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Refrigerator too cold freezer too warm
Common reasons your Refrigerator too cold freezer too warm
The most common reasons your refrigerator is too cold and freezer too warm are a broken air damper, bad thermistor (temperature sensor) or a defective electronic control board.
25% of the time it's the Air Damper
20% of the time it's the Thermistor
15% of the time it's the Electronic Control Board
40% of the time it's the Something else
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Most common repairs needed to fix a refrigerator
Air Damper Replacement
When you find your refrigerator too cold and freezer too warm, a broken air damper that is stuck fully open could be allowing too much cold air from the freezer to circulate through the refrigerator compartment. The air damper channels and controls the cold airflow from the freezer compartment into the refrigerator compartment to facilitate refrigerator cooling and keep it at the proper temperature. The air damper is controlled by a dial in some refrigerators and by the thermistor and electronic control board in other fridge models. If you feel excessive cold air flowing into the refrigerator compartment through the air damper, you’ll likely need to have a Sears Home Services technician diagnose the problem and replace the air damper if it’s broken.
Thermistor Replacement
For a refrigerator with electronic controls that gets too cold in the refrigerator section and too warm in the freezer section, a bad thermistor (temperature sensor) could be causing the cooling problem. The thermistor senses temperature inside the refrigerator compartment and sends the temperature signal to the electronic control board. The electronic control turns the compressor on and off to regulate freezer temperature based on the thermistor temperature signal. An errant temperature signal can prevent the control board from regulating refrigerator and freezer temperature accurately.
Electronic Control Board Replacement
When your refrigerator is too cold and the freezer is too warm, a defective electronic control board can be causing the problem. The electronic control board acts as the refrigerator's central control system, managing critical functions such as temperature regulation, fan operation, defrost cycles, icemaker functionality, and dispenser operations. When this circuit board malfunctions, it can keep the freezer section from cooling properly and cause the refrigerator section to become too cold by shifting too much cold air into the refrigerator section from the freezer compartment and failing to run the compressor long enough to cool the freezer properly. It's best to have a Sears Home Services professional conduct diagnostic tests on the board to determine if replacement is warranted. If the control board is preventing the freezer from cooling and distributing too much cold air into the refrigerator compartment, the technician will replace the electronic control board.
What to expect when you experience a refrigerator that is too cold and a freezer that is too warm
How to fix a problem in your refrigerator when the refrigerator is too cold and the freezer is too warm
Fixing most problems with the refrigerator being too cold and the freezer being too warm involves replacing a faulty air damper, bad thermistor or a defective electronic control board. However, this isn't always the case. Blocked air vents or automatic defrost system problems can also cause this symptom of a fridge too cold and a freezer too warm. An evaporator fan failure can also cause cooling problems in the freezer while the refrigerator section is too cold in some models. A thorough diagnosis refrigerator components is key understanding the extent of repairs needed and resolving the issue.
Sears Home Services suggestions for a refrigerator that is too cold with a freezer that is too warm
When your refrigerator freezer is too warm and the fridge is freezing cold, check for clogged return air vent that can cause this symptom. Look for excessive frost in the freezer or overcrowding that can cause freezer cooling problems and freezing temperatures in the refrigerator section. If you’re unable to determine the cause of the temperature problems in the refrigerator on your own, have a Sears Home Services professional perform diagnostic tests to identify the root cause of the problem. Our technicians are experienced at handling all types of refrigerator cooling issues.
Things to consider when diagnosing a refrigerator that is too cold and a freezer that is too warm
Diagnosing issues with modern appliances can pose significant challenges for individuals lacking technical knowledge and training. Proper tools are also needed to diagnose modern refrigerators. Without employing proper diagnostic techniques, fixing refrigerator cooling problems may involve merely replacing parts based on guesswork. In the past decade, appliances have undergone substantial advancements, incorporating intricate electronic components that are increasingly difficult to troubleshoot. As a result, do-it-yourself repairs on contemporary refrigerator models have become progressively difficult. When you’re unable to determine the cause of a refrigerator freezing while the freezer is too warm problem, schedule refrigerator repair service and we’ll send a Sears Home Services technician to your home to fix the fridge.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Glossary Terms
A dual ice maker is a feature in some refrigerators that includes two separate ice makers: one in the fridge compartment and another in the freezer section. This setup doubles the appliance's ice-making capacity.
A French-door refrigerator features two doors that open side-by-side on the top section for the refrigerator compartment, with a bottom freezer drawer, combining style, efficiency, and easy access to both refrigerated and frozen goods.
Refrigerant is a chemical compound used in HVAC systems and refrigerators to absorb heat from the environment by cycling through states of evaporation and condensation, enabling the cooling process through its cycle of evaporation and condensation.
R-12 refrigerant, also known as Freon-12, is a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) compound that was once widely used in air conditioning systems, refrigerators, and aerosol propellants before its phase-out due to environmental concerns.