6 min read
When a refrigerator stops cooling, the clock is running on everything inside it. A quick, structured look at the symptoms will tell you a lot before anyone arrives.
Is it cooling at all?
First distinguish between no cooling anywhere and partial cooling. If the freezer is cold but the fridge is warm, the refrigerant system is almost certainly working and the problem lies in air circulation between the compartments — typically a failed evaporator fan or an iced-over coil.
If neither compartment is cooling, look at the compressor: is it running, silent, or clicking on and off?
The compressor clicks but does not run
That repeated click is usually the overload protector cutting in, which points to a failed start relay or a compressor struggling to start. Both are diagnosable on site, and the relay is a common and inexpensive replacement.
The condenser coil is clogged
The coil at the back or underneath sheds heat. Packed with dust, it cannot, so the fridge runs continuously and still drifts warm. This is more pronounced in hot UAE kitchens and in fridges pushed tight against a wall.
Refrigerant leak
A refrigerator that runs constantly and cools only slightly may have lost refrigerant. As with an AC, the leak must be located and repaired before recharging is worthwhile.
What to do in the meantime
Keep doors closed as much as possible, move critical items to a working freezer or cool box, and do not repeatedly switch the unit off and on — restarting a compressor against high head pressure can cause additional damage. Clean the condenser coil if it is accessible, then arrange a diagnosis.