A refrigerator that stops cooling is one of the most urgent calls we get, since every hour raises the risk of losing a fridge full of food. Before you assume the worst, here's the order our technicians check things in — and it's often not what people expect.
This is the single most common cause we find. Dust-covered coils can't release heat efficiently, which makes the compressor work overtime — or stop cooling altogether. It's also the easiest thing to check and fix yourself.
This fan circulates cold air from the freezer into the fridge compartment. If it fails, the freezer may stay cold while the refrigerator side warms up — a telltale pattern our technicians look for right away.
The start relay tells the compressor when to kick on. If it fails, the compressor may hum but never actually start, which means no cooling at all despite the fridge appearing to "run."
If the defrost heater, thermostat, or timer fails, frost can build up on the evaporator coils until it completely blocks airflow. This often causes gradual warming rather than a sudden failure.
This component signals the compressor and fans to run. When it fails, it can stop sending that signal entirely, leaving the whole cooling system idle even though the fridge has power.
Less common, but more serious. A slow leak causes gradual warming over days or weeks. This repair requires a licensed technician, since refrigerant handling is regulated by the EPA.
The compressor is the heart of the cooling system, and a full failure is the most expensive of these seven causes. This is usually where the repair-versus-replace conversation comes in, especially on older units.
If your refrigerator has stopped cooling, don't wait — call us at (240) 885-0836 for same-day diagnosis throughout Bethesda.