Maintenance & Troubleshooting

What to do when your fridge runs too long, smells, or starts making noises it shouldn't.

• How to Clean Your Refrigerator Condenser Coils (and Why It Cuts 15% of Energy Use)

  Dusty condenser coils make the compressor work 15 to 25 percent harder. The 30-minute cleaning routine that saves energy and extends compressor life.

• Why Your Refrigerator Door Seal Fails (and How to Test and Replace It)

  The dollar bill test diagnoses a failing refrigerator gasket in 30 seconds. Replacement runs $30 to $80 and prevents 15 to 25 percent of energy waste.

• Why Is My Refrigerator Running Constantly? Diagnosing the Three Most Common Causes

  A constantly-running refrigerator usually points to one of three causes: dirty coils, a failing door seal, or rising ambient temperature. How to diagnose each.

• Refrigerator Smells: What's Causing It and How to Get Rid of It for Good

  Smelly fridges have four common causes. Here's how to diagnose each one and the permanent fixes that work better than ongoing baking soda.

• Refrigerator Strange Noises: What Each One Means and When to Call a Repair Tech

  Hums, clicks, rattles, and hisses each signal something different. Here's how to decode refrigerator noises and which ones mean it's time for service.