Refrigerator not cooling: causes, quick checks and what repair costs
Fridge warm but the freezer works? Everything warm? Work through this in order — most causes take a technician one visit.
If the refrigerator is running but not cold, the likely causes in order are: 1) a frosted-over evaporator coil from a failed defrost cycle, 2) a dead evaporator fan (no air moving into the fridge section), 3) dirty condenser coils or a blocked condenser fan, 4) a failed start relay (clicking sound), 5) a bad thermostat or control board, 6) a worn door gasket, and 7) a failing compressor or sealed-system leak. Causes 1–6 typically cost $100–$350 to fix; cause 7 is where replacement may win.
Which symptom do you have? Quick checks and what they mean
Safe checks only — anything involving line voltage, gas or refrigerant is for the technician.
| What you see | What it usually means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Freezer cold, fridge warm | Frost on the back wall of the freezer = defrost failure; no fan sound when the door switch is pressed = evaporator fan. | Call — both are routine repairs |
| Both warm, compressor humming | Feel the back or bottom — hot and running means airflow or sealed-system trouble; check condenser coils for dust. | Vacuum coils; if no change in 12h, call |
| Both warm, clicking every few minutes | Start relay failing or compressor struggling to start. | Call — relay is cheap, compressor is the decision point |
| Both warm, completely silent | No power, tripped breaker, failed control board, or failed compressor. | Check outlet/breaker first, then call |
| Runs constantly, barely cold | Gasket leak, door left ajar, dirty coils, thermostat. | Dollar-bill gasket test; then call |
What each repair typically costs
| Repair | Typical cost (parts + labor) |
|---|---|
| Defrost heater / thermostat / timer | $150 – $300 |
| Evaporator fan motor | $150 – $300 |
| Condenser fan / coil cleaning | $80 – $250 |
| Start relay / capacitor | $100 – $250 |
| Thermostat / control board | $150 – $400 |
| Door gasket | $100 – $250 |
| Compressor (sealed system) | $400 – $900 |
Repair or replace?
Repair if the quote is under half the price of a comparable new unit and the appliance is not near the end of its typical lifespan. The repair-or-replace calculator gives a quick answer for your appliance and age.
What happens when you call
Brand, model, what it does and does not do — two minutes.
An independent repair company covering your ZIP code.
Visit fee confirmed up front; repair on approval, often the same visit.
Common questions
How long will food last in a fridge that stopped cooling?
About 4 hours in the fresh-food section with the door closed; a full freezer holds 48 hours, half full about 24. Move perishables to a cooler with ice if repair cannot happen the same day.
Why is the freezer working but the refrigerator is warm?
The fridge section gets its cold air from the freezer coil. If that coil is buried in frost (defrost failure) or the fan that moves the air is dead, the freezer stays cold and the fridge warms. Both are common, affordable repairs.
Can I fix a refrigerator that is not cooling myself?
Safe checks: clean the condenser coils, confirm the door closes fully, and make sure vents inside are not blocked by food. Beyond that, the parts involve line voltage and refrigerant — call.
Is it worth repairing an old refrigerator that stopped cooling?
If it is under 10 years old, almost always. Over 10–12 years, repair the cheap causes but weigh a compressor job against replacement using the calculator.
Published 2026-09-22 · Updated 2026-09-22