The short answer
This page covers Criterion refrigerators whose designation does not resolve to one of the named families in this line — the assorted models listed in the matrix below. Because those models do not share one layout, the diagnosis starts by identifying the configuration in front of you: fan-cooled or convection, one evaporator or two, automatic defrost or manual. After that, a cabinet that runs without cooling is an airflow fault far more often than a refrigerant one.
What you observe
- Fresh-food compartment warm while the freezer stays frozen — The airflow split on any cabinet where one evaporator feeds both compartments.
- Heavy frost on a rear panel or a cooling plate — The air path or the cooling surface has iced over.
- Compressor running continuously without satisfying — The machine working against a restriction it cannot beat.
- Both compartments warming together at the same rate — Sealed-system territory rather than airflow.
- NEAR MISS — nothing running, no light, no hum — Power, cord or control, covered on the page for a cabinet that will not start.
Causes, most likely first on this family
- Frost closing the air path or the cooling surface — First across every configuration these models come in, whether the ice sits on an evaporator behind a panel or on an exposed plate.
- Evaporator fan not running, on fan-cooled cabinets only — Second, and a cause that simply does not exist on a convection unit — which is why the configuration check comes first here.
- Condenser coil and machine compartment blocked — Third, and the one that shows up first in hot weather.
- Door seal or alignment — Fourth, quick and free to test with a sheet of paper.
- Sealed system or compressor — Last, least common, and the only one that needs licensed equipment.
Check in this order, and why
- Identify fan or convection, automatic or manual defrost — On a page written for models that do not share a layout, this is the step that makes the rest apply to your cabinet.
- Compare the compartments against each other — Splits airflow from refrigerant in a minute on any two-compartment cabinet.
- Defrost manually and time how long the fix lasts — Weeks means a one-off; days means the defrost arrangement itself.
- Clean the condenser and paper-test the seals — Both free, both quick, and often the whole answer.
Before you open anything
Safety
Unplug the appliance or switch off its breaker before removing any panel; a capacitor can hold a charge after the power is off. A rear evaporator panel comes off over live tubing and a defrost heater, so let ice melt rather than forcing the panel. Never open the sealed system or vent refrigerant — that is licensed work, and oil outside the tubing means the system is already open.
Models in the criterion:refrigerator:? family
Reference| Model number | Family key |
|---|---|
| 143(x) | criterion:refrigerator:? |
| 18TMF-B | criterion:refrigerator:? |
| 18TMF-SS | criterion:refrigerator:? |
| 18TMF-W | criterion:refrigerator:? |
| 2451(x) | criterion:refrigerator:? |
| 453-5418 | criterion:refrigerator:? |
| 453-5419 | criterion:refrigerator:? |
| 453-5420 | criterion:refrigerator:? |
| 453-5421 | criterion:refrigerator:? |
| 453-8127 | criterion:refrigerator:? |
| 453-8128 | criterion:refrigerator:? |
| 453-8129 | criterion:refrigerator:? |
| 453-8143 | criterion:refrigerator:? |
| 453-8144 | criterion:refrigerator:? |
| 453-8145 | criterion:refrigerator:? |
| 4538146-18 | criterion:refrigerator:? |
| 4538147-18 | criterion:refrigerator:? |
| 4538148-18 | criterion:refrigerator:? |
| 463-1202 | criterion:refrigerator:? |
| 463-1208 | criterion:refrigerator:? |
| 463-1209 | criterion:refrigerator:? |
When to call a technician
Manual defrosting, condenser cleaning and seal testing are owner work on any configuration. Call a technician when the evaporator fan is silent, when frost returns within days of a defrost, or when both compartments warm together. Call at once if oil is visible outside the tubing.
Nearest pages of this class
This page generalizes across models
This page is written for Criterion refrigerators whose model designation does not resolve to one of the named families in this line — the assorted designations listed in the matrix above. It is therefore general to the brand: it does not describe a single cabinet layout, a single door arrangement or a single parts list. If the designation on your rating plate matches one of the named Criterion families, the page for that family goes further than this one and should be read instead.
Links: - [Criterion HS Refrigerator: Not Cooling or Not Freezing](/blog/criterion-criterion-refrigerator-hs-refrigerator-cooling-failure) - [Criterion HD Refrigerator: Not Cooling or Not Freezing](/blog/criterion-criterion-refrigerator-hd-refrigerator-cooling-failure) - [Criterion URBCD Refrigerator: Not Cooling or Not Freezing](/blog/criterion-criterion-refrigerator-urbcd-refrigerator-cooling-failure) - [Criterion URBD Refrigerator: Not Cooling or Not Freezing](/blog/criterion-criterion-refrigerator-urbd-refrigerator-cooling-failure) - [Criterion WF Refrigerator: Not Cooling or Not Freezing](/blog/criterion-criterion-refrigerator-wf-refrigerator-cooling-failure)
Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 12 years experience
Experienced technician with 12 years specializing in washing machine and dryer repairs across all major brands.
