Viking Refrigerator Not Cooling (5 Causes and Solutions)

viking refrigerator not cooling

Did you know that a faulty fridge can cost you up to $200 per year in wasted energy and food? If you own a Viking refrigerator, you know how efficient and reliable it is. But sometimes, even the best appliances can have problems that affect their cooling performance. If you notice that your Viking refrigerator is not cooling as it should, don’t panic. You don’t need to buy a new fridge. You just need to find out what is causing the issue and how to fix it.

A Viking refrigerator not cooling can be frustrating, costly, and unsafe. You don’t want to throw away your spoiled food, pay high energy bills, or risk your health. That’s why we are here to help you.

In this article, you will discover the most common reasons why your Viking refrigerator is not cooling and unmask easy and safe appliance repairs to restore its cool. So, read on for a close-up of the causes and their remedies.

Why Is Your Viking Refrigerator Not Cooling?

Refrigerators make it to the list of the most commonly used kitchen appliances. According to a statistic by Statista, the number of households in the U.S. using fridges reached 118.2 million in 2015. So, when your Viking refrigerator loses its cool, you can face different sorts of problems related to your budget, health, and overall comfort.

But why would a reliable Viking refrigerator face cooling woes? Unfortunately, there is no straightforward answer to this question, as there are various culprits involved, such as:

  • Inconsistent power supply
  • Bad door seal
  • Control board defects
  • Defrost drain blockages
  • Temperature sensor failure

Without further delay, let’s put these culprits under the microscope.

1a- Power Supply Issues

Unstable or inconsistent supply is one of your Viking fridge’s most common issues. This electrical problem stems from a defective outlet, power surges, a damaged power cord, a blown fuse, or a tripped circuit breaker.

Any of these issues can make your Viking fridge get insufficient power or no power at all. Ongoing and unattended power problems result in a struggling compressor that is unable to maintain steady refrigerant circulation. This ends with a partial or total loss of cooling efficiency.

1b- How To Fix Power Supply Issues

While many components contribute to your Viking refrigerator’s power issues, you can easily troubleshoot most of them. However, you should be familiar with handling and testing electrical components to avoid safety hazards. For your safety and to eliminate further damages call an electrician to do the electrical work.

Now, let’s examine the sneaky culprits:

  1. Inspect the outlet: Start by ensuring that the fridge is securely plugged into the outlet. Then, unplug the fridge and plug in another appliance. If the other appliance doesn’t work, the outlet is not working. Replacing an outlet is not a DIY task. It’s better to call in an electrician.
  2. Rest the circuit breaker: Check your home’s circuit breaker panel and find the switch that controls the power to your fridge. If the switch is off, flip it back on. If this switch trips again, this indicates a short circuit or electrical overload. In both cases, you need professional intervention.
  3. Press the reset button: Refer to your user’s manual to identify whether your Viking fridge has a reset button. If so, pressing this button might resolve temporary glitches.

2a- Faulty Door Seal

In the refrigerator world, door seals are also known as door gaskets. The main function of this rubber strip that surrounds the door is to create an airtight seal between the inside and the outside of the fridge. A functional seal prevents the cold air from escaping and the warm air from entering the fridge, maintaining the proper temperature and airflow inside the fridge.

Over time, this gasket might become loose or even develop cracks, compromising the cooling performance and the overall functionality of your Viking refrigerator.

2b- How To Fix Faulty Door Seal

Besides the visual inspection of the rubber seal, you can perform a dollar bill test to ensure the seal is faulty. Close the fridge door with a dollar bill halfway inside the seal. pull it out. If you can do it without resistance, it indicates potential seal failure.

Fixing the door seal isn’t possible with your Viking appliances plugged into the wall outlet. After unplugging it, follow these steps:

  1. Find the door switch: Tap this switch down to prevent accidental turning on of the light. When this happens, the light can generate heat that might prevent proper sealing of the door.
  2. Locate the metal retainer of the seal: This is a thin metal strip that holds the seal in place. Find its screws and remove them to take off the failed seal.
  3. Clean the frame: Use a damp cloth to wipe down the frame and the retainer and free them from any type of buildups like dirt and debris.
  4. Install the new seal: Place the new seal over the retainer. Then, align it with the grooves.
  5. Use a hairdryer to straighten the seal: In case the new seal is wrapped, use moderate heat from your hairdryer to make it smoother and more flexible.

3a- Defective Control Board

While the fridge’s compressor acts like its heart, the control board is like its brain. This means that this board orchestrates the fridge’s main functions, from maintaining temperature to sending signals to the compressor. Any malfunction in this board threatens the harmony of the system work.

