Refrigerator temperature problems are serious issues because they stop the appliance from cooling, which is the primary job of a refrigerator. Learn how to fix Electrolux refrigerator temperature problems in this article.
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Electrolux Refrigerator Temperature Problems – How to Fix
Refrigerator temperature problems can manifest in different ways. The most common problem is a lack of cooling, but the problem can also be with too much cooling, especially in the freezer. Also, the refrigerator may indicate that the temperature is high, even when the temperature setting is correct.
Refrigerator Is Warm or Not Cooling
You may notice this problem in your Electrolux refrigerator if it is a new installation. One of the first complaints of owners after installing a new refrigerator is that it does not cool or that it is too warm. If you recently installed your refrigerator, it needs time to run and cool.
For most models, you will need to wait for about 12 hours before determining whether or not the refrigerator is cooling. Ensure it is not in demo or showroom mode but that the cooling function is active. Otherwise, the compressor and other components of the cooling system will not run, and the refrigerator will not cool. Follow the instructions in the user guide to exit the mode if applicable.
Another thing to check is the content you put into the refrigerator. If you load the appliance with too many room-temperature items, it will take too long to achieve a cool temperature. This is especially applicable if the refrigerator is new. Allowing it to run and cool for about 24 hours is your best bet because there will be enough cold air to circulate.
Also, keep from overloading the refrigerator and obstructing the air vents. If that happens, the refrigerator will become warm, although the compressor and other cooling system components run. You may hear the high-temperature alarm go off if the temperature becomes too high. Therefore, reduce the contents of the appliance if it is overloaded, keeping it only ¾ or half full. It encourages proper air circulation in the appliance and keeps it functioning as it should.
Additionally, do not keep the door open for too long and close it tightly after using the refrigerator. It will cause the appliance to lose its cooling capacity, especially if it happens regularly. Reduce how often you use the refrigerator if it does not cool well to give it time to run without any interruptions. That means determining what you need from it before opening the door so that the door does not remain pen for too long.
1. Check the Evaporator Fan
Ensure the evaporator fan works as it should because it provides cool air for the refrigerator. Without the fan, which is part of the cooling system, there will be no cool air from the evaporator coils. Open the freezer and wait for the sound of the fan. Typically, it turns off when you open the freezer door but not immediately. It turns back on when you close the door again.
If there is no fan sound, the fan may be defective. That would mean opening the back panel of the freezer and testing the fan. There may be frost buildup or debris issues keeping the blade from turning. Clear the fan and remove any obstruction, including frost. Also, ensure the fan motor is in good condition; you can test it using a multimeter to check for continuity. Replace the motor or entire fan assembly if there is no continuity.
2. Check the Door Gasket
The door gasket is a crucial part of any refrigerator’s cooling capacity. It creates a tight seal on the refrigerator’s door to keep the cold air in and the warm air out. That way, the appliance maintains its cooling capacity, even when the power goes out for a few hours.
However, if the gasket weakens, the refrigerator stops cooling because of the loss of cold air. Warm air replaces the cold air and causes a high-temperature issue. Therefore, check the gasket if you notice a drop in cooling or high temperature despite the correct temperature setting.
Ensure it is not dirty or kinked; it will produce the same result as a weak gasket. Clean the part if significantly dirty and straighten it if kinked. You will need a small screwdriver to smoothen it but do it carefully to avoid puncturing the rubber gasket. However, replace the gasket if cleaning or straightening it does not resolve the issue.
3. Check the Hinges
Sometimes, the door hinges become damaged due to poor installation or too much weight on the door. If that happens, the hinges will sag and create a gap between the door and the refrigerator frame. Consequently, the appliance loses cold air, compromising the cooling capacity the same way a weak gasket does.
In such a case, you will need to replace the door hinges. You may need assistance because refrigerator doors can be heavy and replacing the hinges can be intricate. Hiring an experienced installation team or service agent is your best bet for getting the best results. If the hinges are only loose or incorrectly installed, tightening or correcting the installation should resolve the issue.
4. Level the Appliance
Poor leveling can affect how well the refrigerator cools. The appliance should be slightly tilted to the back to raise the front back. This enables the doors to close on their own whenever you open them. Otherwise, the refrigerator will constantly lose cold air and compromise cooling.
There are typically instructions in the refrigerator’s user manual to help you correctly level the appliance when necessary. You should adjust the feet in front of the appliance and use a spirit level to check the balance.
5. Check the Condenser Coils
The condenser coils may be significantly dirty, which affects the appliance’s cooling capacity. This is especially true for a freezer or freezer section. If the temperature setting is correct but the refrigerator does not cool as it should, you can check the core food temperature. Do this by placing a thermometer between two frozen foods and leaving it there for about 24 hours.
