It is a bit frustrating to find that your cooler is not cooling, especially when you want to head out for the day. Learn how to fix a faulty cooler in this article.
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Wine Cooler Is Not Cooling – Solved
Wine coolers come in two types: compressor wine coolers and thermoelectric wine coolers. To determine why yours is not cooling, know which type you have.
Compressor Wine Cooler
If your compressor wine cooler is not cooling, check the following:
1. Condenser Fan
The fan is responsible for keeping the condenser coils from becoming too hot. If it stops working, the cooler’s temperature can rise, and it will stop cooling. So, check the fan’s baldes to ensure no debris keeps them from turning. Clean them and ensure the motor shaft is working well.
Then, turn them with your hand. If the blades don’t turn well, it may indicate that the motor is no longer functioning due to worn bearings. Run a continuity test on the motor, and if you find no continuity, replace the motor or the entire fan assembly.
2. Evaporator Fan
A wine cooler needs an evaporator fan to circulate cold air internally like a regular refrigerator. The cooler won’t cool if the fan stops working, even though the evaporator coils are working.
To determine whether or not the fan is faulty, locate it where the evaporator coils are, typically behind the back wall of the cooler. Ensure there is no buildup of ice around it; if there is, melt it using a dryer or steamer. Then, turn the blades with your hand. If they are stiff, it may mean that the motor is bad. It may also mean that the motor shaft needs some oiling.
Use a little penetrating oil on the shaft to lubricate it. Then, try the blades again. If they are still stiff, the problem may stem from the motor. To be sure, test the fan’s motor using a multimeter to check for continuity. If there is no continuity, replace the motor.
3. Evaporator Coils
While checking the fan, take the opportunity to inspect the evaporator coils. They should not be frozen, so if they are, disconnect the cooler from electric power and allow the ice to melt. Make sure there is no leakage through the door seal or any other part to cause the ice buildup.
If the coils remain frozen, the cooler won’t have cold air. It is from the evaporator coils that the refrigerant absorbs the heat in the cooler to leave it internally cold. The refrigerant takes all the heat away from the unit, passing it down to the condenser coils. So, if the evaporator coils are frozen, the refrigerant can’t absorb heat, leaving the wine cooler warm.
4. Thermostat
The thermostat has the job of supplying power to the cooler’s cooling system. It senses the internal temperature and turns on the cooling system as needed. But a faulty thermostat cannot provide the power for the cooling system to run as the unit needs. So, the cooler will either be too warm or too cold.
Lower the setting on the thermostat and wait for the compressor to kick on and the wine cooler to start cooling. If that does not happen, run a continuity test on the thermostat. If the thermostat shows no continuity, replace it.
Thermoelectric Wine Cooler
Check the following if you have a thermoelectric wine cooler that is not cooling:
1. Ambient Temperature
The temperature around the wine cooler affects its cooling capacity. Unlike a compressor wine cooler, a thermoelectric wine cooler depends on the correct ambient temperature to stay internally cold. So ideally, the room temperature should remain between 50 degrees and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Otherwise, the cooler won’t cool enough.
Use an air conditioner to make the room cooler. If humidity is affecting it, a dehumidifier will work best. You can also locate a cooler part of the house and move the wine cooler to that area.
2. Fan
Inspect the fan that dissipates hot air from the wine cooler. Fix the wire harnesses if they are loose and clean the baldes if they are dirty. Turn the baldes to ensure they are in good working condition. If they are bent or broken, you will have to replace the fan. Otherwise, the wine cooler will overheat and stop cooling.
If none of the above works to fix the wine cooler, contact the manufacturing brand or hire a professional technician for further assistance.
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Water Cooler Is Not Cooling – Quick Fix
If you find that your water cooler is not cooling, first, check the power cord. Ensure you fully plug it into the wall outlet; otherwise, the water cooler won’t work. It may look like the most straightforward fix and the least likely cause, but it is usually the culprit. Remove the power cord and plug it into the outlet again.
If that does not work, check the back of the cooler for the switches to ensure they are working. When in good working condition, the switches should be illuminated. So, if they are not lit, they may be malfunctioning. Disconnect the water cooler from electric power and reconnect it. That should fix the problem.
However, if the water cooler still does not start cooling, you may need to reset it. Dispense some glasses of water from the cooler and disconnect it from electric power. Leave it disconnected for about 24 hours. Afterward, reconnect it and wait about six hours for the water cooler to cool. If the cooling problem persists, get professional help. The coils may be dirty, or there may be a freon leak.
Walk-in Cooler Is Not Cooling – What to Do
A walk-in cooler has almost the same operating mechanism as a refrigerator. So, if you find that it is not cooling, try troubleshooting the same way you would when you find a refrigerator is not cooling enough. Check the evaporator coils, evaporator fan, condenser coils, and thermostat. Replace any replaceable part if it is defective.
Additionally, check the door to ensure it seals tightly. Ensure nothing is blocking it from closing fully and tightly. Otherwise, consider replacing the door seal.
You can also check the compressor and the start relay. If the relay is faulty, the compressor won’t run smoothly. And if the compressor fails to run as needed, the cooler won’t cool; the compressor is the heart of the cooling system.
Wine Cooler Not Cooling After Power Outage – Solutions
Check the power cord. It may have become damaged during the outage due to a surge. You may want to invest in a surge protector to keep the cooler safe. Unplug the wine cooler and inspect the cord. If you notice signs of fraying or damage, replace it.
Next, check the circuit breaker. The outage may have caused it to trip off and if that is the case, turn it on. Find the switch that controls the cooler and flip it. Otherwise, check the wall outlet.
If the wine cooler is plugged into a GFCI outlet, you may have to reset it. It tends to trip when there is a power outage to protect the appliance. Find the reset button and press it. That will reset the outlet, and you will be able to tell whether or not it is working.
But if it is not a GFCI outlet, test the functionality with a smaller appliance. A table lamp will do. If the lamp comes on, it means the outlet is working, but it may no longer supply the needed voltage to power the wine cooler. Consider replacing the wall outlet.
If none of the above works, there may be a faulty component. The thermostat may be defective, or the compressor may have failed. Get in contact with a qualified appliance technician for further troubleshooting and repairs.
Recap
It is pretty easy to find a solution if your cooler is not cooling, no matter the type. Following our guide in this article will get quick and easy repairs at no cost. But if nothing seems to work, it is best to get professional help to avoid damaging the unit beyond repair.
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