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Fridge freezer troubleshooting guide
Fridge freezer playing up? From weird noises to unexplained puddles, you might be surprised by how easily you can fix them yourself. So, before you call an engineer, we'll help you figure out what's causing the problem and whether it's something you can sort out first.
Your fridge freezer isn’t cooling properly
Here are a few things it could be and easy ways to get it running again:
- The temperature might be set too high
Make sure the settings are on 3-5C in the fridge and -18-20C in the freezer. - The door seal isn't doing its job
Check for any gaps or debris stopping the seal from working. Give it a quick clean with soapy water it with a cloth. - Its overloaded and air cant flow properly
Rearrange your food, so it's not blocking any vents. - Dusty condenser
If you can get to them, give them a clean. If that doesn't fix things in 24 hours, call an engineer.
Your freezers working but the fridge isn't
That narrows things down. Here are a few things it could be and easy ways to get it back to its best:
- Blocked air vents
Check there are no gaps between your food and any vents inside. - The fan's not working properly or there's a build up of ice
Defrost the appliance fully for 24hours. If that doesn't do the trick, call an engineer
Your fridge is freezing your food
If you're finding ice in your fridge or your milk's part solid, follow these tips to put a stop to it:
- The temperature’s set too low
Make sure it’s set to 3-5°C. - It’s overloaded and air can’t flow properly
Rearrange your food, so it’s not blocking any vents. - You’ve got a faulty thermostat
Unplug it for 30 minutes to reset it. If that doesn’t sort it, getting an engineer out’s the best shout.
Water’s pooling inside the fridge or the shelves are misty
Check what’s causing it and how to sort it with these helpful hints:
- The door’s opening too much and letting warm air in
Try to limit how much everyone’s going in and out. - Warm food’s been put in the fridge
Let food cool before storing it next time. - The drain’s blocked
This is usually a small hole at the back of the fridge. Once you’ve found it, clear it out – most models come with a little device to do this.
If none of those tips solve the problem, we’ve got a more in-depth article here
Loud or unusual noises
If your appliance is buzzing, clicking, or humming louder than usual, it could be any of these issues:
- It’s not sat on an even surface
Adjust the feet to make sure it’s level. - The compressor or fan might be working harder
It could just be temporary, but if it’s constant, check the user manual to figure out what’s “normal”, and remember, most fridge freezers make a bit of a humming noise – it doesn’t always mean there’s a problem. - An icy buildup near the fan
Defrost the appliance if you can see ice anywhere it shouldn’t be.
Water’s leaking on the floor
Do away with pesky puddles around or under the fridge with these tips:
- The defrost drain could be blocked
Clear the drain – it’s a small hole at the back of your fridge at the bottom, most models come with a small device that unblocks it easily. - A cracked water tray
You’ll find this at the back of the appliance, under the coils. If it’s cracked, it’ll need replacing. The best thing to do is get an expert out to sort this. - The door seal isn’t doing its job
Check for any gaps or debris stopping the seal from working. Give it a quick clean with soapy water and dry with a cloth. Make sure the door’s always shut properly too. - It’s not sat on an even surface
Adjust the feet to make sure it’s level.
Still leaking?
If none of our tips have worked, check out our step-by-step guide on what to do when your fridge freezer is leaking here.
The fridge door won’t close properly
If it won’t fully shut or keeps popping open, it might be because of one of these things:
- It’s not sat on an even surface
Adjust the feet to make sure it’s level. - The door shelves could be too full
Take a few bits out and see if that fixes the problem. - The door seal isn’t doing its job
Check for any gaps or debris stopping the seal working. Give it a quick clean with soapy water and dry with a cloth
Icy buildups in the fridge or freezer
If you’ve found thick layers of ice forming where they shouldn’t, there are a few quick fixes you can do:
- The door seal isn’t doing its job
Check for any gaps or debris stopping the seal from working. Give it a quick clean with soapy water and dry with a cloth. Make sure the door’s always shut properly too. It’s also worth making sure the door’s properly aligned – a little hinge adjustment might do the trick. - The door’s opening too much and letting warm air in
Try to limit how much everyone’s going in and out. - It needs defrosting
Give your appliance a full defrost and see if that sorts it.
Loud, constant humming
While your fridge freezer should always be running and might hum on and off, it shouldn’t be consistently loud all the time. Here are some things it could be and how to get it sorted:
- The room temperature’s too high
Turn down the heating or find a way to let cool air in. - Dusty condenser coils
If you can get to them, give them a clean. If that doesn’t fix things in 24 hours, call an engineer. - The door’s opening too much and letting warm air in
Try to limit how much everyone’s going in and out.
Unpleasant smells inside the fridge
If you’re being greeted by an odour whenever you go in the fridge, these could be the culprits:
- Spoiled food
Check through the fridge and bin any expired food. - Spills that haven’t been cleaned up properly
Give the shelves a clean with soapy water. - Bad air circulation
Rearrange your food, so air can get around everything properly. - Food isn’t packaged properly
Make sure any cheese or meats are properly sealed, so the smell can’t leak out into your fridge.
You could also use a fridge-safe deodoriser or bicarbonate of soda to deal with any unwanted food smells.
Normal signs your fridge freezer is reacting to heat
Sometimes, warm weather can have an effect on your fridge freezer, and that doesn’t mean it’s broken. Here are some signs it’s just a temporary reaction to a heatwave:
It takes longer to cool after you’ve loaded up your shopping.
The motors a bit louder or runs for longer.
Drinks are slightly less cold than normal.
You might find light condensation inside.
None of these are warning signs, unless it becomes regular. In most cases, you can just wait for the weather to cool off (as it always does) and it’ll go back to normal.
Now you've got everything you need to troubleshoot your fridge freezer by yourself from now on. So, calling an engineer can be a last resort instead of your default reaction, and you might save some pennies on callout fees.
