JennAir Refrigerator Not Cooling [What to Do]

It is quite frustrating when you open your JennAir refrigerator and find out it is not cooling. Not only are some food items going to get spoiled, but the condition of the refrigerator is also going to deteriorate if nothing is done quickly. In light of this, we have put together this detailed guide to help you fix the cooling and freezing problems of your JennAir refrigerator.

Jenn-Air Pro-Style Counter-Depth Stainless Steel French Door Bottom Freezer Refrigerator

How to Fix a JennAir Refrigerator That is Not Cooling

Here are five easy steps to troubleshoot and fix a JennAir refrigerator that is not cooling:

1. Look for Any Power Issue

If you notice your JennAir refrigerator is not cooling, the first thing you need to do is to examine the power supply. Check if the power cable is plugged in properly. Also, examine all corners of the power cable for any signs of damage.

If everything checks out, examine the outlet for defects. The outlet may be short-circuited, so fix that problem if you can or hire a technician.

That being said, it is recommended that you do not plug in your JennAir refrigerator into an extension socket. Always plug in your refrigerator directly into your grounded outlet to protect the refrigerator.

2. Check If the Door Seals are Damaged

Just like every other refrigerator, a JennAir refrigerator will not cool once its gaskets and door seals are damaged and dirty. So, clean the door seals with warm water and soap, and then dry it with a piece of cloth.

If the refrigerator still does not cool, then inspect the seals. To check the sealing efficiency of the door gasket, ensure that the refrigerator door is not hindered from closing. After that, place a piece of paper in the door and then close it. If you can easily pull out the piece of paper without any resistance, it means that the door gasket has a sealing problem, which may be the reason the refrigerator is not cooling.

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You cannot repair a door gasket. You can only replace it. Check the JennAir refrigerator user’s manual to know the right size and type of door seals to buy.

3. Check the Temperature Settings

The ideal temperature range for the JennAir refrigerator is 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Similarly, the freezer section of the refrigerator has an ideal temperature setting of 0 degrees Fahrenheit.

If your JennAir is not within the temperature range, it means that cooling will be difficult. The JennAir refrigerator temperature panel is situated at the top. Look for an “Arrow” button and turn it upwards to increase the temperature of the refrigerator.

4. Inspect the Condenser Coils

A fact you probably did not know is that condenser coils are the major reasons for a refrigerator cooling problem. The condenser coils start to heat up as refrigerant flows through them. Over time, these coils will be covered in dust, dirt and debris, making heat dissipation very difficult.

The good thing about condenser coils is that you can clean them by yourself. The condenser coils in a JennAir refrigerator are located at the rear bottom. A vacuum hose and appliance brush will help you get rid of the dirt. When it comes to hard-to-reach corners, a compressed air canister will get the job done.

5. Troubleshoot Part Failures

If you have troubleshot the components we mentioned above and the source of the problem is still not found, you may have to go further by troubleshooting the evaporator fan, condenser fan, and thermistor.

Once you find the defective part, consider getting a replacement.

JennAir Refrigerator Not Cooling or Freezing – Causes

If your JennAir refrigerator is not cooling or freezing, here are some of the possible causes and solutions:

1. Dirty Condenser Coils

If your JennAir refrigerator has been in use for six months or longer, the chances are high that the condenser coils will be dirty. If that is the case, the condenser coils will be unable to dissipate heat as the refrigerant flows through them.

Consequently, your refrigerator will lose its efficiency, making cooling and freezing very difficult.

When the temperature of the refrigerator rises and the freezer becomes warm, the condenser coils may be responsible. Clean the condenser coils with water and soap if they are dirty.

2. Defective Condenser Fan Motor

The function of the condenser fan motor of a refrigerator is to facilitate the flow of air from the condenser coils to the compressor. So, if the condenser fan motor is defective, your JennAir refrigerator will not cool and the freezer will not freeze.

Instead of guessing whether the condenser fan motor is responsible for your refrigerator cooling and freezing issues, look for any obstructions in the fan blade.

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After that, manually spin the fan blade, and if you notice any resistance, then get a new condenser fan motor. Meanwhile, if you do not feel any obstruction, conduct a continuity test using a multimeter. If there is no continuity in the condenser fan motor, go for a replacement.