The food temperature is more vital than the general temperature within the refrigerator. This is because the general temperature can change during the cooling and defrosting cycles, but the core food temperature remains the same. Also, note that if the temperature is off by one or two degrees, you do not need to worry. The problem usually lies in the temperature that is off by more than five degrees.
6. Check Air Circulation
A crucial part of the refrigeration process is air circulation outside the appliance. This refers to the freedom of air movement around the refrigerator to prevent overheating. Typically, the compressor and condenser coils generate a lot of heat while the appliance runs. So, there is a huge risk of overheating, which can cause the refrigerator to stop cooling or shuts it down entirely.
Therefore, check the arrangement of the refrigerator to ensure there is enough space around it. Create at least two inches of space behind and around the appliance; doing this also helps the water line and other parts at the back avoid premature damage. This should improve the cooling function if there is no defective internal component.
For an integrated refrigerator, ensure there is no leftover packaging if it is a new installation. If you leave any styrofoam or other packaging material on the cabinet or internal parts, the refrigerator may have cooling problems. Additionally, check its location to ensure no heat source interferes with its cooling.
Finally, consider a manual defrost if the refrigerator has been running for a while without shutting off. There is a possibility that frost has built up on the evaporator coils, restricting the free flow of cold air. So, the refrigerator will not cool even if the evaporator fan and other parts function well.
Typically, the automatic defrost system should prevent the coils from accumulating frost. However, that process may be impeded if the defrost system fails to work. Frost accumulates on the coils and the refrigerator has trouble maintaining a cool temperature. If that is the case, disconnect the appliance from the electric power and allow it to sit unplugged for a few hours.
This gives the coil time to defrost and may fix minor errors in the refrigerator. But contact the Electrolux Service Center to report the issues and request immediate service if the problem persists after taking all the steps above. Alternatively, hire an independent technician for further assistance.
You can also check out the resources in this article on an Electrolux refrigerator not cooling for other crucial steps to fix any cooling problem in your refrigerator.
Refrigerator Is too Cold
The primary reason your Electrolux refrigerator becomes too cold is setting the temperature too low. It may be an accidental adjustment that changes the appliance’s internal temperature, so it is best to check the setting before testing other possible causes. It may also be that the refrigerator freezer is too empty, without enough content to absorb the cold air.
Check the temperature setting on the digital control panel or the dial inside the appliance if there is no panel. Ensure the setting is correct based on the recommended setting in the user guide. The ideal temperature for an Electrolux fridge is between 4 and 5 degrees Celsius or 38 to 41 degrees Fahrenheit. The freezer should be set at -18 degrees Celsius or 0 degrees Fahrenheit. The ambient temperature should be between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius for the best results.
But if your refrigerator does not have a digital control feature, check the temperature knob inside the appliance. It usually starts from 0 and ends at 7, with 1 being the warmest setting and 7 being the coldest. 0 simply turns off the cooling function. This applies to the fridge and freezer sections, and all standalone freezers have this temperature control type.
1. Adjust the Temperature
If you have a digital control panel, the first step to fixing the temperature problem is to find out how to adjust it. Check the user guide for steps to adjust it; there is usually a button to press to move the temperature up or down.
The same applies to the freezer section. Follow the instructions in the manual to increase the temperature if it is too cold, but note that you must give it 24 hours after adjusting it before adjusting it again if necessary. This gives the refrigerator time to adapt to the change.
And if the appliance uses a control knob, turn it from the high-number setting to a lower or mid-setting. It is usually best to set the refrigerator to 4 or 5 if the setting runs up to 7 or 9. This mid-setting ensures proper cooling in both compartments without excessive freezing.
2. Check Refrigerator Content
Another possible cause of excessive cooling is what you put in the refrigerator and how you arrange it. For example, storing hot or warm food in the unit can affect the internal temperature in more ways than one. It can cause condensation by building moisture, which reduces the cooling capacity and builds frost or causes the cooling system to run harder to produce extra cool air. This only succeeds in causing freezing the refrigerator or freezer.
Therefore, leave hot or warm food out to cool considerably or reach room temperature before storing it in the refrigerator. And if you have water-rich foods, ensure you leave them out to drain properly before storing the in the right containers in the unit. Doing this prevents water from dripping in the refrigerator and forming ice over time.
When stocking and arranging the refrigerator, keep items from resting or touching the back of the refrigerator. This is especially applicable when the appliance is in a defrosting cycle; the water from the melting frost will flow onto the shelves instead of out through the drain. If this happens, the water will form ice and contribute to excessive freezing.
In addition, inspect the door gasket to ensure it is in good working condition. Sometimes, the gasket becomes kinked or twisted so that it stops creating a tight seal around the door. As a result, the refrigerator loses cold air, which is replaced by warm air that encourages the formation of frost or ice.
