JennAir Refrigerator Not Cooling? How to Fix It

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Register Appliance
December 2, 2024
Refrigerator Repair

JennAir is known for being a high-quality, reliable appliance manufacturer, but even the most reliable and hard-wearing brands can experience issues. If you’ve noticed a decline in your refrigerator’s cooling abilities, don’t immediately call in a professional technician. There are a few things you can try yourself at home that have a good chance of getting your refrigerator cooling properly again—read on to find out what to do!

This guide applies to most of the popular models of JennAir refrigerators, including:

A501BT

IM107

IMS105

IMS106/BY09A

IMT106/BYO7A

JBR2088HES

JCB2388ARA

JCD2289AES

JCD2295KES

JCD2389DES

JCD2389GES

JF42NXFXDE02

JFC2087HRP

JFC2087HRS

JFC2089HEP

JFC2089HES

JFC2089HPY

JFC2089HTB

JFC2290REP00

JSD2695KES

JSD2789GES

Check the Thermostat

Refrigerator thermostats are responsible for temperature regulation. If your thermostat is faulty or is set to too high a temperature, then the internal temperature will be too high, leading to food spoiling easily. For optimal performance, your refrigerator thermostat should be set to 40°F, while your freezer should be set to 0°F. Here’s how to fix this issue:

  • First, find the thermostat. This is usually on the inside, either on the rear or side panel. If you’re having trouble locating yours, check the manual. 
  • Look at the temperature settings. If the thermostat is set higher than it should be, adjust the settings and wait a few hours to see if the cooling issues are resolved. 
  • Check to see if your thermostat is functional by adjusting the setting to the coldest one. You should hear an audible click when it is turned down—if you can’t hear this, the thermostat may be faulty. 
  • If you determine that the thermostat is faulty, you can purchase a replacement one, and either install it yourself or engage the help of a professional technician. 

Clean the Coils

Dirty refrigerator coils can affect your fridge’s cooling abilities, leading to food spoilage and other issues. The coils are usually located on the back or bottom of the refrigerator, and they are filled with liquid refrigerant. As the refrigerant flows through the coils, heat is released into the surrounding atmosphere, cooling the interior of the refrigerator. If the coils are dirty they’re less able to release heat, which impacts the cooling abilities. To clean the colls:

  • First, unplug your refrigerator. 
  • Locate where the coils are on your JennAir refrigerator. In most modern models they will be located at the bottom, but older models may still have them at the back. If you’re unsure, consult your refrigerator manual. You may need to remove a grille to gain access. 
  • Use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to remove dust from the coils. 
  • If dust remains in hard-to-reach areas, use a coil cleaning brush to remove stubborn debris. 
  • Once the coils are clean, put the fridge back together and restore power. 
  • Wait a few hours to see if the cooling issue has been resolved.

Note—ideally, refrigerator coils should be cleaned every six months to ensure optimal performance. Even if you haven’t noticed performance issues, cleaning the coils ensures your fridge operates efficiently and uses minimal electricity. 

Check for Overloading

An overloaded refrigerator won’t cool properly, as it doesn’t allow for optimal airflow. If your refrigerator is packed tightly and the vents are all covered, then it will struggle to achieve the correct temperature. To achieve optimal loading:

  • Ensure your fridge is about three-quarters full at maximum. 
  • Locate the internal vents, and ensure your food items aren’t covering them. 
  • Use this as an opportunity to do a deep clean of your fridge—if there is anything past expiry, throw it away. 
  • Consider getting a larger fridge if this is a recurring issue. It will end up saving electricity in the long run!

Check the Evaporator Fan

The evaporator fan is located in the freezer compartment of your refrigerator. It works to distribute cold air from the freezer compartment throughout the fridge compartment, ensuring your food is properly cooled. If the fan is faulty, you may notice your fridge is warmer than it should be, and it might also be making a lot of noise. To check this:

  • Unplug your refrigerator and gain access to the evaporator fan. You may need to remove the back panel of the freezer compartment. 
  • Check to see if the evaporator fan is iced over. If it is, use a hairdryer on a warm setting to melt the ice, then restore power to see if it’s functioning properly.
  • Manually try to spin the fan to see if it rotates. If not, check for obstructions and remove anything blocking the fan from turning. 
  • If the fan appears broken, it will need replacing. Find a replacement evaporator fan, then install it according to manufacturer instructions. 

Note: If the fan was faulty due to ice, this issue is likely to recur. This is a sign that there is too much moisture inside your refrigerator—we recommend checking out the door seals as described in the next step in our guide.

Check the Door Seals

The door seals are responsible for keeping warm, moist air outside your refrigerator and keeping cold, dry air inside. If the seals are worn or damaged, warmer air can get into the refrigerator interior, compromising on cooling and leading to frost or condensation buildup. Here’s how to check if the seals are the problem:

  • Inspect the seals to see if they appear loose, cracked, or otherwise damaged. 
  • Check to see if the seals are dirty. If they are, thoroughly clean them with a clean microfiber cloth. Dirty seals may prevent your refrigerator from closing properly. 
  • If the seals do appear to be damaged, purchase new seals, ensuring they are compatible with your model of JennAir refrigerator. 
  • Remove the old seals and press the new seals into place. 
  • Wait a few hours to see if the cooling issues are fixed.
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