Kennore Refrigerator Not Cooling

A fridge keeps food fresh and provides cool drinks. If the cooling system fails, it causes inconvenience and health problems. Kenmore fridges are usually reliable but can still have cooling issues. Here are possible reasons for cooling problems and solutions to fix them. For instance, if your Sears Kenmore refrigerator model 111.7302 is not cooling, it could be due to frost accumulation on the freezer back wall. To check this, you may need to remove some food from the freezer to see inside the freezer’s back wall.

Kenmore Refrigerator Not Cooling 

When a Kennore refrigerator stops cooling, this could be due to several issues. These issues may include dirty coils, malfunctioning parts like evaporators or fans, problems with controls and seals, or obstructions.

Some of these problems can be fixed with a screwdriver while others may require professional help. Before attempting any repairs, we should first rule out any obvious solutions. Then we can proceed to explore potential fixes in an organized way.

Double Check Kenmore Refrigerator Power Outlet

When a Kennore refrigerator stops cooling, this could be due to several issues. These issues may include dirty coils, malfunctioning parts like evaporators or fans, problems with controls and seals, or obstructions.

Some of these problems can be fixed with a screwdriver while others may require professional help. Before attempting any repairs, we should first rule out any obvious solutions. Then we can proceed to explore potential fixes in an organized way.

Ensure That Refrigerator and Freezer Doors Close Properly

A Kenmore fridge can stop cooling properly if the rubber seals around its doors are damaged or loose. These seals act like a barrier, keeping cold air in and warm air out. To check them, make sure that the doors close properly and inspect the seals for damage.

If you see any loose seals, push them back gently into place. If the seal is broken, you may need to get a new one. Also, ensure that the doors seal up nicely without any blockages such as food or big trays. By doing this, your fridge will work well!

Check Kenmore Refrigerator’s Temperature Control Settings

• Why It Matters: The settings that control how cold your fridge is really important. If they’re not right, it can make your fridge work too hard or not cool enough.
• The Right Range: The best temperatures for your fridge are between 33°F and 40°F. If it’s higher than this, your fridge, freezer, and ice maker might not work as well.
• Adjusting the Settings: You can make your fridge cooler by changing the temperature settings. Remember, both the freezer and the main part of the fridge have their own controls, so check both.
• Keep an Eye on It: Over time, your fridge’s temperature might change a bit. It’s a good idea to check it now and then. You can do this by putting a special thermometer inside the fridge for a week. If it’s not showing the right temperature, you can adjust the settings.

By doing this, your fridge will work just right!

Clean the Condenser Coils

• Get Ready: Before you start, unplug your refrigerator from the wall. It’s also a good idea to gently move it a bit away from the wall. This will help you get to the back, which is where we need to focus.
• What Are the Coils: Your Kenmore fridge has special tubes at the back, made of copper. They’re really important for keeping things cold.
• How They Work: These tubes help turn a special liquid into cold air. It’s like magic! But when they get dirty, they can’t do their job well.
• Time to Clean: Go to the back of the fridge and take off the cover. While you’re there, clean the vents too. Air comes in through these, but they get clogged with dirt over time.
• Getting to the Coils: To get to the coils, take off the back cover with a screwdriver. Check the coils closely for dirt. If they look dirty, it’s time for a good cleaning.
• Tools You’ll Need: You’ll need a special vacuum attachment that’s narrow, like a hose. Use the vacuum on the coils, and then use a brush to reach the harder spots.
• Get Rid of All the Dirt: Make sure you get rid of all the dirt, and vacuum up any leftover bits. You want the coils to be really clean.
• Put Everything Back: Once you’re done, put the cover back on, plug the fridge in, and you’re good to go! Your fridge will work much better now.

