You are frustrated because your refrigerator is not cooling. It is terrible when you can’t eat what you want when you want it, and the food that you do have is spoiling.
The main reasons a KitchenAid fridge does not cool are dirty coils, a defective evaporator motor, a broken temperature thermostat & Faulty power supply.
When the KitchenAid refrigerator not cooling, the first thing you should do is check whether it has anything blocking the vent or any of the air vents.
You would want to remove any obstructions in order to allow the flow of air through the appliance and ensure that cool air is entering from outside and warm air is venting out.
If you haven’t done this yet, this may be why your fridge isn’t cooling properly.
However, if you don’t know how to clean the vents and want to know other reasons for this problem, read the post till the end to know all the reasons for cooling failure in your refrigerator.
This guide will cover the problems of the following KitchenAid Refrigerator models:
- 4KFRF19MTW00
- 4KSRF22DTW00
- 4KSRF36DTX1
- 4KSRF36DTX2
- 4KSRF42DTX2
- 4KSRS22QAA01
- KBFS20EVMS13
- KBFS22EWMS9
- KFCS22EVMS4
- KFCS22EVMS8
- KRFC300ESS01
- KRFC302ESS00
- KRMF706ESS00
- KRMF706ESS01
- KRSC503ESS00
- KRSF505ESS00
- KSC24C8EYY02
- KSCS25FKSS02
- KSCS25INSS00
- KSCS25INSS01
- KSF26C4XYY03
Table of Contents
- KitchenAid Refrigerator Not Cooling
- 1. Refrigerator Condenser Coils Dirty.
- 2. Don’t Let a Broken Condenser Fan Ruin Your Cool
- 3. Defective Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Motor.
- 4. Broken Temperature Control Thermostat.
- 5. Check the Power Outage Indicator
- 6. Check the Circuit Breaker and Power Cord
- 7. Test the Refrigerator Start Relay
- 8. The Fridge May Have Too Many Items
- Final Words:
- Steven Settles
KitchenAid Refrigerator Not Cooling
Check out the 7 common reasons with their troubleshooting guide.
1. Refrigerator Condenser Coils Dirty.
Since dirt and dust tend to clog up the tiny holes in the coils, food gets “smoked” instead of cool.
This causes it to deteriorate much faster than it would otherwise and makes it much harder for the food to stay fresh.
The solution is simple. And you just need to give the unit a quick cleaning.
Check out the following steps on how to clean dirty condenser coils.
- Remove the front panel.
- Then, use a strong brush to get into all those hard-to-reach areas behind the condenser fan and around the compressor.
- After that, clean the whole unit with a damp cloth.
- Be sure to spray some cooking oil in the bottom vent so it won’t be disturbed by the cleaning.
2. Don’t Let a Broken Condenser Fan Ruin Your Cool
So, how can you check to see if your condenser fan is working?
- The first thing you should do is locate the fan. It is usually located near the compressor at the back or bottom of the fridge.
- Once you have located the fan, turn the fridge off and unplug it.
- Then, use a brush or a vacuum cleaner to remove any dust or debris that may have accumulated on the fan blades.
- Next, plug the fridge back in and turn it on. Listen for the sound of the fan running. If you don’t hear anything, or if the fan sounds like it is struggling, then the fan is likely not working. In this case, you will need to replace the fan.
- Replacing the condenser fan on your KitchenAid refrigerator is a relatively simple task. You can purchase a new fan from an appliance parts store or online. Be sure to get the correct part for your model refrigerator. Once you have the new fan, you can remove the old one and install the new one in its place.
It is essential to have the condenser fan working properly. If it’s not working, the refrigerant will not be cooled, and your fridge will not cool down, which can lead to food spoilage.
So, if you suspect your condenser fan is not working, don’t wait; take action and fix it as soon as possible.
3. Defective Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Motor.
A defective refrigerator evaporator fan motor may be the culprit for your refrigerator not cooling.
The evaporator is the smaller, more powerful fan that cools down the fridge’s interior.
Unquestionably, this is one of the more frustrating problems that can occur when you are using a home appliance.
When this happens, ice builds up on the coils, and eventually, they become clogged.
This causes the evaporator fan motor to run constantly, blowing warm air over the coils, which gets very hot.
Also, it causes the food inside the refrigerator to spoil much more rapidly than it would otherwise.
However, there are three common reasons why this can happen.
- First, the evaporator fan motor could simply be defective. You can easily check this by removing the access panel on the back of the unit and then looking at the motor directly behind the evaporator coils.
- If the motor has failed, it will be black and charred and probably seized up. In that case, you should replace it immediately.
- However, if the motor looks OK but isn’t running efficiently, there could be dirt or dust in the gas line leading to the motor.
