Fresh-food side is warm
The freezer still freezes, but milk and leftovers aren't cold.
Fridges, freezers and ice makers
The kitchen refrigerator, an upright or chest freezer, the second fridge out in the garage: we track down why it's warming up and agree on the repair with you before we start.
Symptoms
The first thing to notice is usually warm milk. These are the other clues.
The freezer still freezes, but milk and leftovers aren't cold.
A sheet of ice builds up inside the freezer and air stops moving.
No new ice, or the cubes come out small and hollow.
Water collects under the drawers or leaks out in front.
The compressor hums all day and the back of the fridge feels hot.
A click every few minutes, or a loud buzz from the bottom.
Typical causes
When the heater, thermostat or control fails, frost blocks the evaporator and cold air stops reaching the fresh-food side.
How we check it
We look for frost on the evaporator and test the defrost heater, thermostat and control.
A seized fan stops the airflow even though the compressor keeps running.
How we check it
We check both fans while the system runs and measure power at each motor.
Dust-packed coils make the compressor work harder; a bad relay causes the clicking.
How we check it
We inspect the coils and test the start relay and the compressor windings.
How we diagnose
Diagnostic checklist
1,600+
repairs completed
88%
finished on the first visit
35+
brands we work on
5 years
of house calls in Corinth
From a recent visit
Meadows North
Frigidaire top-freezer refrigerator
Problem: Freezer frosted over, fridge side at 50°F.
Repair: The defrost heater had failed. Installed a new OEM heater and cleared the ice.
Useful tips
Safety first. USDA food safety guidance: perishable food that has been above 40°F for two hours or more should be thrown out.
Brands
French-door and side-by-side models from Samsung, LG, GE and Whirlpool, plus the Frigidaire and Amana units that often end up in the garage.
Service area
Garage refrigerators are common in Corinth and summer heat is hard on them, so let us know where yours stands.
If another appliance needs attention too, our appliance repair in Corinth, TX page lists them all.
Questions
Keep the doors shut. A closed refrigerator holds a safe temperature for about four hours, according to USDA guidance.
Most often frost has blocked the evaporator, or the fan that pushes cold air into the fresh-food side has stopped.
Yes, both. Leave room to slide the unit out a little so the back can be reached.
Often, yes. Fans, defrost parts and relays are common repairs on older units. A failed sealed system is a bigger job, and you'll know which it is after testing.
Book a visit
Tell us whether the trouble is in the fridge, the freezer or the ice maker. We’ll get in touch to set a time between 7 am and 11 pm.
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