This article explains how to fix KitchenAid refrigerator temperature problems if you experience them.
Table of Contents
KitchenAid Refrigerator Temperature Too Warm – Quick Fix
If your refrigerator becomes too warm, there are several parts to check. First, ensure the condenser coils are not dirty. They tend to get dusty over time, but only excessive dirt can reduce their capacity to dissipate heat from the cooling system. Next, check the temperature setting. This may sound like a no-brainer, but you or someone else may have accidentally adjusted the setting to a warmer point. Fixing it may solve the problem.
But if the temperature is at the recommended point, check the fans. That is the condenser fan and the evaporator fan. Also, check the start relay attached to the compressor and thermistor, which is a sensor that detects the air temperature. In addition, check the temperature control thermostat. You can follow the instructions in this article on a KitchenAid refrigerator not cooling to troubleshoot and fix the problem.
KitchenAid Refrigerator Over Temperature Reset
Many KitchenAid refrigerator models have a reset button for the Over Temperature Reset alarm to shut it off when it is activated. So, if you notice the indicator for the alarm blinking and accompanied by a beeping, press the button to shut off the audible alarm. However, the light will continue to blink until the reason for the alarm trigger, which is usually due to a high internal temperature, is resolved.
Finding out why the alarm went off in the first place is crucial for the refrigerator. When there is a power outage, and the refrigerator’s internal temperature rises above 48 degrees Fahrenheit or 9 degrees Celsius, while the freezer’s temperature rises past 15 degrees Fahrenheit or -9 degrees Celsius for more than 90 minutes, it triggers the Over Temperature alarm.
This alerts you to check the cooling function and see what is causing the spike in the temperature. If there is a power outage, confirm the outage by pressing any button on the control panel. The refrigerator should stop beeping, but the light will keep flashing until the temperature drops to a food-safe level.
But if there is no power outage and the temperature rises, you may have a faulty component, such as a temperature control thermostat or the control board. Refer to the section on a Kitchenaid refrigerator not cooling to determine how to check and fix any faulty component. Otherwise, the Over Temperature alarm may keep going off if the internal temperature keeps rising above the recommended point.
A new refrigerator installation may trigger the alarm until its temperature is cold enough. It is not strange to hear the alarm and see the indicator blinking within the first hours of turning on the refrigerator. The alarm and light may activate every 90 minutes until the freezer and refrigerator temperatures cool to the recommended point, according to the user manual. Locate the Over Temp reset button on the control panel or consult the user manual for its location, and press it to turn off the light and alarm.
However, if none of the above applies, try resetting the refrigerator. Turn off the refrigerator by unplugging it from the wall outlet or powering down the circuit breaker. Wait about five minutes before turning it on again. This resets the control board, which governs the alarm and how it functions. A faulty control board can trigger the alarm when it is not necessary, but a reset can fix minor errors. Allow the unit to run for some time to check its cooling function and ensure no displayed error codes are displayed. But if the problem persists, schedule for appliance service for your refrigerator.
Important Notes
Ensure there is no sealed system leak and the compressor pump is in good working condition. If the compressor works when the alarm goes off, it may indicate that the sealed system has a problem. You may also want to check the evaporator fan, which circulates cold air in the freezer and refrigerator. The evaporator coils may also be clogged with ice, which points to a fault with the automatic defrost system. Troubleshooting the defrost system is crucial if the temperature issue continues.
Furthermore, the start relay may be bad, especially if you find the evaporator fan working and the coils not saturated with ice. That means the compressor has difficulty starting, and the relay is usually the problem. Remove the relay and shake it; a bad relay makes a rattling sound and should tell you whether or not you need a replacement. It may not work for all relay types, so you may also need to run a continuity test using a multimeter.
In addition, check the thermistor and condenser coils. The thermistor is a sensor that monitors the temperature to alert the control board when to turn on the cooling system. The condenser coils remove heat from the system to prevent overheating. The Over Temp alarm may go off if the coils are dirty or the sensor is defective.
KitchenAid Refrigerator Temperature Too Cold – How to Fix
Check the temperature setting; the refrigerator must be set to 37 degrees Fahrenheit and the freezer must be at 0 degrees Fahrenheit. If the settings are lower than the recommended point, the refrigerator will become too cold to the point of freezing food. You can also check the air damper, which is a small door that opens to allow the proper amount of cold air into the refrigerator from the freezer before closing. A faulty damper may remain open and allow too much cold air into the refrigerator.
The condenser coils may be significantly dirty, which may cause the refrigerator to respond in two ways. One is that the temperature will rise due to the coils’ inability to remove heat from the refrigerator. That means the refrigerator stops cooling. Two is that the refrigerator may constantly run to maintain a cool temperature due to overheating, causing the refrigerator to become too cold. Dirt blankets the coils and traps the heat in the refrigerator, reducing its cooling capacity.
In addition to the above, check the temperature control thermostat, which controls the voltage supply to the cooling system, and the door seals. Check out this article on a KitchenAid fridge freezing food to learn more about how to solve this problem.
Important Notes
If your refrigerator has an ice maker, ensure it is properly connected to the water supply. And if it is, check to see if it is filling with water and making ice. But if it is not connected to water, turn the ice maker off. Follow the instructions in the user manual to turn off the machine, or use the shut-off arm; move it up to turn it off. Leaving the ice maker running without water causes it to try making ice, which lowers the refrigerator temperature due to the cold air needed to make ice.
