Washer Not Draining? 6 Common Causes and Repair Costs in Utah
A clogged pump filter, a kinked hose, a failed drain pump or a bad lid switch cause most washers that hold water. Here is how to narrow it down and what it costs.
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Why is my refrigerator not cooling?
A refrigerator usually stops cooling for one of 7 reasons: dirty condenser coils, a stalled condenser or evaporator fan, a frosted evaporator from a defrost failure, a stuck air damper, a failed start relay or compressor, a door gasket that leaks, or a fridge in a garage that is too cold. Most are fixed in one visit for approx. $200 to $600.
If the checks below do not bring the cold back, our refrigerator repair in Utah technicians fix French door, side-by-side, top-freezer and built-in models from Whirlpool, GE, Samsung, LG, Frigidaire, KitchenAid and Sub-Zero.
Is the freezer cold or warm too?
This one question splits the problem in half. If the freezer is cold but the fridge is warm, the cold air is not reaching the fridge: think fans, frost and the damper. If both are warm, the system is not making cold at all: think coils, the condenser fan, the start relay or the compressor.
| What you notice | Most likely cause |
|---|---|
| Freezer cold, fridge warm | Evaporator fan, frosted coil, stuck damper |
| Both warm, compressor humming | Dirty coils or a stalled condenser fan |
| Both warm, clicking every few minutes | Start relay or compressor |
| Frost on the freezer back wall | Defrost heater, sensor or control |
| Warm only near the door, sweating | Torn or loose door gasket |
| Garage fridge, freezer thawing in winter | Garage too cold for the thermostat |
What are the 7 common causes?
1. Dirty condenser coils
The coils under or behind the fridge shed heat. When dust and pet hair cover them, the fridge runs hot and cools poorly. Cleaning them takes 10 minutes.
2. A stalled condenser fan
This fan cools the coils and compressor. If it stops, both sections warm up and the back of the fridge feels hot.
3. A stalled evaporator fan
This fan sits behind the freezer wall and pushes cold air into the fridge. If you cannot hear it with the freezer door open and the switch pressed, it may have failed or iced up.
4. A frosted evaporator coil
The defrost heater melts frost off the coil a few times a day. If the heater, sensor or control fails, frost blocks the airflow. A thick white wall of frost behind the freezer panel is the sign.
5. A stuck air damper
The damper opens to let freezer air into the fridge. When it sticks shut, the fridge warms while the freezer stays cold.
6. Start relay or compressor
The start relay helps the compressor kick on. A bad relay clicks every few minutes while nothing cools. A failed compressor is sealed system work and costs more.
7. Door gaskets and the garage problem
Utah's dry air makes rubber gaskets crack and stiffen sooner, which lets warm air leak in. And a fridge in a cold garage can stop cooling the freezer in winter, which we explain below.
Food warming up? Call now for same-day refrigerator repair in Utah.
What can you check safely before you call?
- Check the temperature dial or display. Set the fridge to 37°F and the freezer to 0°F.
- Clear the vents inside the fridge and freezer. Packed food blocks the airflow.
- Clean the condenser coils with a coil brush or vacuum. Unplug the fridge first.
- Listen at the back. The condenser fan should spin when the compressor runs.
- Test the door seal by closing the door on a dollar bill. If it slides out easily, the gasket is leaking.
- Try a manual defrost if you see heavy frost: unplug for 24 hours with towels down. If it cools again and then fails, the defrost system needs repair.
Do not chip at frost with a knife, and do not try to add refrigerant. Both can puncture the sealed system.
Why do garage fridges stop cooling in a Utah winter?
Most refrigerators have one thermostat in the fridge section. In a garage that drops below about 50°F, as many do from Ogden to Spanish Fork in December and January, the fridge section stays cold on its own, so the compressor rarely runs. The freezer then warms up and food can thaw. The fridge is not broken. It is just too cold around it.
The fix is a garage-ready model rated for cold rooms, a small garage heater kit some brands sell, or moving the fridge indoors for winter. In summer the opposite happens: a hot garage makes the fridge run nonstop, which wears out fans and relays faster.
What does refrigerator repair cost in Utah?
Most refrigerator repairs in Utah cost approx. $200 to $600 with parts and labor. The diagnostic visit is usually approx. $95 to $150. Fans, relays and defrost parts sit at the lower end. Compressor and sealed system work sits at the top. You get the price before any work starts.
| Repair | Approx. cost |
|---|---|
| Evaporator or condenser fan | $200 – $400 |
| Defrost heater, sensor or control | $200 – $450 |
| Door gasket | $200 – $400 |
| Start relay or compressor, sealed system | $300 – $600 |
Repair or replace?
Repair usually wins if the fridge is under about 10 years old and the repair is less than half the price of a new one. Built-in models like Sub-Zero are almost always worth repairing. If a 15-year-old fridge needs a compressor, compare the quote with a new unit first.
We cover the Wasatch Front, including appliance repair in West Jordan, appliance repair in Murray and appliance repair in Kaysville. If you searched for appliance repair near me, see all the cities we serve on our Utah service areas page.
Why is my refrigerator not cooling but the freezer is?
Cold air is made in the freezer and blown into the fridge. If the evaporator fan stalls, the coil frosts over from a defrost failure, or the air damper sticks, the freezer stays cold while the fridge warms up.
Why does my garage refrigerator stop working in winter?
Most refrigerators are built for rooms above about 50°F. In a cold Utah garage the fridge section rarely asks for cooling, so the compressor barely runs and the freezer can thaw. A garage-rated model or a garage heater kit fixes it.
How much does refrigerator repair cost in Utah?
Most refrigerator repairs in Utah cost approx. $200 to $600 with parts and labor. The diagnostic visit is usually approx. $95 to $150. Sealed system and built-in repairs can cost more, and you get the price first.
How long will food stay safe in a fridge that is not cooling?
Keep the door shut. Food stays safe for about 4 hours in a closed fridge once it stops cooling. A full freezer holds for about 48 hours, a half-full one about 24. Move perishables to a cooler with ice if the repair will take longer.
