Appointment Lookup
646-440-2692
Refrigerator freezer not working but fridge is
Common reasons your Refrigerator freezer not working but fridge is
The most common reasons your refrigerator freezer is not working but the fridge is working are a bad compressor start relay, defective electronic control board or a faulty thermostat.
33% of the time it's the Compressor Start Relay
23% of the time it's the Electronic Control Board
15% of the time it's the Thermostat
29% of the time it's the Something else
Schedule your refrigerator repair now!
We can help! Our service technicians have repaired over 120,000 refrigerators. We can fix yours no matter where you bought it.
Most common repairs needed to fix a refrigerator
Compressor Start Relay Replacement
When you hear fans running in your refrigerator but the compressor isn’t turning on, a bad compressor start relay could be preventing the compressor from starting. The compressor start relay sends current to the motor start windings to boost motor torque to start the motor, and to the motor run windings. Once the motor starts, the relay continues to send current to the run windings, but cuts off current to the start windings. A defective start relay won't send current to the start windings, run windings or both. The start relay includes an overload component that shuts off all current to the motor if the motor overheats. A defective overload trips when the motor isn't overheated, preventing the motor from starting and inhibiting freezer cooling. Have a Sears Home Services technician check the compressor start relay and replace the relay if it’s bad.
Electronic Control Board Replacement
When your freezer is not working but the fridge is cooling, 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 the board malfunctions, it can keep the freezer section from cooling properly even though the refrigerator section is cooling well. 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 refrigerator freezer from cooling even though the refrigerator section is cooling properly, the technician will replace the electronic control board.
Thermostat Replacement
When the refrigerator is cold but the freezer is not working, a problem with the temperature control thermostat could be causing the freezer cooling failure. The temperature control thermostat is also called the cold control or cold control thermostat, and is located in the control housing. The thermostat has a sensor tube attached to it that detects the temperature inside the refrigerator cabinet. The temperature control thermostat controls the temperature inside the cabinet by turning on and shutting off the compressor based on the temperature sensed by the sensor tube. If the sensor tube isn’t detecting refrigerator temperature properly, the thermostat could be failing to run the compressor long enough to keep the freezer cold. Have a service technician replace the temperature control thermostat if it fails to sense temperature properly or if it does not cycle the compressor properly.
What to expect when you experience a refrigerator freezer not working but the fridge is cooling
Fixing a refrigerator freezer that is not working but the fridge is cooling
Fixing most problems with a refrigerator that is not working but the fridge is cooling involves replacing a bad compressor start relay, defective electronic control board or a faulty temperature control thermostat. Other problems that can cause cooling problems in the freezer include:
- Failed evaporator fan.
- Dirty condenser coils.
- Bad condenser fan motor.
- Faulty automatic defrost system.
- Air leaks into the freezer.
Several other issues can prevent the freezer from working even though the refrigerator sections is cool. Follow the instructions in your owner’s manual for troubleshooting cooling problems in your refrigerator. If you’re unable to find the cause of the problem on your own and get your refrigerator freezer cooling properly again, schedule refrigerator repair service to have our technician fix the issue.
What to do when you find the freezer not working even though the refrigerator is cool
Check the refrigerator temperature settings and adjust the settings if necessary. The freezer should be set at 0-degrees and the fridge temperature at 37-degrees. Adjust the temperature settings if necessary so the fridge and freezer cool properly. Follow the troubleshooting tips in the owner’s manual to resolve the freezer not working problem. If the basic troubleshooting tips in the manual don’t help resolve the cooling problem, schedule refrigerator repair service to have a Sears Home Services technician visit your home and repair the fridge.
What to expect with a refrigerator that is cold but the freezer is not freezing
When you have a service technician visit your home to fix a refrigerator with the freezer not working even though the fridge is cooling, the technician will first check basic issues such as the temperature settings and condition of the condenser coils and fans. The technician will typically measure actual refrigerator and freezer compartment temperatures and may take readings on sealed system pressures. After thorough analysis of the condition of your fridge and testing of components, the technician will determine the cause of the freezer cooling failure and fix the problem.
What our customers say about us
With more than 1.3 Million 5 Star Reviews, you don't have to take our word for it
Jake is a great person.
He did a great job, the problem is with the refrigerator.
Nancy V, Meridian, ID
Great job
Robert did a great job and was kind and courteous. He cleaned up everything. I would highly recommend using him.
Karen K, Mount Laurel, NJ
Service appointment
Joe was very professional and knowledgeable technician who quickly found and fixed the problem. I would recommend for service again
Tim R, Schaghticoke, NY
Frequently Asked Questions
Repair Refrigerator Resources
Learn how to install refrigerator ice maker kit IM116000 on a compatible top-freezer refrigerator.
Find out why your Samsung fridge is not cooling but the freezer section works. Get expert troubleshooting tips to fix the problem.
Find out why the fridge is not cool but the freezer is and learn how to troubleshoot the common problems that cause this failure.
Find out what to do when the freezer is not freezing but the fridge works fine. Fix the problem fast with our expert DIY troubleshooting tips.
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.