How to Adjust the Coldness in Your Refrigerator

Understand Your Settings

• Refrigerator temperature dials will be labelled differently depending on their brand and model. Most fridge dials have a setting range from 1 to 5 or 1 to 9; freezer dials sometimes utilize letters, such as A to E. An appropriate coldness setting is usually in the middle of the dial: 3 for a dial range of 1 to 5 is usually fine, and the factory setting for a 1-to-9 dial is usually 4. Freezers that range from A to E will usually work well if set somewhere between B and C.

Testing the Temperature

• If the temperature of the fridge is not as cold or as mild as you'd like, test it by placing a thermometer into the appliance. The freezer should register at zero degrees Fahrenheit, and the refrigerator should be somewhere below 40 degrees; 37 is ideal. For an easier way to measure, check the contents of your fridge. If your milk and juice products are too warm for your liking, change the dial on your fridge to a colder setting. Ice cream should stay frozen in the freezer. If it's getting soft or melting, make the freezer colder.

Everyday Factors Affecting Coldness

• Items placed in the very back of the fridge are close to the cold air which circulates through the appliance; for that reason they may become too cold. Move these items closer to the front of the fridge to avoid the issue. The temperature outside is also a factor; fridges kept in non-heated areas of your home, such as the garage, may fail to keep food cold if the outside temperature is colder than its settings. Excessive outside heat might also cause a similar problem.

Signs of Potential Mechanical Problems

• Inappropriate fridge temperature, or problems with its ability to cool, can indicate mechanical difficulties and it may be necessary to have the appliance repaired. A freezer that stays cold while the fridge does not indicates a potential defrost problem. If you find you must adjust your fridge's settings to keep your food cold even though the setting has been fine for some time, it may be a sign of a more serious problem.