Make Sure the Condenser Fan Is Working Properly

• Important Part: In a fridge, there’s a fan that’s easy to notice. It’s a bit funny that even though it’s so noticeable, people tend to forget about it.
• Where it’s Located: This fan sits between two important parts, called the condenser coils and the compressor. Its job is to keep them from getting too hot by blowing air over them.
• Why it’s Vital: If this fan doesn’t work or gets blocked, your whole fridge will have problems. It won’t cool properly.
• When it Should Work: As soon as you turn on the fridge, this fan should start spinning and keep going as long as the fridge is on. If it doesn’t start spinning when you turn on the fridge, something’s wrong.
• Checking for Issues: Take a close look at the fan blades. Are they stuck or blocked? If not, try gently spinning them with your hand.
• If it Still Doesn’t Work: If manually spinning the fan blades doesn’t work, it might mean there’s a problem with a part called the condenser fan motor. This might need to be replaced. Also, if the blades look very rusty, they might need to be swapped out too.

Inspecting the Start Relay

• What is it: The start relay is a part in your fridge that’s near the fan and connected to the compressor. Its job is to give power to the compressor.
• Why it Matters: It’s like the switch that turns on the compressor. If it doesn’t work, the compressor won’t start, and your fridge won’t cool.
• How to Check: Turn on your fridge and gently touch the compressor (the big round thing). If it’s working, you’ll feel some movement or hear a buzzing sound. If there’s no movement or sound, the start relay might be broken.
• What to Do Next: Unplug your fridge and carefully take off the start relay. Give it a little shake. If you hear something rattling inside or see small bits falling out, you need a new one.
• Listen for a Click: When you turn on the fridge, listen for a click from the compressor. If it clicks off quickly, it’s a sign the start relay is not working right.

Confirming the Functionality of the Evaporator Fan

One reason why your Kenmore fridge may not be cooling is a broken evaporator fan, also known as the freezer fan. This fan is essential for drawing in cold air and circulating it throughout the appliance. It’s located at the front of the fridge, unlike other components we’ve looked at earlier that are found at the back.

The fan pulls in cold air from the fridge coils and distributes it to both the freezer and fridge sections. But if it’s not working properly, cool air won’t circulate through the unit, resulting in a warm fridge! If you find that your freezer is cold but the food section isn’t, this could indicate that there is an issue with the freezer fan and it needs replacing.

Modern Kenmore fridges have two evaporators and fans – one in each compartment, while older models have only one fan located in the freezer. To check if your fan is working, listen for it.

For Refrigerators with a Single Evaporator

• Finding the Fan: In regular Kenmore fridges, you can get to the fan by taking off the light covers and looking up inside.
• Getting Closer: If you need to touch the fan directly, you might have to take out the whole system. But don’t worry, you don’t need to be a super expert for this.
• Checking the Fan: Look closely at the fan to make sure it’s running. If it’s not, something might be stuck or it could be broken.
• Testing with the Door Switch: There’s a special switch that starts and stops the fan. It also controls when the lights turn on and off. Normally, when you close the fridge door, this switch turns on. But you can also do it manually by pressing it with your hand. If the fan is working fine, it should start running after a few seconds.

For Refrigerators with Dual Evaporators

• Two Fans: Some fridges have two fans, but we’re looking at the one in the fridge part.
• Getting to the Fan: First, make sure the panels in the fridge are only partly separated, not completely taken off. This way, you can see the fan clearly.
• Check the Fan: Close the fridge doors. After a little while, open them again. You should see the fan still spinning before it slows down and stops.
• What If It Doesn’t Move: If you try this a few times and the fan doesn’t move at all, there’s a good chance it’s broken. It might need to be fixed or replaced.

Examine the Evaporator(s)

After trying the previous solutions and confirming the evaporator fans are working, it’s time to check the evaporator coils. These coils, made of copper tubes, are located behind a panel in the freezer. They generate cold air that is then circulated into the refrigerator by the fan.

In newer Kenmore models, there are dual evaporators, each serving a separate section for more precise temperature control.

