There’s nothing worse than opening your mini fridge and finding out that it’s not working. Your food and drinks are warm, spoiled, or worse, leaking all over the place. What happened? And more importantly, can you fix it?
A mini fridge can stop working due to various reasons, such as a dirty condenser coil, a faulty fan, a damaged sealed system, a broken compressor, or a loose door seal. Some of these issues can be fixed by yourself, while others may require professional help or a replacement.
In this post, we’ll explain the possible causes of why your mini fridge stopped working and how to troubleshoot them. We’ll also give you some tips on how to prevent your mini fridge from breaking down in the future. Let’s get started!
Before you start troubleshooting your mini fridge, make sure that it’s plugged in properly and that the power outlet is working. You can test the outlet by plugging in another appliance or using a multimeter. If the outlet is fine, then you can proceed to check the following components of your mini fridge:
The condenser coil is the part of your mini fridge that cools down the refrigerant and releases heat to the outside. If the coil is dirty or clogged with dust, dirt, or debris, it can reduce the cooling efficiency of your mini fridge and cause it to stop working.
To check the condenser coil, you’ll need to unplug your mini fridge and locate the coil at the back or bottom of the unit. Use a soft brush or vacuum cleaner to remove any dirt or dust from the coil. Be careful not to damage the coil or bend the fins. Plug your mini fridge back in and see if it works.
The condenser fan is the part of your mini fridge that helps circulate air over the condenser coil and remove heat from the unit. If the fan is not working properly, it can cause your mini fridge to overheat and stop working.
To check the condenser fan, you’ll need to unplug your mini fridge and locate the fan at the back or bottom of the unit. Spin the fan blade by hand and see if it moves freely. If it doesn’t, it may be stuck or jammed by something. Remove any obstruction and lubricate the fan motor if needed. If the fan blade is broken or loose, you’ll need to replace it.
Plug your mini fridge b/-0ack in and see if it works.
The evaporator fan is the part of your mini fridge that helps circulate cold air inside the unit and maintain a consistent temperature. If the fan is not working properly, it can cause your mini fridge to freeze up or warm up and stop working.
To check the evaporator fan, you’ll need to unplug your mini fridge and locate the fan inside the freezer compartment. Spin the fan blade by hand and see if it moves freely. If it doesn’t, it may be frozen or jammed by something. Remove any ice or obstruction and defrost your mini fridge if needed. If the fan blade is broken or loose, you’ll need to replace it.
Plug your mini fridge back in and see if it works.
The sealed system is the part of your mini fridge that contains the refrigerant, compressor, evaporator, and condenser. It’s responsible for creating and maintaining the cooling cycle of your mini fridge. If there’s a leak or blockage in the sealed system, it can cause your mini fridge to lose its cooling ability and stop working.
To check the sealed system, you’ll need to unplug your mini fridge and listen for any hissing or bubbling sounds coming from the unit. These sounds indicate a leak in the sealed system. You’ll also need to look for any signs of oil or refrigerant on the floor or around the unit. These signs indicate a leak as well.
If you suspect a leak in the sealed system, you’ll need to call a professional technician to repair it. Do not attempt to fix it yourself as this can be dangerous and void your warranty.
The compressor is the part of your mini fridge that compresses and pumps the refrigerant through the sealed system. It’s also one of the most expensive and important parts of your mini fridge. If the compressor fails, it can cause your mini fridge to stop working completely.
To check the compressor, you’ll need to unplug your mini fridge and locate the compressor at the back or bottom of the unit. It’s usually a black cylinder with wires and tubes attached to it. Touch the compressor gently and see if it feels hot or cold. A hot compressor indicates that it’s overheating and may have burned out. A cold compressor indicates that it’s not getting power or may have a faulty start relay.
If you suspect a problem with the compressor, you’ll need to call a professional technician to repair or replace it. Do not attempt to fix it yourself as this can be dangerous and void your warranty.
The door seal is the part of your mini fridge that seals the door and prevents cold air from escaping and warm air from entering. If the door seal is loose, damaged, or dirty, it can cause your mini fridge to lose its cooling efficiency and stop working.
To check the door seal, you’ll need to open your mini fridge and inspect the seal around the door. Look for any cracks, tears, gaps, or dirt on the seal. You can also perform a dollar bill test to check the seal. Place a dollar bill between the door and the seal and close the door. Try to pull out the bill. If it comes out easily, the seal is weak. If it stays in place, the seal is strong.
If you find any problems with the door seal, you’ll need to clean it with a damp cloth and mild soap or replace it if it’s damaged.
To prevent your mini fridge from stopping working, you should follow some basic maintenance tips, such as:
Here are some common questions and answers about why a mini fridge stopped working:
Q: How long does a mini fridge last?
A: A mini fridge can last anywhere from 5 to 10 years, depending on the quality, usage, and maintenance of the unit. Some factors that can shorten the lifespan of a mini fridge include frequent power surges, improper ventilation, poor cleaning, and overloading.
Q: How can I tell if my mini fridge is still under warranty?
A: You can tell if your mini fridge is still under warranty by checking the receipt, manual, or label of the unit. You can also contact the manufacturer or seller of the unit and provide them with the model number and serial number of your mini fridge. They should be able to tell you if your mini fridge is still covered by warranty and what it covers.
Q: How much does it cost to repair a mini fridge?
A: The cost to repair a mini fridge depends on the type and extent of the problem, as well as the availability of parts and labor. According to HomeAdvisor, the average cost to repair a mini fridge ranges from $100 to $300, with most homeowners spending around $200. However, some repairs may cost more than that, especially if they involve replacing major components like the compressor or sealed system.
A mini fridge can stop working due to various reasons, such as a dirty condenser coil, a faulty fan, a damaged sealed system, a broken compressor, or a loose door seal. Some of these issues can be fixed by yourself, while others may require professional help or a replacement.
