Refrigerator and freezer repair
A warm refrigerator is the one repair that can't wait. Tell us what it's doing and we'll get to you as early as the same day, with a written quote before any work starts.
What it's doing, and what is usually behind it
These are the faults we're called for most. The real cause is confirmed by testing, not guessing.
- Fridge is warm, freezer is still cold
- Usually an airflow problem: a failed evaporator fan, or frost packed around the coils because the defrost system stopped working.
- Both sections are warm
- Often dirty condenser coils, a dead condenser fan or a failed start relay. We test these before anyone talks about a compressor.
- Water on the floor or under the crisper drawers
- A clogged or frozen defrost drain is the usual cause. Sometimes it's a cracked water line or a leaking inlet valve.
- Ice maker stopped making ice
- A frozen fill tube, a failed water inlet valve or a worn ice maker module. A clogged filter can also starve it of water.
- Frost on the back wall or food
- Points to the defrost heater, its thermostat or control, or a door gasket that no longer seals.
- Buzzing, clicking or rattling
- A relay that clicks every few minutes, a fan blade hitting ice, or a compressor that is struggling to start.
- Water dispenser won't work
- A frozen line inside the door, a failed dispenser switch or a bad inlet valve.
Before you call
A few of these calls end with a two-minute fix. Try these first. If nothing changes, we're a phone call away.
- Check the settings. The fridge should be at 37°F and the freezer at 0°F.
- Make sure food isn't blocking the vents between the freezer and the fridge.
- Look at the coils underneath or behind the unit. A thick layer of dust or pet hair makes the fridge run warm.
- Close the door on a sheet of paper. If it slides out with no resistance, the gasket isn't sealing.
Keeping food safe while you wait
Keep both doors shut. A closed refrigerator holds a safe temperature for about 4 hours, and a full freezer for about 48 hours. Move milk, meat and leftovers to a cooler with ice if the wait will be longer.
Common questions
Is it worth repairing an older refrigerator?
Often, yes. Fans, relays, defrost parts and inlet valves are modest repairs that can add years. If the sealed system has failed on an older standard-depth unit, we'll tell you plainly when replacement makes more sense.
Do you repair built-in and panel-ready refrigerators?
Yes. Built-in units cost far more to replace than to repair, so they are usually worth fixing. We take care to protect the surrounding cabinets and floor.
Book refrigerator repair
Call and tell us what the appliance is doing. We call back within 2 hours during business hours if we miss you.