Refrigerator Not Cooling? What to Check Before You Call for Service

Quick answer

A refrigerator that isn’t cold enough usually has a simple cause: the temperature setting, a demo (showroom) mode that turns cooling off, food blocking the air vents, or a door that isn’t sealing. Check those first, and put a thermometer inside to see how warm it really is. The FDA says the fridge should stay at or below 40°F and the freezer at 0°F. If the fridge is still warm after the checks below, or the freezer is warm too, it is time to call for service.

First, find out how warm it really is

The air inside always feels warm for a moment when you open the door. Samsung notes that the cold air rushes out each time, so touching metal or glass containers tells you more than feeling the air. An appliance thermometer tells you the most.

USDA FSIS gives a simple method:

• Refrigerator: put the thermometer in a glass of water in the middle of the fridge and wait 5 to 8 hours. If it doesn’t read 38 to 40°F, adjust the control and check again after another 5 to 8 hours.
• Freezer: put the thermometer between frozen food packages and wait 5 to 8 hours. FSIS looks for 0 to 2°F. Samsung adds that you shouldn’t put a glass of water in the freezer, because the glass can shatter.

What	Temperature	Source
Refrigerator, food safety limit	40°F or below	FDA, USDA FSIS
Freezer	0°F	FDA, USDA FSIS
Thermometer reading to aim for in the fridge	38 to 40°F	USDA FSIS
Thermometer reading to aim for in the freezer	0 to 2°F	USDA FSIS
“Danger Zone,” where bacteria grow fastest	40 to 140°F	USDA FSIS

The number on the display is a setting, not a measurement. Use a thermometer to check. Source: FDA, Are You Storing Food Safely?; USDA FSIS, Refrigeration & Food Safety and Appliance Thermometers

FSIS also advises against storing perishable foods in the door bins, because their temperature swings more than the main shelves.

Is your food still safe?

USDA FSIS says food held above 40°F for more than 2 hours should not be eaten. If your thermometer reads above 40°F and you don’t know for how long, use the power-outage chart on FoodSafety.gov. It sorts refrigerated foods by what to do after more than 2 hours at 40°F or above. Some common examples:

Food	What to do
Raw or cooked meat, poultry, fish, or seafood; lunch meat, hot dogs, bacon	Discard
Milk, cream, sour cream, yogurt	Discard
Fresh eggs and egg dishes	Discard
Soft cheeses (such as mozzarella, Brie, cottage, cream cheese) and shredded cheese	Discard
Cooked pasta, rice, or potatoes; casseroles, soups, stews	Discard
Cut fresh fruit and vegetables; pre-cut packaged greens	Discard
Hard cheeses (such as Cheddar, Swiss, Parmesan) and processed cheese	Keep
Butter, margarine	Keep
Uncut fresh fruit and vegetables	Keep
Ketchup, mustard, jelly, pickles, peanut butter	Keep
Bread, rolls, tortillas	Keep

Partial list. The full chart covers many more foods. Never taste food to decide whether it is safe. Source: FoodSafety.gov, Food Safety During Power Outage (refrigerated food chart)

For the freezer, FoodSafety.gov says food can be refrozen if it still has ice crystals or is at 40°F or below, though its quality may suffer. Ice cream and frozen yogurt are on its discard list either way. The rule on both charts is the same: when in doubt, throw it out.

While you work on the fridge, keep the doors shut as much as you can. The FDA says an unopened refrigerator without power keeps food cold for about 4 hours. If the fix will take longer (a full defrost takes a day or more), FSIS suggests coolers with frozen gel packs.

How your fridge gets cold air

Knowing the airflow makes the rest of the checks easier. Whirlpool explains that most refrigerators share one cooling system: cold air is made in the freezer and pushed into the fresh-food section through vents. The heat taken out of the food has to leave the cabinet, which is why Samsung says a fridge in too tight a space can’t get rid of its heat.

So a warm fresh-food section with a cold freezer often means the cold air isn’t getting through. If the freezer is warm too, look first at power, settings, and the space around the fridge.

1. Check power, the cooling switch, and error codes

• Lights and display. GE says to open the door and look for the light. If there’s no light, check that the plug is in and that the outlet has power.
• A GFCI outlet. If the fridge is plugged into one, Frigidaire says to check whether it has tripped and needs to be reset.
• A tripped breaker. Switch it fully off, then back on, once. If it trips again, leave it off and call an electrician.
• Cooling turned off. Whirlpool notes that some refrigerators must be turned back on by hand after a power outage or surge, and that cooling can be switched off by accident during cleaning. On Samsung top-freezer models, check that neither compartment is in Off mode.
• Error codes. Samsung suggests a power cycle: unplug the fridge or turn off its breaker for 2 minutes, then restore power. As it restarts, it runs a self-test and shows a code if it finds a problem. Samsung says an error code may mean the fridge needs service. LG sends owners who see any code other than demo mode to its error code list.
• Recently repaired? GE says a fridge that was just serviced may still be in diagnostic mode. Disconnecting power for 30 seconds should reset it.

