Nobody wants to open the door to find melted ice cream, defrosted meat or mushy vegetables. The window to act is small, but thankfully there are things you can do.
Many modern appliances come with a high-temperature alarm that alerts you when the freezer temperature becomes dangerously high. It's worth checking our reviews though, as we sometimes find models where this alarm, although listed by the manufacturer, didn't activate when we tested it.
Need a new appliance? These are the we've tested.1. Quick initial checks to make
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the GalaxyThere are a few things to check first before you make any sudden decisions.
Check the power Check the controls Check the door seals Check the condenser coils Check if it needs defrosting2. Protect your food from spoiling
If your fridge freezer has really gone to the great appliance showroom in the sky, you'll want to at least try to save its contents.
Keep the door closed while you make a plan to keep the cold in and the warmth out.
A cool box filled with ice or cool blocks, a portable camping fridge or a neighbour's fridge freezer can be used to rehome food in the short-term. Non-perishables, such as soft drinks, can be removed and stored in a cupboard for now. If your fridge freezer breaks in winter, you can keep food outside as long as it's in clean, dry conditions, out of direct sunlight and protected from animals. You should use a sealed box to prevent contamination and tampering. This is only really suitable for your fridge food, as temperatures in the UK thankfully rarely match those of a freezer.
Read our reviews of the for a model that will help protect your food.How long will your food stay safe if you keep the doors closed?
It also advises that food in your freezer should stay frozen for up to 48 hours in a full freezer (or 24 hours if it’s half full), but these are estimates.
If you have a fridge thermometer, you can use this to monitor the situation.
Food that normally requires refrigeration within the first four hoursFrozen food that has fully defrosted Partially defrosted foodFood that has to be kept frozen, such as ice cream3. Is it fixable, or do you need to replace?
Much like a computer, sometimes turning your fridge freezer off and on again can be enough to get it to start working again. Some higher-end models have a factory reset option on the controls panel. If yours doesn't have this, check the instruction manual for your model to see if there's a key combination you need to press to enable this.
Failing that, you can try unplugging it from the wall and waiting for the time specified in the instruction manual before plugging it back in. Wait for it to stabilise to a safe temperature before returning any food.
If that doesn't do the trick, here are some issues you might be able to fix yourself:
Water pooling in the base of the fridge Fridge keeps freezing food Was it installed properly? See our guide:4. Consider your rights
Fridge freezers, as well as standalone fridges and freezers, are covered by the 'right to repair' legislation in the UK, meaning manufacturers must make spare parts available for seven or 10 years after product discontinuation, depending on the part. Some parts are available to everyone, while some are only for professional repairers.
Even if none of your statutory rights apply, you might still be protected.
5. Find and order a new appliance
If it's time for a new fridge freezer, Which? reviews can help you find a suitable replacement. If you have an integrated model, check the dimensions carefully to ensure the new model fits inside your cabinetry.
When you order your replacement, many retailers offer an add-on service where they'll remove your old model for you, saving you a trip to your local recycling centre.
Read our to find a replacement.source https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/what-to-do-when-your-fridge-freezer-breaks-down-aCUUv3T8NHEt