Refrigerator Won't Cool & Is Clicking

Check to make sure the refrigerator is plugged in and that the breaker has not been thrown, and then check the temperature controls. If the fridge has no power, flip the breaker to restore power or plug the fridge back in. Then, set the thermostat to the correct temperature.

Listen for the compressor. This unit, which is located at the back of most refrigerators near the bottom, compresses gas and sends it through the condenser tubs as part of the cooling process. If the compressor motor is not running, the fridge won't cool. If you can't hear any sound coming from the compressor unit over a period of several minutes, it will need to be repaired or replaced by a professional.

Open the refrigerator door and look for vents on the inner wall of the fridge. They will be near or on a shared wall with the freezer. Put your hand in front of the vents. You should feel air flowing through them when the compressor is running. This indicates that the circulating fan is working. If it is not working, the fan's motor may be broken and it will need to be repaired or replaced by a professional.

Open the freezer door and look for frost buildup on the inner walls of the freezer. This usually indicates an issue with the evaporator coils -- specifically, that they have a buildup of frost. To test for this, empty out the fridge, unplug it, leave the doors open and let it warm up for two days. Then, plug it back in. If it cools just fine, it is because that buildup of frost on the coils melted away during those two days, but this also means you have a problem with the self-defrosting system, which should be diagnosed by a professional.

Shine a flashlight under the refrigerator and see if the condenser coils and fan are dusty or otherwise dirty. This can hamper the fridge's ability to cool itself. Unplug the refrigerator and use a vacuum hose to clean the dust and debris off the coils and fan.