KitchenAid Refrigerator Not Cooling, but Freezer Is Fine

You might assume that if the fridge component of your refrigerator isn’t functioning properly, the freezer will be broken too. But that isn’t necessarily the case. There are a few issues that can affect just the fridge. And thankfully, many of these are easily solvable. If your freezer is still cold but your fridge isn’t cooling correctly, this article walks you through some simple troubleshooting and repair techniques. 

Our guide applies to the most common KitchenAid refrigerator models, including:

4KFRF19MTW00

4KSRF22DTW00

4KSRF36DTX1

4KSRF36DTX2

4KSRF42DTX2

4KSRS22QAA01

KBFS20EVMS13

KBFS22EWMS9

KFCS22EVMS4

KFCS22EVMS8

KRFC300ESS01

KRFC302ESS00

KRMF706ESS00

KRMF706ESS01

KRSC503ESS00

KRSF505ESS00

KSC24C8EYY02

KSCS25FKSS02

KSCS25INSS00

KSCS25INSS01

KSF26C4XYY03

Check the Thermostat

A good place to start if your KitchenAid refrigerator isn’t cooling is the thermostat. If the thermostat that corresponds to the refrigerator has been accidentally changed, it can lead to a warm fridge compartment while your freezer operates as normal. Here’s what to do:

• Consult your KitchenAid manual to help locate the thermostat control in your refrigerator. 
• Check the temperature that the thermostat is set to. It should be between 35° and 38°F for optimal food safety. Anything above this range and your fridge may feel too warm. 
• Adjust the thermostat setting to within the correct range. 
• Wait for around six hours for the fridge to adjust its internal temperature, then check to see if it’s cooling properly. 
• If the problem persists, move on to the next step in our guide. 

Check the Door Seals

If there’s an issue with the door seals, it can lead to your refrigerator not cooling properly even when the thermostat is set to the correct temperature. Door seals function to create a tight seal around the outside of the door, keeping cool air inside the fridge and warm air outside. If the seals are loose, cracked, or damaged in some way, then warm air will get inside the fridge. This not only raises the internal temperature, it can also lead to excessive humidity inside your refrigerator, which can result in condensation or even mold. If this is your issue, you may have noticed droplets forming on the refrigerator’s interior walls. To fix:

• Open the door to your refrigerator and carefully inspect the seals. 
• If the seals appear dirty, thoroughly clean them with a microfiber cloth and a mild detergent. Sometimes dirt or grease can prevent the seals from functioning correctly, leading to warm air getting inside. 
• Check if the seals are loose. If they appear to be peeling off the fridge, press them firmly in place. 
• Check the seals for cracks or damage. If they’re damaged, they’ll need to be replaced. 
• If everything looks fine, test to ensure the seals are truly functioning with this simple test. Place a piece of paper in between the fridge and the door and close the door. Pull on the paper. There should be some resistance when you go to pull it out. If not, the seals need replacing. 
• Source some replacement refrigerator seals, ensuring they’re compatible with the model of refrigerator you own. 
• Remove the old seals and press the new ones into place, securing them according to the specifics in your KitchenAid manual. 
• Once the seals have been replaced, wait a few hours to see if the cooling problem resolves. 

Clean the Condenser Coils

The condenser coils help dissipate heat from the interior of the refrigerator. Refrigerant gas flows through the coils, releasing heat before it moves into the evaporator coils. If the condenser coils are dirty and coated in dust and grime, they won’t be able to release heat as efficiently. This can lead to the fridge compartment being too warm while the freezer compartment works just fine. This situation is particularly common in homes that have a lot of pets as pet hair can easily become stuck to the coils. Here’s what to do:

• First, check your KitchenAid manual for information about cleaning the condenser coils. Some models do not require you to clean the coils, while others state that the coils should only be cleaned by a professional. 
• Unplug your refrigerator from the power. 
• Remove the grille at the bottom of the refrigerator. 
• Use a vacuum with a brush attachment to thoroughly clean the grille and all areas you can reach behind the grill. Work carefully to avoid causing any damage. 
• If your coils appear particularly dirty, we recommend purchasing a specialized coil cleaning brush designed to get between the coils. 
• Once clean, put the grille back in place, ensuring it’s firmly snapped into position.
• Reconnect your refrigerator to the power. Wait for around six hours for the refrigerator to adjust its temperature, then check to see if the interior is now cooling properly. 

Check the Vents

The interior of your KitchenAid refrigerator has vents that circulate cool air between the freezer and refrigerator compartments. If either side of the vents is blocked, then you may be obstructing cool airflow, leading to an overly warm refrigerator compartment. 

To fix:

• Check the fullness of your refrigerator and freezer compartments. They should ideally be kept no more than three-quarters full. If either compartment is filled to capacity, it could be affecting the vents. 
• Reorganize your fridge and freezer compartments, ensuring you throw away anything out of date or anything you’re not going to use. 
• Check the freezer side of the vents for excess ice. If they’re frozen over, use a hair dryer on a warm/medium setting to melt the ice, ensuring you dry away any resulting moisture.
• Once the excess items are gone or repositioned and the vents are cleared, wait around six hours for the refrigerator to reach the correct temperature.