Temperature Issues Troubleshooting - Refrigeration
Issue
Refrigerator is too warm
Freezer is too warm
Unable to change temperature settings
Applies to
- French Door Refrigeration
- Quad Door Refrigeration
- Side by Side Refrigeration
- Top Mount Refrigeration
- Bottom Mount Refrigeration
- Single Door Refrigeration
Solution
Refrigerators work by transferring heat from the food inside to the outside air. This operation makes the back and sides of the refrigerator feel warm or even hot particularly at start-up and on warm days – this is normal.
Avoid placing food against the air vents in the refrigerator as it affects efficient circulation.
If the door is opened frequently, a light frosting will occasionally occur on the freezer’s interior. This is normal and will clear after a few days.
If the freezer door is accidentally kept open, heavy frost will coat the inside walls and should be removed.
Refrigerator is too warm
Adjust the refrigerator to a colder setting
Ensure food is allowed to cool before placing inside the refrigerator.
Ensure the appliance has adequate ventilation, check installation.
Ensure that contents are not obstructing the cooling vents.
Ensure the door is not held open or is being opened too frequently.
If you have a Top Mount, check the temperature settings
Freezer is too warm
Adjust temperature to a colder setting.
Ensure food is allowed to cool before placing inside the freezer.
Ensure the appliance has adequate ventilation, check installation
Ensure that contents are not obstructing the cooling vents.
Ensure the door is not held open or is being opened too frequently.
If you have a Top Mount, check the temperature settings
Installation Checks
- Do not put the refrigerator in a location that is too cold or is unprotected, for example in a garage or on a veranda.
- The ambient temperature should be above 10°C.
- Put the refrigerator in a dry place avoiding areas of high moisture or humidity.
Top Mount, Bottom Mount
Ensure adequate ventilation.
The diagram below shows the recommended airspace to allow for ventilation of your refrigerator.
If you have a cupboard above the refrigerator with a rear gap of less than 100 mm (Y), recommended clearance at the top of the refrigerator increases from 30mm to 70mm (X) minimum.
Note: Doors are designed to sit proud of cabinetry (not flush). The clearances shown above are the recommended minimum clearances.
French Door - Westinghouse
Ensure adequate ventilation
The diagram below shows the recommended airspace to allow ventilation of your refrigerator.
If you have a cupboard above the refrigerator with a rear gap of less than 100 mm (Y), recommended clearance at the top of the refrigerator increases from 30mm to 70mm (X) minimum.
The clearance at the rear should not exceed 75mm
French Door – Electrolux
Ensure adequate ventilation
The diagram below shows the recommended airspace to allow ventilation of your refrigerator.
The clearance at the rear should not exceed 75mm
Note: French Door Refrigeration can be installed proud or flush fit. The clearances shown above are the recommended minimum clearances.
When positioned in a corner area, spacing of right side at least 219 mm and left side at least 310 mm on the hinge side will allow the doors to open enough to enable the removal of bins and shelves.
The clearance at the rear should not exceed 75mm
Side by Side Refrigeration
Your Side by Side Refrigerator can be installed between cupboards or fixtures, but you must consider the following spaces around the cabinet:
1. Allow a minimum of 50mm clearance on both sides.
2. Allow 50mm clearance at the back of the refrigerator.
3. Allow 20mm clearance above the hinge covers.
4. Allow a 349 or 427mm clearance on the hinge side of the doors, if you place the refrigerator next to the wall.
5. Make sure that cupboards or fixtures do not stick out further than the refrigerator cabinet.
The clearance at the rear should not exceed 75mm
Note: Doors are designed to sit proud of cabinetry (not flush). The clearances shown above are the recommended minimum clearances.
Quad Door Refrigeration
Minimum side clearance kitchen cabinet
Fridge must sit 50mm proud of kitchen cabinetry.
Minimum cabinetry opening (W x D x H) 928mm x 613mm x 1807mm
Front of fridge body in line with kitchen cabinet
Side clearance must be 72mm either side of fridge body, to have the fridge doors sitting proud of the kitchen cabinetry.
Minimum cabinetry opening (W x D x H) 1052mm x 663mm x 1807mm
Fridge door flush with the cabinetry
Side clearance must be 153mm either side of the fridge, to have the fridge doors sitting flush with the kitchen cabinetry.
Minimum cabinetry opening (W x D x H) : 1215mm x 784mm x 1807mm
Note: Top gap all 25 mm
The clearance at the rear should not exceed 75mm
Temperature Control
The factory default settings.
Top mount
Refrigerator Mid
Freezer Mid
Bottom mount & French door
Refrigerator 3°C
Freezer -18°C
All Refrigerator Mid
All Freezer -18°C
If you want to change the temperature, follow the instructions in the section about the user interface for your model. Ensure that you make only small adjustments and wait 24 hours to see if it’s correct to your liking.
NOTE: When you set a temperature, you set an average temperature for the whole refrigerator cabinet.
Checking the softness of ice cream is a good indication that your freezer is the right temperature, while checking the temperature of water kept in the refrigerator is a good way of checking the temperature of the food compartment.
Temperatures inside each compartment may vary, depending on how much food you store and where you place it.
High or low room temperature may also affect the actual temperature inside the refrigerator
Top Mount Freezer adjustment
Freezer temperature setting recommendation
Unable to change temperature settings - Electronic user interface models
Refer to sections “temperature control” and “about the user interface”.
Electrolux user manual – temperature settings
Westinghouse user manual – temperature settings
Note: Ensure that user interface is in "awake" mode before trying to adjust temperature settings.
Contact an Authorized Service Centre.
If the above steps don't resolve the issue, we recommend contacting an Authorized Service Center.
Electrolux Book a Service
Westinghouse Book a Service