Is your Magic Chef refrigerator not cooling properly? Are you frustrated with the warm fridge, spoiled food, and the insanely increasing energy bills? Don’t panic, as it is a common issue in many households.
Before taking drastic measures like replacing a motor or getting a new refrigerator, you should give DIY solutions a chance. From adjusting the temperature control thermostat to maintaining the condenser coils, we’ll accompany you on the troubleshooting journey.
In our comprehensive DIY guide, we’ll unmask the common causes behind a magic chef refrigerator not cooling and provide reliable solutions.
So, read on to revive the long-missed cooling efficiency of your magic chef refrigerator.
Why Is Your Magic Chef Refrigerator Not Cooling? (And How to Fix It)
When your Magic Chef Refrigerator loses its cool, it can be a head-scratcher. You can blame various culprits in this situation, such as malfunctioning gasket seals, a faulty compressor, bad coils, etc.
According to a survey by Consumer Reports, refrigerators not cooling problems come in fifth place among homeowners complaints. But the good news is that some simple tweaks in a few components may revive the cooling efficiency of your Magic Chef refrigerator.
Now let’s take a deep dive into the major causes behind this problem and their fixes:
1a- Power Source Switched Off
Is that obvious? Well, this power play is straightforward, but it can turn your fresh veggies into mushy, wrinkled, and soggy salads. This issue commonly surfaces when there is a power outage.
Also, when you do regular cleaning or maintenance on the appliance and forget to plug it back in, Either way, when there is no power reaching the fridge, its cooling system ceases operation, causing a gradual temperature rise.
Eventually, food quality, safety, and freshness will remain in jeopardy if this problem remains unattended.
1b- How To Fix A Power Source Switched Off
Troubleshooting this issue requires little to no skills or DIY knowledge. All it takes is checking the power source. Getting the power back to your Magic Chef refrigerator is possible through the following:
- Tracking the cable: Ensure the power cord is firmly plugged into the wall outlet. Sometimes, this power cord may appear plugged, but it may get easily bumped by misplaced objects like a broom. So, double-check this connection.
- Checking tripped breakers: Check your home’s electrical panel for any tripped breakers. Flip them back to restore the fridge’s power.
- Losing extension cords: A faulty extension cord can sometimes prevent or at least weaken the electrical flow. So, plug directly into a wall outlet for optimal power.
2a- A Problematic Door Gasket
This external component is one of the most common reasons behind the escape of cold air from your Magic Chef refrigerator. The door gasket is a rubbery (plastic or silicone) keeper that locks cold air inside the appliance and locks warm air out.
This component may get cracked or damaged over time, allowing the coolness of your mini fridge to leak out. The result? bad food quality increased energy consumption and decreased the lifespan of your Magic Chef refrigerator.
2b- How To Fix A Problematic Door Gasket
Fixing a faulty door gasket can be a breeze if you follow these steps:
- Disconnect from the power source and ensure its empty.
- Grab your flashlight to clearly inspect the entire gasket for dust, cracks, or wear signs.
- Sometimes, debris, tiny dust, and grime particles may be the reason behind the gasket’s failure to do its job.
- When found, you can easily wipe down this dirt buildup with a damp and soapy piece of fiber cloth.
- In other cases, a misshaped or misaligned gasket makes the door fail to close correctly. Bring it to its original shape using warm air from a hairdryer. Also, you might unscrew its holding screws to readjust its alignment.
- Lastly, if the gasket is torn, it’s time for a replacement. As you did in the previous step, you need to loosen the screws using a screwdriver or a hex wrench.
- Install the new gasket seal and tighten the screws to maintain it in the right position.
3a- Frost On Evaporator Coils
Think of the evaporator coils of your Magic Chef fridge as the cooling powerhouse. So, whenever your appliance experiences unusual cooling issues, these tiny components make it to the list.
Tucked behind the fridge’s back panel, these coils carry the cooling refrigerant within the appliance. So, what happens when any obstructions accumulate on these tubes? The airflow gets blocked, and your fridge’s cooling powers weaken.
Frost clogging these coils is a major culprit behind poor cooling. This buildup is usually associated with a worn-out door seal, or a malfunctioning defrost cycle.
3b- How To Fix Frost On Evaporator Coils
As you already know, frost accumulation on the coils of your Magic Chef mini fridge is a major red flag. You can easily resolve this problem without the help of an electrician by following these steps, but you shouldn’t attempt this troubleshooting process without unplugging the fridge.
