Kenmore Fridge Fridge and Freezer Both Too Warm

When both the fridge and the freezer warm at once, the problem is not air distribution — it is the cooling system itself failing to reject heat. The first question is whether the compressor is even running. Kenmore builds on two platforms — the 106-series on a Whirlpool base and the 795-series on an LG base — and the likely fault differs between them.

Most Likely Cause#

Most likely: dirty condenser coils choking heat rejection, which warms both compartments together — the top single fix on both platforms. If the compressor is silent, a failed start relay or compressor is the more serious cause; a stalled condenser fan sits in between.

Ranked Causes#

First Diagnostic Question: Is the Compressor Running?#

Put your hand on the compressor at the lower rear. If it is warm and humming, the refrigerant loop has power, so suspect dirty coils or a stalled condenser fan. If it is silent, the start relay or the compressor itself is the likely cause — and on the LG-based 795-series a knocking sound during that silence points at the compressor.

Emergency Food-Safety Steps#

• Do not open the doors unnecessarily — every opening speeds the warming.
• Move critical items to a cooler with ice.
• FDA guidance: refrigerated food held above 40°F for more than 2 hours should be discarded.
• Frozen food with ice crystals still present is safe to refreeze; anything fully thawed above 40°F should be tossed.
• If dirty coils are the cause, clean them right away — expect improvement within 2–4 hours.

Step-by-Step Checks#

1. Clean the condenser coils. Pull the unit out, vacuum the coils behind or beneath it, and give it a few hours; this alone fixes many both-warm complaints.
2. Verify the condenser fan. With the compressor running, confirm the fan moves air across the coils; a stalled fan traps heat and warms both compartments.
3. Test the start relay. A compressor that clicks and stops usually has a failed start relay — a modest part — before the compressor itself is suspect.
4. Check the control side. If the compressor is never commanded on, a thermistor or control-board fault (part W10613606 on some 106 boards, EBR78940602 on 795 boards) is the cause.

Prevention#

• Vacuum the condenser coils twice a year, more often with pets.
• Keep the top and rear clear so the condenser can shed heat.
• Do not overpack; airflow inside both compartments matters too.

Repair or Replace?#

Coil cleaning and a fan or relay swap are inexpensive, while a failed compressor is the one repair worth weighing against the fridge's age. A diagnosis tells you which, with an upfront quote. Schedule service if both sides stay warm after the coils are clean and the fan runs.

Frequently Asked Questions#

Both compartments are warm — is my food safe?#

Use the 40°F, 2-hour rule: refrigerated food above 40°F for more than two hours should be discarded, and frozen food is safe to refreeze only if ice crystals remain. Move essentials to a cooler while you diagnose.

I hear knocking from my Kenmore 795 and both sections are warming — how urgent is it?#

Knocking on the LG-based 795-series during a warm-up often signals the compressor. That is the more serious, time-sensitive fault, so protect your food and have it checked promptly.

Can dirty condenser coils really warm both compartments?#

Yes. Coils clogged with dust cannot shed heat, so the whole system loses capacity and both sides warm together. Cleaning them is the first and cheapest fix, with improvement usually within a few hours.