What to check if my commercial refrigerator stops cooling?

When you are operating a commercial kitchen, you must have reliable refrigeration. If your refrigerator stops cooling or starts to leak, it can be very dangerous for your employees and can cause damage to your building and property.

Here is what you should do if your commercial refrigerator stops cooling:

Check the fuses or circuit breakers.

  • Check the fuses or circuit breakers in your electrical panel. If a fuse has blown and needs to be replaced, note which one it is and replace it with a new one.
  • Ensure there aren’t any loose wires in your refrigerator’s cooling system. If you find any loose wires, repair them immediately to prevent further damage from occurring.

Verify the evaporator fan and condenser fan are running.

The compressor should run when your refrigerator is on, but if it doesn’t, check to make sure that:

  • The condenser fan runs when the compressor is running (and not making noise).
  • The evaporator fan is running when the compressor is not running.

Check if the compressor is running.

Turning your thermostat to the lowest setting can check if the compressor is running. If it’s not, you’ll need to look at other possible issues with your refrigerator.

If the compressor is running but still isn’t cooling properly, it may be wrong. See if any fuses or circuit breakers are in use near your commercial refrigerator’s location (in most cases, these will be on an electrical panel).

If one has blown out and needs replacing, do so before continuing with this guide!

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Check if the condenser coils are blocked.

Check the condenser coils for blockage if your refrigerator is not cooling properly. The condensers are located on the back or bottom of a commercial refrigerator and are designed to remove heat from the inside of them by transferring it into the air that flows through them.

If these coils become blocked with dust, they will not work properly and may require cleaning.

To clean your condenser coil(s), use either:

  • A soft brush (or hand vacuum) to remove any loose debris from inside of each coil compartment; or
  • Compressed air (if you have access to this type of tool) is sprayed directly onto each compartment within the unit’s interior.

Check if the evaporator fan is running and not making noise.

If you hear a noise coming from the evaporator, one or more of the following has likely happened:

  • The refrigerant lines have become disconnected.

    If this happens, air will blow into your refrigerator instead of flowing through its cooling coil. This causes warm air to enter the compartment and raise its temperature above freezing (32 degrees F).
  • A foreign object has become lodged in the fan blades or motor housing, causing them to vibrate excessively or stall completely until removed by hand.

Check the temperature setting.

If the refrigerator is set to a temperature that is too high, it may not cool properly. If the temperature is too low, it could cause damage to your refrigeration system and prevent it from working correctly.

Check the system’s power status.

If your refrigerator has stopped cooling, checking the system’s power status first is important. First, you should make sure that the refrigerator is plugged in and that all its internal components receive power.

Check whether or not a circuit breaker or fuse has tripped, as well as if there is an electrical problem with either component.

You can also inspect the wiring and connections for any signs of damage or corrosion, which could cause short circuits; if this is found, contact an electrician as soon as possible so they can make repairs before further damage occurs!

If none of these checks reveal any issues with your refrigerator’s electrical system (assuming no other problems have been reported), inspect other components.

Check the defrost timer’s settings.

If the timer is set to defrost too often, it will overheat the motor and burn out the compressor.

In addition, if your refrigerator is not being defrosted enough, you may notice that the food inside isn’t staying cold as long as it should.

To check if your defrost timer is set properly:

  • Turn off the power to your refrigerator at its circuit breaker or fuse box.
  • Remove any shelves and drawers from inside so you can see all parts easily (this step isn’t necessary if there aren’t any shelves or drawers).
  • Locate a small dial on top of one side panel near where it meets up with another part; this knob controls how often your refrigerator defrosts itself when temperatures get too high inside – it’s called a “defrost cycle” or something similar on most models.

    If there are multiple knobs like this one (one for each compartment), make sure all are turned clockwise until they click into place; this ensures that no other compartments will be affected by changes made here before proceeding further down below!

Look for leaks in your system.

In addition to checking your refrigeration system’s performance, you should also check for leaks. Leaks can occur at any point in the system and cause it to run inefficiently.

To check for leaks:

  • Check the compressor for oil seepage around its base.

    If there is any sign of oil leakage, replace your compressor with a new one immediately – an experienced technician must professionally install the unit for them to install it so that it won’t leak again!
  • Check condenser coils using soapy water on nearby walls or ceilings and underneath where they connect (this will help show up any potential problem areas).

    Look closely because even small amounts can lead over time until eventually becoming big enough problems that repairs may become necessary sooner rather than later!
  • Check evaporator fan motor bearings by holding onto each end while turning gently back and forth; if noise is heard,, replacement might be necessary soon – especially if it seems like something is wrong with either speed control mechanism inside itself too!

Be sure to have a trained professional repair your commercial refrigerator if it stops cooling or you see signs of a leak.

If your commercial refrigerator stops cooling or you see signs of a leak, be sure to have a trained professional repair it. It can be dangerous for untrained individuals to try and fix their refrigerators.

If they do not know what they’re doing, they could cause more damage than good by damaging the wiring or pipes within the unit. They may also injure themselves by being electrocuted or exposed to gas leaks while working on it.

Bottom Line.

If your commercial refrigerator stops cooling, it can be a severe problem. Not only does it mean that your food will spoil, but the lack of refrigeration may also affect other equipment in your kitchen or restaurant.

If this happens to you, don’t panic!

Many things could be wrong with your system, and we’ve outlined some steps above that will help guide you through this process. If none of them work out for whatever reason, then it might be time for an expert opinion.

If you are looking for local and certified commercial refrigeration specialists in Palm Beach County, Broward County, and nearby South Florida areas, schedule a visit today with green technology specialists. At Green Refrigeration LLC (561) 303-7303, we provide fast, reliable, and high-quality services – 24/7.


Refrigerator Not Cooling?

If you see that your refrigerator is not cooling, call only experts. We repair all major appliances in Palm Beach County, Boca Raton, City of Stuart, Delray Beach, Jupiter, and surrounding South Florida areas.


– Warning Signs?

One of the most important warning signs is the temperature setting of the freezer, especially when it drops to 41°F (5°C) or below. Call us at (561) 303-7303 for a free consultation. Our priority is to help you to avoid costly.