3. Faulty Evaporator Fan Motor

The evaporator fan motor of your JennAir refrigerator facilitates the circulation of air from the freezer to the refrigerator chamber. While some refrigerators are equipped with multiple evaporator fan motors, the JennAir refrigerator comes with only one, which can be found in the freezer chamber.

Cold air circulation will not take place if the evaporator fan motor of your refrigerator is not working. If this occurs, the freezer may receive a small amount of cold air, which will not get to the other compartments in the refrigerator.

The evaporator fan motor is inspected the same way as the condenser fan motor—manual and continuity test inspection. If the evaporator fan motor is found to be a defective component, you have to get a replacement.

In addition, you should listen for any unusual sound emanating from the evaporator fan motor. It may be a defect that requires replacement.

Why is My JennAir Refrigerator Not Cooling Properly?

If you notice that your JennAir refrigerator is not cooling as you want it to, here is how you can troubleshoot it and get it working within 24 hours:

1. Check the Condenser Coils

The first thing to do if your JennAir refrigerator is not cooling properly is to examine its condenser coils. These coils are installed to allow for the giving off of heat so that the freezer will remain cold.

Condenser coils can become dirty over time because they are open to dirt, dust, and debris. When that happens, heat dissipation cannot take place. Consequently, the JennAir refrigerator will work extra hard to cool while the freezer gets warmer.

You can find the condenser coils of your JennAir refrigerator at the back of the unit. If they are dirty, clean them and your refrigerator will be able to maintain an optimal temperature range.

According to the manufacturers of the JennAir refrigerator, you should clean your refrigerator at least once in six months. If your condenser coils have been cleaned, give a 24-hour interval before turning to the right temperature.

2. Examine the Temperature Setting

Once everything with the condenser coils checks out, the next suspect is the refrigerator temperature. Check the user’s guide to see the recommended temperature range for your JennAir refrigerator.

If the temperature control thermostat of your refrigerator is not working, it won’t cool as you want it to. To verify the working condition of the thermostat, rotate it to the highest level from the lowest level, and listen to hear a “click” sound. If you don’t hear it, it is an indication that the thermostat of your refrigerator is bad and requires replacement.

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3. Check If the Defrost Heater is Frosted Over

If the evaporator coils of your JennAir refrigerator are frosted over, the freezer will lose its freezing ability. When that happens, it is an indication that the defrost heater has packed up. Frost will continue to build up with no means to get rid of them.

Test for continuity in the defrost system or evaporator coils to know if they need replacement. Check out the video below to see how you can replace the defrost heater of your refrigerator…

Check out these other articles on refrigerators not cooling for other brands…

Reasons Why a JennAir Refrigerator is Not Cooling But Freezer is Working?

If you observe that your JennAir refrigerator is no longer cooling while the freezer is still working, here are the possible reasons and solutions:

1. Evaporator Coils and Defrost Heater Failure

The most common cause of cooling problems in the JennAir refrigerator is the evaporator coils. It is normal for frost to buildup on the evaporator coils of your refrigerator, but the defrost heater is there to get rid of the frost from time to time.

So, if you realize that the evaporator coils are completely in frost, have it at the back of your mind that the defrost heater is responsible. Your refrigerator will lose its cooling ability because of a hindrance to airflow to the evaporator coils.

Conducting a continuity test is the quickest and surest way of knowing if the evaporator coils and defrost heater need replacement.

2. Defective Evaporator Fan Motor

If the evaporator coils and defrost heater are not the source of your JennAir refrigerator cooling problem, then troubleshoot the evaporator fan motor next. Manufacturers install this component to allow cold air circulation throughout the refrigerator.

If the evaporator fan motor fails, your refrigerator won’t cool even if the freezer is working. Spin the fan blade with your hands to know if it is still working. If you notice friction, then you have to opt for a new evaporator fan motor.

3. Damper Control Assembly Failure

Without the damper control, your refrigerator section will not receive the adequate amount of cold air needed to sustain it. Troubleshoot the damper control assembly to know if it opens and closes appropriately, or if it is faulty.

4. Faulty Temperature Control Board

The evaporator fan motor, condenser fan motor, and compressor of your JennAir refrigerator will not receive the voltage required to function properly if the temperature control board fails. While it is only on rare occasions that the temperature control board breaks down, you should run a continuity test to know if it is the root cause of the refrigerator cooling problem. This will help you decide whether to install a new temperature control board or not.

 

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