Fridge and Freezer Not Cooling? Here’s What to Check

When both your fridge and freezer stop cooling at the same time, it’s more than just inconvenient. It’s urgent. Food spoils quickly, and you need answers fast.

Here’s what you need to know: when both compartments warm up together, you’re almost certainly dealing with a failed component in the main cooling system. Unlike a single warm compartment (which might just be a blocked vent or temperature setting), this is a bigger issue affecting the shared parts that make everything work.

The good news? There are only a handful of likely culprits, and some you can check yourself before calling for help.

How Your Fridge and Freezer Work Together

Your refrigerator creates cold air in the freezer section, then circulates it to the fridge compartment. Both sections rely on the same critical components: the compressor, fans, and control systems. When one of these parts fails, everything stops cooling properly.

Understanding this helps you troubleshoot smarter and know when it’s time to call a professional.

Problem #1: The Evaporator Fan Stopped Working

What This Fan Does

The evaporator fan lives inside your freezer compartment. Its job is to push cold air across the freezer coils and send it into the refrigerator section. When this fan fails, cold air gets trapped and can’t circulate properly.

Signs the Fan Has Failed

• Both compartments are warmer than they should be
• The freezer might feel slightly cool, but the fridge is definitely warm
• You don’t hear the usual hum of air movement when you open the freezer

How to Check It Yourself

First, unplug your refrigerator for safety. Open the freezer door and locate the door switch (the little button that turns off the light when you close the door). Press it to simulate a closed door, then listen carefully. You should hear the fan running.

If you hear nothing, the fan motor has likely burned out. Sometimes a thick layer of ice builds up around the fan and blocks it. In that case, clearing the ice might restore airflow without needing to replace anything.

Problem #2: Compressor or Start Relay Failure

​​Note: This section applies to standard refrigerators. Modern LG and Samsung models often use “Inverter” compressors that don’t have a start relay. If you have one of those, you’ll likely need a professional’s help, reach out!

Understanding the Compressor

Think of the compressor as your fridge’s heart. It’s a large black pump located at the bottom back of your appliance, and it circulates refrigerant gas through the cooling system. When it fails, the entire cooling process stops dead.

Warning Signs

• Repeated clicking noises every few minutes (the compressor trying and failing to start)
• Both the freezer and fridge are warm
• The compressor feels unusually hot to the touch

The Start Relay Connection

The start relay is a small component attached to the compressor. It provides the initial burst of power needed to get the compressor running. If this relay fails, the compressor won’t start even though it’s perfectly functional.

What You Can Do

Before touching anything, unplug the refrigerator. If you hear clicking but the compressor won’t run, replacing the start relay might solve the problem, and it’s one of the cheaper fixes.

However, if you replace the relay and nothing changes, the compressor itself may be dead. Unfortunately, compressor replacement is expensive enough that you’ll need to weigh it against buying a new fridge.

Problem #3: Control Board or Timer Issues

When Electronics Go Wrong

Modern refrigerators rely on a main control board, essentially the computer that manages power to all components. If this board fails (often from a power surge or just age), it can stop sending power to the compressor and fans. Result: everything warms up.

Older refrigerators use a defrost timer instead. If this timer gets stuck in defrost mode, it keeps the compressor off too long, and both compartments lose their cool.

Why You Need a Professional

Electrical issues are tricky and potentially dangerous. A technician can test voltage at the control board, diagnose whether the defrost timer is stuck, and replace faulty components safely.

Control board replacement is a significant expense, so make sure you get a proper diagnosis before agreeing to the repair.

Simple Maintenance to Prevent Cooling Failures

Regular upkeep can help you avoid sudden breakdowns:

• Clean the condenser coils: Dust and pet hair restrict airflow and force components to work harder
• Check door seals: Leaky seals let warm air in, straining the cooling system
• Avoid overloading: Cramming too much food inside blocks air circulation
• Keep temperature settings reasonable: Extreme adjustments make the compressor run constantly

These small habits extend your refrigerator’s lifespan and reduce the chance of both compartments failing at once.

When Should You Call D3?

Some repairs are beyond DIY territory. Contact us if:

• Both compartments stay warm after you’ve checked the fan and cleared any ice
• The compressor clicks repeatedly but won’t start, even with a new start relay
• You suspect the control board or defrost timer has failed

Professionals have the tools and expertise to safely diagnose electrical and mechanical problems without causing further damage.

Should You Repair or Replace?

Not every breakdown is worth fixing. A new fan motor or start relay? Absolutely worth repairing. But a dead compressor or failed control board can cost nearly half the price of a brand-new refrigerator.

Here’s a practical rule: if your fridge is over 10 years old and needs a major repair, replacement often makes more financial sense. Newer models are also significantly more energy-efficient, which means lower electric bills.

Act Fast to Save Your Food

The longer both compartments stay warm, the more food you’ll lose. Start by checking the simple things: the evaporator fan, obvious ice blockages, and whether you hear the compressor trying to run.

But don’t wait too long to call for help if the problem is beyond a quick fix. Time matters when you’re trying to save both your food and your appliance.