The same applies if something keeps the door from fully closing, which can happen if there are too many things stored in the door bins or shelves. The door will have difficulty closing well and causing cooling issues.
Electrolux Freezer Temperature Problems – Solved
These steps above also apply to Electrolux freezer temperature problems, but in many freezer cases, there is usually a problem with the start relay. Since the compressor’s runtime is crucial to whether or not the freezer works well, you must ensure there are no functional issues with that part of the freezer.
Turn off the freezer by unplugging it from the wall outlet or turning off the circuit breaker. Locate the compressor and the start relay attached to it. When you do, detach the start relay from the compressor and shake it. If it rattles, the relay is defective; it should be replaced. But if it does not rattle when shaken, test it with a multimeter to check for continuity.
There is usually a sheet taped to the compressor, the back of the refrigerator, or on the hinge. The resistance value of the refrigerator’s electrical parts should be on the sheet, so use it to determine the resistance or continuity of the relay. If there is no continuity or the value is not correct, replace the start relay.
You can also check or test the compressor to ensure it is in good working condition. If your freezer has a malfunctioning compressor, it will stop working as it should. However, testing the compressor yourself may not work because it requires some expertise and live voltage. That means only a qualified technician should test the motor and replace it if necessary.
Freezer Is too Cold
If your Electrolux freezer is too cold, check the temperature setting and adjust it if necessary. Also, check the freezer content and how well you arrange it. A poor food arrangement can cause excessive freezing, and having too few items in the freezer means there is not enough content to absorb the cold air. This will cause the content to freeze and may affect other parts of the freezer if it occurs constantly.
There is also the possibility that the ice maker is the reason for the excessive cooling. If the ice maker is on without any water supply or ice production, it will continue to run and cause the freezer’s internal temperature to drop too low. This, in turn, will cause items to freeze and will continue to do until you turn off the ice maker.
If the water does not get to the machine, turn it off to stabilize the freezer temperature. Otherwise, fix the water supply issue by checking the water line and main supply valve. Also, ensure nothing obstructs the water inlet valve and ice maker fill tube. But hire a professional technician to troubleshoot further and fix the problem if it persists.
How Do You Fix the HI Temp on an Electrolux Refrigerator?
If your Electrolux refrigerator displays HI on the control panel, it means the internal temperature is too high. The display is typically accompanied by an audible alarm, which beeps every ten seconds. Several issues can cause this to happen.
If you leave the door open for too long, the temperature will rise and trigger the Hi-temp alarm. Simply closing the door and ensuring proper sealing should fix the problem. But it may take some time for the HI Temp display to disappear from the control panel, although the alarm should stop beeping once the door shuts properly.
The same applies when there is a power failure that lasts too long. You may be unaware of the outage, which causes the temperature to rise, triggering the alarm. Find an alternative source of power if the main source is not restored to help lower the internal temperature. That is the only time the HI Temp display will disappear and the alarm will stop beeping.
But if you load too many things in the refrigerator, it will restrict the flow of cold air around the compartment. This affects cooling and compromises the entire refrigerator’s function. If this happens for a long period, it triggers the temperature alarm and Hi-Temp display. Reduce the refrigerator content and properly arrange what is left to create better airflow and improved cooling.
Can’t Change the Temperature on an Electrolux Refrigerator – What to Do
If you find that you cannot change the temperature setting on your Electrolux refrigerator, ensure the control panel is not locked. The lock feature disables all the control panel buttons and dispensers, including the temperature control buttons. If the lock button is active or lit, press the button for a few seconds to deactivate it. You can consult the user manual for further instructions on how to turn off the lock feature.
There is also the possibility that the dispenser or electronic control board is faulty. It may also b a problem with the main control board, but since control boards are easy to misdiagnose, it is best to hire a qualified technician to test the boards and ensure they need a replacement before removing them. The technician can also determine other possible causes if the control boards are in good condition.
Should an Electrolux Freezer Temperature Go Up and Down All Day?
The temperature of an Electrolux freezer should not fluctuate. The only time it should go off is when it automatically defrosts for models with this feature. Also, the cooling system can cycle on and off from time to time to give the components time to cool instead of running constantly. This applies to every type of freezer.
However, if your freezer has this problem, there is a cooling problem. It may be a problem with the start relay, compressor, or temperature control thermostat. It may also be that the evaporator coils are frozen, restricting cold air, or the evaporator fan is broken, making it unable to circulate cold air. It may even be a combination of different problems.
You can follow the instructions in this article in the section covering freezer temperature problems to resolve the problem. Alternatively, hire an independent technician to run tests and determine the problem for proper solutions.
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