If your Magic Chef refrigerator is not cooling, this article will walk you through how to fix it.
Table of Contents
How Fast Should a Magic Chef Refrigerator Cool?
A Magic Chef refrigerator cools within four hours of powering it. There must be a steady and full power supply for the appliance to run constantly and cool to food-safe levels. It helps if you do not frequently open the doors or load it with foods and drinks before it has fully cooled. Otherwise, it may take a longer to cool.
Magic Chef Refrigerator Is Not Cooling – How to Fix
To fix a Magic Chef refrigerator that is not cooling, do the following:
1. Ensure That the Evaporator Coils Are Not Frosted
The defrost heater assembly is designed to melt frost accumulation on the evaporator coils of a refrigerator. So, if the defrost heater is not working properly, there will be nothing to stop the accumulation of frost on the evaporator coils.
This will lead to the evaporator coils being plugged with frost, causing restriction to airflow. When this happens, the refrigerator will lose its cooling capacity.
If indeed, the evaporator coils are frosted, you have to troubleshoot each component of the Magic Chef Refrigerator defrost system.
2. Check the Defrost Thermostat
This is another component of the Magic Chef refrigerator that may be behind its inability to cool. It keeps track of the evaporator coil temperature and signals the thermostat contacts to close when the temperature drops below a certain threshold.
When this happens, the voltage will flow to the defrost heater to melt the frost accumulation on the evaporator coils.
However, the defrost contact will not close if the defrost thermostat is faulty. Consequently, there won’t be any power transmission to the defrost heater.
A continuity test will help you to determine whether the defrost thermostat is still functioning or not. If it isn’t, go for a replacement.
3. Troubleshoot the Defrost Control Board
The defrost control board tells you often a defrost cycle should be run. If there’s a fault in the defrost control board, the defrost cycle of the Magic Chef refrigerator will not occur, and this will cause an accumulation of frost on the evaporator coils.
When this happens, the refrigerator will find it difficult to give off heat, and this will invariably lead to overheating. If the defrost heater and defrost thermostat of the Magic Chef refrigerator are functioning properly, the culprit will be the defrost control board, which needs to be changed.
4. Check the Defrost Timer
The work of the defrost timer is to turn on the refrigerator’s defrost heater intermittently to melt any frost accumulation on the evaporator coils. A faulty defrost timer may not go into the defrost cycle, or worst-case scenario, may not transmit power to the defrost heater.
This will lead to frost clogging the evaporator coils, making it difficult for the refrigerator to give off heat. Consequently, the refrigerator will start to overheat.
Slowly turn the dial into the defrost mode if you want to know whether the defrost timer is working. If the heater turns on, and the compressor turns off, then the defrost timer is working properly.
However, if the defrost timer doesn’t transmit power within 20-30 minutes, take that as an indication of a defect, with replacement being the only remedy.
5. Examine the Evaporator Fan Motor
Another component of the Magic Chef refrigerator that may be responsible for its inability to cool is the evaporator fan motor. It gathers cold air over the coil and distributes it across the freezer. However, the refrigerator will not cool if the evaporator fan is faulty.
To know whether the evaporator fan is working properly or not, rotate the fan blade by hand. If the fan does not rotate freely, that means it is faulty. Replace the fan motor, and the problem will be solved.
Meanwhile, if the fan blade does not rotate at all, carry out a continuity test, using a multimeter. If the test shows that the windings lack continuity, get a new evaporator fan motor.
6. Troubleshoot the Damper Control Assembly
The damper control assembly may be the culprit if the Magic Chef refrigerator is not cooling. It regulates the amount of cold air that goes into the refrigerator compartment.
There will be a shortage of cold air in the refrigerator compartment if the damper does not open completely. So, check if the damper is stuck closed or broken, and fix it to get your refrigerator in good working condition again.
7. Check the Temperature Control Board
The temperature control board of a refrigerator transmits voltage to the fan motor and compressor. This means no voltage will be sent to the fan motor and compressor if the control board is faulty.
For you not to misdiagnose the control board, start by troubleshooting the most common faulty components. If these components are working properly, then you may consider getting a new temperature control board.
8. Troubleshoot the Main Control Board
While the main control board of a refrigerator rarely causes cooling problems, it will be best to not completely dismiss it. Troubleshoot all other likely defective components in your Magic Chef refrigerator, and if they are working properly, then you may need to replace the main control board.
Note: These steps apply to all Magic Chef refrgeratorm models, including the Magic Chef mini fridge. However, a mini firdge does not usually have an automatic defrost system, so you do not have to look for these components to test them.
Why is My Magic Chef Refrigerator Not Cooling (Compressor Hot)?
