Refrigerator not cooling
A warm fridge feels urgent, but the cause is often simple. Work through these checks first. Most take a few minutes and need no tools.
Quick answers
How much is a repair visit?
Holiday promotion: no booking fee through Nov 30. The pro gives you a free estimate.
How much does refrigerator repair cost?
Angi's 2026 guide puts refrigerator repair at $200–$300 nationally. Your pro quotes the real price after finding the cause.
Is it worth repairing a 10-year-old fridge?
Often, yes, if the fix is a fan, a seal or a defrost part. The DOE suggests replacing a refrigerator that's more than 15 years old, because older models cost much more to run.
Can I fix it myself?
You can check the power, the settings, the vents, the door seals and the coils. Sealed-system and refrigerant work needs a trained technician.
Check these first
- Make sure it has power: the light comes on and you can hear it run. Check the outlet and the breaker.
- Look at the temperature setting. The DOE suggests keeping the fridge between 35°F and 38°F, and the FDA says the freezer should be at 0°F. Settings sometimes get bumped.
- Clear the vents inside. Food pushed against the back wall can block cold air coming from the freezer.
- Check the door seals. Close the door on a sheet of paper. If it slides out easily, the seal may be leaking.
- Clean the condenser coils (under or behind the fridge). Unplug it first, then vacuum the dust off gently.
- Give it room to breathe. Leave a few inches of space behind and above the fridge so heat can escape.
When to call a pro
- The freezer is cold but the fridge stays warm after you clear the vents. That often points to a fan or a defrost problem.
- You hear clicking, buzzing or nothing at all from the back, or the compressor runs nonstop.
- There's frost built up on the back wall of the freezer.
- You smell burning or see scorched wiring. Unplug it and don't use it until it's checked.
- It's a built-in or under-counter model you can't safely pull out.
Safety: Unplug the fridge before touching coils or anything behind panels. Never cut into the sealed system or refrigerant lines. That work needs a trained technician.
Book a visit online
Same-day or next-day visits available.
Prefer to talk? Call 1-844-31-HOME-5(844) 314-6635
Questions
How long should food last in a fridge that stopped cooling?
Keep the door closed. The USDA says a closed refrigerator keeps food safe for about 4 hours without power. After that, throw out perishable food that has been above 40°F for over 2 hours.
Why is my freezer cold but my fridge warm?
Cold air reaches the fridge from the freezer. If vents are blocked, a fan has stopped or the coils have frosted over, the fridge warms up while the freezer stays cold.
How fast can a pro come out?
Same-day or next-day visits available in many areas. Use the booking form below or call us.
Source: USDA FSIS: Food safety in a power outage, FDA: Are You Storing Food Safely?, DOE Consumer Guide to Kitchen Appliances
Pros are independent local businesses, not VendorReach employees, and set their own prices.