So, your refrigerator stopped working? I know the frustration. When I first saw my Maytag MFD2561HES not cooling, I followed the manual. It did not help.
After spending plenty of time, I gathered all the possible reasons why the Maytag refrigerator not cooling or freezing. After inspecting it one by one, I was able to fix the problem.
Since many issues may be the culprit here, you need to inspect several things. Follow this guide, you will find your solution!
Reasons Why The Refrigerator Not Freezing or Cooling
Maytag is a trusted brand. But there are some refrigerators models to avoid from the brand. But if you have a good one and still having trouble, this troubleshooting guide will solve your problem hopefully.
Of course, you are thinking there is something wrong with the cooling ability of your Maytag refrigerator. Even that alone requires inspecting several components.
But that may not be the only reason. Check these below-mentioned components first:
- Dirty Condenser Coil
The refrigerant passes through the condenser coil. So, the job of the condenser coil is dissipating heat and is located under your refrigerator.
That’s how the refrigerator can cool or freeze itself because the condenser coil is getting rid of the excess operational heat constantly.
So, what will happen if the condenser coil becomes dirty?
Well, it can’t dissipate the heat efficiently; so, your refrigerator won’t be cooling. Over time, debris accumulates on the coil and your refrigerator becomes less efficient day by day.
This is something you should check first if your refrigerator is several old. If found dirty, clean the condenser coil so that the refrigerator can maintain the proper temperature again.
- Defective Condenser Fan Motor
Your refrigerator won’t cool efficiently if the condenser fan motor can’t draw air through the condenser coil efficiently. So, it’s vital to keep the fan motor functioning.
So, when the fridge is not cooling, inspect the fan motor. The condenser fan motor can be defective in several ways. First, check the fan blade for any obstructions.
Try to spin the fan blade manually with your hand. If it does not spin, you may need to replace the fan motor.
If the blade spins freely and there are not visible obstructions, use a multimeter to test the motor for continuity. If no continuity found, replace the condenser motor.
- Faulty Evaporator Fan Motor
The evaporator fan motor is another vital component of your refrigerator and without the smooth functioning it, your refrigerator won’t be cooling.
It draws air over the evaporator and circulates the same throughout the freezer and refrigerator compartments. You will find the evaporator in the freezer compartment if there is only one in your refrigerator.
So, if the evaporator fan motor is not working, you may have a cold freezer, but it won’t be able to cool the refrigerator down.
To determine whether it’s defective or not, try to manually turn the blade as you have done with the condenser fan motor. Remove any obstructions and finally do a continuity test with a multimeter.
- Defective Start Relay
If you become sure that the refrigerator compressor is not running, the defective start relay may be the culprit. Because along with the start winding, the start relay starts the compressor.
The compressor will find it difficult to run if the start relay is defective. Sometimes, it won’t start at all. This is another reason why your refrigerator is not cooling.
You need to run a continuity test between the start terminal sockets and the run to determine whether the start relay is defective or not. Replace the start relay if no continuity found.
- Bad Start Capacitor
The compressor of the refrigerator needs a power boost during the start-up. The start capacitor provides that much-needed power boost.
So, the compressor may not start at all if the start capacitor is defective. As the compressor is not working, so the refrigerator is not getting cold.
Test the start capacitor with a multimeter to determine whether it’s defective or not. If defective, you should replace the start capacitor.
- Bad Thermistor
The thermistor plays an important role in sending temperature readings to the control board. Based on that reading, the control board regulates power to the evaporator fan and compressor.
So, if the thermistor is bad, it will send the wrong signal to the control board or won’t send any signal at all. So, the compressor or evaporator won’t run when needed and your refrigerator won’t be cooling down.
Check the resistance of the thermistor with a multimeter to determine if it’s okay or bad. If it’s not okay, the resistance won’t change along with the temperature of the refrigerator while testing.
In that case, just replace the thermistor.
- Temperature Control Board
If the Maytag refrigerator temperature control not working, maybe all the components of the control board are not working properly. But let me tell you something first, it is highly unlikely to happen.
You should check the thermostat temperature control too. You should hear a click sound when setting it from lowest to the highest. If not, run a continuity test. If it fails the test, replace the thermostat.
- Faulty Compressor
Another rare thing to happen to any refrigerator but it still happens every now and then. The compressor of a refrigerator works as a pump.
It compresses the refrigerant and circulates the same through the condenser coils and evaporator. That’s how it keeps the refrigerator working and cool.
But your refrigerator won’t cool with a defective compressor even though the evaporator and the condenser coil are okay and functioning.
It’s rare but a big problem. Replacing the compressor will cost you around half of the total cost of your refrigerator! So, think twice before you decide to replace the compressor.
You need to be 100% sure that all other components of your refrigerator are functioning properly before you determine the refrigerator is bad. Then you must a run continuity test with a multimeter to be sure about that.
I would test it with a licensed technician and if must—replace it with that PRO only.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Not just Maytag, it takes at least 24 hours for any refrigerator to function fully and getting cold after freshly installed.
Several reasons like dirty condenser coil (often becomes clogged), defective evaporator or condenser motor fan, and problematic start relay could cause it to stop getting cold.
It can draw enough air the refrigerator coils become dirty to circulate throughout the refrigerator. So, it does not get any cold.
From the electrical service panel of our home, check the circuit breaker that is serving electricity to the fridge if your refrigerator stops working suddenly.
Sadly, no. There is no dedicated reset button in Maytag refrigerators. But you can still reset it by combing a number of keys.
Plenty of things you can do. If nothing is damaged, you should first adjust the temperature and see how it’s working.
Make sure the vents are not obstructed and the ice maker is turned on. Keep the water shut-off valves open and wipe down the seal gasket of the door.
Closing Remarks
I have shown you plenty of reasons why your Maytag refrigerator not cooling or freezing. It may not be all the reasons you have but it’s good to know nonetheless.
Follow the tips mentioned above to fix the problem. If you have success, let me know in the comment box!
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