Refrigerator Not Blowing Cold Air? Here’s What You Should Know
It can be a real headache when your refrigerator is not blowing cold air or suddenly stops working. Without that cool air, it’s only a matter of time before all the food inside—and the money you spent on it—goes to waste.
Before that happens, learn what to do if your refrigerator is not getting cold anymore—whether that’s a simple fix, a repairman’s expertise, or a dependable upgrade from Rent-A-Center.
What to Do When Your Fridge Stops Cooling
When you notice your fridge isn’t performing as it should, it’s natural to wonder what to do if your refrigerator is not getting cold. First, know that it’s important to avoid self-diagnosing the problem. Refrigerators are complex machines, and improper handling can cause more damage, or worse, void warranties.
Instead, contact a certified technician to evaluate the situation. Sometimes, repairs are possible, but in many cases, especially with older models, a replacement might be the more cost-effective and reliable solution.
What Causes the Refrigerator to Stop Cooling?
Fridges are built to last many years, but as an always-on, power-hungry appliance, it’s not unusual to eventually discover your refrigerator has stopped working (even if your freezer compartment hasn’t).
Here are nine potential reasons your refrigerator is not blowing cold air:
1. Fridge Temperature Controls Not Working
When you open the fridge, what are the temperature settings? If you have lots of hands (especially little ones) reaching into the fridge day and night, it’s possible the temperature controls were simply bumped or changed to a higher temperature.
For food safety, the best practice is to keep your fridge between 32-40ºF inside. For freezers, the ideal temperature setting is 0ºF—just watch out for freezer burn!
If you’ve adjusted the settings and the fridge temperature control is still not working, the thermistor could be to blame. The thermistor is a little sensor that monitors the temperature inside your fridge and tells it when to start and stop cooling. If it’s not working, your fridge might not cool when it should—or at all.
2. Blocked Air Vents
Your fridge and freezer compartments rely on air vents to circulate cold air. But if your refrigerator is stuffed to the brim with groceries, leftovers, and old food, that cool air can’t get everywhere. When your fridge is overloaded to the point of blocking air vents, food toward the back may stay cold—or even freeze—while other areas may warm up too much.
Decluttering and spacing out items in your refrigerator help keep airflow steady and the temperature even. If you find you still need more room, it could be time to upgrade to a larger fridge.
3. Dirty Condenser Coils
The condenser coils on the back of your fridge release heat collected during the refrigeration process. But over time, condenser coils tend to collect dust, dirt, and pet hair. This results in trapped heat that makes your refrigerator compressor work harder than it needs to, leading to less cooling.
4. Faulty Condenser Fan
The condenser fan keeps the compressor and condenser coils from getting too hot. If your condenser fan gets stuck or breaks, your fridge can overheat and stop blowing cold air.
Take a moment to listen to the sounds your fridge is making. If you’re hearing a rattling noise with your cooling problems, a faulty condenser fan might be causing trouble.
5. Icy Evaporator Coils
Evaporator coils absorb heat to help create cold air inside your fridge. But these coils can actually become icy or frozen over from the temperature exchange, creating a blockage. When that happens, cold air can’t move through the fridge and your food will start to warm up.
6. Broken Evaporator Fan
The evaporator fan is what’s pushing cold air from the evaporator coils into your fridge through the air vents. Every fridge has at least one, though some have more depending on your fridge design. In fact, a separate, faulty evaporator fan in your freezer compartment could lead to your freezer not cooling properly, even if your fridge is fine.
Regardless, if one or more of your evaporator fans have stopped spinning, cold air won’t be circulating throughout your fridge effectively.
7. Bad Compressor
Think of the refrigerator compressor as the part that keeps everything moving. It pushes refrigerant through the system to help cool things down. If the compressor breaks, your fridge won’t be able to stay cold for long.
8. Refrigerant Leaks
Refrigerant is essential for absorbing and releasing heat. A leak can cause the cooling cycle to break down entirely. If your refrigerator is not blowing cold air, low refrigerant levels could be part of the problem.
9. Your Fridge is Just Old
Like all appliances, refrigerators have a lifespan. Over time, problems like loose door seals, low refrigerant, and worn-out parts add up. If your refrigerator is more than 10-15 years old, it might technically be running, but it might not be blowing cold air like it should.
At a certain point, it makes more sense to exchange your refrigerator for a newer model that cools better and runs more efficiently—potentially saving you more money in the long run.
For a more energy-efficient fridge sure to keep its contents cool, consider renting to own from Rent-A-Center.
When to Replace Your Fridge
Your refrigerator should be doing two things: keeping your food cold and your family happy. If your fridge is more than 10 years old, repairs cost too much, or your current model simply isn’t fitting your family’s needs any longer, it might be time to upgrade with Rent-A-Center.
We offer a wide range of rent-to-own refrigerators that are dependable, energy-efficient, and made to last. With flexible lease payments, all without using credit, getting a fridge that fits your life (and budget) is easier than ever. Check out our helpful refrigerator buying guide to get all the info you need to find the right model for you!
Keep Your Fridge Cool and Your Wallet Happy
If your fridge isn’t cooling properly, it might be time for an upgrade. Rent-to-own a high-quality refrigerator from Rent-A-Center and enjoy peace of mind with our rent-to-own option and reliable models!