Frigidaire Refrigerator: not cooling

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Experiencing issues with your Frigidaire refrigerator not cooling? If the interior temperature is warmer than 37°F, your food may spoil and airflow may be compromised. This can lead to uneven cooling between the fridge and freezer or continuous operation without reaching the desired temperature. Identifying the cause is crucial for restoring your appliance's performance.

Urgency: High

Important Tips for Frigidaire Models

  • Frigidaire official guidance highlights checking blocked vents and door seal to ensure proper airflow needed for cooling
  • Damper control assembly malfunction commonly d for fridge cooling issues with freezer cold but fridge warm

Possible Causes

Blocked or restricted airflow between freezer and refrigerator compartment

How to Identify: Warm fridge section with cold freezer; poor airflow from vents; damper not opening/closing

Part: Air vents / damper control assembly

Dirty condenser coils

How to Identify: Unit runs longer than normal, coils visibly dusty/dirty, poor cooling performance overall

Part: Condenser coils

Evaporator fan motor failure

How to Identify: No airflow sound inside when freezer door opened, freezer cold but fridge warm

Part: Evaporator fan motor

Faulty door gasket / air leaks

How to Identify: Air leaks at door edges, gasket cracks or gaps present; dollar-bill test fails

Part: Door gasket

Defrost system failure causing ice buildup on evaporator coils

How to Identify: Ice buildup on evaporator coils, frost thick layer, reduced airflow

Part: Defrost heater/thermostat/timer

Faulty temperature control thermostat or control board

How to Identify: Fridge fails to respond to temperature settings; erratic cooling cycles

Part: Temperature control thermostat / control board

Compressor or start relay failure

How to Identify: Unit not cooling at all, compressor not running or clicking repeatedly

Part: Compressor / start relay

DIY Solutions

Clean condenser coils

Moderate 30-60 minutes
Tools Needed: vacuum with brush attachment, coil cleaning brush, screwdriver (if access panel)
  1. Unplug refrigerator and pull away from wall
  2. Locate condenser coils (back or bottom) and remove access panel if needed
  3. Use vacuum and brush to remove dust and debris from coils
  4. Replace panel and plug unit back in, allow normal operation
⚠️ Safety First: Unplug before working on coils

Clear airflow vents and check damper operation

Easy 10-20 minutes
  1. Remove food blocking air vents inside fridge/freezer
  2. Open fridge and freezer doors and verify cold air flow
  3. If damper appears stuck, gently free obstruction following manual guidance
⚠️ Safety First: Do not force components

Inspect and replace door gasket

Moderate 60-90 minutes
Tools Needed: screwdriver, warm soapy water, replacement gasket
  1. Unplug fridge and open door
  2. Clean gasket with soapy water and inspect for cracks or gaps
  3. Perform dollar-bill test to check seal
  4. Remove old gasket and install new gasket as per model instructions
⚠️ Safety First: Ensure proper alignment for airtight seal

Defrost evaporator manually

Easy several hours
Tools Needed: towels, hot hair dryer (optional)
  1. Unplug fridge and remove food items
  2. Leave doors open with towels to collect water
  3. Optionally use hair dryer to melt thick ice buildup
⚠️ Safety First: Do not use sharp tools to chip ice

Professional Repairs

Replace evaporator fan motor

Estimated Cost: $80 - $200

Replace temperature control thermostat or control board

Estimated Cost: $100 - $400

Compressor or start relay replacement

Estimated Cost: $200 - $800+

When to Call a Professional

Evaporator fan or compressor failure suspected
Control board or thermostat diagnostics needed
Persistent cooling failure after DIY checks

Preventive Maintenance

  • Clean condenser coils: Poor heat dissipation and cooling loss
    Frequency: every 6 months
  • Check door seals: Cold air leaks reducing cooling efficiency
    Frequency: monthly
  • Ensure vents are unobstructed: Airflow restriction leading to poor cooling
    Frequency: weekly

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Frigidaire Refrigerator not cooling?
Common causes include blocked airflow, dirty condenser coils, and a failing evaporator fan motor.
How do I fix Frigidaire Refrigerator not cooling myself?
Try cleaning the condenser coils, clearing airflow vents, or inspecting the door gasket for leaks.
How much does it cost to fix not cooling?
Professional repairs can range from $80 to over $800 depending on the issue.
When should I call a technician for not cooling?
If DIY solutions fail or if the issue involves complex components like the compressor, it's best to seek professional help.

References & Sources

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

67%
DIY Success Rate Difficulty: DIY

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Defrost system failure (5 mentions)
  • Faulty thermostat (4 mentions)
  • Blocked air vent (3 mentions)
  • Compressor issues (3 mentions)
  • Damper control failure (3 mentions)

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Replace defrost thermostat

    Success rate: 4.0%

  2. Defrost air vent to restore airflow

    Success rate: 4.0%

  3. Replace air damper control

    Success rate: 2.0%

  4. Check and replace thermostat

    Success rate: 2.0%

  5. Thaw ice buildup in the freezer

    Success rate: 2.0%
Analysis based on 27 community discussions
View Sources

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

  1. Frigidaire refrigerator warm, freezer fine
  2. Frigidaire LGHB2869TF3 – fridge warm, top of evaporator keep...
  3. Frigidaire lfhb2741pf refrigerator not cooling
  4. Frigidaire Refrigerator Malfunction
  5. Frigidaire Fridge not cooling but freezer is working
  6. Frigidaire Gallery refrigerator not cooling lower than 41 de...
  7. Frigidaire Refrigerator Side Not Cooling
  8. Frigidaire FFTR1821QB3 Refrigerator, Freezer Cold, Fridge Wa...
  9. Frigidaire Refrigerator I've tried everything and still won...
  10. Frigidaire gallery stops working unless defrosted every 2 we...
  11. Scorch marks/soot above freezer evaporator coil
  12. Help! Refrigerator compressor not starting but the fans work...
  13. Broken refrigerator un-broke itself. Any ideas on what happe...
  14. Frigidaire refrigerator (FRS23R4CW3) ice build up
  15. Code OP on Frigidaire Gallery
  16. Frigidaire 134a Leak? Fix / Recharge - Budget Friendly Optio...
  17. Help Needed! Frigidaire Gallery Model# FGHN2866PFHA Freezer ...
  18. Frigidaire not cooling the fresh food side
  19. Looking for a big reliable basic FOT Fridge.
  20. Frigidaire fftr1821tds repair
  21. Frigidaire has to be manually defrosted every 10 days
  22. Frigidaire FRT18P5AQ0, system is running and on coldest sett...
  23. Frigidaire refrigerator freezer works but fridge isn't cooli...
  24. Frigidaire FFHS2622MSJ: Refrigerator side not cooling. Feel ...
  25. Frigidaire refrigerator: freezer temp high
  26. Frigidaire sealed system repeated leak
  27. How long should it take a Frigidaire refrigerator to return ...

Community Discussions

Fridge and Freezer both not cooling

The issue was resolved by properly connecting a wire to the inverter board, which allowed the compressor to run.

DIY View on Reddit →

no longer cool, H1 code displayed, beeping

Replaced the air damper control, which fixed the cooling issue.

DIY View on Reddit →

ice build up in the top right corner of the condenser, freezer and fridge not cold enough

Thawing the ice did not resolve the issue; signs indicate a refrigerant leak.

Pro needed View on Reddit →

temperature above freezing, hissing sound, ice buildup

Technician determined that the fridge needs a new compressor, new condenser, and new lines.

Pro needed View on Reddit →

Frigidaire refrigerator warm, freezer fine

Defrosted the air vent blocked with ice, restoring airflow.

DIY View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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