Symptoms
- Milk, eggs, or produce freezing in the fridge
- Ice crystals forming on food not in the freezer
- Fridge feels much colder than usual
- Vegetables in the crisper drawer freezing
Likely causes
- CommonThermostat set too coldAn accidental bump of the dial or a setting too low for the room can over-cool the fridge.
- CommonAir damper stuck openThe damper controls how much cold air flows from the freezer to the fridge; stuck open, it lets in too much.
- PossibleFaulty thermostat or temperature sensorA failing sensor can tell the system to keep cooling past the point it should stop.
- CommonFood stored right against the rear wall or ventItems directly at the cold air vent freeze even if the rest of the fridge is normal.
What to do
- Check the temperature dial and set it to a mid-range setting (around 37F) rather than the coldest setting.
- Move food away from the rear wall and vents, since that area is always coldest.
- Locate and check the air damper (often near the top of the fridge section) for anything blocking it open.
- Wait 24 hours after any adjustment before checking again, since fridges take time to stabilize.
- Use an appliance thermometer placed in the middle of the fridge to get an accurate reading rather than guessing.
- If the temperature stays too low despite a mid-range setting, the thermostat or control board may need replacing.
- Note whether the problem is fridge-wide or only near one vent, which helps narrow down damper versus thermostat.
Tools and parts
- Appliance thermometer
Refrigerator temperature control thermostatSearch: “refrigerator cold control thermostat”
Air damper controlSearch: “refrigerator damper control assembly”
When to call a pro
If adjusting the dial doesn't stop the freezing after a full day, an appliance technician can test the thermostat and damper control.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.