5 Signs Your Refrigerator Needs Repair
Warning signs that your fridge is on the way out — and which ones you can actually fix yourself.
By Tyler
A refrigerator is usually the last appliance you want to fail. It runs 24/7, it holds hundreds of dollars of food, and when it stops working you have hours — not days — to deal with it. Here are five warning signs to watch for.
1. It's running constantly
If the compressor never seems to cycle off, that usually points to one of three things: dirty condenser coils, a failing door seal, or a thermostat that's out of calibration. The first two are easy DIY fixes. The third usually isn't.
2. Water pooling under or around it
A puddle near the fridge is almost always one of: a clogged defrost drain, a cracked water line (if you have an ice maker), or a failing door gasket letting warm humid air in. Clogged drains you can clear with hot water and a turkey baster. Cracked lines need replacement.
3. Ice buildup in the freezer
Frost on food is normal. A sheet of ice on the back wall of the freezer is not. That's usually a bad defrost heater, a stuck defrost timer, or a failed thermostat in the defrost circuit. This is a job for a tech.
4. Loud or unusual noises
Clicking is normal. Humming is normal. Grinding or screeching is not — that often means the evaporator or condenser fan motor is on the way out. Running a fridge with a failing fan will eventually cook the compressor, which is the expensive part.
5. Food spoiling faster than it should
If milk is turning in three days instead of a week, the internal temperature is probably above 40°F even if the thermostat says otherwise. Grab an independent fridge thermometer and verify. If the actual temp is off, it's usually a thermostat, thermistor, or control board issue.
When to call us
Anything involving the sealed refrigerant system, the compressor, or the electronic control board is a pro job. If you've tried the basics and it's still acting up, book an appointment — most refrigerator repairs we complete in a single visit.