Appliance Parts
Shop With Confidence
REPAIR > REFRIGERATOR > FRIDGE TOO WARM
How To Fix A Refrigerator That's Too Warm
by Steve Ash
Arguably the hardest working appliance in the home, a refrigerator is something you can’t live without. If your fridge is too warm, don’t give up – we can help. We’ve compiled a list of the most common parts that cause the fridge to be too warm. You can use this information to troubleshoot your own refrigerator and then enter your model number into the search box to find the right part that will fit your fridge. Searching with your model will also give you access to even more information about this symptom and instructions on how to install your repair part.
Air Inlet Damper Or Baffle
The air damper, baffle or diffuser is the device that balances the air flow from the evaporator fan housing. This normally is a mechanically controlled baffle or flapper that controls the amount of cold air entering the fresh food compartment. If the baffle is damaged or the linkage to the control knob is damaged, then you may not have enough cold air entering the fresh food compartment resulting in higher than normal temperatures. This baffle or damper will be located where the cold air enters the fresh food compartment.
The housing that the baffle or damper is encased in is often made of plastic with a Styrofoam lining and may have a foam seal to prevent air leakage. Care should be used when inspecting the housing to avoid damage to the seal or the Styrofoam. Locate the baffle/damper and operate the control knob to verify that the linkage is intact and that it moves freely. If the damper/baffle is stuck in the closed or nearly closed position or does not move freely, then it should be replaced. Some refrigerator models use a temperature sensing bulb attached to this control that will automatically adjust the control for changes in the interior temperature. Make sure that the sensing bulb is in the correct position and is not damaged.
The housing that the baffle or damper is encased in is often made of plastic with a Styrofoam lining and may have a foam seal to prevent air leakage. Care should be used when inspecting the housing to avoid damage to the seal or the Styrofoam. Locate the baffle/damper and operate the control knob to verify that the linkage is intact and that it moves freely. If the damper/baffle is stuck in the closed or nearly closed position or does not move freely, then it should be replaced. Some refrigerator models use a temperature sensing bulb attached to this control that will automatically adjust the control for changes in the interior temperature. Make sure that the sensing bulb is in the correct position and is not damaged.
More About This Repair
- Customers rate this repair as Really Easy
- less than 15 minutes
We have 16 installation instructions
We have 0 step-by-step videos