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When a refrigerator fails to cool, the troubleshooting process typically focuses on the cooling system. However, the process focuses on different causes if only the lower part lacks cooling, but the upper part is as cold as it should be.
When your double-door fridge fails to cool at the lower part, check for an ice buildup. That can prevent the cold air from being distributed from the evaporator coils. A damaged evaporator fan blade can cause the same outcome. Besides that, overloading the lower shelves can restrict cold airflow and a worn-out gasket can cause cold air to leak.
This guide will tell you everything you need to know to troubleshoot this problem effectively. As you read through, you’ll discover how to restore cooling to the lower part of your double-door refrigerator.
Why Is My Samsung Double Door Fridge Not Cooling In The Lower Part?
When troubleshooting your refrigerator’s cooling problems, you must consider at all the symptoms. That will save you time and effort by making the process much more efficient.
In this case, your double-door refrigerator still has cooling. That’s excellent news because it means the cooling system is working. However, the lack of cooling in the lower part means that cooling isn’t distributed evenly throughout the appliance and its compartments.
So, here are the reasons that happens and what you can do to resolve the problem:
Frost And Ice Buildups
The first and most common reason for uneven cooling is frost and ice buildup.
Remember: your refrigerator creates a cold and dry environment inside. When warm air and moisture find their way into the compartment, they’ll produce frost that sticks to surfaces in the compartment.
That frost buildup will gradually become more severe until it forms a solid block of ice and causes problems.
In this case, the ice buildup is likely occurring at the evaporator coils or evaporator fan at the lower part of the refrigerator.
As a result, the refrigerator fails to distribute cold air at the bottom part of the refrigerator’s compartments.
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What you can do: You can resolve this problem by removing the ice buildup at the bottom part of your refrigerator. Do not use tools to try and chip away at that ice, as that might cause damage to the refrigerator’s panels.
A slow and thorough approach is safer and much more effective. For example, you can shut the refrigerator off and open the doors. Doing that allows the ice to melt away naturally.
Read: 5 Reasons Why Samsung Fridge Not Cooling + Service Manual + DIY Heater
Damaged Fan Blades
Aside from an ice buildup, the problem can also occur due to damaged fan blades. As you read earlier, the evaporator coils inside the unit are accompanied by evaporator fans. These fans blow cold air from the coils into the compartment, helping them cool the space evenly.
Unfortunately, those spinning fan blades can suffer damage and break off. For example, those blades might have hit a previous ice buildup in their path. Or, perhaps rigid food packaging was pushed into the air vent and was struck by the fan blade.
Whatever the cause, a damaged fan blade can no longer move air effectively. That will leave the lower part of the refrigerator without any cold air distribution, even though other components are working correctly.
What you can do: Damaged or broken evaporator fan blades can’t be fixed. Thankfully, though, they’re pretty affordable and quick to replace.
You’ll have to remove the back panel to access the fan and motor. Then, remove the damaged fan blades long with any pieces that broke off. Lastly, attach the new fan blades and test the fan.
Read: Why Samsung Fridge Is Making “JackHammer” Noise?
Restricted Airflow
When it comes to refrigerators, it’s all about smooth airflow throughout their compartments. That smooth airflow allows the cooling system to remove heat and distribute cold air.
So when you discover that only the lower part lacks cooling, the problem might not be with the refrigerator or its compartments. Instead, the airflow in that lower part is likely so restricted that none of the cooling is being distributed throughout the area.
That typically happens when you pack the lower part with too many food items. Food containers, especially in different shapes and sizes, restrict air from moving past them to cool the space.
Besides that, soft packaging like plastic does not maintain a rigid shape. Instead, they fill up the space and prevent air from flowing past.
As a result, the lower part of the fridge feels significantly warmer than the other part.
What you can do: If this is the root cause of your problem, there is no repairing, servicing, or part replacements necessary. Instead, you must remove excess items from the bottom part and rearrange things to restore airflow.
You can prevent this problem from reoccurring by keeping your refrigerator organized and using food containers with rigid shapes. That way, cold air will always have a way of flowing past and keeping the space cool.
Read: 3 Ways To Fix Samsung Fridge Not Cooling After Power Outage
Damaged Door Gasket
No matter how cool a refrigerator becomes,mucht of it will go to waste if the door gasket is not in excellent condition. That’s because the gasket helps the door from an air-tight seal when you shut it firmly.
Once you rule out all other possibilities, inspect the lower portion of the door gasket. You’ll likely find that it’s damaged or worn out, allowing air to escape from the bottom of the door.
When that happens, the lower part of your double-door refrigerator will feel significantly warmer than the top, leading you to believe it’s not cooling.
What you can do: Unfortunately, you must replace the whole door gasket. That’s true despite only the bottom half being damaged and leaking cold air.
You can do that quickly by removing the existing door gasket and sliding the new one in its place.
Read: 5 Reasons Why Samsung Fridge Evaporator Fan Is Not Working
Final Thoughts
Troubleshooting your refrigerator’s cooling problems becomes much easier when you’re aware of all the symptoms involved. For instance, if the fridge lacks cooling but only on the bottom part, that means the cooling system is still functioning. However, an ice buildup, damaged fan blades, restricted airflow, and a damaged door gasket can keep the lower part warm. That’s because they prevent cold air from spreading out evenly throughout the bottom part and staying there to lower temperatures.
