Café Airflow Restriction Between Freezer and Fresh Food

Freezer cold but fresh food section warm; items in refrigerator compartment spoiling while freezer seems normal.

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Safety Warning

This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.

If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.

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Possible Causes

Failed fresh food evaporator fan, Stuck or broken air damper, Frost/ice blocking air channels, Mispositioned shelves or food blocking vents

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety first: Unplug the refrigerator before removing interior panels or fan covers.

  • 1. Check for blocked vents: Inspect the rear and side walls of the fresh food section. Move large containers away from vents to allow airflow.
  • 2. Listen for fan operation: Close the doors for a few minutes, then open the fresh food door and listen near the rear wall. If no fan sound is heard, the fan motor may be bad.
  • 3. Inspect damper: Locate the air damper (often at the top left or rear). Feel for cold air when the compressor is running. If no air is felt but the freezer is cold, the damper may be stuck closed.
  • 4. Check for frost buildup: Frost on the freezer rear wall or in the air channels can block airflow. Manually defrost the unit by unplugging and leaving doors open for 24 hours.
  • 5. Replace failed components: If the fan does not run with power or the damper does not move, replace the faulty part with a Café-compatible assembly.
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Repair Difficulty

Medium 3/5

Required Part

Fresh Food Evaporator Fan Motor
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