The compressor of the Magic Chef refrigerator tends to be hot when it is overheating. A compressor can be hot if there’s no refrigerant or the fridge thermostat is low. Look at the set temperature; is it too high? That may explain why the compressor is hot. It has to run constantly to maintain a cool temperature. This causes it to overheat.
Checking the thermostat and the refrigerant level requires the skills of a certified electrician. If the set temperature is not the problem, take out everything in the fridge and unplug it because it is unsafe to continue using a compressor that is overheating. Store perishable foods in another refrigerator or an ice-packed cooler.
Have a service technician check the cooling lines for a leak. A sealed system leak will cause the compressor to overwork itself, leading to overheating. Therefore, it is best to turn off the refrigerator until you get professional service.
The cooling fan and condenser of the Magic Chef refrigerator may be the reason behind its inability to cool. So, take a look at the condenser coils, which are at the bottom back of the appliance.
If dirt, debris, and dust cover the condenser coils, then that may be why the fridge cannot dissipate heat. Use a vacuum cleaner or a condenser coil cleaning brush to remove the dirt on the coils until they are clean. If you cannot easily reach them, use the services of a professional service agent. Repeat the cleaning process once or twice a year.
The cooling fan of the Magic Chef refrigerator is designed to keep the appliance cool at all times. However, its motor may fail due to overworking. So, ensure that you check if the fan is still rotating. If it’s not, you may need a technician to fix it or get a new one. Check out this video below to get the hang of what we are talking about…
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Magic Chef Refrigerator Not Cooling But Freezer Working – How to Fix
To fix a Magic Chef refrigerator that’s not cooling even though its freezer is working, look out for any defects in the following components:
1. Evaporator Fan
If the fan motor of the Magic Chef refrigerator is barely rotating, that’s an indication of a faulty fan motor. To be very certain of the fault, use a multimeter to run a continuity test. If there’s a fault, replace the fan motor.
The job of the evaporator fan is to transfer cool air to the coils while cooling the refrigerant in the process. If the evaporator fan is faulty, the refrigerator will be hot but the freezer will be cold.
2. Evaporator Coils
If the evaporator coils of the Magic Chef refrigerator are frosted, they will malfunction. So, go to the back of the refrigerator and check if the evaporator coils are covered in frost. If yes, switch off the unit to manually defrost it or use a hairdryer to melt the frost.
3. Thermistor
The thermistor tracks the refrigerator temperature and relays the readings to the control board, which then transmits power to the evaporator fan and compressor based on the temperature readings.
A defective thermistor may cause the evaporator fan and compressor to run too slow or too fast, which will make the refrigerator warm. To know whether the thermistor is working properly or not, use a multimeter to do a continuity test.
If the thermistor resistance changes with the temperature of the fridge, it means that the thermistor is working properly. However, if it does not change, you may have to get a new thermistor.
4. Air Vents
If the Magic Chef refrigerator is full, the air vents will be useless because it can’t allow the circulation of air. Once this happens, the refrigerator will lose its cooling ability, even though the freezer is working.
Magic Chef Refrigerator With Freezer Not Cooling – What To Do
To fix a Magic Chef refrigerator with a freezer that is not cooling, first examine the evaporator fan by pressing the door switch and listening for a humming sound, which the evaporator fan motor normally makes when it is running.
If there’s no sound, then the evaporator fan motor needs replacement.
In addition, check the compressor start relay with a multimeter. If there’s no continuity between the start and run terminals, the start relay may be burnt and due for replacement.
Final Words
If your Magic Chef refrigerator is not cooling or freezing, or the compressor is overheating, you don’t have to panic. Simply use this article as a guide to fix the common problems with the Magic Chef refrigerator.
Magic Chef Refrigerator is Not Cooling – Related FAQs
1. How Do I Make My Magic Chef Refrigerator Colder?
To make a Magic Chef refrigerator colder, increase the temperature from “1,” being the lowest, to “5”, the coldest. This temperature regulation also affects the freezer. The standard temperature for the fridge is “3,” but to make ice quicker, set it to “5” and reduce it when it forms ice.
To turn off the cooling system completely, set the temperature regulator to “0”. This does not affect the power supply though.
2. How Do You Defrost a Magic Chef Refrigerator?
To defrost a Magic Chef refrigerator, unplug it and open the drain valve, which is located at the back of the freezer. Lay a towel beneath the drain valve to catch the water once the ice starts to defrost. After that, open the refrigerator door so that the ice can melt. As the ice melts, use a towel to clean the excess water dripping from the appliance.
Clean the refrigerator until it is completely dry, and close the drain valve. Now, you can plug in your refrigerator and return your foodstuffs.
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