Is your refrigerator having problems? It can’t cool or the propeller can’t or move? but you don’t know how to fix them. Then you go to the right place.
In this blog post, Dream Cheeky will provide troubleshooting guides for you on how to fix a mini fridge and answer frequently asked questions.
Why Is A Mini-fridge Not Cooling?
A blocked air vent or a damaged door gasket can cause a refrigerator not to cool down or stop being cold enough. Make sure that your air vents are clean and free of pet hair or dust. Make sure that the rubber door seal isn’t ripped or off-center. If you are experiencing clicking sounds, it is likely that the rubber door seal is not damaged.
How To Fix A Mini Fridge
Most fridges have the same problems over time. This applies both to standard-sized fridges as well as mini-fridges.
These are some tips and tricks to help you fix your mini-fridge.
1. Check Your Circuit Breaker
Although you might not be happy about the idea of mini fridge repair, it is sometimes possible.
The fridge is dependent on electricity for its operation so you will want to find the easiest solution first.
To make sure that the power cord is still connected and not loosened from the fridge’s vibrations, take a look at it. To ensure that the cord is not frayed or damaged, check the socket it is plugged into. Try switching it to another socket to see if it helps. It could be a problem with the socket.
In the event that the breaker has tripped, make sure you check it on the electrical panel. To protect against electrical faults, the safety switch will be in “off” mode.
It’s worth turning it on again to see if the impact is there. If it starts humming, it’s a sign that your fridge has received power again.
2. Get Rid Of The Extension Cord
Although it’s common to have your mini-fridge plugged in alongside other appliances and chargers, this is not always the best practice.
Even compact refrigerators have a compressor that uses a lot of power. This can cause the extension cord’s heat to build up and lead to internal damage.
You can make some modifications to the space where your fridge is located so it can be plugged directly into a wall socket. Compact fridges should have their own power source. It shouldn’t be shared with any other appliances as they can overheat or blow out.
Throw it out immediately if you suspect the problem is the power control board or extension cord.
3. Clean and Test Your Gasket
The refrigerator’s door seal is an integral component and could be the problem.
You can test the seal if the fridge doesn’t seem to be cooling properly or if the door is sticking. If the seal holds tightly, it is fine. However, if it comes apart easily, it needs to be replaced immediately.
Clean the gasket first, getting into every crevice. Then let it dry and try the paper test again.
To find the source of damage or leakage, take a look at it from all angles. If you don’t see one obvious, get expert assistance. This is a simple fix that will give your mini-fridge years of life.
4. Look At The Thermostat (Temperature Control)
The thermostat could be causing your fridge to not cool as it should. Sometimes we forget to adjust the thermostat. It could be as simple as turning it back.
If the fridge doesn’t make any obvious signs that it’s back on and running, like a humming sound or the click of the compressor, it could be damaged or disconnected.
A simple toolkit can help you replace a thermostat. It is relatively easy to replace a thermostat. If you are not confident with your skills, then a handyman can help. It is relatively inexpensive.
5. Check The Condenser Coils
Condenser coils are an essential part of your fridge. They remove heat from the refrigerant. These coils could be the cause of a problem with your mini-refrigerator.
Check that there are at least 3 inches between the fridge’s back and the wall. This will ensure that the coils are free from heat buildup. Look up your model number online to find an owner’s manual to check for proper spacing, and adjust as required.
Do a quick cleaning on the condenser coils to remove dust. This is a must-do, and it’s likely that most fridge repairs are caused by this one problem. Clogged coils can cause poor cooling. It’s worth giving it a couple of hours to check if the cleaning has made any difference. If not, you can try the next method.
6. Check Interior Vents
Cold air is essential for a fridge to function. It’s therefore not surprising that if this cold air cannot travel through it, it can cause problems. Your mini fridge’s vents can become clogged air vents with food or ice, which indicates that it is not cooling inside.
Use a hairdryer or a toothbrush to remove any food from the vents.
You’ll never again have to worry about this by making an effort to not pack food near the vents. Give them plenty of space to circulate the cool air through your fridge.
7. Perform A Defrost
Mini fridge repair can be as simple as a defrost. Most mini-refrigerators often share space with a small freezer compartment so it is common for frost and ice to build up.
