Temperature Control

• If the refrigerator does not seem cool enough some of the time, the problem may stem from the temperature control being set too high. A high temperature on the refrigerator will cause the chamber to feel colder when the compressor is running but warmer when the compressor is at rest. Setting the temperature control to a lower temperature will solve this problem.
  
  

Thermostat

• Even at its coldest setting, the temperature control knob won’t affect the temperature if the thermostat is broken. The thermostat detects when the temperature is too warm and then activates the compressor. A broken thermostat may not activate the compressor or it may activate it only some of the time. Unfortunately, refrigerator thermostats are not repairable and require replacement.
  
  

Door Seal

• Refrigerators depend not only on the refrigerant, but the insulation of the refrigeration chamber. This chamber is sealed tightly by a rubbery gasket that fits on the door. Over time, this gasket loses its elasticity and can even break or crack. When this happens, the door does not seal properly and more heat is allowed to invade the cooling chamber, which can lead to intermittent problems with cooling. Repair this problem by replacing the door gasket.
  
  

Refrigerant Leak

• Although it is rare, the refrigerator may suffer intermittent cooling issues due to a refrigerant leak. Because a refrigerator’s refrigerant system is sealed, it recycles near 100 percent of its refrigerant. Still, an impact or other accident could cause the coolant to leak out as it cycles through the refrigerator’s cooling apparatus. If a refrigerant leak is the suspected problem, ensure the room is properly ventilated and contact a repair professional immediately for consultation.
  
  

Compressor Issues

• The compressor pressurizes the refrigerant before it is channeled into the coils inside the refrigerator. If the compressor is broken or suffering intermittent failure, the refrigerator may cool only part of the time. Replacing the compressor will solve this problem.
  
  

Condenser Coils

• While the refrigerant inside the interior refrigerator coils expands into a gas, stealing heat from the cooling chamber, the condenser coils on the outside release the collected heat as the refrigerant liquefies. Dirty condenser coils can disrupt this process, inadvertently insulating and trapping heat inside the coils. Cleaning the condenser coils regularly will ensure heat is freely allowed to dissipate.