A fridge that goes quiet for a while is not always broken. GE says the compressor and fans stop during the defrost cycle, which can last 30 to 45 minutes once or twice a day. After a short power outage, the compressor may also wait a while before it restarts on its own.

2. Turn off demo, showroom, or Cooling Off mode

If the lights and display work but nothing gets cold, the fridge may be in a store display mode, which keeps the lights and panel on but turns cooling off. It can be left on from the showroom or switched on by a stray button press.

• LG: the display shows O F F. LG says to open the refrigerator door and hold the Refrigerator and Ice Plus buttons together for several seconds until the panel returns to normal. The exact steps differ for 2018-and-earlier and 2019-and-newer models.
• Samsung: the display shows OF OF, O FF, OFF OFF, or scrolling temperature bars. Samsung calls this Cooling Off mode. You exit it by holding a button combination until the fridge chimes; the buttons vary by panel. On Family Hub models, it’s in the Fridge Manager app under Fridge Settings. Samsung says this mode needs no service call, but food will spoil if it stays on.
• Whirlpool: on some models the word Showroom lights up. The interior lights work, but neither section cools. Whirlpool says the exit steps vary by model, so check your owner’s manual.
• GE: GE lists demo mode as one reason a fridge doesn’t cool. Your owner’s manual has the steps.

3. Check the setting, then give it time

• Digital displays. LG says a fridge set to 41°F or 43°F will not feel cold enough, and suggests 34 to 37°F if it’s too warm. If the panel is locked, LG says to hold the Lock/Unlock button for 3 seconds first.
• Dials and numbered settings. On numbered controls, a higher number is colder, according to both Whirlpool and GE. On models that show the actual temperature, GE says to set it one degree lower instead.
• Wait between changes. Whirlpool says to wait at least 24 hours between adjustments. Samsung says a fridge can take up to 28 hours to reach a new setting if the doors stay closed. A new or just repaired fridge needs time too: about 24 hours according to GE, and two to three days according to LG, depending on the food load.
• A big grocery load. Whirlpool notes that a lot of warm food can take several hours to cool. FSIS suggests dividing large pots of soup or stew into small, shallow containers before you refrigerate them.

4. Clear the vents and load it right

Whirlpool explains that food pushed against the back and side walls blocks the vents that carry cold air. If the return vents are blocked, the fresh-food section can end up warm.

• Keep food about 2 inches away from the vents, as Samsung recommends. GE suggests moving tall items forward.
• Check the freezer too. LG says to rearrange freezer food as well, and as Whirlpool explains, that is where the cold air starts.
• Full, but not crammed. LG says to fill the fridge no more than 70% full for good airflow. Samsung suggests keeping it at least two-thirds stocked, so less warm air comes in each time you open the door. GE notes that closed containers of water or food help hold the temperature steady. The FDA’s version: don’t crowd it so tightly that air can’t circulate.

5. Make sure the doors close and seal

A door that doesn’t seal lets warm, moist air in all day.

• Look for things in the way. GE lists trays, platters, pizza boxes, and ice behind the ice bin. LG points to shelves that were put back wrong and items sticking out of the door bins.
• Do the dollar-bill test. Samsung and Frigidaire both describe it: close the door on a dollar bill, then pull it out. A slight drag means the seal is working. If it slides out easily, the seal is weak at that spot. Try a few spots around the door.
• Clean the gasket. Frigidaire says to use warm, soapy water. Samsung suggests wiping the seals with a damp cloth and dish soap once a month.
• Read the clues. Samsung says frost or condensation along the inside edge near the seal shows where the door isn’t sealing. Another Samsung check: put a flashlight inside and close the door. Where light shows, there’s a gap.
• Check the level. GE says that if the door doesn’t swing shut on its own from halfway open (about 45 degrees), you may need to adjust the leveling legs or rollers so the front sits higher than the back. Samsung notes that a new fridge that isn’t level can fail the bill test.
• Check the light. GE says the interior light should go out when the door is about 1 inch from closed. A light that stays on adds heat.

Samsung says a seal that has slipped out of its channel can be pushed back in. A seal that is torn, split, or warped needs service.

