24/7/365 Emergency

Commercial Refrigerator Not Cooling?

Why is my commercial refrigerator not cooling properly? Common causes, what you can check, and when to call technicians.

6-Month Warranty

24/7/365

Emergency

Service-call pricing

All tiers applied to the cost of the repair when work is done.

Standard
Most appliances + brands
$99
Luxury
High-end (Sub-Zero, Wolf, Miele, BlueStar, Thermador, etc.)
$125
Commercial
Walk-in coolers, commercial laundry, restaurant equipment
$175

Warranty: 6-month parts, 6-month labor. Technician quotes the repair on-site before any work.

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Appliance Down? Instant SMS & Email Confirmation.

Submit below — you get an instant SMS + email confirming we've received your request. Our dispatcher locks in your tech's exact arrival time within 1 business hour. Live tracking link in every message.

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Most jobs scheduled same-day or next-day.

Required fields marked *. Up-front pricing — diagnostic fee disclosed before dispatch.

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Categories collected: identifiers (name, phone, email), customer records (service address, appliance brand/model), commercial information (service type, problem description), and internet activity (page visited, referrer).

Purpose: provide the appliance repair service you request, communicate with you, comply with tax/warranty/contractor-licensing law, and (with your separate consent) send marketing messages.

Retention: 4-7 years per tax and warranty requirements.

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Sensitive PII: service address and any photos a technician takes during repair are sensitive personal information under CPRA. See Privacy Policy §6.1 for details and the Right to Limit Use.

No payment required. You'll get an SMS + email confirmation as soon as our dispatcher reviews — usually within 1 business hour.

Common causes of commercial refrigerator not cooling

Dirty Condenser Coils

importantCan DIY check

Dust and debris on the condenser coils prevent the refrigerator from releasing heat effectively. This makes the compressor work harder and can lead to insufficient cooling.

Faulty Evaporator Fan Motor

criticalPro recommended

The evaporator fan circulates cold air within the refrigerator compartment. If this motor fails, cold air won't be distributed, causing the unit to warm up.

Thermostat Malfunction

importantPro recommended

The thermostat controls the temperature inside the refrigerator. If it's not reading the temperature correctly or sending the right signals, the cooling system may not engage when needed.

Door Seal Issues

importantCan DIY check

Worn or damaged door gaskets allow cold air to escape and warm, moist air to enter. This forces the cooling system to run constantly without maintaining the desired temperature.

Refrigerant Leak

criticalPro recommended

A loss of refrigerant means the system cannot transfer heat properly. This is a serious issue that requires professional attention to locate and repair the leak and recharge the system.

Defrost System Failure

importantPro recommended

The defrost system prevents ice buildup on the evaporator coils. If it fails, ice can accumulate, blocking airflow and reducing cooling efficiency.

Quick checks you can run safely

  1. 1

    Check Door Seals

    Inspect the rubber gaskets around the doors for any tears, gaps, or signs of wear. Ensure the doors are closing completely and creating a tight seal.

    Safety: Be careful not to pinch fingers when closing doors.
  2. 2

    Listen for the Evaporator Fan

    Open the refrigerator door and listen carefully. You should hear a fan running inside the freezer or refrigerator compartment. If you don't hear it, the fan might be the issue.

    Safety: Be cautious of any moving parts inside the appliance.
  3. 3

    Clean Condenser Coils

    Locate the condenser coils (usually on the back or underneath). Unplug the refrigerator and carefully clean away any dust or debris using a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment or a specialized coil brush. Plug the unit back in after cleaning.

    Safety: Always unplug the appliance before cleaning coils to prevent electrical shock. Coils may have sharp edges.
  4. 4

    Verify Temperature Settings

    Double-check that the thermostat is set to the correct temperature. Sometimes settings can be accidentally changed.

  5. 5

    Check for Airflow Obstructions

    Ensure that food items are not blocking air vents inside the refrigerator or freezer compartments, as this can impede cold air circulation.

When to call a pro right away

  • You suspect a refrigerant leak.

    Refrigerant is a hazardous substance that requires specialized equipment and certification to handle. Improper handling can be dangerous and illegal.

  • The compressor is not running, or you hear unusual noises.