To defrost, take out all food and drink and transfer them to another refrigerator or cooler box. Unplug the fridge from the wall and give it a good few hours to completely melt away.
Before turning the fridge back on, empty the defrost drain pan at the bottom.
8. Check The Fans
A mini-fridge has a few fans that work together and any of them could be faulty, which could cause problems.
You can quickly check the fans to see if there are any issues. If they are, you can call the experts.
Some fridges have condenser coils underneath the refrigerators, while others are located at the back. In these cases, there will be a fan. You should clean these fans if they become clogged with dirt and dust.
Second, check the evaporator fan motor located inside the back panel of the fridge and clean this out as well. Broken fan blades will require replacement.
9. Check The Start Relay
The start relay is what starts the compressor in the refrigerator. These can sometimes become damaged or faulty, which could cause the compressor to stop working and the fridge to stop cooling.
A multimeter is a tool that can be used to test the start relay. It can detect if it is receiving an electrical current.
If the voltage is not found, it will likely need to be replaced. However, if you don’t have any electrical knowledge, don’t try to do it yourself.
10. Check The Compressor
The compressor is an integral part of the fridge. It pushes the gas through condenser coils.
If the fridge compressor stops working, it will stop working in your fridge. So, do a quick inspection to find any faults.
You will need a new compressor if the compressor stops turning or makes an unusual sound.
These are the most expensive part of a fridge, and cannot be easily replaced. It’s better to get a new mini fridge and save yourself the hassle.
If The Compressor Is Running But The Unit Is Not Cold Enough
The compressor in the mini-fridge can run, so the unit may be cold but not cool enough to suit a person’s needs. The refrigerator should therefore be kept inside at a lower temperature.
This could be caused by a fan motor in the evaporator.
Not all Mini fridges come with an electric fan motor. It is important to research whether the unit has one.
Motor for Evaporator Fan
An evaporator fan motor failure can lead to air circulation problems. This can lead to cool but not cold air.
The condenser fan motor could also be a problem. Not all refrigerators have a condenser fan motor, just like the evaporator motor.
You should investigate to determine if the issue is even present.
Faulty Fan Motor for Condenser
If the condenser fan motor is not working, the compressor will struggle to exchange heat properly.
The compressor’s job is to compress freon and push it into the condenser, as mentioned previously.
The fault condenser fan motor can cause the compressor and condenser to not exchange heat correctly. If this happens, the mini-fridge won’t be able to get cold as it was intended.
Filter for Drier Filter Partially Restricted
A drier filter may be the culprit. The drier filter is found in the sealed system and is responsible for filtering freon from compressor oils as well as water condensation.
A partial restriction within the drier filter could stop the freon from moving fast enough to cool down the fridge.
FAQs
Can a Mini-fridge camping be taken?
A mini-fridge is not designed to be transported around so it is not recommended to take it camping.
Mini fridges have a compressor that is fragile when being transported and can easily be broken when being moved.
It’s better to buy a tabletop fridge that can be used on outdoor trips.
How can you troubleshoot your refrigerator?
Make sure the temperature setting is correct. Check that the freezer or refrigerator has enough airflow. Verify that there are no obstructions to airflow at vents. Check the temperature control. Clean the condenser coils. Verify the door seals. Check the door switch. Check the defrost heater.
How much does it cost for a mini-refrigerator to be fixed?
Mini fridge repair costs an appliance technician might charge $45 to $120 an hour to repair a mini-refrigerator. A service charge could add $150 to $200 to your total bill.
Is a mini-fridge effective on energy?
Mini fridges are all made in different ways. Some models have more energy-efficient than others and newer models are less eco-friendly.
Standard compact refrigerators should use less than 239.42 Kilowatt-hours per year to earn an Energy Star rating. They must also be manual defrost models or less than 318.4kWh/year for partial automatic defrost.
Read more about our related post – https://dreamcheeky.com/how-much-electricity-does-a-mini-fridge-use/
Why does my Samsung fridge not cool down?
The evaporator fan motor draws cold air over the evaporator coils and circulates it throughout the freezer. The refrigerator or freezer will not cool properly if the fan stops working. Replace the motor if the fan blade is not turning freely. If the motor is extremely loud, you should replace it.
How to fix a mini-fridge that’s not cooling?
