Haier Refrigerator Not Cooling? Here’s What to Do

Haier refrigerators are known for their sleek design and affordability. They are generally reliable appliances, though some owners occasionally encounter issues, such as problems with cooling.

If your Haier refrigerator is no longer cooling properly, this article explains what you should do. We’ll go over the 8 most likely issues that could be causing the problem, along with the steps to take to fix them.

1. There’s A Problem with the Door Seals

The door seals, also called gaskets, create an airtight seal around the refrigerator doors, ensuring that cold air stays inside and warm air stays out, allowing the refrigerator to run efficiently.

If the seals are dirty or damaged, gaps can form, causing them to fail to work properly, resulting in a refrigerator that doesn’t cool properly. Follow these steps to check and fix the door seals:

1. Open the refrigerator doors and inspect the seals all the way around to check for dirt or damage, such as wear or splitting.
2. Place a flashlight inside the refrigerator, turn off the kitchen lights so it’s dark, and check if any light escapes from the edges of the door, which would indicate gaps.
3. If dirty, clean the door seal with mild detergent and a damp sponge.
4. If damaged, replace the door seal by pulling the old one off, and then carefully install a new one in its place. Most seals on Haier refrigerators simply push into place.

2. The Temperature is Set Incorrectly

Your Haier refrigerator might not be cold enough simply because its temperature settings are not set correctly. The fridge should be set between 35°F and 40°F (2°C to 4°C) while the freezer should be between -10°F and -20°F (-23°C to -29°C).

You can check and adjust the temperature settings by:

1. Pressing and holding the lock button for 3 seconds to unlock the control panel.
2. Pressing the fridge or freezer temperature adjustment keys to set the temperature.

3. The Door is Being Opened Too Frequently

Just like bad door seals, opening the refrigerator door too frequently can allow cold air to escape and warm air to enter, increasing the temperature.

Try to open the door less frequently to see if it helps the refrigerator cool properly.

4. Hot Items Have Been Placed Inside

Placing hot food items inside the refrigerator, such as a pan of hot soup or stew, will increase its temperature. Allow food to cool to near room temperature before storing it in the refrigerator.

5. The Air Vents are Blocked

The air vents inside the fridge and freezer sections allow cold air to circulate around the refrigerator’s interior. Check that food items or ice are not obstructing the air vents; otherwise, your refrigerator may not cool properly.

Likewise, ensure the refrigerator is not overloaded with items, as this can also prevent proper air circulation. Aim to keep the refrigerator between two-thirds and three-quarters full.

6. One of the Fans is Not Working

Haier refrigerators typically have two fans: the evaporator fan and the condenser fan. If either fails, the result can be a refrigerator not cooling properly.

The evaporator fan circulates cold air inside the refrigerator, while the condenser fan helps to dissipate heat from the condenser coils, which also assists with cooling.

Here’s how you can check whether these fans are working:

• Evaporator fan: Listen for the evaporator fan whirring at the rear of the freezer. Unplug the refrigerator, remove the freezer section’s rear panel, check for damage, obstructions, or ice, and gently spin the fan to ensure it moves freely.
• Condenser fan: Unplug the refrigerator and pull it away from the wall. Remove the back panel and inspect the fan, located near the condenser coils, for damage or obstructions, and gently spin the fan to ensure it moves freely.

If either fan is not working, it will need to be replaced. To do this, order a compatible replacement, remove the mounting screws and wiring from the old fan, then install the new one, securing it with screws and reconnecting the wires.

7. Ice Buildup on the Evaporator Coils

When the evaporator coils become covered in a thick layer of frost or ice, it can disrupt the cooling process. This may happen randomly, in which case, unplugging the appliance and leaving its doors open for 7 hours to defrost may solve the problem.

However, ice buildup on the evaporator coils can also be a sign that one of the components that make up the defrost system is faulty. So if the problem persists, you may have a bad defrost heater, defrost timer, or defrost temperature sensor.

Fixing this issue will require you to remove the rear panel inside the freezer, and possibly other panels, inspect each component for signs of damage, disconnect and test each with a multimeter, and replace whichever is faulty.

8. A Major Component is Failing

If the steps so far haven’t helped you identify and fix the cooling issue, it’s likely there’s a problem with a major component, such as the compressor, main control board, or low refrigerant levels.

Fixing these issues is complicated, potentially hazardous, and difficult to do yourself, so hiring a professional is highly recommended. However, repairs like this can be costly, so you’ll need to consider whether it’s worth the investment, especially if your Haier refrigerator is over 10 years old.

Summary

Most issues that cause a Haier refrigerator not to cool properly can be fixed on your own. Hopefully, this list of the most likely causes has helped you identify and resolve the problem. However, as refrigerators get older, the chances of a major component failure increase, often requiring professional repair.