Again, it’s a simple fix. Just replace the evaporator fan motor. It’s easy to remove and usually doesn’t cost much.
But before you buy, just make sure you get the right part for your model. Because, if you get the wrong one, you could end up having to replace other parts of the refrigerator that were not defective.
However, if you are still experiencing problems after completing these actions, consult an appliance repair professional for additional diagnostics and repairs.
4. Broken Temperature Control Thermostat.
There are many reasons for your KitchenAid refrigerator not to cool. Still, one of the most common causes is the thermostat control board. This is an easy fix and could save you a lot of time and money.
Let’s say you set the temperature for your fridge to 40 degrees. Every time you open the door, the defrost setting is automatically activated.
And the coils are blown with hot air. This causes the food inside the fridge to spoil much more rapidly than it would otherwise.
Troubleshooting:
The solution is simple, just replace the thermostat. It’s located right above where the temperature control knob is and is made up of two parts. You can buy a new one at any home center or hardware store.
Just make sure you get the part that goes on the refrigerator and not the one that goes on the wall.
Some of these problems are the reasons why we always recommend checking the list of refrigerator brands you should avoid before buying.
5. Check the Power Outage Indicator
When your KitchenAid fridge is not cooling properly, it could be due to a power outage or the temperature being too high or too low.
If the power outage indicator light is on, that means the refrigerator’s battery is dead. Replace the battery, and the indicator light will go out.
If the light remains on, check the fuses in the electrical panel. If any of them are bad, that will cause the light to remain on. Replace the bad fuses, and the light will go out.
Now, if none of this helps, then your best bet would be to call an appliance repairman.
6. Check the Circuit Breaker and Power Cord
Ensure that the power cord is plugged into an outlet with power and that the breaker has not been flipped.
KitchenAid refrigerators require a specific procedure for installation and setup. Failure to follow this procedure can lead to one of many problems, including malfunctioning cooling systems.
Also, make sure the circuit breaker for the refrigerator is closed. If it is open, check the fuses. If they are OK, then call an appliance repairman.
But, if you do that, make sure you tell him what you have already checked. And, don’t forget, an open circuit breaker or a blown fuse can be caused by a number of things other than a defective refrigerator.
7. Test the Refrigerator Start Relay
If you have determined that your issue isn’t with either your thermostat or your compressor motor, then you may have a problem with your starter relay.
The start relay is the component that is designed to start the refrigeration cycle on a refrigerator.
This circuit consists of an electromagnet and a bi-metallic strip. When the magnet coil is energized, it pulls down a bi-metallic strip which closes the contact and allows current to flow to the compressor motor.
Once this starts running, it cools down the refrigerator’s condenser coils and evaporator coils through natural liquid circulation.
Now check out the next possible problem for a cooling failure.
8. The Fridge May Have Too Many Items
When Your KitchenAid refrigerator is not cooling properly, it could mean there are too many items within the appliance.
The first and most obvious reason for a refrigerator not cooling is that it might just be too full.
If the shelves are overflowing or you have items stacked in the door, this means there is no room for cold air to circulate inside your refrigerator.
This can also cause the temperature sensor to malfunction and show a problem with the compressor when there isn’t one. The best way to cool your appliance is by removing some of those items.
Here’s how you do that:
- First, take everything out of your refrigerator except the eggs, milk, butter, and cheese. Put these four items back into the fridge.
- Next, take the eggs, milk, butter, and cheese out of the fridge and set them on the counter next to each other.
- Now, open the door to your refrigerator and pour the contents of your entire refrigerator into the center of the counter where the four items are sitting.
- You should end up with a nice, neat pile of stuff on the counter that was in your refrigerator.
Some other KitchenAid Refrigerator Problems the you might want to fix
Final Words:
KitchenAid refrigerator not cooling can be a frustrating problem to deal with. Several common reasons for this issue include:
- Dirty condenser coils.
- A defective evaporator fan motor.
- A broken temperature thermostat.
- A faulty power supply.
By following the troubleshooting guide provided in this article, you can diagnose and fix the problem with your fridge.
Remember to always unplug the refrigerator before performing any maintenance and repair. It’s important to keep in mind that these are not the only possible issues that can cause your fridge not to cool.
If you suspect another problem, it’s always best to consult the user manual or contact the manufacturer for assistance.
Preventing food spoilage by keeping the condenser fan working properly and regular cleaning can save you a lot of money and hassle in the long run.
Steven Settles is an ISCET-certified master in appliance repair. He has aced the National Appliance Service Technician Certification Exam, showcasing his exceptional diagnostic and repair skills. With an in-depth understanding of the latest repair technologies and a keen eye on evolving industry standards, Steven is a go-to expert for any appliance issue.