The 4 Most Common Refrigerator Malfunctions

A good-quality refrigerator can last up to 20 years in most cases, but that doesn’t mean you won’t experience any problems. A faulty fridge can spoil food, warm drinks, stale fruits, and cause several other problems.

But calling in a handyman or technician each time something happens with your refrigerator isn’t efficient or cheap. Some refrigerator problems don’t require expert assistance at all.

So, here are some common refrigerator problems you can easily diagnose and solve on your own.

Unusual Water Leakage

Leaking water from refrigerators is a very common issue that almost every owner faces at least once. It’s also quite dangerous since anyone could slip and get injured from the water spilled around the unit.

The most likely reason would be a blockage in the defrosting drain passage. The defrost drain system tends to get clogged by plastic bags and food particles. It can be unclogged using hot water.

Another reason could be an ice-clogged water supply line. To check for clogs in the supply line, you’ll need to close the shut-off valve behind the refrigerator. If it seems like too difficult of a problem to handle, hire a refrigerator repair service to get it solved.

Frost Accumulation

Frost accumulation or buildup is also another very common issue you’ll likely experience with your refrigerator. Though, it can be easily managed without external help if you know what to look for.

It usually occurs when damp air starts to enter the refrigerator’s ice dispenser or freezer, due to the lining of the freezer door being dented or dirty. When it can’t be closed completely, humid air will enter the freezer through little gaps. So always ensure the doors are closed properly.

Refrigerator Not Cooling

A very often mentioned complaint made by refrigerator owners is the unit failing to cool adequately sometimes, even with the right settings set. This could cause food items inside the refrigerator to go rancid quickly and not produce ice as efficiently.

An easy way to tell where the problem lies is by checking the interior walls of the refrigerator. If they’re cold enough and you don’t hear the sound of the motor running, there’s most likely a problem with its compressor.

The solution is to plug the refrigerator off and use a vacuum cleaner or cloth to clean out the compressor’s coils which might be preventing it from cooling the unit.

Incessant Refrigeration Cycle

Sometimes, your refrigerator might start continuously running cooling cycles a little too frequently. This results in the refrigerator producing a lot of noise and consuming significant electricity, making your utility bills skyrocket.

There are several things that can cause your refrigerator to run cycles incessantly. The first is dirt building up around the coils of the refrigerator’s condensers. You’ll need to unplug the fridge and clean them out to solve the issue.

If the issue doesn’t stop after cleaning the coils, check the refrigerator’s temperature as it may cause frequent cycles to run if the temperature is set too low.

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