Magic Chef Refrigerator Is Not Cooling

Is your refrigerator turning your ice creams into soup or the butter into liquid?

If that’s the case, your refrigerator probably isn’t cooling properly. Of course, a malfunctioning refrigerator is no less than a nightmare for a homeowner. 

And when a refrigerator starts acting up, we think of replacing it or sending it to a professional for repair.

Although it is a practical decision to get it repaired, some issues can be quick-fixed by you at home. 

That’s why we’ve curated this informative guide where we’ll walk you through the basics of fixing your Magic Chef mini-fridge that isn’t cooling. Besides gaining a new skill, you’ll save up a couple of thousand bucks.

So, without further ado, let’s dive right in! 

Why Is My Magic Chef Refrigerator Not Cooling? 

If you find out that the food in your fridge has decayed or the ice has melted, then a hot compressor might be the reason. A compressor can heat up due to two reasons – the thermostat is low, or there is no refrigerant. 

Since you’re a homeowner and not a professional electrician, you may find it tricky to check the refrigerant and the temperature level.

If the set temperature is correct, empty your fridge and unplug it because an overheating compressor can lead to unwanted troubles, so using such a malfunctioning unit is dangerous. 

In addition, the condenser and the cooling fan can also be responsible for not cooling the fridge properly.

One way to detect whether these units are working fine is to check the condenser coils located at the back of the appliance. 

If you come across dust, dirt, debris, or grime on condenser coils upon inspection, chances are impurities are preventing heat from dissipating. 

As the name suggests, the cooling fan keeps the unit cool at all times, but, over time, its motor may give up due to several reasons. And that’s why you must check if the fan is rotating properly or not. If it isn’t working correctly, you’ll have to call a technician to get it fixed as soon as possible. 

How To Fix A Magic Chef Refrigerator That Is Not Cooling

Of course, contacting a professional will cause you to shell out thousands of bucks. Fortunately, you can save them and try fixing your mini-refrigerator alone without any professional help. 

1. Check The Evaporator Coils 

Frosted evaporator coils can be the reason behind your malfunctioning refrigerator. Thankfully, you can use the defrost heater assembly to melt the accumulated frost on the evaporator coils. 

And to defrost the coils, it’s essential for the defrost heater to work efficiently. However, in the worst scenario, the heater might stop working, which will cause ice to build upon the evaporator coils. Thus, it will restrict airflow, and the appliance will not be as functional as it was previously. 

So, if the evaporator coils are covered with frost, you will have to analyze every component of the defrost system of the fridge to resolve the issue. 

2. Troubleshoot The Defrost Control Board

Did you know a faulty defrost control board can tamper with the cooling capacity of your refrigerator? Basically, it notifies you about how frequently you should run a defrost cycle. 

So, if the control board isn’t functioning properly, the defrost cycle won’t start, which will lead to a frost buildup on the coils. Consequently, the appliance will not be able to emit heat, resulting in overheating. 

On the other hand, if the defrost thermostat and the heater are fine, the problem lies with the control board that you will have to replace. 

3. Inspect The Defrost Thermostat

Basically, the defrost thermostat is responsible for monitoring the temperature of the coils. And when the temperature drops below a certain threshold, it notifies the controls to shut off, after which the voltage is directed to the defrost heater. After that, it melts away all the accumulated frost on the coils. 

Nevertheless, in case the defrost thermostat is defective, keep in mind that it won’t shut off the controls. 

To be on the safe side, a continuity test will prove helpful in determining if the defrost thermostat is working fine or not. And if it is defective, you’ll have to call a professional for replacement. 

4. Check The Evaporator Fan Motor

If your refrigerator isn’t cooling properly, check the evaporator fan motor. They are responsible for accumulating cold atop the evaporator coils and distributing it throughout the unit. 

But, if the fan is defective, the unit won’t cool, and that’s why it is important to examine it by rotating the fan blade manually. If it does, then the motor is fine; however, in case it doesn’t rotate freely, then it is defective. Simply replace the motor, and the unit will start functioning properly. 

