Quick answer
A Frigidaire refrigerator not cooling in both compartments usually has dirty condenser coils, a stalled condenser fan, or a compressor that will not start, while a warm fresh food section with a cold freezer points to the evaporator fan, a stuck damper, or a bad thermistor. Clean the coils and clear the vents first. Then test the thermistor: about 10K ohms at room temperature is normal.
The temperature pattern is the starting point for diagnosing a Frigidaire refrigerator that is not cooling. A cold freezer beside a warm refrigerator suggests a different path from two warm compartments, with airflow and temperature sensing among the possibilities. This guide organizes the checks by that pattern so the repair follows the evidence rather than a guess about which part has failed.
Quick Facts
| Detail | At a Glance |
| Difficulty | Easy to Moderate |
| Time | 15 to 60 minutes |
| Tools | Refrigerator thermometer, coil brush, 1/4 inch nut driver, multimeter, flashlight |
| Part Cost | $0 to $220 |
| Skill | Beginner for coils and checks, intermediate for thermistor and board tests |
Why Is My Frigidaire Refrigerator Not Cooling?
A Frigidaire refrigerator not cooling needs a diagnosis that considers both compartments; a cold freezer beside a warm fridge often points toward airflow or temperature sensing.
The following details help narrow the decision.
| Condition or Detail | Meaning or Next Consideration |
| both compartments warm vs fresh food warm | cold freezer |
A symptom points toward a system, but several parts in that system may cause it; the useful question is which observation separates those parts. Visible damage gives stronger evidence than a guess from age alone. An electrical fault needs a reading made at the right points.
Why Is the Frigidaire Refrigerator Not Cooling or Freezing?
A thermistor is a sensor whose electrical resistance changes with temperature; the control uses that change to judge how cold the compartment is. A sensor can send a wrong signal even when cooling parts still work. Dirty coils, fan faults, and compressor problems create other patterns.
Keep these points in mind.
- Compressor not running or running hot
- Condenser fan stalled
- Start relay clicking
- Control board sending no 120 VAC
- Sealed-system loss for a technician
A symptom points toward a system, but several parts in that system may cause it; the useful question is which observation separates those parts. Visible damage gives stronger evidence than a guess from age alone. An electrical fault needs a reading made at the right points.
What would make this part a poor choice? A sound test result means you need to consider the other causes before ordering it.
Why Is the Frigidaire Refrigerator Not Cooling but the Freezer Is?
These signs need to be read together; a single symptom can point to more than one cause, so the condition of the related parts matters too.
Keep these points in mind.
- Evaporator fan silent
- Evaporator coil frosted from a defrost fault
- Damper stuck closed
- Fresh food thermistor reading wrong so the damper never opens
A symptom points toward a system, but several parts in that system may cause it; the useful question is which observation separates those parts. Visible damage gives stronger evidence than a guess from age alone. An electrical fault needs a reading made at the right points.
How to Test the Thermistor on a Frigidaire Refrigerator With a Multimeter Step by Step
Follow these steps to complete the covered procedure for Frigidaire refrigerator not cooling on Frigidaire FRS6LF7FS4.
Unplug and Drop the Control Housing
- Unplug the fridge.
- Remove the three recessed 1/4 inch screws beneath the housing.
- Remove the filter.
- Remove the right rear screw behind the filter.
- Remove the rear water line cover screw.
- Remove the two left recessed control screws.
- Lower the housing.
Disconnect the Refrigerator Thermistor Harness and Read Resistance
- Disconnect the refrigerator thermistor harness.
- Set the meter to ohms.
- Place a lead on each connector terminal.
- Compare the room temperature reading with about 10,000 ohms.
Test the Freezer Thermistor the Same Way
- Test the freezer thermistor in the same way if the refrigerator sensor passes.
- Treat a room temperature reading far from the stated value as a failed sensor.
Reassemble and Restore Power
- Lift the housing back up.
- Refit its three front screws.
- Fit the screw behind the filter.
- Fit the water line cover screw.
- Fit the two side screws.
- Restore power.
What Resistance Reading Should a Frigidaire Thermistor Show?
Use the stated test condition as well as the reading; a normal value at the wrong temperature or terminals can lead to the wrong conclusion.
The following details help narrow the decision.
| Condition or Detail | Meaning or Next Consideration |
| about 10K ohms at room temperature | Use this observation to narrow the fault before choosing a replacement. |
| resistance rises as the sensor chills and falls as it warms | Judge the sensor signal under the correct temperature and test conditions. |
| OL or a reading that does not change | replace |
| both sensors normal | look at the fan |
| damper | Use this observation to narrow the fault before choosing a replacement. |
| or board | Consider this after the related parts and wiring have been ruled out. |
Resistance is measured in ohms with the part disconnected from power; a kilohm is 1,000 ohms. Continuity means there is an electrical path through the tested part. OL usually means that path is open or beyond the meter range.
Should You Repair the Fridge, Call a Technician, or Replace It?
Choose the repair that matches the confirmed fault; a cheaper part will not help if it belongs to a different part of the system.
Keep these points in mind.
- Coil cleaning $0
- Thermistor $10 to $25
- Evaporator fan $50 to $120
- Damper $40 to $100
- Control board $90 to $220
- Technician for a sealed-system or compressor fault at $400 to $900
- Replace when the fridge is over 10 to 12 years old and the repair tops half its value
A low-cost part is a good choice only when it corrects the confirmed fault; cleaning can solve a blockage, but it cannot repair a cracked housing or an open winding. A control board should come later in the diagnosis because a bad connection can create the same symptom. Parts cost is only part of the decision.
FAQ
How Long Should a Frigidaire Take to Cool After a Repair?
The fridge needs time for its contents and air to cool after repair. The load, room heat, and door opening affect the wait.
Can a Door Left Open Overnight Cause a Lasting Cooling Problem?
A long open door can admit moisture and cause frost that blocks airflow. Closing the door may not immediately remove that ice.
Does the Thermistor Test Work on Every Frigidaire Model?
No, the 10,000 ohm room temperature value applies to the covered sensor setup. Other models need their own resistance data.
Getting the Fresh Food Section Cold Again
You have a clearer path when the symptoms, model, and test results agree; focus on the failed part and keep the nearby wiring, mounts, and seals in view. A sound diagnosis helps the repair solve the original problem.
Check the full model number, then choose the compatible thermistor, fan, or damper to restore normal operation.
