Help! My Viking Refrigerator Won’t Cool.

Viking appliances are one of the best appliances you can purchase for your kitchen. So when you discover your Viking refrigerator not cooling, you’re going to be looking for answers. We’ve compiled a list of common reasons a Viking refrigerator won’t cool properly to help you troubleshoot the problem.

Top Reasons Why Viking Refrigerator Not Cooling

If your Viking refrigerator’s not cooling but the freezer works there may be an issue with the thermistor, temperature control thermostat, or failed evaporator fan. If your Viking refrigerator and freezer won’t cool, it may be a problem with the compressor start relay, control board, compressor, or condenser fan.

Troubleshooting Guide for a Viking Refrigerator that Won’t Cool

If your Viking refrigerator is too warm, start by setting the refrigerator control to the next lower number by pressing the DOWN button. Wait 30 minutes to see if the refrigerator starts cooling properly.

A few DIY solutions when your food temperature is too warm:

The door isn’t closing properly.

• Check that the refrigerator is level. If not, level the refrigerator.
• Ensure the door gaskets are sealing properly. If the door isn’t sealing, ensure that there is no food (like jam) causing an improper seal. Clean the seal thoroughly.

You’re opening the refrigerator too frequently. When the kids are home from school and there’s a lot of activity in the house, it’s common for the refrigerator to open and close frequently. If there’s been a lot of activity in the house, keep the refrigerator door closed for an hour to see if that resolves the cooling problem.

Food has recently been added. If you’ve recently added a lot of food, especially warm food and drinks, you may see a temporary rise in refrigerator temperature.

Also note: The front of the refrigerator cabinet may be warm to the touch. This is normal. This prevents moisture from condensing on the cabinet. This condition will be more noticeable when the refrigerator is first started, during hot weather and after excessive or lengthy door openings.

How to Reset a Viking Refrigerator

If your Viking refrigerator is not cooling, it may beep to notify you that the temperature has been too warm for too long. If your Viking refrigerator is beeping, you can reset it by pressing the “Alarm Off” button on the control panel.

You can also reset your Viking refrigerator by unplugging it and waiting a few minutes. Keep in mind, that it can take up to 24 hours for a Viking refrigerator to cool down after installation or temperature adjustments.

Let’s take a look at the most common reasons a Viking refrigerator runs warm that may require a technician’s help.

Dirty Condenser Coils

Condenser Coils are responsible for dissipating heat from the refrigerator as the refrigerant passes through them. When the condenser coils get dirty, they are unable to work efficiently.

When the condenser coils no longer dissipate heat efficiently, your refrigerator won’t maintain a proper temperature. If your Viking refrigerator won’t cool properly, first check to see if the condenser coils are clean and free from debris.

To clean the condenser coils, start by locating the coils. Condenser coils on a Viking refrigerator are usually located in the front of the refrigerator behind a grill, behind the refrigerator, or behind a panel on the back of a refrigerator. Refer to your Owner’s Manual for the location of the condenser coils on your Viking refrigerator.

• Next, clean up any dirt or debris from where the refrigerator was located. You may need to sweep and mop.
• Then, disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply.
• Remove the panel or grill in order to access the condenser coils.
• Use a vacuum to gently clean the surfaces of the coils.
• Clean in between the coils with a coil brush and vacuum any dust that falls loose. Be careful to not bend the coils.
• Before replacing the panel, clean off any dust.
• Reattach the panel, plug your refrigerator back in, and then slide it back into place.

Here’s what your Viking condenser coils may look like if you haven’t cleaned them!

Photo Courtesy of Tiger Mechanical.

Thermistor

If you’ve found your Viking refrigerator warm, the thermistor may be defective. The thermistor monitors the refrigerator temperature and initiates the regulation of other refrigerator components. If the thermistor isn’t working properly, the compressor and evaporator fan may not run when they should.

If your thermistor is failing, your Viking refrigerator may beep until the problem is resolved. Disable the beeping by pressing the “Alarm Off” button on the control panel. However, if the beeping comes back test the thermistor with a multimeter to determine if it has continuity. If the thermistor does not have continuity, it needs to be replaced.

Evaporator Fan

The evaporator fan distributes cold air to keep the refrigerator cool. If the refrigerator section is too warm,  you may have a faulty evaporator fan.

The evaporator fan brings the air over the evaporator coils, then circulates that cooled air into the refrigerator and freezer. The evaporator fan not working correctly prevents cold air from circulating, resulting in the refrigerator not maintaining proper temperature.

After disconnecting the power supply, try manually turning the evaporator fan blade. If the blade does not turn freely, or if you’ve noticed it’s too noisy, you’d be wise to replace the evaporator fan motor.

Temperature Control Thermostat

The temperature control thermostat may be responsible for finding your Viking refrigerator warm. The temperature control thermostat is responsible for running the compressor, evaporator fan motor, and the condenser fan motor. If the thermostat is not working properly, the refrigerator will not maintain proper temperature.

One way to check the thermostat is to rotate the dial from the lowest setting to the highest setting and see if you hear a click. If you don’t hear the thermostat click, the next step is to use a multimeter to determine if the thermostat has continuity at all settings. If the thermostat is faulty at any setting, you’ll need to replace the thermostat.

When to Call a Viking Repair Technician

If you want the peace of mind of having Viking Refrigerator Factory Authorized Service to expertly diagnose and repair the problem, contact a professional immediately.