Panasonic Refrigerator Not Cooling (How to Fix)

Panasonic refrigerators, albeit durable and high-performing, aren’t immune to malfunctions.

And one of the most common problems owners face is their units not cooling properly. Although many people connect this to issues with the main control board, this isn’t always the case.

That’s why we are here to tell you about the top reasons behind the low or zero cooling of your Panasonic fridge and how to deal with them. Dive in now! 

8 Things To Do If Your Panasonic Refrigerator Isn’t Cooling

If your Panasonic fridge has suddenly stopped cooling, then you can perform a few of the following checks and fixes listed below. But don’t forget to switch off the power supply before proceeding with them. 

1. Checking The Temperature Control Thermostat

One of the most common mistakes people make is increasing the internal temperature when the fridge or freezer has fewer contents and not reducing it when the compartments are fully stacked. Or, you may have accidentally turned it to the right, thereby increasing the temperature when cleaning the fridge or arranging the contents.

Check the temperature control dial to ensure it’s set at one of the coldest settings. You can even turn the temperature all the way down to increase the cooling if needed.

While at it, wait for the dial to make a clicking sound when you turn it to the desired setting. If you don’t hear it, then there may be something wrong with the thermostat. And a malfunctioning thermostat can prevent the fridge from cooling adequately or run it on the same temperature setting for a prolonged period. 

2. Examining The Location Of The Fridge

If your fridge is placed near a window or any other spot in the room that receives direct sunlight, then this can hamper its ability to cool properly. That’s why it’s always recommended to keep the fridge away from any direct source of heat, including other appliances like heaters.

3. Checking The Freezer Door

Not closing the doors of the fridge allows the cold air to escape, thereby making the inside hot, which is why you should always close the doors properly every time you open them. Besides, worn-out gaskets can prevent the doors from creating a tight seal when they are shut, so keep them clean and replace them if required.

Another thing to keep in mind here is that opening the doors too frequently will replace the cold air inside with the hot air from outside. So, reduce the number of times you open the doors in a day to prevent this from happening.

4. Checking The Defrost Heater

For the unversed, the defrost heater defrosts the compressor coil from time to time, without which it will freeze and cut off the supply of cold air to the refrigerator. And the defrost timer instructs the heater to perform this action when required.

You can easily confirm if the heater is functioning properly by using a screwdriver to gently rotate the defrost timer dial. If the heater is in the right condition, this should make the compressor shut off and the heater should turn on automatically within half an hour. In case it doesn’t, then it’s time to change the timer.

5. Inspecting The Fan Motors

Both the evaporator and condenser fan motor play important roles in keeping your refrigerator cold and functional. While the evaporator fan motor keeps blowing cool air into the fridge and freezer compartment, the condenser fan keeps the compressor and condenser coils cool when the fridge runs. 

To inspect the evaporator fan motor, get close to the rear panel of your Panasonic fridge and listen carefully to detect any loud or odd sounds. If you hear any, grab a multimeter to check the continuity in the motor. No continuity will require you to replace it immediately.

Alternatively, you can spin the evaporator fan blades manually, and if you face any resistance, consider replacing the motor.

Likewise, any obstruction in the movement of the condenser fan blades can be caused either due to the accumulation of debris or a worn-out motor. Hence, we’d suggest trying to clean the motor first by disassembling the fan. If the blades still don’t rotate properly, then get the motor replaced.

6. Checking The Condenser Coils

Condenser coils perform the crucial function of absorbing and dissipating the heat from the refrigerant to keep the refrigerator cool. Without them, all of this heat will transfer to the interior of your refrigerator, causing it to heat up, even if the thermostat is at the lowest setting.

Check the condenser coils to see if there’s any dirt or debris accumulation, which can keep them from absorbing the incoming heat. If there is, clean them thoroughly with a dry cloth or sponge. 

7. Checking The Vents

The vents of your Panasonic refrigerator should be working properly to distribute the cold air throughout the unit. However, they can be clogged by dirt or food particles or may have been accidentally closed. Clean the vents and open them if necessary to help the unit cool down.

We’d also recommend keeping the vents free by placing the items away from them. Additionally, reduce the contents of the fridge or freezer if you have just fixed the vents to help the cold air circulate faster.

8. Checking The Compressor

Although the compressor runs the whole unit, it isn’t as prone to damage or malfunctioning as the other parts. This is why we’d advise checking the parts mentioned above before moving on to the condenser. And there are a couple of ways to do this.

First, pay attention to the sound made by the compressor, which usually has an on and off pattern. If you don’t hear this noise in a span of 30 minutes, then the compressor may be at fault. 

Other instances of a faulty compressor include the wall of the fridge feeling hot to touch despite having a “noisy” compressor or a constant humming sound from the unit without any breaks.

You can also check the start relay switch within the compressor by removing the condenser panel and unplugging it from the compressor. Once you detach it, shake the switch to see if it rattles. This will tell you if there’s a problem with it, and if there is, you can replace it before reattaching the panel.

On the flip side, a non-noisy switch means that there are other issues with the compressor. However, changing or repairing a compressor doesn’t come cheap, and will likely cost you more than a new fridge!

What To Do If The Panasonic Refrigerator Freezer Works But There’s No Cooling In The Fridge Compartment?

1. Choose The Right Operational Mode 

If the fridge is not cooling, but the freezer is, there’s a high chance that the unit has entered something called the “holiday mode.” You can confirm this by checking the temperature display or light in the fridge compartment. No display or no lights means that the unit is running in the said mode.

To restore the normal functioning of the fridge, all you have to do is press and hold the “fridge set mode” for about 3 seconds. 

Another reason for this is the Eco mode, which is often employed during the winter months to keep the unit from cooling too much. Turning it off will assist in the cooling of the unit.

Once your fridge restores its cooling, switch on the Hygiene Active mode to ensure the proper circulation of cold air throughout the unit.

2. Examine The Evaporator Coils

Frosty coatings in the evaporator coils will prevent them from transferring cold air into the refrigerator. So, if you have noticed any frost on these coils, then take out your perishable content from the fridge and switch off its power supply for a couple of hours or until the frost defrosts. 

Turn the power back on when the coils are completely free from frost,  which should solve the problem. 

However, frosty condenser coils are also a sign of issues in the defrost system of the unit (more specifically, the defrost heater), as it should keep the coils from frosting in the first place. In such situations, it may be a good idea to get the appliance checked by a qualified technician.

If there’s no ice deposit on these coils but the fridge still won’t cool, cleaning the evaporator coils to remove any dirt or debris should be a quick fix to get things back to normal.

Final Words

Although most of our solutions are essentially DIY fixes, we understand that not everyone may have the required expertise or tools to execute them.

If you, too, are on the same boat, then we’d strongly recommend contacting the Panasonic service center to let trained professionals do the job on your behalf. And if your fridge needs any new components, then ensure that you only get genuine OEM replacement parts.

Another pro tip: keep the model number of your fridge handy before contacting the service center and narrating your problem. This will help the technicians come equipped with the right tools and parts.

We will see you next time!

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