Frigidaire Mini Fridge Not Cooling Properly? Here’s What to Do

If your Frigidaire mini fridge is not cooling properly, you’re in the right place! In this guide, we will discuss all of the main reasons why this problem may be happening, and how you can fix them. 

Start by checking the condenser coils and then simply work your way down the list of reasons until you’ve found what’s causing your mini fridge to not cool.

Check the condenser coils

The condenser coils are one of the main components within your mini fridge that help it to cool down to the correct temperature. When the coils get covered in frost or dust they will stop working and your mini fridge won’t be able to cool.

To check the coils, you need to:

1. Start by turning the power off.
2. Pull your mini fridge out from the wall or cabinet so you can access the back of the appliance.
3. Locate the condenser coils and remove the cover from them (if there is a cover).
4. If the coils are frosted over, leave your fridge off for an hour or so to let the coils defrost, then wipe them clean. If covered in dust, give them a good clean.
5. Once clean and/or defrosted, turn your mini fridge back on and check if it is now cooling correctly. If not, check the condenser fan (see below).

Check the condenser fan

The purpose of the condenser fan is to blow air over the coils so they don’t frost over and stop working. When the fan or the motor that powers the fan stops working, your Frigidaire mini fridge might stop cooling.

To check the condenser fan, you need to:

1. Switch the power off.
2. Find the condenser fan unit.
3. Remove the cover from the fan unit.
4. Try to turn the fan around 360 degrees to make sure nothing is obstructing it.
5. If something is obstructing it, remove the obstruction.
6. Next, make sure the fan motor is working correctly by testing it with a multimeter for continuity.
7. If the fan is defective, replace it and then check if your mini fridge is working correctly. If the fan motor is working correctly, or if replacing the fan doesn’t solve the problem, you will need to check the evaporator fan (see below).

Check the evaporator fan

Your mini fridge may have a second fan called an evaporator fan that is there to distribute cold air from your freezer unit to the fridge. When it stops working, your mini fridge might not be able to cool down to the correct temperature.

To check the evaporator fan, you need to:

1. Check your user manual to see if your mini fridge has an evaporator fan. If not, move on to checking the start relay (see below).
2. If it does have an evaporator fan, switch the power off. 
3. Find the evaporator fan unit.
4. Remove the cover from it.
5. Try to turn the fan around 360 degrees to make sure nothing is obstructing it.
6. If something is obstructing it, remove the obstruction.
7. Next, make sure the fan motor is working correctly by testing it with a multimeter for continuity.
8. If the fan is defective, replace it and then check if your mini fridge is working correctly. If the fan motor is working correctly, or if replacing the fan doesn’t solve the problem, you will need to check the start relay (see below).

Check the start relay

The start relay helps the compressor operate correctly so your mini fridge can cool down to the correct temperature. When it stops working, your mini fridge might not cool properly.

To check the start relay, you need to:

1. Switch the power off.
2. Find the start relay.
3. To make sure the start relay is working correctly, test it with your multimeter for continuity.
4. If the start relay is defective, replace it and then check if your mini fridge is working correctly. If the start relay is working correctly, or if replacing it doesn’t solve the problem, you will need to check the temperature control thermostat (see below).

Check the temperature control thermostat

The temperature control thermostat monitors the temperature in your mini fridge and reports its recordings to the main control board so the board knows which components to turn on to ensure the temperature is kept to the correct level. If the thermostat stops working, other components will also stop working, causing your mini fridge to not cool.

To check the temperature control thermostat, you need to:

1. Switch the power off.
2. Find the temperature control thermostat.
3. To make sure the thermostat is working correctly, test it with your multimeter for continuity.
4. If the thermostat is defective, replace it and then check if your mini fridge is working correctly. If the thermostat is working correctly, or if replacing it doesn’t solve the problem, you will need to check the start capacitor (see below).

Check the start capacitor

The start capacitor helps the compressor start up. When it becomes faulty, the compressor will not work correctly, and your mini fridge will fail to cool down to the correct temperature.

To check the start capacitor, you need to:

1. Switch the power off.
2. Find the start capacitor.
3. To make sure the start capacitor is working correctly, test it with your multimeter for continuity.
4. If the start capacitor is defective, replace it and then check if your mini fridge is working correctly. If the start capacitor is working correctly, or if replacing it doesn’t solve the problem, you will need to check the compressor (see below).

Check the compressor

The compressor is responsible for producing refrigerant to keep your mini fridge at the correct temperature. When it becomes defective your mini fridge won’t be able to work correctly.

To check the compressor, you need to:

1. Switch the power off.
2. Find the compressor.
3. To make sure the compressor is working correctly, test it with your multimeter for continuity.
4. If the compressor is defective, it will need to be replaced by a qualified technician, or you may decide the best option is to buy a new mini fridge.
5. If the compressor is working correctly, you will need to consider replacing the main control board (see below).

Replace the main control board

Your mini fridge has a control board that is essentially the brains of your appliance. When this board becomes defective, your mini fridge will not work correctly. Unfortunately, testing and/or repairing the main control board is difficult so your best option is to replace it and hope that gets your fridge working again. On the other hand, you may decide the better option is to buy a new mini fridge.