The refrigerator’s temperature setting must fit the area where the appliance is housed. Some areas may be colder than others, and if the refrigerator is in a place that requires warm settings, it may become too cold if the temperature setting is low. Therefore, adjust the temperature controls and wait 24 hours to see the changes. Make further adjustments if necessary, but you must always wait 24 hours between each adjustment.
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KitchenAid Refrigerator Temperature Control Panel Not Working – Quick Fix
The control panel may be responding to a power outage issue or in a mode that completely disables the control panel buttons. Resetting the refrigerator may fix the control panel problem, but you must determine if there was a recent power outage. You will find helpful resources in this article to solve the problem of the control panel of your KitchenAid refrigerator not working.
How to Adjust the Temperature on a KitchenAid Refrigerator
The temperature adjustment method for a KitchenAid refrigerator depends on the model. Some have digital controls, while others have analog controls. You will find temperature buttons for models with digital controls for the freezer and refrigerator. They may be marked accordingly, with + and – signs to tell you which lowers and which raises the temperature for each section.
Press the + sign to increase the temperature in the selected section, and press the – sign to lower it. Remember that each adjustment changes the internal temperature, and you must wait 24 hours after each adjustment for the refrigerator to adapt before making further adjustments.
Most refrigerators come preset at 37 degrees Fahrenheit for the refrigerator and 0 degrees Fahrenheit for the freezer. These settings are ideal for the appliance, so you may not need to change them. However, the surroundings may necessitate adjusting the temperature, so follow this guide or consult the refrigerator’s user manual.
But if your refrigerator has control knobs or dials, you will work with numbers around the dial. Typically, you will find numbers 0 to 7 around the dial, with 7 being the coldest point and 1 the warmest point. 0 turns the cooling function off. Like the digital control models, this model also comes preset at mid-point, usually 4 or 5, for the best temperature results. However, you can adjust it by turning the knob until the arrow points to the desired number. The higher the number, the colder the temperature.
A few models use Extend Fresh Temperature Management System to monitor and control each section’s temperature separately. In other words, the freezer temperature works independently of the refrigerator temperature and vice versa. The system uses sensors to detect each section’s temperature and make necessary adjustments. That way, the food and drinks in the refrigerator do not freeze but maintain the proper temperature. And the items in the freezer freeze for proper preservation.
Where Is the Temperature Control on a KitchenAid Refrigerator?
The temperature control location on a KitchenAid refrigerator depends on the model. Some have the digital controls on the front part of the refrigerator door, while others have the controls on the inside top frame of the cabinet. For models with analog or knob controls, you will typically find them inside the respective sections of the appliance. It is best to consult the user manual for the exact location of your model.
How to Check the Temperature on a KitchenAid Refrigerator
If your digital temperature display and control panel are not used for at least two minutes, they will go to sleep. That means the screen goes blank, and the refrigerator will seem like it is off. But pressing any control panel button activates the temperature display and the control panel. This method may vary by model, but a button touch usually activates the display. When the display is active, you can check the temperature.
Sometimes, you may have to hold the temperature button on your refrigerator for about three seconds to see the settings. Pressing the button activates the temperature mode, where you can toggle between the freezer and refrigerator sections to check the temperatures. Use the temperature button to toggle, and if there is a need to adjust the temperature, follow the guidelines in the manual to fix it.
If you suspect the internal temperature does not match the set temperature and the refrigerator is warmer or colder than desired, place a thermometer inside each section and leave it there for 24 hours. Ensure the refrigerator operates for those hours to get the correct temperature reading. Afterward, check the temperature reading on the thermometer; incorrect readings mean you need to make some repairs or adjustments.
Note: Certain areas of the house, such as the porch or garage, tend to have a different air temperature from inside your house. The humidity levels may also be higher. Therefore, adjust the refrigerator temperature to fit the surroundings, even if it comes preset at the factory.
KitchenAid Refrigerator Won’t Hold Set Temperature – Solved
If the temperature you set keeps changing on your KitchenAid refrigerator, the condenser coils may be too dirty, or the temperature control thermostat is out. These can cause the internal temperatures to rise above the settings. Other possible causes are frozen evaporator coils, faulty fan motors, defective thermistor, bad start relay/capacitor, or a malfunctioning compressor. These issues cause the refrigerator to stop cooling, interfering with the set temperature.
You may also want to check the main control board, especially if the temperature is blinking. The control panel board may also cause a display malfunction, constantly changing the set temperature, even when the internal temperature is correct. However, these are not likely to cause the issue, so they should be the last components to check.
Clicking Noise
Check the start relay if the refrigerator does not hold the set temperature and makes a clicking noise. The clicking noise may come from the compressor as it tries to run without succeeding. Since the relay provides the power boost for the compressor to run, a faulty relay cannot support the compressor. Consequently, the motor will not start, and the refrigerator will not cool. Disconnect the refrigerator from electric power, remove the relay, and replace it.
Afterward, check the compressor and the refrigerator’s cooling capacity after a few hours. Another possible cause of the noise is the defrost timer. The timer moves the refrigerator in and out of a defrost cycle, and if it becomes defective, it tends to make a ticking or clicking sound. Also, it may keep the refrigerator from cooling if it cannot move the system out of the defrost cycle. The cooling system remains off, and the refrigerator continues to defrost.
Try moving the timer out of the defrost cycle by turning it with a small screwdriver. If the timer responds and advances out of the cycle, it may have been stuck, but you may want to test it for continuity. Replace the component if there is no continuity. The same applies if it does not respond at all.
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