Frost buildup in the freezer, refrigerant leak, click noise, or error codes on the digital display are a few examples of the effects of a malfunctioning control board.

3b- How To Fix Defective Control Board

A Viking refrigerator’s control board is a sensitive and expensive component. Therefore, you shouldn’t attempt any repairs on it unless you have enough knowledge and previous experience. If you don’t have either of them, seek the help of a certified repair technician.

  1. Check for error codes: If there are any visible error codes on the display, try to understand their meanings and troubleshoot them accordingly. This provides valuable clues about the problem.
  2. Locate the board: Before diving deep into these components, unplug the appliance from the electrical outlet. Find the main control board behind the back panel. Remove the panel’s screws to have access.
  3. Check for damage: Inspect the board for visible damage signs such as frayed wires or damaged components. You can use a multimeter to test the board and any of its components.
  4. Replace the faulty board: Replacing a malfunctioning board requires disconnecting the wires and connectors from the old board and attaching them to the new one.

4a- Defrost Drain Blockages

This drain is a small plastic tube tucked inside the freezer compartment of your Viking refrigerator. It consists of a small hole at the back of the freezer that allows the melted water from the defrost system to drain into a pan under the refrigerator. During a defrost cycle, the defrost heater melts the frost buildup on the evaporator coils to maintain the cooling efficiency of the fridge.

Then the drain collects the melted water and eventually evaporates in a hidden pan. This smooth operation is interrupted by dust, frost, and food particles preventing the water from draining properly.

If you want telltale signs of a blocked drain, you should watch out for the following:

  • Uneven cooling.
  • Water puddles inside your Viking fridge.
  • Non-stop icy buildup inside the freezer.

4b- How To Fix Defrost Drain Blockages

Fixing a blocked defrost drain if you know how to access and clean it thoroughly. After unplugging the fridge, here’s what you should do:

  1. Find the drain: This drain isn’t far from the evaporator coils. So, look for it in the back of the freezer. If there is a protective panel, remove it with your screwdriver.
  2. Clean the drain: Free the drain hole from dirt or buildup by using a small brush or a pipe cleaner. Apply these objects gently to avoid damaging the delicate tube or the freezer wall.
  3. Pour hot water into the drain: Squirt some hot water down the drain to flush out any remaining blockages. You can use your turkey baster to avoid water spillage.
  4. Clean up and test: Use a dry cloth to remove excess water and dry the surroundings. Reattach the cover and re-plug the fridge to ensure the success of this fix.

5a- Temperature Sensor Failure

This tiny sensor measures the actual temperature of your Viking refrigerator. Then, it sends signals to the control board, which in turn adjusts the cooling cycles and other cooling requirements.

Defective sensor sends incorrect signals or stops signaling the board. This ends up with your Viking refrigerator not cooling or overcooling. In both cases, you are risking the fridge’s longevity and energy consumption.

5b- How To Fix Temperature Sensor Failure

In most cases, the only fix for a faulty sensor is installing a new one. To successfully do this, you need sufficient knowledge with electrical components of fridges. Also, you’ll need a screwdriver, a multimer and a new sensor.

  1. Locate the sensor: Find this sensor in the back part of your Viking refrigerator. Refer to the manual for location specifications, as it varies per model.
  2. Remove the sensor from its harness:  Use the screwdriver to detach the senor from the wire harness. Take note of their original connections for correct reconnection later.
  3. Install the replacement sensor: Insert the new temperature sensor into the designated slot. Ensure it fits in its place and secure it with its plastic cap and holding screws.
  4. Reassemble the appliance: Do the above steps in a reverse order to restore the original shape of your Viking refrigerator.

Conclusion

Now that you understand why your Viking refrigerator is not cooling as expected, you can find the right fix. Equipped with sufficient knowledge about fridge’s components and a sturdy screwdriver, you can diagnose and fix the root causes of your lukewarm Viking fridge.

Remember to prioritize your safety and disconnect the appliance from any power source and test malfunctioning electrical parts with a multimeter for proper diagnosis. Refer to the manual for testing instructions and reading ranges.

If at any point you feel in-confident in your skills or the problem persists despite your repair attempts, make in-home service calls and get professional aid from the right people.

If you are interested in knowing more about Viking appliances troubleshooting, check out some similar blogs below.

Viking Freezer Not Freezing: 5 Easy Ways To Fix It Now

How To Replace Refrigerator Compressor: Step-By-Step Guide

Rate this post
DMCA.com Protection Status
error: Content is protected !!