Why Is My Fridge Not Cooling? A Nairobi Owner’s Guide
A fridge that hums but won’t cool has a handful of likely causes. Here is how to tell what’s wrong — and what’s safe to check yourself.
Few appliance faults cause more panic than a fridge that stops cooling, especially when it is full of food. The good news is that the cause is usually one of a small number of well-understood problems. This guide walks you through what is happening inside your fridge, what you can safely check yourself, and when it is time to call a technician.
First, confirm it is actually a cooling fault
Before assuming the worst, check the basics. Is the interior light coming on? If it is, power is reaching the unit and the problem is inside the cooling system rather than the socket or plug. If there is no light and no hum at all, check the wall socket with another appliance and inspect the plug fuse before going further.
The most common causes of a fridge not cooling
- A faulty thermostat that no longer tells the compressor to run
- A failed start relay, so the compressor tries to start but cannot
- A refrigerant (gas) leak in the sealed system
- A blocked or iced-up evaporator that stops air circulating
- A failed evaporator or condenser fan motor
- A worn door seal letting warm air in continuously
In Nairobi’s climate, dust build-up on the condenser coils and worn door seals are more common than people expect. Both make the fridge work harder and can mimic a more serious fault.
What you can safely check yourself
- Make sure the fridge is not overpacked — air must circulate around the vents.
- Check the temperature dial has not been knocked to a warm setting.
- Feel the door seal for gaps; if a sheet of paper slides out easily when closed, the seal is worn.
- Gently vacuum dust off the coils at the back or underneath, with the fridge unplugged.
- Listen: a fridge that runs constantly but stays warm often has a gas or compressor fault.
What you should never do yourself
Never attempt to recharge refrigerant, open the sealed system, or replace a compressor at home. These involve pressurised gas and mains-voltage components, and getting it wrong is both dangerous and expensive. This is where a qualified refrigeration technician earns their fee.
When to call a technician
If the fridge runs constantly without cooling, if the freezer works but the fridge compartment does not, or if you hear clicking every few minutes (a relay trying and failing to start the compressor), book a professional diagnosis. Our technicians carry the parts that fail most often, so most of these faults are fixed on the first visit.
Frequently asked
Usually, yes. Thermostat, relay and fan faults are common and inexpensive. Only major compressor or sealed-system failures make replacement worth considering — and we will tell you honestly which you are facing.
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