Fridge too cold or too warm? How to set the temperature and modes
A fridge that is too cold or too warm is usually a matter of settings, special modes or blocked air vents, not a fault.
- Most common cause
- Super mode on or wrong temperature
- Time
- 10 minutes + 24 hours to see the effect
- Service, if nothing helps
- 200–680 zł
Do not change the settings several times within an hour, because the fridge needs time to react. If the food was warm for more than a few hours, judge it carefully before eating. Super mode returns to normal settings by itself after a while anyway.
Step by step
Check the special mode symbols
Are the Super Cool, Super Freeze, Vacation or Eco icons lit? Switch them off. Super lowers the temperature, while Vacation and Eco raise it.
Set the recommended temperatures
4–5°C in the fridge and −18°C in the freezer. If you have a dial without numbers, set it to the middle first, and adjust from there.
Change it by one step
Change it by one degree (or one notch) and wait 24 hours. Only then will you see the real effect.
Check how the food is placed
Do not put food against the back wall, because it can freeze there. Do not block the air vents, because the air cannot circulate and part of the compartment gets warm.
Check the door and the seal
The door must close fully, and the seal must not be folded or dirty. Wipe it with warm water.
Leave a gap from the wall
There should be about 5 cm of free space behind the fridge, with air able to flow freely. Vacuum the grille or condenser if it is at the back or bottom (with the fridge unplugged).
- After 24–48 hours with correct settings, it is still too warm or too cold.
- The compressor runs non-stop and the fridge does not reach its temperature.
- Food freezes even though the warmest setting is selected.
- A thick layer of ice builds up at the back or in the freezer.
How much does a repair shop charge?
| Diagnostics at a service center | 110–270 zł |
| Replacing the temperature sensor (NTC) | 200–480 zł |
| Replacing the thermostat or the air damper | 240–540 zł |
| Replacing the control module | 410–1100 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?
Fixing the settings costs 0 zł and often solves the problem. Replacing a sensor or thermostat is usually worth it. If the compressor or module fails on an old fridge, check in the calculator whether buying a new one is the better option.
Check if repairing your fridge is worth it
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Open the calculator →FAQ
What temperature should my fridge be?
Ideally 4–5°C in the fridge compartment and −18°C in the freezer.
Why does my fridge freeze vegetables?
Often the temperature is too low, or the food is next to the back wall or the air vents. Raise the temperature by one degree and move the food.
How long should I wait after changing the settings?
About 24 hours. Judging earlier is misleading, because the fridge needs time to stabilize.