Why Is My Sub-Zero Fridge Not Cooling Properly?

Why Is My Sub-Zero Fridge Not Cooling Properly?

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If your Sub-Zero is not cooling properly, it can be just simple basics that are easy to fix or cases of deeper severity that require professional attention and, often, Sub-Zero repairs.

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Simple and easy to fix basics

Incorrect temperature settings

Often insufficient cooling is just a result of improper temperature settings, which was unintentionally adjusted to the higher temperature. So, check the temperature settings are those you need and adjust them if necessary. The recommended temperature settings are 3–4 °C for a fridge section and -18°C for a freezer section.
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After temperature adjustment, wait 24 hours for your Sub-Zero to reach and stabilise at the new temperature.

Neglected maintenance

One of the most common causes of poor cooling lies in neglected maintenance. So, check at least the following fridge components and arrange for them proper maintenance:

• Door seals: clean sticky debris, arrange a replacement for cracked seals
• Condenser coils: arrange coil cleaning to remove the dust (the dust prevents proper heat release)

​Note, the official guidance recommends hiring a professional for coil cleaning as doing the task yourself may damage the appliance.

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Cases of deeper severity

Fan, motor, or control board failure

To understand whether it is a fan failure to blame for insufficient cooling, listen for the fan when the fridge is running. If the fan is silent, there could be some blockages between the fan blades or there can be a problem with the condenser fan motor.
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Another severe cause of improper cooling is a control board failure. In any of the cases, you need to turn to a professional Sub-Zero repair engineer.

Issues with the refrigerant system

Sometimes, insufficient cooling may be a result of refrigerant leak and its low level. Both refrigerant refill and refrigerant system repair are complicated tasks that only a certified professional can perform (F-Gas certification). 

To conclude, it is worth mentioning that models with an electronic display can help you identify the issue, showing an error code or a flashing "SERVICE" indicator. In any case, you can always count on our Sub-Zero engineer, F-Gas certified to deal with the refrigerant system and proficient in Sub-Zero repairs.

Use our guide to know why your Sub-Zero fridge is not cooling properly