Antarctic Star D Refrigerator: Not Cooling or Not Freezing

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I unplug it overnight to reset it?

A defrost by leaving it off and open is useful and tells you something. A short power cycle to reset it is not, and repeated quick restarts are hard on the compressor.

Can a full cabinet cause this?

An overfilled cabinet blocks the vents that carry cold air around it, which produces warm spots and a compressor that never stops. Leave the vents clear and do not pack food against the rear wall.

Why is the freezer still cold when the fridge is not?

On a two-compartment cabinet the cold is made in the freezer and moved across. Cold in one and not the other is an airflow fault rather than a loss of cooling.

Does leaving it running while I wait for a repair do harm?

It can. A unit that runs continuously without reaching temperature works its compressor far beyond its normal duty, so the cheap fault you are waiting on can become an expensive one.

How cold should the cabinet actually be?

A refrigerator holds food safely at 40 degrees Fahrenheit, which is 4 degrees Celsius, or below, and a freezer at 0 degrees Fahrenheit, which is minus 18 degrees Celsius. Measure it in a glass of water rather than by the dial.