No one wants to open the fridge for a snack or cold drink and discover hot air. However, this situation can happen for many reasons. Acting quickly will prevent food from spoiling and bacteria from growing, and there are several signs that a refrigerator repair technician is needed. If faced with a failing fridge, review the guide below to learn about the potential causes.

Why Your Fridge Isn’t Cold

1. Dirty or Damaged Door Gaskets

The rubber gaskets on the fridge and freezer doors create air-tight seals to hold cold air in. When they’re overly dirty with dust and food debris, air may leak out through small areas. The problem worsens if the seals are pulling away or warped. If too much air leaks out, it's impossible for the fridge to stay cool.

Carefully inspect these components on all sides of the door and wipe them with warm water and dish soap to remove any lingering debris. Do the same with the frame surfaces they sit against when the door is closed. If the materials are damaged, have a refrigerator repair professional install new strips to ensure they’re even and efficient.

2. Broken Temperature Control

The thermostat and temperature control system must communicate correctly. If one component sends the wrong temperature or misreads the ambient air, the unit won’t cool down. Make sure the temperature control knob is at the recommended setting.

Adjust the knob as needed, and wait a day to see if the appliance cools down. If not, there’s likely a mechanical problem that a refrigerator repair professional must check.

3. Dirty Condenser

The fridge captures interior heat with a substance called refrigerant, which is held in coils. It circulates to the condenser and is then released as condensation or into the air. The condenser coils can’t do their job when they're overly dirty. 

You’ll find the coils on the back or bottom of the appliance — two places where a lot of dirt collects. See if grime has built up on the components. Cleaning the area with a vacuum will prevent future issues. However, leave the repairs to the professionals. Refrigerant is a toxic substance and needs to be handled appropriately. 

Ensure your refrigerator repairs are done right by calling Brian Doehler’s Appliance Service. This one-stop-shop helps Fairport, NY, residents keep their appliances running efficiently. They offer a satisfaction guarantee on all their work and pride themselves on their fast response times. Learn about their dishwasher, dryer, and other appliance services on their website, or call (585) 425-4510 to schedule appliance maintenance.