The refrigerator thermistor regulates your refrigerator’s temperature, ensuring your food stays safe and fresh. It measures the temperature and sends signals to the control board, guiding the cooling and defrosting cycles.
Without a properly functioning thermistor, your refrigerator won’t regulate temperature effectively.
In this post, we’ll help you to recognize the common signs that point to a faulty thermistor in your refrigerator.
Contents
Here are The Common Signs of a Bad Refrigerator Thermistor
Inaccurate Temperature Control
Inaccurate temperature control is the first tell tale sign that your refrigerator thermistor is faulty, since the thermistors core function is to regulate temperature to then send messages to the control board. With inaccurate readings the results are that the temperature inside your refrigerator will fluctuate unpredictably.
You can identify this in a couple of ways, such as:
Food Spoiling
One of the primary indications of a faulty thermistor is when your refrigerator fails to maintain the set temperature, which results in food spoiling. Despite adjusting the temperature settings, you may notice that food spoils more quickly than usual.
Freezing
On the other hand, a faulty thermistor can cause your refrigerator to excessively cool, freezing food items.
Even when you set the temperature to a moderate level, you might find items like produce, eggs, or liquids becoming frozen, rendering them unusable.
Excessive Frost Build-up
When a refrigerator’s thermistor malfunctions, it can disrupt the defrosting cycle, leading to excessive frost accumulation. You may find yourself needing to defrost your refrigerator more frequently than usual.
Erratic Cooling Patterns
A malfunctioning thermistor can lead to inconsistent cooling across different areas of your refrigerator. You may notice that some sections are significantly colder than others, while certain areas remain warmer.
For example, the back of the refrigerator or the upper shelves might experience excessive cooling while the lower shelves remain warmer.
These erratic cooling patterns can significantly impact the longevity and quality of your stored food. Items that require specific temperature ranges, such as meats, dairy products, or sensitive fruits and vegetables, may suffer from improper storage conditions.
Conclusion
Throughout this post, we’ve explored the common signs that indicate a malfunctioning refrigerator thermistor. By being aware of these symptoms, such as inaccurate temperature control, excessive frost build-up, and erratic cooling patterns, you can take proactive measures to address the issue promptly and prevent further complications.