- In most Magic Chef refrigerators, these coils are behind the access panel at the back of the fridge. In some models, they are nestled at the back of the freezer.
- Loosen the panel’s screws to remove it. Once removed, you’ll reveal the frost-covered coils.
- Now, it’s deforestation time. You can do this by using a hair dryer gently and keeping a safe distance to melt the frost without damaging the fragile tubes. The other way is to sit back and relax while the frost melts naturally.
- Use a damp cloth to clean the defrosted coils to remove excess moisture.
- Some advanced models spare you all this effort through their defrost mode. If this is your fridge, you can activate a defrost cycle and let the appliance do all the work.
- Before testing your fridge, check the door gasket and replace it if needed. Follow the above-explained instructions for checking and replacing the gasket.
4a- Incorrect Temperature Controls
This is another simple issue that many homeowners overlook when their Magic Chef fridges lose their cooling efficiency. Most users think of major defects and consider serious steps including getting a new fan or a fresh main control board.
This simple issue may happen with unintentional bumps on the temperature control board or accidental improper setting. Either way, your fridge will struggle to maintain the ideal cooling temperature, leading to extreme freezing or poor cooling.
4b- How To Fix Incorrect Temperature Controls
Readjusting your fridge’s temperature isn’t a complex job and doesn’t require hassle, tools, or unplugging the appliance. In these few steps, we’ll explain how to restore the fridge’s ideal temperature:
- Find the fridge’s thermostat control, which is nestled inside the appliance.
- Check the current temperature. You can refer to the manual for the ideal settings. But in general, the fridge’s temperature should be between 37- and 40-degrees Fahrenheit and the freezer’s temperature should be around zero- and five-degrees Fahrenheit.
- Turn the dials to adjust the temperature accordingly. But remember to do this gently.
5a- Malfunctioning Air Vents
Air vents play a crucial role in your Magic Chef cooling system. They are mainly responsible for distributing and regulating the cold airflow. Think of them as traffic directors of cool air, as they channel it throughout different refrigerator compartments.
But clogged vents won’t function properly, and the distribution of cool air becomes inconsistent and uneven.
Usually, food and ice particles are to blame for these blockages. Eventually, this imbalance can result in pockets of warmer temperatures, jeopardizing the overall cooling performance.
In addition to making your Magic Chef refrigerator not cooling, obstructed vents show the following symptoms:
- Annoying gurgling noises instead of the usual humming sound.
- Increased condensation in various parts of the fridge.
- Noticeable ice buildup around the vent openings.
5b- How to Fix Malfunctioning Air Vents
Are you tired of being stuck with a lukewarm fridge instead of a cool haven? If you tried all the previous solutions and none worked out, it’s time to unclog the vents. You can easily find choked vents if you take a look at the back of the fridge. Also, you can remove shelves or drawers to expose more hidden vents. Troubleshooting these vents requires disconnecting the fridge from the power source for your safety.
For efficient freeing of your plugged Magic Chef refrigerator, follow these steps:
- Remove the screws of the fridge’s access panel, which is found in its back.
- Check the vents carefully to identify the type of blockage. In case of dust blockages, you can use a piece of cloth or a soft brush to remove the buildup. However, if ice buildup is present, you can wait for it to melt.
- While in the back, take a peek at the refrigerant system lines near the evaporator. Any visible damage or leaks could indicate a bigger issue beyond clogged vents. In this case, you may call a technician for reliable troubleshooting.
- Don’t rush into giving your magic chef refrigerator a test drive just yet. Test the door switch to ensure that the fridge has a sealed system.
Conclusion
Now that you are aware of the common problems making your Magic Chef refrigerator not cooling, it’s time to repair your lukewarm fridge. Bring your screwdriver, a flashlight, a piece of cloth, and a hairdryer (optional), and get ready to explore your fridge from the insides to revive its coolness.
Follow our diagnostic and troubleshooting guide to understand what’s holding your fridge from preserving your food fresh and crisp.
Feeling less confident in your DIY skills? It’s not too late to seek professional help. If you experience further problems with your Magic Chef freezer, take a look at this relevant blog post for proper troubleshooting tips:
Magic Chef Freezer Not Freezing
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.
