Fridge Not Cooling? 7 Things to Check Before Calling a Repairman

A fridge that stops cooling is a genuine emergency — especially in Malé's heat, where food can spoil within hours. But before you call a technician, run through these checks. You might fix it yourself in minutes.

1. Check the Temperature Settings

It sounds obvious, but someone might have accidentally bumped the dial. Make sure the thermostat is set between 2–4°C for the fridge and -18°C for the freezer. If you have a digital display, check that it hasn't been reset.

2. Is the Door Sealing Properly?

A worn or dirty door gasket (the rubber seal) lets warm air in constantly, making the compressor work overtime without actually cooling.

• The dollar bill test: Close the door on a piece of paper. If you can pull it out easily, the seal is weak
• Clean the gasket with warm soapy water — grease and food residue prevent a tight seal
• Check for cracks or tears in the rubber

3. Don't Overstuff (or Understuff) It

A fridge needs air circulation to cool evenly. If it's packed wall-to-wall, cold air can't flow. On the flip side, a nearly empty fridge loses cold air faster every time you open the door.

The sweet spot: About 75% full, with some space between items.

4. Clean the Condenser Coils

The coils at the back or bottom of your fridge release heat. When they're covered in dust, the fridge can't cool efficiently.

• Unplug the fridge
• Find the coils — usually at the back or behind a bottom grille
• Vacuum them with a brush attachment, or use a long-handled duster
• Do this every 6 months

5. Check the Evaporator Fan

Open the freezer and listen. You should hear a fan running. If it's silent, the evaporator fan might be stuck or broken. This fan circulates cold air from the freezer to the fridge compartment.

• Check if ice has built up around the fan — a manual defrost might fix it
• If the fan motor is dead, that's a repair job for a technician

6. Is It Getting Enough Ventilation?

Your fridge needs breathing room. If it's wedged tightly between cabinets or pushed flush against the wall, it can't release heat properly.

• Leave at least 5cm of space behind the fridge
• Ensure the sides have some clearance too
• In Malé's small kitchens this is tricky, but even a little gap helps

7. Listen to the Compressor

The compressor is the motor that actually cools the fridge. Put your ear near the bottom back of the fridge.

• Humming normally? The compressor is working — the problem is likely elsewhere
• Clicking on and off? Could be a faulty start relay (cheap to replace)
• Silent? The compressor may have failed — this is the most expensive repair

When It's Time to Call Easy Fix

If you've checked all seven and the fridge still isn't cooling, you likely need a professional. Common culprits include a faulty thermostat, dead compressor, or refrigerant leak — all things our technicians handle regularly.