Short answerBefore you suspect a broken part, rule out the easy causes: demo or showroom mode, blocked vents, a bad door seal or dirty condenser coils. If the freezer is cold but the fridge is warm, the evaporator fan or a frosted evaporator is the most likely cause. A fridge should stay at or below 40°F, ideally 37°F, with the freezer at 0°F (FDA, Whirlpool).
Time and difficulty are typical, estimated values.
Quick checks (no tools)
- Check for demo / cooling-off mode. Samsung shows "OF OF" or scrolling bars, LG "O F F", Whirlpool "Showroom". In this mode the lights work but nothing cools — Samsung says no service is needed.
- Check the settings and give it time. Set 37°F / 0°F. After a change, allow 24 hours (Whirlpool, GE, Frigidaire); Samsung says up to 28 hours for a new install.
- Measure the temperature with a freestanding appliance thermometer, not the display.
- Clear the vents. Keep food about 2" away from them (Samsung). On many models cold air flows from the freezer to the fridge through these vents.
- Check clearance and room temperature. Leave space at the sides and back (Whirlpool ½" and 1"). GE: many models don't cool well below 60°F or above 110°F — a common garage problem.
- Test the door seal. Close the door on a dollar bill; you should feel slight resistance. Clean the gasket with warm soapy water.
- Check the doors close on their own. If not, adjust the leveling legs.
- GE only: after a service visit the control can be left in diagnostic mode. Unplug for 30 seconds to reset.
Likely causes
| Part | Symptom | How to test | DIY difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dirty condenser coils | Runs constantly, poor cooling | Brush or vacuum the coils (some models don't need it — see below) | Easy |
| Evaporator fan motor | Freezer cold, fridge warm; noise | Spin the blade by hand; check for ice; test the windings | Moderate |
| Condenser fan motor | Compressor runs almost nonstop | Spin by hand, clear debris, continuity | Moderate |
| Defrost system (heater, thermostat, timer/control) | Frost on the freezer back panel, airflow blocked | Continuity tests on each part | Moderate–Hard |
| Start relay / overload | Fans run but the compressor doesn't | Multimeter test of the start device | Moderate |
| Thermistor / temperature control | Wrong temperatures | Resistance test (value depends on model) | Easy–Moderate |
| Door gasket | Warm air leaks in, frost near the door | Visual + dollar-bill test | Easy–Moderate |
| Compressor / sealed system | Fans and compressor run, still no cooling | Pro diagnosis only | Pro only |
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Each row links to the part category: «Shop fan motors», «Shop defrost parts»…
Brand notes and codes
- Samsung: exit Cooling Off mode by holding the top two left buttons for 8 s (French door: Power Freeze + Freezer). Power cycle: unplug 2 min, then wait 2–3 h. Fan codes 21E / 22E / 40E often mean an iced fan — see Samsung error codes.
- LG: exit demo mode — 2018 and earlier: hold REFRIGERATOR + ICE PLUS 5 s. 2019+: hold REFRIGERATOR and press ICE PLUS 3 times. Codes Er FF / Er rF = fan, Er dH = defrost — see LG error codes.
- GE: "tC" on the display is TurboCool, not an error. dE = defrost failure in the last 24 h (service) — see GE error codes.
- Whirlpool / Maytag: "Showroom" on the display = demo. Operating range 55–110°F — see Whirlpool error codes.
- Frigidaire: set the fridge to 37°F even though the control allows up to 47°F (above the FDA 40°F limit). "77 77" = demo mode — see Frigidaire error codes.
Common mistakes
- Calling for service when the fridge is only in demo mode.
- Expecting an instant change after adjusting the settings.
- Overpacking or blocking the vents.
- Installing an indoor fridge in a cold or hot garage.
- Replacing the evaporator fan when it's just iced up from a defrost fault.
- Replacing the start relay when the compressor itself is shorted.
Food safety (FDA)
Food is safe if the fridge stayed at or below 40°F, or food was above 40°F for 2 hours or less. Perishables: 2-hour limit, 1 hour above 90°F. If you're unsure, throw it out.
Find the right part
Whirlpool: top-freezer and French door — inside the fridge on the left; side-by-side — inside on the right. GE side-by-side: fresh-food floor, behind the crispers, side walls or ceiling. Fans, thermistors and boards differ by platform and year, so use the full model number. → Model Number Locator.
When to call a pro
- Fans and compressor run but nothing cools (sealed system).
- The compressor or start relay needs testing under power.
- Food spoils early after you've done all the checks (Samsung).
- Frigidaire units installed in the last 30 days: contact the installer first.