6. Check the room, the clearance, and the condenser coils

• Room temperature. Whirlpool says its refrigerators are meant for rooms between 55°F and 110°F. GE says a fridge may not cool properly below 60°F or above 110°F. A hot garage in summer or a cold one in winter can cause trouble.
• Heat sources. Whirlpool advises keeping the fridge away from an oven, radiator, or other heat source, not installing it behind a cabinet door, and not blocking the base grille. Samsung adds direct sunlight.
• Clearance. Samsung asks for 2 inches at the top, back, and sides. GE says at least 1 inch is generally needed on each side, top, and back, but that it varies by model. Your installation guide has the number for yours.
• Condenser coils. These coils give off the heat removed from inside the fridge. GE says dirty coils make the sealed system run less efficiently. Many fridges don’t need coil cleaning at all: GE says most of its models made since 2001 have coils in a place that doesn’t require it, and Whirlpool says a typical home usually needs no routine cleaning. Dusty or greasy rooms and shedding pets change that; Whirlpool’s guidance for those homes ranges from every 3 to 6 months to as often as every other month, and some of its models can only be cleaned by a certified technician. Your owner’s manual says whether and how to clean yours. Unplug the fridge first. Our guide to cleaning refrigerator condenser coils covers where they are and how often each brand recommends it.

To see what your fridge costs to run each month, see how much electricity a refrigerator uses.

7. Freezer cold but fridge warm? Look for frost and a stopped fan

Because the cold air comes from the freezer, anything that blocks its path can warm the fresh-food section while the freezer stays cold.

• Frost on the vents. Samsung says frost can form on the back wall near the vents. Once it does, it blocks airflow even after you move the food, so it has to be cleared away.
• A fan frozen in place. LG says ice or frost around a fan motor can stop it from turning. LG displays show ER FF for the freezer fan or ER rF for the refrigerator-compartment fan. LG says this often follows an overfilled freezer or a door that wasn’t fully closed.
• Listen before you decide. Frigidaire says compressor hum, fans blowing, and refrigerant gurgling are all signs the unit is trying to cool. A quiet fan isn’t always a problem, since GE notes that the fans stop during the defrost cycle.

How to clear it. For light frost, Samsung suggests a damp cloth, or a plastic scraper for thicker patches. For heavy ice, LG’s steps are:

1. Move the food to another fridge or an insulated cooler.
2. Lay dry towels on the floor around the fridge.
3. Unplug it and leave the doors wide open for at least 24 hours. LG says melting takes about a day in summer and up to three days in winter.
4. Wipe the inside dry.
5. Plug it back in and allow 24 to 48 hours for it to get cold again.

Don’t use a hair dryer or sharp tools. Samsung says frost comes from warm, moist air getting inside, and Frigidaire adds a warped door gasket, an ice chute flap that doesn’t close, and blocked airflow as causes. Fix those too, or the frost can come back. If it returns anyway, or LG’s fan code is still there after a full defrost, both brands point you to service. A failed fan motor is an electrical part, so leave its replacement to a technician.

When it’s the sealed system

The compressor, the coils, and the refrigerant form a closed loop. The EPA describes household refrigerators as appliances that are fully built, charged with refrigerant, and hermetically sealed at the factory. Under the Clean Air Act, the EPA requires anyone who adds or removes refrigerant, or attaches gauges to measure the pressure inside, to be a certified technician, with a certification type specific to small appliances like home refrigerators.

There is nothing to adjust here at home. If the fridge runs but still doesn’t cool after you’ve ruled out everything above, schedule service. GE asks you to leave the fridge plugged in until the technician arrives, so the symptoms are still there to diagnose. Keep the food in coolers in the meantime.

Brand quick reference

Brand	Suggested fridge setting	Time to settle	Worth knowing
LG	36 to 37°F; 34 to 37°F if it’s not cold enough	2 to 3 days after installation or repair	O F F means display mode. ER FF or ER rF means a fan may be blocked by ice.
Samsung	38°F on most models (freezer -2°F)	Up to 28 hours to reach a new setting	OF OF or O FF means Cooling Off mode. A blinking temperature means the compartment is too warm.
Whirlpool	Factory “mid setting”	Wait 24 hours between adjustments; 24 hours for a new freezer	Some models must be switched back on after an outage. Some show “Showroom” in demo mode.
GE	Dial models: one number higher for colder	About 24 hours for a new fridge	Demo mode and post-repair diagnostic mode can stop cooling.
Frigidaire	37°F (freezer 0°F)	24 hours	Within 30 days of installation, contact the installer first.

Settings and codes vary by model. Your owner's manual is the final word. Source: Manufacturer support pages listed below

To catch the next problem early, FSIS recommends keeping an appliance thermometer in the fridge and the freezer at all times. For more refrigerator help, see the refrigerator guides.