5 Reasons Your Mini Fridge Is Not Cooling Properly

If you own a mini-fridge and it isn’t cooling properly, it’s almost certainly due to one of the components in the fridge becoming defective. To fix the problem and get your mini-fridge working again, you will need to work out which part is causing the problem and repair or replace it.

In this guide, we will give you step-by-step instructions on how to get your mini-fridge cooling again. Just start from the top and work your way down the guide.

Let’s dive in.

Reason 1 – Dirty condenser coils

At the back of your mini-fridge, there are a set of condenser coils that help keep your mini-fridge cool. When they get covered in dust or frost, this can stop your fridge from cooling down to the desired temperature.

Thankfully, checking and—if necessary—cleaning the condenser coils is simple. Here’s what to do:

1. Switch the power off to your mini-fridge.
2. Pull it out from the wall so you can access the back of it.
3. Locate the condenser coils and check if they are covered in frost or dirt.
4. If the coils are covered in frost, leave your mini-fridge turned off to let them defrost and then give them a good clean. If they are covered in dust, wipe them clean with a damp cloth.
5. Once clean, switch your mini-fridge back on.
6. After a couple of hours, check if the fridge is now cooling correctly. If not, proceed to reason 2.

Reason 2 – A faulty condenser fan

If cleaning the coils didn’t get your mini-fridge cooling again, the next component to check is the condenser fan, which can sometimes stop working correctly if it becomes broken or covered in ice. The main purpose of this fan is to keep the condenser coils cool, so if it stops working, your coils become too hot and your mini-fridge won’t be able to cool down.

Here’s how to check the condenser fan:

1. Switch the power off to your mini-fridge.
2. Locate the condenser fan in your mini-fridge.
3. If it has a cover over it, remove the cover.
4. Next, attempt to turn the fan around manually.
5. If the fan cannot move around without being obstructed, first attempt to remove the object obstructing it, and if that doesn’t work, the fan may need to be replaced.
6. If the fan isn’t being obstructed, you will need to test the fan motor with a multimeter to ensure it has continuity.
7. If the fan is faulty, replace it. If working correctly, reattach the fan cover and proceed to the next reason.
8. If you install a new fan into your mini-fridge, check if the appliance can now cool down correctly. If not, proceed to the next reason.

Reason 3 – A faulty evaporator fan

If your mini fridge has an evaporator fan (check your user manual), it might be faulty and cause your fridge to not cool down correctly. This fan distributes air from the small freezer compartment into the main part of the fridge to help it stay cool. If it becomes faulty, your fridge won’t be able to operate.

Here’s how to check the evaporator fan:

1. Make sure the power is still switched off.
2. Locate the evaporator fan and remove the cover off it.
3. Next, attempt to turn the fan around manually.
4. If the evaporator fan cannot move around without being obstructed, first attempt to remove the object obstructing it, and if that doesn’t work, the fan may need to be replaced.
5. If the fan isn’t being obstructed, test the fan motor with a multimeter to ensure it has continuity. If the fan fails the test, replace it and if it’s working correctly, reattach the cover and proceed to the next reason.
6. If you install a new fan into your mini-fridge, check if the appliance can now cool down correctly. If not, proceed to the next reason.

Reason 4 – A faulty start relay

The start relay is an important component in your mini-fridge that helps the compressor operate. If it becomes faulty, your mini fridge won’t be able to cool down to the right temperature. 

Here’s how to check the start relay:

1. Make sure the power is still switched off to your mini-fridge.
2. Locate the start relay (check your user manual if required).
3. Test the start relay with your multimeter.
4. If the start relay is faulty, replace it and if it’s working correctly, you can proceed to the next reason in this guide.
5. If you install a new start relay component, check if the appliance can now cool down correctly. If not, proceed to the next reason.

Reason 5 – A faulty compressor

Reason number five your mini-fridge might not be cooling properly is a faulty compressor. The compressor is the most important component in your mini-fridge that helps to keep it cool. When it becomes faulty, your mini fridge won’t be able to cool down to the correct temperature or at all.

Here’s how to check the compressor in your mini-fridge:

1. Make sure the power is still switched off to your mini-fridge.
2. Locate the compressor at the back of your mini-fridge.
3. Use your multimeter to test the compressor for continuity (you need to place the probes onto the pins that are on the side of the compressor).
4. If the compressor is faulty, it will need to be replaced by a qualified technician as it’s a very difficult repair to make. However, compressors cost a lot of money, so you might decide that you’re better off buying a new mini-fridge instead.