5. Test The Defrost Timer

More often than not, a faulty defrost time can also prevent your refrigerator from functioning properly. When frost accumulates on top of the evaporator coils, it is the responsibility of the defrost timer to melt it at regular intervals. 

However, if it is defective, it won’t enter the defrost cycle, or it may also fail to send electricity to the heater. Of course, it will lead to the buildup of frost on the evaporator coils, further making it difficult for the refrigerator to give off heat. As a result, this will result in overheating of the appliance.

To check if the defrost timer is working properly or not, turn the dial to defrost mode. If the heater turns on, the defrost timer isn’t faulty.

However, if the defrost timer takes longer than 30 minutes to transmit power, then it is defective, and you’ll have to get it replaced for the smooth functioning of the appliance. 

6. Check The Temperature Control Board

If the temperature control board of your fridge is faulty, then it fails to send electricity to the compressor and fan motor. 

To avoid misdiagnosing, we suggest you start by analyzing the common defective parts. If all the components are functioning correctly, you’ll have to get the board replaced. 

7. Troubleshoot The Damper Control Assembly

The cold air that goes into the fridge is regulated by the damper control assembly. So, if your appliance isn’t working, then it won’t supply sufficient cold air to the refrigerator. 

To find out if the damper control assembly is opening completely or not, you’ll have to check it. In case it appears broken or is stuck closed, it’s essential to get it repaired right away for the smooth functioning of the refrigerator. 

8. Troubleshoot The Main Control Board

Though unlikely to cause cooling issues, it’s wise to check the main control board to ensure they are running smoothly. If any of the components aren’t fully functioning, you’ll have to replace the main control board. 

Ways To Fix A Magic Chef Refrigerator Not Cooling But Freezer Working

If your Magic Chef refrigerator isn’t cooling, but the freezer is working, then here’s how you can fix it:

1. Evaporator Coils

As you already know, if frost buildup on the evaporator coils, then your refrigerator will not function properly. Hence, check them, and if frost is accumulated on top of them, then power off the appliance and use a hairdryer to defrost them. 

2. Evaporator Fan

If the motor is hardly rotating, then know that the problem lies with it. However, we suggest using a multimeter to check continuity, and in case there’s a defect, replacing it will be the best bet. 

Besides transferring cold air to the evaporator coils, a properly functioning evaporator fan cools the refrigerant. But if it is defective, the fridge will be warm, and the freezer will work normally. In such cases, you will have to call for a technician to have it replaced. 

3. Air Vents

When your refrigerator is stuffed with plenty of things, the air vents become ineffective because the air cannot circulate within the unit. Consequently, the fridge loses its cooling capacity, but the freezer usually works. 

4. Thermistor

If the thermistor of your refrigerator is out of order, it may cause the compressor and the evaporator fan to run either too fast or too slow, making the refrigerator hot. You can also check its continuity with a multimeter. In case the resistance changes, then it’s working properly, but if it doesn’t, you’ll have to replace it with a new one. 

Things To Do When A Magic Chef Refrigerator With Freezer Is Not Cooling

First off, we suggest inspecting the evaporator fan so that you can detect the root cause of the issue. Push the door switch and wait for a humming sound which you’ll hear if the motor is working well. So, in case you don’t hear any sound, it needs to be replaced. 

Additionally, you can run a continuity test on the compressor and if you notice no continuity, get it replaced. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How To Defrost A Magic Chef Refrigerator?

First off, unplug the appliance and open the drain valve located at the back of the refrigerator. Place a piece of towel underneath it so that once the ice defrosts, you can drain the water. After that, open the door for the ice to melt and use the towel to drain the water. 

How To Make A Magic Chef Refrigerator Colder?

Simply raise the temperature from 0° F to 5°F. However, you must also keep in mind that this setting will affect the freezer temperature. 

Summing It Up

fridge

Thus, it’s finally time to wrap up today’s guide.

We hope that our guide has helped you figure out why your Magic Chef refrigerator is not cooling. Mostly, you’ll be able to fix the issue without any professional help, but in the worst-case scenario, calling an electrician will be the best bet. 

Also, don’t forget to keep handy the contact details of the best fridge repairing company so that you can reach out to them in emergencies. 

And that’s it for today. We’ll see you next time!

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