Purchasing a high-quality Danby appliance is like a breeze of fresh air. You can’t stop being excited about its new features for days or weeks. But as time passes, even high-end appliances can malfunction.
You know something’s up when it feels cooler outside your Danby mini fridge than inside.
And when Danby mini fridge is not cooling, you need to diagnose it to determine whether the problem is big or small, much like a standard-size fridge.
Before throwing the towel and defining the end of your compact refrigerator life span, you should troubleshoot the issue properly. That’s what we’re here for.
Why is your Danby Mini Fridge Not Cooling?
There is nothing like reaching over to your mini fridge and helping yourself and your friends to a drink. Mini fridges are very convenient if you place them in a garage, games room, or cellar.
But you can start doubting that convenience if they aren’t cooling properly. If the Danby mini fridge is not running correctly, the first thing to check is the door gaskets, compressor, and thermostat.
Other issues might range from evaporator coils to the control board and start relays. But why do they malfunction, and how to get your mini fridge on the road to repair?
Read on to find out.
1. Dirty condenser coils
Condenser coils dissipate heat as refrigerant passes through them. It is usually located under the fridge. When condenser coils are dirty, they cannot dissipate the heat effectively. Your mini fridge becomes less efficient as the debris builds up on the coils.
And if the condenser coils are significantly dirty, the Danby mini fridge won’t be able to maintain proper temperature.
2. Condenser fan motor
The purpose of the condenser fan motor is to draw air through the condenser coils and over the compressor. If it doesn’t work properly, the fridge won’t be able to cool. It is as simple as that.
3. Evaporator fan motor
The evaporator fan motor serves a similar function to the condenser fan motor. It draws air over the evaporator coils and circulates it throughout the refrigerator.
Some refrigerators have more than one evaporator fan motor; if yours has one, you can find it in the freezer compartment.
If the evaporator fan fails to work properly, it won’t circulate the cold air to the fridge compartment. In this case, the freezer will be cold, while the fridge won’t even be close to being cold.
4. Start relay
The start relay and start winding work in conjunction to start the compressor. If the start relay is faulty, the compressor will fail to run sometimes or won’t run at all. As a result, the Danby mini fridge won’t be cooling.
5. Temperature control termostat
The compressor, condenser fan motor, and evaporator fan motor are powered by the thermostat, which directs the voltage to them. So, if the temperature control thermostat doesn’t work properly, the whole refrigerant system won’t run.
6. Start the capacitor
When the compressor starts, the part that provides the power is the start capacitor. If it fails to provide power to the compressor, the latter won’t start, and your fridge won’t cool.
7. Temperature control board
The cooling system generally consists of the compressor and fan motors. The temperature control board provides voltage to them to ensure a seamless cooling process. Correspondingly, if the control board is faulty, expect issues with the cooling.
8. Thermistor
Power sent to the compress and fans is regulated by the control board. But the part responsible for monitoring the temperature and sending it to the control board is the thermistor.
If the thermistor is defective, it won’t read the temperature properly, altering the work of the compressor and fans altogether.
9. Compressor
Very often, there are issues with the components that power the compressor. Although a faulty compressor is rarely the case, you shouldn’t overlook it.
A compressor is a pump that compresses the refrigerant and circulates it through the evaporator and condenser coils. If the compressor fails, the refrigerant won’t cool.
10. Main control board
The faulty main control board is the last but not very common reason Danby mini fridge is not cooling, a rarely occurring reason, to be exact. Still, if none of the other constituent parts are faulty, you need to call a professional to check the main control board.
How to fix a Danby Mini Fridge Not Cooling?
Since mini-fridges are a huge convenience, you have all right to be mad when they don’t function as they’re supposed to. However, don’t rush to throw out a perfect Danby mini fridge.
Why it doesn’t cool properly could be as simple as an inappropriate thermostat temperature.
So, let’s see what you can do.
1. Change thermostat temperature
You can easily change the setting and alter the temperature setting while moving things in and out of your mini fridge. So it won’t cool as it is supposed to.
Check the temperature dial and turn it to a cooler setting to fix that. The dial might be cracked if your Danby mini fridge is already on the coolest setting but still not cold enough.
Correspondingly, it would help to use pliers to turn the thermostat dial.
2. Check the condenser fan motor.
The fan blades are first checked when troubleshooting the condenser fan motor. There should be nothing obstructing the way. Then try turning the fan blades by hand. You need to replace the condenser fan motor if they don’t spin freely.
If there are no obstructions and the blades spin freely, use the multimeter to test the condenser fan motor for continuity and replace it if there are none.
3. Check the evaporator fan motor.
As with the condenser, check if you can turn the evaporator fan blade by hand. If it doesn’t, replace the motor.
Additionally, listen to know if the evaporator fan motor produces any unusual noises. The last step is also to check the evaporator fan motor for continuity.
4. Check the start relay
Before you replace the start relay, ensure it is defective with the multimeter. If there is no continuity between the run and start terminal sockets, it is a sign you need to replace the start relay.
Breathe a sign of relief. Replacing the start relay is very quick and inexpensive. A new start relay should cost you no more than $15, and you only need a flathead screwdriver.
First, unplug the fridge from the power source and turn the mini-fridge around. Remove the compressor clip to take off the cover on the start relay.
Then wedge a screwdriver between the starter relay to pull it away from the back of the fridge. It will come out in two pieces. As you go on, unplug the white and blue wires to disconnect the old pieces.
Slide the start relay back in place and put the cover back on. Replace the compressor clip, and you’re good to go.
5. Check the temperature control thermostat.
Rotating the thermostat from the lowest to the higher setting will help you determine if it is defective. Listen for a click. When the temperature thermostat is defective, it won’t click. Then it would be best to use the multimeter to check for continuity.
6. Check the thermistor
There are quite a few things in your Danby fridge that you need to check with a multimeter. You get it by now.
The thermistor resistance should change along with the refrigerator temperature. If the resistance doesn’t change or the thermistor has no continuity, it’s better to replace it.
7. Check the compressor
A compressor is one of the last components you need to check when the Danby mini fridge doesn’t cool since it is less likely to fail than other parts. If you’ve checked the continuity between electrical pins on the side of the compressor and there is none, it’s bad news.
A compressor is one of the most expensive and complex parts to replace.
8. Check the temperature control board.
Since control boards are often misdiagnosed, you should test all other, more defective components before replacing the control board. However, replace the control board if no additional parts show any deterioration.
Adrian is an ISCET licensed professional that has completed the National Appliance Service Technician Certification Exam and has the expertise to diagnose and repair any appliance. He is well-versed in the latest technologies and techniques and is always up-to-date on the latest industry standards.
