If your refrigerator keeps running and it does not turn off, You may have to pay more for electricity and reduce the lifespan of your appliance. There are many potential causes for the fridge to keep running constantly. Possible causes could be due to a few reasons. The main reasons are outlined below with what you can do to fix it.
Why Does My Refrigerator Keeps Running?
If your refrigerator is running and won’t turn off when you think it should, there may be a few issues causing this. Make sure you check the following before you get to work on fixing it.
Turn Up the Thermostat
If you are turning on your refrigerator for the first time, it may struggle to achieve below 40 degrees in the refrigerator compartment for the first 24 hours. At first, you might think to turn the thermostat down, but instead, you should turn it up above 40 for a day or two. This will help the thermostat to cool down faster and not overheat.
Clean the Dirty Condenser Coils
If you’re hearing the refrigerator running all day, or you can’t find any way to turn it off, you might want to check the condenser coils in the back. That is the likely cause.
You probably know that your refrigerator has a sealed system- and the condenser coils are part of it. They release heat back outside of it and cools it down. A specific responsibility of the condenser coils is to release heat that gathers from inside of the refrigerator.
Sometimes, the condensing coils in the condenser can produce a small amount of moisture, which can attract dust and dirt. The more this builds up on the coils, the more work the coils have to do to maintain a stable temperature. That can put a lot of stress on the entire system, which will make it run for a lot more hours.
Dirty coils will make your fridge work harder, which will use more energy and decrease its lifespan.
If you have never cleaned the condenser coils on your fridge, they’re probably in need of a deep clean. Even if you keep a spotless kitchen with gleaming appliances, dust will accumulate in the air, and it will most likely cling to your refrigerator’s coils. To clean your refrigerator’s condenser coils, unplug the appliance and remove the protective grill. Brush away any dust and pet hair that stick to the coils.
Cleaning the coils in your fridge can be a daunting task. Manufacturers offer a special brush just for this purpose, but it is not mandatory. The goal is to remove enough dust and pet hair from the coils so that they can run more efficiently. The best way to do this is to use your vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to minimize the risk to the coils. Once this is done, your refrigerator should work better.
Change the Door Gasket
If you are experiencing problems with your refrigerator, especially the freezer not cooling to below 10 degrees Fahrenheit, cleaning the condenser coil may help. If the freezer is too warm, the condenser will continuously work to drop it to zero. This will lead to noise and keep your refrigerator from operating correctly.
If your refrigerator is leaking cold air, there are a few ways to test it. This is usually really easy to do with a dollar bill. For example, close the door on the dollar bill and feel for tension as you pull it out. Repeat the test around the entire seal of the door. To fix this, use a hex driver to loosen the retainer and remove the old gasket. Put the new gasket in place and tighten the retainer back up.
Faulty Evaporator Fan Motor
Is your fridge blowing warm air but not cold air? If the answer is yes, then check for these two things: First, make sure the evaporator fan is running properly. If the fan isn’t running or it doesn’t always run, then the air won’t be able to circulate properly. Next, check the vents on the back of the fridge for dust or other built-up matter.
A refrigerator without a working evaporator fan is a dangerous place for any fresh food items. In order to maintain a constant temperature, the refrigerator will just run all the time.
The motor that turns the fan in the evaporator is probably having problems. It is more likely that the motor has gone out than the actual fan, though you can inspect the fan for damage.
Faulty Defrost Heater
If your refrigerator starts running all the time, you need to diagnose where the problem is. Your refrigerator also has a defrost heater, and if it stops working, your coils will freeze and cause the refrigerator to run all day long. To find out where it is, though, you have to check the brand. It could be a Samsung, LG, Whirlpool, Kenmore, or another popular one. I suggest referring to the manufacturer’s website to find guidance.
The first step to troubleshooting is to find out what the problem is. If you notice your freezer isn’t as cold as it used to be, you may need to buy a new defrost heater. First, remove the cover that shields the coils from damage. Once you have access, unplug the wiring that connects the electric coils. Next, you’ll need to remove the coil before you can access the frost heater.
If your refrigerator is a little chilly, it could be because the defrost heater isn’t working. You’ll need to remove the old one before installing the new one. Once you’ve followed these steps in reverse, your fridge should be back to normal.
Faulty Condenser Fan Motor
Your refrigerator uses a condenser fan to create cold air. The condenser coil draws in air and cools it. This cold air is then dispersed throughout the refrigerator. It’s important to make sure your refrigerator has functioning parts like the condenser fan. When the fan is working, it pulls fresh air into the appliance. If your condenser fan isn’t working, your fridge will be less efficient and will run constantly to keep up.
This might be the simplest step yet, but it’s essential. To test if your fan motor is faulty, turn off the fridge’s power and see if you can turn the blade with your hand. If the motor is good, it will be easy to turn with just a little bit of force. If it is faulty, it will be very difficult to move. It may seem like a very simple test, but it’s very important! Replace the faulty condenser fan motor with a new one.
Defrost Termination Thermostat
Sometimes a refrigerator doesn’t turn off because a defrost termination thermostat is malfunctioning. This particular thermostat signals the refrigerator to stop running after a defrost cycle. If it malfunctions, it won’t work properly and your refrigerator will keep running.
To check if it’s faulty, you need to:
- Ensure that refrigerator is turned OFF.
- The freezer thermostat is usually found on the evaporator tubing.
- To check the defrost termination thermostat, use a multimeter to see if it has continuity. If it does, the thermostat is working and you can move on to the next part. If it doesn’t show continuity, then the thermostat needs to be replaced.
If you are uncomfortable with doing these checks or repairs yourself, contact a professional refrigerator repair technician to perform them. They can aid you in fixing any problems that may arise with your refrigerator.
What Do You Do If Your Refrigerator Keeps Running
Fridges are like cars: they take a lot of maintenance, but can’t be called in for an oil change or get a new set of tires every now and then. These appliances need cleaning once in a while because dust, dirt, and pet fur can settle on them. Before you know it, you’ve got a clogged condenser and your fridge’s efficiency drops dramatically.
A-fridgerator does not cool properly. This could be caused by a range of issues — from clogged coils to a broken door hinge. While some problems require professional service, many can actually be fixed with a bit of elbow grease and know-how.
Hi there! I’m Sam Hendricks, and I’m a repair technician and expert. I created this website to help people like you save money and time by fixing your own appliances.
Over the years, I’ve seen people spend a lot of money on unnecessary repairs or replacements. That’s why I decided to share my expertise and create easy-to-follow guides for fixing appliances on your own.