Our services
Fridge Repair in Plymouth, Devon and Cornwall
Fridge repair covers fridges that are not cold enough, freeze food they should not, leak water, run constantly or make new noises. We diagnose the fault in your home, explain what has failed and agree the cost before any work.
01How it works
Fridge Repair, explained
How it works
Your fridge, properly understood
A fridge relies on a sealed system containing refrigerant, moved around by a compressor. As the refrigerant changes state from liquid to gas, it absorbs heat from inside the cabinet and releases it through the condenser coils at the back or underneath. A thermostat or temperature sensor monitors the internal climate, turning the compressor on and off to maintain a steady, safe temperature for your food. Fans are sometimes used to circulate the cold air evenly across the shelves and door compartments.
Why it fails
What wears out
When a fridge stops cooling properly, the issue can stem from mechanical wear, electrical faults, or simple airflow blockages. Compressors can degrade over time, while start relays or capacitors can fail, preventing the cooling cycle from initiating. Door seals can split or lose their magnetic grip, letting warm air in and causing condensation or heavy ice build-up on the back wall. Thermostats can lose calibration, either running the compressor constantly and freezing your fresh produce, or failing to switch it on at all.
Fridges check
- Compressor and start relay
- Thermostat and sensors
- Evaporator fan
- Door seals
- Defrost system and drain
- Control board
A proper diagnosis
From your call to repaired
Diagnosing a fridge fault involves checking the electrical components and the physical condition of the cabinet. An engineer will inspect the door seals, test the thermostat for electrical continuity, and listen to the compressor to determine if it is running correctly. Multimeters are used to check temperature sensors, defrost heaters, and main control boards. By examining the frost pattern on the evaporator plate and measuring the internal temperatures in different zones, the root cause of the cooling failure can be identified accurately.
- 01You get in touchCall or send an enquiry. Tell us what it is doing, and the make and model if you have them.
- 02We come to your homeThe fault is diagnosed where the appliance stands.
- 03It is repairedThe repair is carried out in your home.
02Know the signs
When it is time to call us
01
The milk goes off quickly despite the temperature dial being set correctly.
02
Puddles of water keep appearing underneath the salad crisper drawers inside the cabinet.
03
The compressor makes a loud clicking noise every few minutes without starting.
04
A thick layer of hard ice covers the back wall of the fridge.
05
The rubber door seal is split and no longer grips the metal frame.
06
The motor runs continuously without ever pausing for a rest cycle.
03Common faults
What usually lies behind it
01
Fridge is freezing fresh food
When a fridge becomes too cold, the thermostat or temperature sensor is usually at fault. These components tell the compressor when to stop running. If they fail, the cooling cycle continues indefinitely, causing temperatures to drop below freezing and ruining fresh produce on the lower shelves.
02
Constant running and clicking noises
A fridge should cycle on and off throughout the day. If the compressor runs constantly, it might be struggling to maintain temperature due to a faulty door seal or a failing start relay. A clicking sound usually indicates the compressor is trying to start but failing.
03
Heavy ice on the back wall
Ice building up on the rear wall of the fridge cabinet restricts cooling efficiency. This happens when warm air enters through a damaged door seal, or if the internal defrost system fails. The excess moisture turns to ice, which acts as an insulator and prevents proper cooling.
04
Water pooling inside the fridge
Condensation naturally forms inside a fridge and runs down the back wall into a small drain hole. If this drain becomes blocked with food debris or dust, the water has nowhere to go. It will eventually overflow and pool under the salad crisper drawers.
05
Fridge cabinet is warm but light works
If the interior light turns on but the cabinet remains warm, power is reaching the appliance but the cooling system is inactive. This points to a faulty thermostat, a broken compressor start relay, or a failed main control board preventing the cooling cycle from starting.
04Questions
Fridges: your questions
Not answered here? Tell us the make, the model and what the appliance is doing.
Call 01752 922765Often a blocked defrost drain at the back of the fridge, which lets water collect instead of draining away. We can clear it and check for any other cause.
This happens when the appliance cannot regulate its internal climate. A faulty thermostat or a broken temperature sensor will fail to send the signal to turn the compressor off. The motor continues to run, dropping the temperature inside the cabinet well below the required level and freezing your food.
All Appliance Care only works on electric domestic appliances. We repair electric ovens, electric cookers, electric range cookers, and electric or induction hobs, alongside refrigeration and laundry equipment. We do not work on gas cookers, gas hobs, or any other type of gas appliance in your home.
The magnetic rubber seal around the door can degrade, split, or lose its shape over time. When this happens, it cannot form an airtight grip against the metal cabinet. Sometimes, heavy items in the door shelves can also cause the hinges to drop, preventing the door from aligning correctly.
A fridge motor should cycle on and off. If it runs constantly, warm air might be leaking into the cabinet through a damaged seal, forcing the system to work harder. Alternatively, a layer of dust on the condenser coils or a failing thermostat can cause continuous running.
05Where we work
Fridges in your town
Choose your town for fridge repair there, nearest to Plymouth first.
Devon