Fridge not cooling, or cooling too weakly? What to check before the food spoils
Before you worry about the compressor, check the simple things: the temperature setting, the seals, a dusty condenser, and whether the fridge is in demo mode.
- Most common cause
- settings, seals, dusty condenser, sensor
- Time
- 20 minutes + a day of observation
- Repair shop
- 200–550 zł (sensor, fan), 450–1300 zł (compressor, refrigerant)
When pulling the fridge out, watch the cables and the water hose (fridges with an ice maker). Don't chip off frost with sharp tools. You could damage the cooling system.
Step by step
Check the temperature and modes
Set the fridge to 4–5°C and the freezer to -18°C. Turn off holiday mode and demo (shop) mode, where the light works but the fridge doesn't cool.
Check the seals
Close the door on a sheet of paper in several places. If it slides out easily, the seal isn't holding. Wash it and check that the door closes by itself.
Vacuum the condenser
Pull the fridge out and vacuum the grille at the back or underneath. A dusty condenser struggles to release heat and the fridge cools worse.
Leave room for air
The fridge needs a few centimetres of free space at the back and on top. Don't put it next to an oven or in direct sunlight.
Listen to the compressor
Unplug the fridge for 10 minutes and plug it back in. After a moment you should hear a quiet hum from the bottom back. If the compressor clicks and doesn't start, or stays silent, you need a repair shop.
Check the fan (No Frost)
In No Frost fridges there's a fan in the freezer compartment. If the freezer is freezing but the fridge is warm, the fan or an iced-up evaporator may be to blame.
- The compressor doesn't start or clicks every few minutes.
- The back wall of the compartment is warm and the compressor runs non-stop.
- You smell chemicals or hear hissing (possible refrigerant leak).
How much does a repair shop charge?
| Replacing the sensor / thermostat | 150–350 zł |
| Replacing the fan (No Frost) | 200–400 zł |
| Fixing a leak and refilling refrigerant | 400–900 zł |
| Replacing the compressor | 700–1300 zł |
Typical prices at independent repair shops in Poland, October 2026. Authorised service centres and big cities can be more expensive.
Repair or buy new?
The sensor, fan and seals are always worth fixing. Replacing the compressor in a fridge worth 1500–2500 zł that's older than 8–10 years usually isn't worth it. In expensive models (side by side, Liebherr, Miele) it often is.
Check if it's worth repairing your fridge
Pick your model and fault. In 2 minutes we show the repair cost, what the device is worth and an honest verdict.
Open the calculator →FAQ
How long will food last in a fridge that isn't cooling?
A closed freezer stays frozen for approx. 24 hours, and the fridge section for a few hours. Don't open the doors unless you have to.
My fridge runs all the time. Is it broken?
In hot weather, after loading warm groceries and with a dusty condenser, it runs longer. If it runs non-stop and doesn't cool, that's a sign to call a repair shop.
How long should a fridge repair take?
A sensor or fan is usually a single visit. Repairing the cooling system may mean taking the fridge to the repair shop.