Galanz Fridge Not Cooling? (this is why)

There can be many reasons why your Galanz fridge has suddenly stopped cooling, from simple, easy to remedy, minor issues to complicated faults that need an engineer to repair. In this article we’ll look into possible causes and possible fixes too. So if you own a Galanz fridge that has suddenly stopped cooling, keep reading.

Common Reasons For A Galanz Fridge Not Cooling

Let’s start with the most common causes of any fridge including a Galanz fridge not working. These often have easy fixes that won’t involve calling out an engineer.

Fridge Not Plugged In

Obviously, any fridge that’s not connected to a power source won’t cool, but this is often what happens. Either it’s plugged in but the socket is switched off or you’ve forgotten to plug it in or sometimes it’s plugged in but not fully. If the plug isn’t fully pushed in, it won’t receive any power.

Fridge Door Problems

The most common issue here is the door has been left slightly ajar. This can cause the fridge to not cool because any cool air is escaping through the door gap. This is not only bad for the environment and costs you more in energy bills, but a partially open fridge door allows moisture to enter which can cause issues with frosting.

It might also be that the seals or gaskets have become detached from the door or have a layer of dirt buildup on them which is preventing the door from shutting properly. These should be cleaned regularly to ensure an air-tight seal all around the door. It might be worth adjusting the feet on the fridge so it tilts backwards just slightly to help the door stay shut.

Fridge Not Positioned Correctly

All fridges need space to allow airflow, and insufficient airflow can cause the fridge to not cool properly. Generally, there should be at least an inch and a half space between the back and sides of the fridge and the nearest wall. Also consider the space above the fridge, if it’s enclosed there should be a similar clearance above it as well.

Think about the actual position of the fridge also, never place a fridge in direct sunlight and make sure it’s away from any source of heating (radiators, vents, cookers etc). 

Incorrect Temperature Settings

It is easy to accidentally catch the temperature control when moving foods about in the fridge which could result in the temperature setting being too high. Or maybe, if you have a curious child at home, they could have turned the thermostatic controller without your knowledge. If you do need to adjust the temperature level be aware it can take a full 24 hours to reach the new set temperature.

Most Galanz fridges have 8 cooling levels to choose from and the majority of experts suggest a setting of 4 allows the best level of cooling. This can be adjusted if necessary depending on the amount of food stored in your particular fridge.

If the fridge is new and you’ve just set it up, you need to allow 3 hours for a mini fridge to start cooling at all, never mind achieving its set temperature. This time increases to 8 hours for a newly installed full size fridge. If, after 24 hours or so, you find the contents are still not cold enough try lowering the temperature setting on the fridge.

A broken or damaged thermostat prevents the fridge from cooling and should be replaced. To check if the thermostat is working, turn the dial from low to high and listen for a click. If it doesn’t click it’s likely it needs replacing.

Storage Issues

In any fridge whether it’s a mini fridge or a full size fridge/freezer, the way you stock it can cause issues. Be sure to allow airflow especially around air vents and never block them. Vents aside, never cram as much in as possible because an overstocked fridge needs more energy to function correctly.

You might need to adjust the temperature controls if you fill the fridge to its maximum capacity and adjust them again as the fridge empties. On the other hand, if the fridge is too low on contents it has to work even harder to maintain a cold environment because there’s insufficient food to support its ability to cool. A good tip is to fill the fridge with bottled water if it’s fairly empty to assist with the cooling process.

Less Common Reasons For A Fridge To Stop Cooling

Now that we’ve looked at the more common issues that can prevent a fridge from cooling correctly, let’s have a look at the less common, but just as important, reasons. Many of these will need an engineer to fix and it’s worth checking to see if your warranty covers any of these.

Sealed System Leaks

The way a fridge works is, a compressor lets gas in at low pressure which is then forced at high pressure to the condenser. As the pressure of the gas increases, it causes the gas to increase in temperature. 

The condenser removes that heat turning the gas into a liquid which passes through an evaporator. The cool liquid absorbs warmth from the air within the fridge which turns it back into a low pressure gas which returns to the compressor to repeat the same process. 

The compressor, evaporator and condenser are collectively known as the fridge’s sealed system. If there is a leak anywhere within this system, the fridge cannot cool the air down sufficiently which could be why it’s not cooling.

Faulty Sealed System

To discover if the fault is with the compressor, you will need to check whether the compressor is running or not. This is easy to check because compressors make a noise, if it is making a noise it’s not the compressor. If the compressor is running but the fridge isn’t cooling it could be a problem with the condenser or a leak in the pipe known as the capillary tube.

Evaporator

If it’s not that, it could be a problem with the evaporator. The evaporator is where the gas is evaporated to produce the cooling of the system. Not all Galanz fridges have evaporators, some have evaporator coils which in some cases can become frozen. If the evaporator coils do become frozen, they block the cool air from travelling through the system.

Condenser

If the condenser coils are dirty, they will not function correctly and won’t remove heat from the fridge. If you find the condenser coils on your fridge are dirty, use the brush on your vacuum cleaner to clean them and then use a soft cloth to finish them off.

It could also be the condenser fan motor that’s at fault. It’s easy to check if the condenser fan motor is working correctly. Just spin the blades by hand, if they spin freely, the motor is probably working OK. If there is any resistance, it’s probably a faulty motor which will need to be replaced.

Likewise with the evaporator fan, you can check the blades by hand to see if the motor is running freely. 

Start Relay

This is the equivalent to the ignition system in a car. You hear a click just before the compressor starts working, that click is the start relay. If the start relay is not working correctly, the compressor will not run which results in the fridge not cooling.

If you discovered the problem was with the compressor, they can be expensive to replace and if your warranty has expired, you might be better off buying a new fridge. If you discover any fault within the cooling system we would advise calling a qualified engineer to diagnose, confirm, repair or replace any faulty parts.

Control Board Fault

Most modern mini fridges have a control board which is basically like the smart part of the fridge. The control board can set a specific temperature, save energy and operate a turbo cool if the door has been left open too long. If the control board stops functioning, the compressor won’t start.

As they are so expensive to replace, if the control board does go wrong it’s often cheaper to replace the fridge with a new one.

Troubleshooting A Mini Fridge

This video covers how to troubleshoot your mini fridge. Although the fridge featured in this video is not necessarily a Galanz fridge, almost all mini fridges work under similar principles.

How To Reset A Galanz Fridge

Galanz Fridges don’t have a reset button, but to perform a reset simply remove the fridge from the power supply and allow a few minutes to pass. Turn the temperature control to “0” and reconnect the power supply and set the thermostat to your desired setting.

When Should You Call In An Expert?

Unless you have the relevant skills necessary to start dismantling compressors, evaporators and such like, you should call in a fully qualified engineer for any of the problems we have classified as less common. We advise this for your own personal safety and the safety of your home and family.

Frequently Asked Questions