Having a refrigerator that stops cooling is one of the most urgent household dilemmas, especially in the high-temperature climate of the UAE. Before you assume you need a brand-new appliance, many cooling issues can be traced back to simple maintenance oversights or minor component failures.
This guide breaks down the most common reasons your fridge might be failing and the steps you can take to fix it.
1. Check the Power and Thermostat Settings
It sounds simple, but the most common "failure" is often accidental.
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The Thermostat: Ensure the dial hasn't been bumped during a grocery load. The ideal setting is 3°C (37°F) for the fridge and -18°C (0°F) for the freezer.
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Power Supply: Verify that the plug is secure and that the circuit breaker hasn't tripped. In the UAE, power fluctuations can sometimes trigger safety shut-offs in modern appliances.
2. Dirty Condenser Coils (The #1 Culprit)
In the UAE, dust and sand can accumulate rapidly behind and underneath your appliance.
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The Problem: Condenser coils release heat from inside the fridge. If they are coated in dust, the heat remains trapped, causing the compressor to work until it overheats and shuts down.
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The Fix: Pull the fridge away from the wall and use a vacuum or a soft brush to clean the coils every 6 to 12 months.
3. Faulty Door Gaskets (Air Leaks)
If your fridge feels cool but not cold, you might be losing your "cold" to the kitchen.
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The Test: Place a piece of paper or a five-dirham note in the door and close it. If the paper pulls out easily, your gasket (the rubber seal) is loose or cracked.
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The Fix: Clean the seal with warm, soapy water to remove sticky residue. If the seal is warped or brittle, it must be replaced to restore efficiency.
4. Blocked Internal Air Vents
Your refrigerator relies on consistent airflow to maintain its temperature.
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The Problem: If you block the vents with large items like milk cartons or pizza boxes, the cold air cannot reach the lower shelves.
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The Fix: Keep your fridge about 70–80% full. This provides enough "thermal mass" to hold the cold while leaving enough space for air to circulate.
5. Frozen Evaporator Fan or Defrost Issues
If the freezer is freezing but the fridge is warm, you likely have a defrost problem.
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The Problem: Frost can build up on the evaporator coils, blocking the fan that blows cold air into the refrigerator compartment.
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The Fix: Manually defrost the unit by turning it off for 24 hours (ensure you have a cooler for your food). If the ice returns quickly, you may have a failed defrost heater or sensor.
"How Old Is My Appliance?"
If you’re not sure how old your appliance is, you can find this information by analyzing the tag or sticker that shows the serial number. These tags are often located inside the door of an appliance, on the back, or under an easily removed panel (e.g., under a stove top). The serial number tag on most modern appliances lists the manufacture date clearly.
If you can’t find the date, you’ll need to decode the serial number to find out the appliance’s age. Search for this “appliance date code” based on the brand of your appliance, or simply determine the appliance age by typing the brand and serial number itself in an online search. Often, the first few numeric characters simply line up with a month and year.
Regular maintenance can help extend your appliance's working age to the maximum. If it breaks, sometimes it’s more economical to replace an old appliance than it is to repair it. How can you tell? Our appliance repair professionals are happy to advise if you’re unsure about your appliance’s condition.
Not ready to give up on your appliance? Call us or schedule your repair service online.
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