If a Frigidaire refrigerator is hot when you touch it, it means something is not working properly in the unit. Fortunately, this article discusses possible causes and their fixes.
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Frigidaire Refrigerator Is Hot – Solutions
A refrigerator that is operating normally is usually warm when you feel it. In fact, it runs warm and cool intermittently. But when the warmth increases to hotness, check the following:
Condenser Coils
Dirty or dusty coils cause a heat overload on the refrigerator. If this happens, the refrigerator tends to run longer and more frequently than normal, causing it to become hot.
Clean and dust the coils with a condenser cleaning brush or any other appropriate cleaning tool. There are laid-out instructions in the user manual of the refrigerator to follow. But if you are not sure, hire a professional to clean them thoroughly.
Condenser Tubing
If your Frigidaire refrigerator is a newer model, it is likely to have condenser tubing. The tubing lines the refrigerator cabinet’s edges to prevent a buildup of moisture inside the refrigerator.
If the tubing becomes dirty, it runs hot, causing the refrigerator to become hot. The heat it emits may come out as hot air which you may likely feel if you put your hand into the unit, close to the cabinet’s edge.
Get a professional service agent to check the tubing and advise on the way forward if your model has one.
Electric Heater
Older Frigidaire refrigerator models may have electric heaters in place of the condenser tubing. It is located in the same area as the condenser tubing and performs the same function.
Turn the heater off by pressing the Power Saver button or Energy Saver button, depending on which your model has. Do this when the temperature of the unit begins to increase inexplicably.
Monitor the unit to see if this solves the problem. Otherwise, turn it back on so it can resume its function.
A few factors contribute to making your refrigerator run hot:
- Opening and closing the door of the refrigerator frequently. The unit tends to start running longer than normal in a bid to maintain a cool temperature. Keep from opening the door often. And when you do open it, don’t hold it open for too long.
- Locating the refrigerator too close to a source of heat. Not only will the heat source cause the body to be hot but it will also cause the internal temperature to rise. As a result, the unit begins to run constantly to lower the temperature, increasing the heat in the process. Relocate the unit or lower the set temperature.
- Overstuffing the refrigerator with food and other items that are at room temperature. In order to cool the items, the compressor runs longer and builds more heat. Of course, the refrigerator carries the heat because of the longer run-time.
Frigidaire Fridge Blowing Hot Air – Quick Fix
Check the evaporator coils to see if they are frozen. If they are, defrost the fridge manually. Unplug it from the wall outlet and leave the doors open. The frost on the coils will dissolve during this time.
However, check the components of the defrost system. Begin with the defrost timer, then go to the defrost heater, defrost thermostat, and the defrost control board. You will need a multimeter for this exercise.
Furthermore, check the condenser coils for dirt, dust, and debris. Clean them, following the cleaning instructions in the user manual of the fridge. Repeat this every six to twelve months.
Additionally, check the condenser fan. Make sure the blades are free of obstruction and the motor is working. Run a continuity test on the motor using a multimeter. If there is no continuity, replace the motor.
Frigidaire Refrigerator Dispensing Hot Water – Solved
If someone just used the dispenser before you and got cold water, it is likely the water reservoir has run out of stored cold water. Give it about four hours to cool again and see if you still get only hot water.
If you do, consider the following problems:
Frozen Water Reservoir
Allow the reservoir to thaw by disconnecting the refrigerator from electric power. If this option is not for you, use a long-hosed syringe to pour hot water through the water line and into the reservoir. It may take some time but you may not need to unplug the unit.
The tank saves some cold water for dispensing. But if the temperature in the freezer is too low or there is infrequent use, it might freeze. As a result, the dispenser will give only warm or hot water.
Wrong Water Source
If the housing supply that sends water to the refrigerator and subsequently the dispenser is somehow tapped into hot water, your dispenser will get only hot water.
However, make sure you select the cold water option on the dispenser. If you get hot water even with this selection, check the supply from the source.
Get a plumber to trace the water and check whether or not the problem is from there.
Dirty Coils
Believe it or not, the coils can cause hot water to come out of the dispenser. Because the coils dissipate heat from the refrigerant, the heat doesn’t transfer to the refrigerator.
But if they are dirty, the heat transfers, making the unit hot. The hotter the refrigerator, the more likely the water will heat up, too.
Therefore, clean the coils and see if this fixes the problem.
If you recently replaced the water filter, purge air from the water lines. Do this by dispensing a few gallons of water or running the dispenser for about thirty seconds. This may help fix the hot water problem.
If none of the above fixes work, contact Frigidaire, report the problem, and request service.
Check out these other articles…
Frigidaire Refrigerator Making Noise [How to Fix]
Frigidaire Refrigerator Frost Buildup [How to Fix]
How to Replace Frigidaire Defrost Heater [Quick Guide]
Frigidaire Refrigerator Does Not Turn On [How to Fix]
How to Fix a Frigidaire Refrigerator Door Handle [Quick Guide]
Frigidaire Refrigerator Hot between Doors – Quick Fix
Do the following if your Frigidaire refrigerator is hot between the doors:
Clean the Condenser Coils
Take a condenser cleaning brush or a vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment and clean the coils. Do a thorough job of it. If there is any dirt left on them, clean it with a soft cloth. This also helps to clean any grease on them.
The coils release the heat that the refrigerant carries during the compression process. This way, the heat does not go into the refrigerator. However, if the coils become too dirty, they cannot efficiently release the heat.
Consequently, the refrigerator becomes too hot and the heat is often felt between the doors of the unit.
Be sure to clean the coils once every six to twelve months to keep them in top shape. Otherwise, the refrigerator will keep building up heat and causing other damages.
Replace the Fan Motor
Check to see if the blades of the fan are dirty or obstructed with debris. If they are, clean them and try turning them. They should spin freely but if they don’t, the motor bearing may be worn out. That means you have to replace the motor.
Run a continuity test on the motor using a multimeter just to be sure. If there is no continuity or infinite resistance, replace the motor of the fan.
The fan cools the coils and compressor so they don’t overheat. If the motor fails or the blades are obstructed, the refrigerator will build up heat. And one of the areas where the heat shows is between the doors of the unit.
Turn Off Heater or Clean Condenser Tubing
If your refrigerator is an older model, the heater that prevents moisture buildup between the doors may be on. If the area is excessively hot, turn the heater off by pressing the Power Saver button or Energy Saver button.
But if you have a newer refrigerator model, it has a condenser tubing instead of a heater. And the tubing can get dirty, which causes the hotness between the doors.
Only a professional can fix this problem. Report the issue to Frigidaire or hire a trusted technician for a permanent solution.
Note: This heater or tubing can cause the door seal to become excessively hot. Fixing the problem eliminates the hot door seal problem. But if it persists, report to Frigidaire.
Recap
If your Frigidaire refrigerator is hot, find a permanent fix as quickly as possible. This article explains different solutions to possible hot areas on the refrigerator.
But if the solutions don’t work, contact Frigidaire and report the issue. If you would rather go independent, chat with us to find quick assistance without booking an appointment.
Reminder
Unplug the refrigerator from the wall outlet before commencing any repairs. Doing this prevents accidental electrocution.
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