For Refrigerators with a Single Evaporator

• Unplug your Kenmore refrigerator and open the freezer safely.
• Take out all the shelves and unscrew the panel at the back to access the evaporator coils.
• Inspect the area closely. Do you see any ice buildup on the coils or the back panel? This might signal a problem with the defrost thermostat at the top of the coils.
• Pay attention to the thermostat’s lid. If it looks swollen, it may be time to think about replacing it.
• If the thermostat seems fine, you can test it for continuity. Note that this might require some technical know-how, so consider getting help from a professional.
• Now, check the defrost heater. This component’s job is to melt any ice on the coils. It’s usually below the evaporator coils and turns on every few hours.
• If the defrost heater breaks, the coils can turn into a solid block of ice.
• To test the defrost heater, you might have to remove it completely. It can be tricky to test it while it’s still connected.
• Use a multimeter to check for continuity (Ohms). A working defrost heater usually shows a reading between 20 to 40 Ohms.

For Refrigerators with Dual Evaporators

• Unplug your refrigerator and open the doors.
• Take out all the food and remove shelves and drawers.
• Unscrew the panel covering the evaporator.
• You won’t be able to see the coils until this panel is off.
• Once you have access to the coils, find the defrost heater underneath. Its job is to stop the coils from freezing by melting any ice.
• If you see a lot of ice on the coils or the panel, let it thaw out for a while.
• Sometimes, if the refrigerator door stays open too long, it lets in too much moisture, and that can lead to extra ice on the coils.
• After a few minutes, plug your fridge back in and let it run. Then, check if it’s working like it should.
• If it’s still not working right, you might need to think about getting a new defrost heater or evaporator fan.

Check the Defrost Timer

• Why it Matters: The defrost timer is like a clock that helps control the temperature in your Kenmore fridge. If it’s set wrong, your fridge might not cool properly.
• How to Adjust It: First, unplug your fridge. Then, take out the items from the bottom shelf in the freezer.
• Press and Hold: Hold down the Freezer button for a few seconds until it starts blinking. Now, you can either set a new timer or turn it off.

Inspect the Defrost Drain

• Why It’s Important: In fridges, lots of parts work together. One important part is the defrost system, which stops ice from building up. Sometimes, this melted ice turns into water that should flow out through the defrost drain.
• What Can Go Wrong: But sometimes, the drain gets blocked, and the water can’t get out. This makes it harder for the defrost system to work, and more ice builds up.
• How to Fix It: Start by unplugging your fridge and waiting a bit for it to thaw. Then, use a tool to blow air through the drain to clear any blockages.

For fridges with one cooling system, you’ll find the defrost drain in the freezer under the coils. If your fridge has two cooling systems, look for the defrost drain in the refrigerator, right under the coils.

For Refrigerators with a Single Evaporator

In traditional Kenmore refrigerators featuring a single evaporator, the defrost drain can be found in the freezer, positioned beneath the evaporator coils.

For Refrigerators with Dual Evaporators

For dual evaporator refrigerators, the defrost drain is situated in the refrigerator, directly beneath the evaporator coils.

Identifying and Replacing Defective Parts

• Finding the Problem – By now, you may have figured out what’s wrong with your fridge. You might have identified a part that needs to be changed.
• Getting the Right Part – If you need a new part for your Kenmore fridge, go to Sears Parts Direct. Just remember your fridge’s model number, and you can find the exact part you need.
• Where to Find the Model Number – Look inside your fridge, usually on a sticker on the side wall. It has all the important info about your fridge.

Accessing Kenmore Refrigerator’s User Manual

If your Kennore refrigerator isn’t cooling, you can check the user manual for help. You can find it online at Kenmore.com by searching for your refrigerator’s model number. Once you find it, you can download an electronic copy if available.

Kenmore Customer Support

If you’ve tried our tips and your Kenmore fridge still won’t cool, a technician might be needed. Call 1-844-553-6667 anytime for help. You can choose to have them come to your house or schedule online. If you have an active warranty, the service might be free.

FAQs

Conclusion

Kenmore fridges sometimes stop cooling suddenly, leaving you puzzled. But on closer inspection, you’ll probably find a specific cause. Typically, a dirty coil, faulty fan or relay may be the issue.

Fortunately, these problems are easy to fix and we’ve detailed steps below to help you solve them. You can follow these instructions and repair your fridge. If needed, seek expert help.

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.