Quick checks first
- Check the temperature setting. Fridge sections should be around 3 to 5°C and freezers around -18°C. Someone may have turned the dial by mistake.
- Make sure the doors close fully. Overpacked shelves or a dirty door seal let warm air in. Close the door on a sheet of paper: if it slides out easily, the seal isn't sealing.
- Listen to the fridge. A normal fridge hums quietly. Total silence may mean the compressor isn't starting; repeated clicking every few minutes usually points to a start relay problem.
- Check the back or bottom vents. The condenser releases heat. If it is covered in dust or the fridge is pushed tight against the wall, it can't cool.
- Look for ice on the back wall of the freezer. A thick ice layer usually means the defrost system has failed.
7 common causes in Dubai homes
| Cause | Typical sign | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Dirty condenser coils | Fridge runs constantly, sides feel hot | Clean coils |
| Condenser fan stopped | Compressor hot, no fan noise at the back | Replace fan motor |
| Evaporator fan failed or iced | Freezer cold, fridge warm, no airflow | Defrost and replace fan |
| Defrost system fault | Thick ice on the freezer back panel | Replace heater, sensor or timer |
| Start relay / overload | Clicking, compressor won't stay on | Replace relay |
| Refrigerant leak | Slowly losing cooling over weeks | Find leak, repair, recharge |
| Compressor or inverter board | No cooling at all, fans running | Test and replace |
Why Dubai summers are hard on fridges
A fridge works by moving heat from inside to the kitchen. When the kitchen is very hot, the fridge has to work longer to do the same job. In many Dubai flats, the kitchen has little ventilation, the fridge is squeezed into a cabinet gap, and fine sand dust collects on the condenser. All of these make the compressor run hotter and longer, which is why we see more relay, fan and compressor failures between May and September.
- Leave at least 5 cm of space behind and above the fridge.
- Clean the condenser every three to six months.
- Don't put hot food straight into the fridge.
- Don't keep a second fridge on an open balcony in summer.
When to call FixQara
If the simple checks don't help, or you notice clicking, oily marks near pipes or ice build-up, it's time for a technician. We test the fans, defrost system, relay, inverter board and refrigerant pressure. The inspection is AED 75, and you get the price before any work. Every part we install, from a fan motor to a compressor relay, carries a 1-year warranty.
While you wait: keep the doors closed. A closed fridge stays cold for several hours, and a full freezer can stay frozen for about a day.
