Nothing is worse than a refrigerator that won’t cool.
When your Waeco fridge stops working, it’s frustrating and confusing.
So you might be thinking of getting a new one…
But before making any rash decisions, check out this article.
Keep reading to find out…
- 6 reasons your Waeco fridge isn’t cooling.
- What to do when your compressor breaks down.
- What a refrigerant is and how to keep its level normal.
- How a faulty door seal could be the culprit and how to replace it.
- And so much more…
Why is my Waeco fridge not cooling?
Your Waeco fridge isn’t cooling because it’s low on refrigerant. Or there’s not enough air supply. The temperature in the room can also be too high. And your fridge has to do more work to keep itself cool. Another reason could be that the compressor is broken. This prevents cold air from entering.
Waeco fridge not cooling: 5 causes & solutions
#1: Low air supply
Just like you, your Waeco fridge needs air to keep cool.
“Why? Isn’t the refrigerator cold already?”
The refrigerator is cold on the inside. But to get cold, it needs to take out the warm air.
This happens in the refrigeration system inside your fridge. The parts of the system absorb heat and process it into cold air.
When there’s not enough space for the warm air to pass through, it gets trapped.
And your fridge won’t get cold.
Ever notice the back or sides of your refrigerator turn hot?
That’s your refrigeration system at work.
If there’s something blocking the heat on the outside, it spreads back to the inside of the fridge.
Solution:
For your refrigerator to get the air it needs, give it some space. Here are some useful tips to do this:
Tip 1: Don’t place it close to another appliance.
The heat from the other appliance can transfer to your fridge. This causes the inside to not cool completely.
Tip 2: Move it at least 2 inches away from the wall.
This is a common mistake most refrigerator owners make. Placing the fridge too close to the wall builds up the heat from the back. 2 inches is enough to increase the airflow.
Tip 3: Lower the room temperature inside the room.
If the room temperature is warm, the fridge will get warm with it. Waeco fridges are designed for 64°F (18°C) to 109°F (43°C). You can lower the room temperature by adjusting your air conditioning.
Note: If you decide to move your refrigerator to a new location, be sure to set the thermostat to 0 first. Then unplug. Set the temperature once you’ve plugged it in again. This helps your Waeco fridge adjust better to the temperature change.
#2: A busted compressor
An important part of your refrigeration system is the compressor.
This is what produces the humming noise that you hear from your fridge.
Think of it as like your refrigerator’s heart. Without it, your Waeco fridge wouldn’t function at all.
“But how does it keep my refrigerator cold?”
The compressor allows the flow of the refrigerant. This is the liquid that turns the inside of your fridge cold.
When the compressor gets busted, it can’t pump the refrigerant. And your fridge can’t get cold.
Solution:
There are a few things you can do if your compressor isn’t working.
Step 1: Check your Waeco fridge’s manual.
Step 2: Look for anything that’s blocking the power supply. Depending on your Waeco fridge model, a faulty compressor can be caused by two things:
- Loose battery connection
- Not enough AC supply.
Step 3: If the battery voltage is too low, charge the battery. There could also be something wrong with the cables so check those too.
Step 4: If it involves an AC connection, check if you have a blown fuse line.
Step 5: Clean the coils that are attached to the compressor. They could be blocking the normal flow of your refrigeration system.
When the compressor still isn’t running, it might be time to replace it.
Call your repairman. Or contact Waeco customer support for more help.
Warning: If you’re charging your Waeco fridge, don’t put the battery near food. The battery acid can come into contact with the food. And it’s a big problem when you accidentally eat it.
Don’t forget to check out: 15 Refrigerator Do’s And Don’ts (Avoid #7 At All Times)
#3: Low refrigerant level
If the compressor is the heart, the refrigerant is the blood. It’s also popularly known as Freon.
The compressor pumps the refrigerant all around the refrigeration system.
Cool, right? (No pun intended)
Your fridge won’t get cold if there’s not enough refrigerant. There are a few reasons why this happens:
- There’s a leak.
- The compressor is clogged.
- Incompatible refrigerants got mixed.
Modern refrigerators like your Waeco fridge don’t use Freon R-12. It’s possible that this got mixed in the system and caused a problem.
Solution:
Before trying to put a new refrigerant in, check to make sure that nothing else is broken.
A leak could be causing a low refrigerant level.
It’s best that your repairman fix this.
Warning: Do not attempt to refill the refrigerant yourself. Refrigerants contain toxic gas that can cause difficulty in breathing. Consult your Waeco service center for more help.
#4: A faulty door seal
Ever notice how your refrigerator closes on its own?
This happens when you open the door at a 45-degree angle.
That’s because of gravity.
There’s something wrong if the doors don’t close on their own.
“So what happens then?”
Pressure from the weight of the fridge doors can push down warm air inside.
And your fridge won’t get cold.
Another reason for a faulty door seal is a broken gasket.
This is the rubbery material that lines the inside of your fridge door.
If there are tears or holes in the gasket, the cold air will leak out.
Solution:
Here are some easy fixes for a faulty door seal:
Fix 1: Adjust your fridge’s leveling feet.
The front end should be higher than the back end. This is so the fridge weight won’t push in the warm air.
Fix 2: Replace the door gasket.
There’s no other replacement for a broken door gasket. Patching it up with tape or glue won’t work. Luckily, you can easily buy gaskets from Amazon.
Fix 3: Call your repairman.
If there’s big damage to the door seal, it’s already time to call your repairman.
#5: Broken evaporator and condenser fans
So, your fridge’s door seals are fine. And so are your compressor and refrigerant.
What could be the problem?
Your evaporator and condenser fans might be the culprits.
These fans are located inside your fridge. They work to circulate the air that keeps your fridge cold.
Here’s how you know if there’s a problem with your fans:
- Warm fridge, cold freezer: evaporator fans aren’t working.
- Both the fridge and freezer are warm: condenser fans aren’t working.
You’ll hear a weird buzzing noise from your fridge when either of these happen.
It could mean that the fans are dirty. Or you have a broken motor.
Solution:
The easy way to fix this would be to clean your fans. Just follow these steps:
- Disconnect your fridge.
- Open the panel that covers the fans.
- Remove any dust or dirt around the fan blades.
- Check if there are tears or cracks in the fan blades.
- Replace the broken fans if there are any.
You can use a vacuum with a brush attachment for cleaning.
Watch this video to see how it’s done.
If the motor’s broken, the only fix would be to buy a new one.
Learn more: 15 Best Ways To Maintain Your Refrigerator (Checklist)
BONUS: Change in thermostat settings
Sometimes there’s a simple reason for your fridge not cooling.
And that is…
The temperature setting is too high.
This happens more often than you think.
A child could have accidentally turned the thermostat dial.
Or you forgot to adjust the temperature after defrosting.
Solution:
It takes just 2 seconds to fix the wrong temperature setting. Ready?
Turn the dial clockwise to the right number.
For your Waeco fridge, 1 is the least cooling and 7 is the most cooling.
The temperature you choose depends on the type of food you’re putting in.
“What if I have a brand new fridge?”
Well, congratulations on your new Waeco fridge.
Have you plugged it in yet? Yes?
Then wait at least 4 hours. It takes time for your fridge to reach the best temperature.