Fhiaba Airflow Restriction Between Freezer and Refrigerator

Refrigerator runs but does not cool properly in the fresh food compartment; freezer seems normal.

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.

Possible Causes

Blocked air return vents in refrigerator, Stuck or failed air damper between compartments, Frost buildup on evaporator restricting airflow, Failed refrigerator evaporator fan motor

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety first: Unplug the refrigerator before removing interior panels or working near fans.

Step 1 – Check loading and vents:

Ensure food items are not blocking the rear or side vents in the refrigerator compartment.
Leave space between items to allow air circulation.

Step 2 – Inspect damper operation:

Locate the air damper (often at the top or rear of the refrigerator compartment).
With the unit running, listen for damper movement when changing temperature settings; if it never opens, it may be stuck or failed.

Step 3 – Check for frost on evaporator:

Remove the freezer rear panel and inspect the evaporator coil.
Heavy, even frost indicates a defrost problem; defrost manually and have the defrost system serviced.

Step 4 – Verify evaporator fan:

Ensure the evaporator fan runs when the compressor is on and the door switch is pressed.
Replace the fan motor if it does not run or is noisy.

Repair Difficulty

Medium 3/5

Required Part

Air Damper Assembly

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