    These symptoms can indicate serious mechanical or electrical problems with the core components of the cooling system, requiring professional diagnosis and repair.

  • The unit is not cooling at all, and basic checks haven't resolved the issue.

    A complete loss of cooling often points to a failure in a critical component like the fan motor, thermostat, or sealed system, which needs expert attention.

  • You notice signs of electrical issues, such as sparking, burning smells, or tripped breakers.

    Electrical problems pose a significant risk of fire and electrocution and should only be handled by qualified technicians.

Saw a red flag above? Don't wait.

Same-day service. transparent service-call pricing (applied to repair) — applied to your repair.

Typical repair time once diagnosed: 120 minutes

Related issues we fix

Error code on your display?

Look up your brand's error codes for commercial refrigerator not cooling — we cover the most common codes for each brand we service.

This page provides general diagnostic guidance for commercial refrigerator not cooling. Specific causes and repairs vary by appliance brand, model, and condition. For accurate diagnosis, contact a licensed appliance repair technician. Repairs involving refrigerant systems, gas lines, or high-voltage circuits require certified professionals — DIY attempts on these systems may be illegal and dangerous.

How our repair process works

Five steps from your first call to the warranty receipt. No surprises.

  1. 1

    Inspection

    Your technician examines the appliance, listens to your description, and notes the model + serial for parts lookup. Visual + audio-based diagnostics first — non-invasive.

  2. 2

    Diagnostics

    Targeted tests on the failing subsystem (compressor, control board, heating element, motor, etc.) to identify the exact root cause. You get a clear explanation, not jargon.

  3. 3

    Fix decision

    Up-front estimate before any work begins: cost, parts, and the realistic likelihood of success vs. recommending replacement on an old or uneconomical unit. You decide.

  4. 4

    Operational test

    After the repair we run the appliance through its normal cycle on-site — never "it should work now, call us if it doesn't." You sign off when it's actually working.

  5. 5

    Warranty + consultation

    Receipt with warranty terms in writing. Plus a quick walkthrough of how to extend the appliance's life (filter cleaning, drain maintenance, etc.) — included free.

What our customers say

Excellent4.8Verified Google Reviews
View all on Google
Sherri D'Alessandro

Sherri D'Alessandro

5 months ago
Google

Such a great company! They went above and beyond, very professional, and I will be recommending them to all my clients, friends and family!

Kevin Dvorscak

Kevin Dvorscak

9 months ago
Google

Sean was very knowledgeable and professional. He saved the day! Our dryer was no longer heating. He came out the same day and diagnosed a burnt out heating coil. He was able to get it replaced and back up and running in about an hour! Thanks again!

Bonnie Hall

Bonnie Hall

9 months ago
Google

Sean was efficient and considerate. Got our icemaker working, but also explained to me how to fix it, if it freezes. He was very knowledgeable in all things appliances any make and model!!!

Alfred Mapp

Alfred Mapp

a year ago
Google

I can't say enough about the service I received from Sean at STAR Appliance Repair fixing my dishwasher. Sean diagnosed the problem, available parts, and completed the service the following day all while giving me step by step instructions so I was aware of t…

Gidget Rao

Gidget Rao

6 years ago
Google

Our Samsung french door refrigerator had been icing up on the inside. Took a chance on this local repair company and what a blessing they were. I only had to wait 24 hours from the first call to have a repairman come to our home. I called on a Thursday to s…

Hours of Operation(all times EDT)

Mon8am–6pm EDT
Tue8am–6pm EDT
Wed8am–6pm EDT
Thu8am–6pm EDT
Fri8am–6pm EDT
Sat9am–4pm EDT
SunClosed
24/7/365 Emergency Service — live dispatcher answers around the clock. Emergency response within 4 hours in most service areas. When your appliance is down, we move fast.
Same-Business-Day Response Available — call before noon for priority scheduling in your service area.
Weekend Service Available— we work Saturday and Sunday for operators who can't wait until Monday.
Office hours: Mon–Fri 7:30am–4:30pm EDT. Emergency dispatch available 24/7/365.

Appliance Down? Instant SMS & Email Confirmation.

Star Appliance Repair same-day available. Tech arrival time confirmed within 1 business hour.