Bosch refrigerators are known for their exceptional reliability in the market. However, as many users have observed, they do have a tendency to suddenly stop cooling, often without any prior warning. Considering the vital role refrigerators play in preserving the freshness and edibility of food, most households cannot afford to have their refrigerator out of operation for an extended period.

There could be various reasons why a Bosch refrigerator might fail to cool. Fortunately, a majority of these issues can be addressed easily and promptly. Trying out these solutions before calling your technician is a prudent way to save time and potentially money.

Bosch Refrigerator Not Cooling

When Bosch refrigerators cease cooling abruptly, it’s indicative of one or several issues. These may include dirty condenser coils, malfunctioning evaporators, faulty evaporator fans, problems with the compressor relay, or defective condenser fans. Additionally, incorrect temperature control settings, bad gasket seals, or clogged defrost drains could be contributing factors.

While some of these issues can be resolved with a trusty screwdriver, others may require the expertise of a technician. If your Bosch freezer is not cold enough, check the condenser coils, start relay, evaporator fan, or thermostat. The condenser coils should be clean to keep the system from overheating. They release the heat from the system to keep the compressor and cooling system working. Otherwise, the freezer will have difficulty cooling. Troubleshooting Tips For a Bosch Refrigerator Not Cooling can provide some easy DIY fixes to address these common issues. Leave the vents free from any obstruction.

Before wielding that screwdriver, let’s cover all the bases to ensure the solution needed isn’t a straightforward one. We’ll systematically explore all possible fixes.

Double Check Bosch Refrigerator Power Outlet

• Check the Outlet: Sometimes, if the place where you plug in your refrigerator isn’t working properly, it can cause cooling problems. To check, unplug your refrigerator and plug in another electronic device. If it doesn’t work right, the outlet might be the issue.
• Try a Reset: If the outlet is okay and your fridge still isn’t working, try a soft reset. Just unplug it for about two minutes, then plug it back in. This often helps.
• Give Space: Make sure there’s at least one inch of space between the back of your refrigerator and the wall. This helps it work better. It’s something you should always do.

Verify Proper Closure of Refrigerator and Freezer Doors

• Check the Seals around the Doors: There are rubber seals around the doors of your refrigerator. They’re like a barrier that keeps the cold air in and the warm air out. It’s really important they’re in good shape.
• Look for Damage: If you see any of these rubber seals looking loose or broken, you might need to fix or replace them.
• Make Sure the Doors Close Right: Close the doors and make sure they shut properly. If there’s anything blocking them from closing all the way, like big trays or food items, remove them.
• Why It Matters: If these seals are not working right, your fridge will have a hard time staying cold. So, it’s important to check them regularly.

Reset Temperature Controls

Is your Bosch refrigerator not cooling? Don’t panic, it could be the temperature control settings. Experts suggest keeping the temperature between 33°F and 40°F for proper cooling. If it’s too high, your fridge and freezer will not work correctly. Simply adjust the temperature controls of both the fridge and freezer for optimal performance.

It’s essential to keep an eye on your refrigerator’s accuracy, especially as it gets older. Placing a thermometer inside for a week can help you determine if it’s reading too high or too low. Adjust accordingly to ensure your fridge works correctly.

Clean the Condenser Coils

• Cleaning the Coils: First, unplug your refrigerator from the wall. Then, gently move it a bit away from the wall so you can reach the back.
• What are Coils?: Imagine coils like tiny pipes in the back of your fridge. They help keep your fridge cool. But if they get dirty, your fridge might not work properly.
• Why Clean Them: Dust and dirt can gather on these coils and stop them from working well. They’re usually at the bottom or back of the fridge, so they easily collect dust and pet fur.
• How to Clean: Unscrew the cover at the back of your fridge and clean it. While you’re there, also clean any vents. These are like doors for air, and they can get blocked by dirt.
• Cleaning the Coils: Use a special vacuum attachment to carefully clean the coils. Then, use a special brush to reach the parts that are hard to get to.
• Be Thorough: Make sure you get rid of all the dirt. Vacuum up any leftover bits. If needed, do it again.Finish Up: Put the cover back on and plug your fridge back in.

That’s it! It might seem a bit detailed, but it’s important to keep your fridge working well.

Make Sure the Condenser Fan Is Working Properly

• Checking the Condenser Fan: The condenser fan is an important part of your refrigerator. It’s like a fan you can see, and it helps keep the inside cool by blowing air over some important parts.
• Why It’s Important: If this fan doesn’t work right, your fridge won’t cool properly.
• How to Check: When you turn on your fridge, this fan should start spinning by itself. If it doesn’t, there might be a problem.
• Look for Blockages: Take a close look at the fan blades. If something is stuck, it might be stopping the fan from working.
• Try Spinning It: Gently try to turn the fan with your hand. If it won’t move, there might be a problem with the fan motor and it might need to be replaced.
• Check for Rust: If the fan blades look rusty, it’s a good idea to think about getting new ones.

Examine the Start Relay

• Checking the Start Relay: After making sure the fan is working, the next step is to look at something called the start relay. It’s a small part near the fan that helps power up the compressor.
• What It Does: This part is like a switch that tells the compressor to start working. If it doesn’t work, the fridge won’t cool properly.
• How to Test: Turn on your fridge and touch the compressor (the big metal thing). If it’s working, you’ll feel it moving or hear a buzzing noise. If not, the start relay might be the problem.
• Double Check: Unplug the fridge and gently take off the start relay. Give it a little shake. If you hear something rattling or see tiny pieces fall out, it’s time for a new one.
• Listen for a Click: When you turn on the fridge, listen for a click from the compressor. If it clicks off really quickly, the start relay might be the issue.

