DIY Refrigerator Repair Tips to Try Before Calling an Appliance Repairman

As we all the refrigerator is the most hardworking appliance at home. It works day and night and 365 days a year keeping your food cool and fresh. When this appliance does not work properly then its refrigerator repair seems like an expensive and daunting challenge.

Many problems can occur with a fridge. The good news is that not all of them will require an expensive appliance service call. When this appliance stops working the first thing that comes into mind is whether to call a refrigerator repair technician or repair it yourself.

In this article, we will discuss a few easy DIY refrigerator repair tips to try before calling an appliance repairman.

Below we have stated a few problems that usually occur with a refrigerator and at the same time, we have given the easy solution to fix them.

These issues can be resolved easily and all you have to do is a few simple observations and changes to your daily routine to hopefully resolve them.

DIY Refrigerator Repair

List of Easy DIY Refrigerator Repair Tips

Warm

A good refrigerator always keeps your food items safe and fresh. When you find that your refrigerator is not keeping your food cool enough, you run the risk of spoiled food and wasted groceries.

Your fridge should maintain the proper temperature to work properly. Whenever you find that your appliance is too warm, you should first check its temperature control switch.

The first step you should do is to set it to the coldest setting. When switching temperature is not working then you should check its temperature sensor. Check if it is fine or broken.

The other step is to check the parts of the vent. Check if the vacuum around the coils, under it, and behind the refrigerator is fine. If the vents are dirty and dusty then vents and coils prevent heat exchange and proper cooling.

The other issue can be of an evaporator motor fan. When the evaporator motor fan of a refrigerator is not working fine, your fridge can get warm.

It is very easy to replace the evaporator fan which you can do easily.

The only problem you can get is with a broken circuit board and in this; you have to call an experienced technician.

Too Much Frost

Frost occurs when moist air condenses on cold surfaces. This build-up of ice is natural. Though, excessive ice possibly means that the seal around your refrigerator door is broken, allowing moist air in.

You can easily buy a sealant from any hardware store. It is easy to use and at the same time, it is also inexpensive.

The other reason for too much frost can be a faulty thermistor or temperature. In this case, you need to call a refrigerator repair technician as in most cases sensors can be only replaced and not repaired.

Ice Machine Malfunctioning

The other common issue that you can find is with the ice machine. When you find that your ice maker is not working fine then you should check its water supply.

There are chances that some blockage may have occurred in the supply in one location or other.

Here the first step that you can take is by inspecting the inlet tube into the ice maker. Unplug your appliance and wait until the ice has melted completely.

When water stops dripping from the inlet tube to the ice maker, the ice will be melted.

Next, check the valve at the back of the appliance inlet. The flow of water into the refrigerator is regulated by this small electric valve.

You can replace this valve but remember you have to be careful with it. Also do not forget to take a bucket with yourself to catch the water that will come out from the valve.

At last, you have to locate the saddle valve. The needle hole in the pipe can clog. To unclog, locate this valve and screw it fully closed, and then open it.

By doing this you can eliminate any mineral deposits that are blocking the water supply to the ice machine.

The refrigerator seems to be working hard and not cooling as it should

Sometimes you may find that your appliance is not cooling like normal and this can be due to dusty condenser coils. When the dust and derbies cover the condenser coils they may not cool off the heat.

Also, if you have pets at home then chances are high that their hair might also likely be gathering up on the coils. So the dust and debris just act as insulation and the appliance has to work hard.

To remove the dust and clean the coils you can use a vacuum cleaner or a brush. Once you will clean it, you will find that your refrigerator is working efficiently.

This problem can again persist in the future and for this, you need to timely clean the coils. You can also place your fridge in a clean environment to prevent coils from dust.

If you find that after cleaning coils the fridge is still not working fine then you should definitely call the refrigerator repair.

Refrigerator Is Too Loud

Is your appliance making too much noise? If yes then below we have mentioned a few steps that you can take to fix it. Low noise is normal but when you hear buzzing, humming, whirring, and vibrating noises then these are not normal.

Level the Refrigerator

When the refrigerator is unbalanced due to the rough surface, you may hear a buzzing noise from it. In this case, you need to level the fridge by adjusting its legs or leveling the space.

Adjust the Icemaker

When you hear a buzzing noise every 15 to 20 minutes and the noise last only up to few 5 seconds then this may be due to, the icemaker may be trying to make ice but cannot because the water is turned off. In this case, you just need to turn off the icemaker. Also, check the water supply if it is fine.

Conclusion

The lifespan of a refrigerator is between 12 to 16 years. If your appliance is older than 10 years then it may be approaching the end of its existence. In this case, it is better you buy a new refrigerator.

Also, it is not easy to repair an appliance all of yourself, when you do not know what to fix then it is better you call a professional for help.

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