaporator coils not defrosting) (2 mentions)
Temperature control issues (damper or control board problems) (2 mentions)

User Suggested Solutions

Check defrost thermostat and heater; if both are good, consider replacing the control board.

Success rate: 25.0%
Run forced defrost with food still in the freezer, just minimize door openings.

Success rate: 25.0%
Vacuum condenser coils under the fridge and adjust freezer temperature.

Success rate: 25.0%

Analysis based on 4 community discussions
View Sources

Data compiled from real discussions on r/appliancerepair and r/Appliances:

Community Discussions

Woke up to a warm fridge but cold freezer; ice buildup behind back panel.

You can run the forced defrost with food still in the freezer, just minimize door openings.

DIY View on Reddit →

Lettuce and other vegetables freezing in fridge

Vacuumed condenser coils under the fridge and adjusted freezer temperature.