Verify that the Evaporator Fan Is Working

• What It Does: In your Bosch fridge, there’s a fan at the front that helps spread cold air. If it’s not working right, your fridge might not cool properly.
• Listen for It: You can tell if it’s working by listening. If it’s making noise, it’s probably okay.
• Using a Tool: If you have a special tool called a multimeter, you can check if the fan is getting the right kind of power it needs to run.
• Why It Matters: If the fan isn’t getting the right power, there might be a problem with the control board.
• Older vs. Newer Models: Some fridges have one fan, others have two – one in the freezer and one in the fridge. If the freezer is cold but the main part isn’t, the fan might be the issue.

For Refrigerators with a Single Evaporator

• Finding the Fan: To get to the fan in older Bosch fridges, take off the light fixtures and look up inside the casing.
• Inspecting the Fan: When you can reach the fan, take a close look. If it’s not working, it might be broken or something might be in the way.
• Testing the Fan: You can do a simple test using a door switch. Close the fridge door or press the switch with your hand. If the fan is good, it should start up after a few seconds.

For Refrigerators with Dual Evaporators

• Double Fans: Some fridges have two fans. We’re interested in the one in the main part, not the freezer.
• Checking the Fan: Open up the panels a bit, but make sure they’re still connected. This shows the fan.
• Testing the Fan: Close the fridge door. After a couple of minutes, quickly open it and see if the fan is still spinning. If it’s not moving, it might be broken. Try this a few times to be sure.

Examine the Evaporator(s)

If you’ve tried the above solutions and checked your fridge’s fans, it’s time to inspect the evaporator panel. The evaporator coils are copper tubes located in a panel behind the freezer. It generates cold air and circulates it to the fridge through an evaporator fan. Older Bosch fridges work like this, but newer models have dual evaporators. This means that both the freezer and fridge sections have their own individual evaporators for more accurate temperature control.

For Refrigerators with a Single Evaporator

• Unplug and Open Freezer: First, unplug your fridge and safely open the freezer.
• Take Out Shelves and Panel: Remove the shelves from the freezer and unscrew the panel at the back to reveal the coils.
• Check for Ice: Look for ice on the coils and panel. If you see a lot, the defrost thermostat might be the problem.
• Inspect Defrost Thermostat: Look closely at the defrost thermostat, especially its lid. If it looks swollen, it might need replacing.
• Test Thermostat (Optional): Checking the thermostat’s function is a bit technical. You might need help from a pro.
• Examine Defrost Heater: It’s under the coils and helps melt ice. Make sure it’s not damaged.
• Testing Defrost Heater: You’ll need a special tool (multimeter) to do this. If it’s working, it should give a signal between 20 to 40 Ohms.

For Refrigerators with Dual Evaporators

• Unplug and Open Fridge: Start by unplugging the fridge and opening the doors.
• Remove Food, Shelves, and Panel: Take out all the food, shelves, and unscrew the panel to access the coils.
• Find the Defrost Heater: It’s under the coils and helps prevent freezing. It turns on every few hours to melt any ice.
• Check for Ice: If there’s too much ice, let it melt for a bit. Leaving the door open may introduce more moisture.
• Plug In and Check: After a few minutes, plug the fridge back in and see if it’s working well.

If it’s still not working, you might need to replace either the defrost heater or the evaporator fan.

Inspect the Defrost Drain

A malfunctioning refrigerator can cause a complete breakdown and affect other parts. The evaporator coils cool and maintain temperature, while the defrost heater prevents ice buildup. If the defrost drain is blocked, excess ice forms during the next cycle and leads to poor cooling. To fix this, unplug the refrigerator, let it thaw, and clear any blockages from the drain with forced air. Better airflow prevents ice buildup and improves cooling efficiency. Excessive frost behind the coils may indicate a defrost issue caused by a bad control board, heater, defrost sensor, or high-limit fuse.

For Refrigerators with a Single Evaporator

In traditional Bosch refrigerators equipped with a single evaporator, the defrost drain is located in the freezer, beneath the evaporator coils.

For Refrigerators with Dual Evaporators

In refrigerators with dual evaporators, the defrost drain is positioned in the refrigerator section, directly under the evaporator coils.

Ordering Replacement Parts for Your Bosch Refrigerator

• Get Your Fridge’s Model Number: Look for a sticker inside your fridge that has all the important details.
• Visit Sears Parts Direct: Go to the website and type in your fridge’s model number. You can find and order the exact part you need.

Bosch Refrigerator User Manual

• Go Online: If you don’t have the manual, you can find it on Bosch’s official website, Bosch.com.
• Search for Your Model: Type in your fridge’s model number in the search bar. You’ll be able to download a digital version of the manual.

Bosch Customer Support

• When to Call: If you’ve tried everything and your fridge still isn’t working right, it’s a good idea to get some expert help.
• Call or Schedule Online: You can call 1-800-944-2904 between 8 AM and 8 PM EST from Monday to Saturday. Or, if you prefer, you can set up an appointment online.
• Warranty Coverage: If your fridge is still under warranty, the service might be covered, meaning you won’t have to pay for it.

FAQs

Conclusion

If your Bosch refrigerator stops cooling, it could be due to dirty coils, a broken fan, or relay issues. Fortunately, these problems are usually easy to resolve. Our guide provides clear steps and instructions for troubleshooting. Regular cleaning of the coils prevents dirt buildup that reduces cooling efficiency. Inconsistent cooling may be caused by a malfunctioning fan affecting air circulation. A broken relay can also impact performance.

Our guide offers simple solutions for these problems, getting your fridge running quickly. We also provide recommendations for when professional assistance is necessary for safe and effective repairs.

Jeegna

Greetings, tech enthusiasts! I'm Jeegna, your go-to guru for all things gadget-related. With a passion for technology that runs deep, I've made it my mission to unravel the mysteries of the digital world and simplify it for you.