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Fridge Repairs
You can’t do without your fridge! Luckily, our MasterCare technicians will repair it ASAP!
Want to be more proactive with your appliance repairs? Check out our phenomenal repair plans for real peace of mind, or book a repair now.
Types of Fridge Repairs
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Over Freezing
Not Cooling
Not Turning On
Other
Fridge Repair: How to Repair a Refrigerator
Get your electronics and appliances repaired quickly with our simplified service process.
Fridge Repairs - MasterCare's Ultimate Fridge Repair Guide
MasterCare is a household name for appliance repair in South Africa. We’ve been covering homes for 40 years, and we’re still going strong!
Since we’re the experts in all things appliance repair, we’ve put together the Ultimate Fridge Repair Guide so that you can get the answers to all your burning questions.
Before you book a call to us to repair your fridge, there are some troubleshooting options you can try first.
Troubleshooting: Refrigerator repair
01
Increase the lifespan of your refrigerator
The best way to increase the life of your fridge is to clean the condenser coils every year. It can even be beneficial to clean condenser coils on certain refrigerators, such as side-by-side and built-in models, at least twice a year.
A fridge with black coils mounted on the back doesn’t require cleaning this often, but it can help to vacuum the coils from time to time.
How to clean your refrigerator coils:
- Unplug your refrigerator or turn it off at the circuit breaker.
- Remove the cover panel to reveal the coils and cooling fins.
- With a long, narrow nozzle on your vacuum and the help of a refrigerator brush, clean out all the dust and debris. Be careful not to bend or dent the cooling fins.
- Slide the brush between the coils, cleaning as thoroughly as possible. Wipe dust from surfaces with a rag.
- Replace the cover and plug the refrigerator’s electrical cord back in.
02
Refrigerator Runs Constantly
A refrigerator will constantly run if it tries to cool but can’t get the job done. A refrigerator will run more when filled with food, the door gets opened too frequently, or the kitchen is too warm.
Typical causes are:
- the door is left open frequently
- the condenser coils need cleaning
- the door doesn’t seal against the refrigerator box
- the cold control setting is too low
- something is blocking the flow of cold air inside the fridge.
Troubleshooting
- Check the thermostat
The thermostat is most likely faulty if there’s frost at the top of a frost-free refrigerator and the cold control is set low. - Turn the cold control both up and down.
If the compressor doesn’t shut off, it may break the cold control. If this is the case, it might be time to phone the fridge repair experts. - Check the condenser coils.
These coils disperse heat from inside the refrigerator into the room with a fan. If the coils are dirty, the fridge won’t operate efficiently. Clean the coils regularly to avoid this, as discussed above. - Check the drain tube.
The drain tube is under the evaporator coils, which goes to a pan underneath. Ensure nothing is blocking the drain tube.
03
Temperature Control
Your fridge should be able to maintain its temperature as set by the temperature controls.
Too Cold
Suppose your refrigerator compartment freezes its contents, even when you’ve set the cold control to its lowest. In that case, the problem will likely be a defective refrigerator temperature sensor or cold control. MasterCare can help you find the right part and install it in your fridge, so it’s up and running in no time.
Not Cold Enough
If a refrigerator doesn’t cool, the electrical controls almost always cause the problem, not the need for more refrigerant.
Your fridge most likely has:
- dirty condenser coils
- a door that does not seal tightly
- defective temperature controls
04
Refrigerator Not Working at All
If the refrigerator’s light doesn’t work and its motor doesn’t run, here is the basic refrigerator troubleshooting you can do:
Ensure the refrigerator is plugged into a working plug (you can plug in another appliance to test the outlet). Check for a tripped circuit breaker or blown fuse if it doesn’t work.
If it’s not working and you’ve checked the power outlets, you might need to consider expert help.
If you discover:
- You’ve plugged the fridge into a working outlet.
- The circuit breaker hasn’t flipped.
- You’ve set the cold control appropriately.
If the device still shows no signs of life, leave the door closed to retain the cold air and call an appliance repair person.
05
Fridge Smells, Rattles or Leaks
Smelly Fridge
If your refrigerator smells bad inside, even after removing all suspicious foods, unplug it and remove the drawers and shelves to clean it with soap and water. Also, clean the drip tray underneath the refrigerator (if it has one); it can become mouldy.Rattling Fridge
Vibrating noises generally come from loose parts such as loose condenser coils, compressor tubing rattling, or rollers and feet that sit unevenly on the floor. Look for any loose part and tighten it with a wrench or screwdriver. You can also check the feet at the front of the unit to ensure they all bear the appliance’s weight. Turn the adjustable feet up or down, so they contact the floor squarely.Leaking Fridge
Leaking under a refrigerator generally comes from a condensation tube that doesn’t drain into a pan, and a clogged freezer drain can also cause leaking.06
Fridge Door Does Not Close or Seal
A common cause of energy inefficiency in refrigerator operation is a door that doesn’t close or seals properly.
The hinge may be worn out if the door doesn’t swing closed. You can try lubricating it with a squirt of oil, but the chances are that you’ll need to replace it.
You can try to replace the door hinges or door gasket yourself, or you can get an expert to help you if you don’t want to cause any other unwanted damage to your fridge.
07
Refrigerator Light Stays On
Do you suspect your refrigerator’s interior light stays on even when you close the door? A refrigerator light bulb that stays on will warm the refrigerator’s interior, cutting down on its efficiency.
Of course, you may not be aware that this is happening because you can’t see what’s happening inside the refrigerator when you close the door. But, with most refrigerators, you should be able to see the light go off when the door is a fraction of an inch from closing.
You may be able to change the lightbulb yourself, but be sure to unplug the refrigerator before working on it.
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Repair of fridge FAQs
Is it worth repairing my fridge?
It can be worth repairing your fridge if the cost of the parts needed is reasonable. Consider replacing your fridge if the cost of the repairs is more than half of a new refrigerator.
How much does it cost to repair the refrigerator?
The cost of repairing a fridge depends entirely on the refrigerator's problems and the parts you may need to fix it. MasterCare's cost-effective policies can cover all your major home appliance and electronics repairs and will help take the sting out of appliance breakdowns.
Is it worth repairing a 20-year-old refrigerator?
This will depend entirely on the cost of the repair and the problem at hand. Chances are you might struggle with getting the correct parts; however if it's a small fix, it might be worth it.
What causes a fridge to stop working?
There are various reasons why your fridge might have stopped working. Review our troubleshooting guide to see if you've missed something straightforward.
Can a fridge be repaired?
Absolutely. If you're struggling to find the refrigerator problems, book an appliance repair with us and one of our friendly staff members will reach out to you.
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