What is actually happening
A fridge should cycle on and off through the day. One that runs without stopping is either working hard for a reason it should not have to — dusty coils, a poor seal, a warm room — or it has lost enough refrigerant that it can never reach the temperature it is aiming for, so it never switches off. The first set is worth checking yourself; the second is not.
The usual causes
- Condenser coils blocked with dust, or no air gap behind the appliance
- A worn door seal, or a door not closing properly
- A refrigerant leak, so the target temperature is never reached
- A failed thermostat stuck calling for cooling
- A blocked evaporator restricting airflow
What you can safely check yourself
Work through these in order. Anything past this point — panels off, testing parts, anything to do with the wiring — is an engineer's job, and not one to attempt with the appliance plugged in.
- Vacuum the coils at the back and make sure there is a gap for air behind and above
- Check the seals grip all the way round
- Check the thermostat has not been turned to its coldest setting by accident
- Note whether it is still actually cold — running constantly and cold is a different fault from running constantly and warm
Still running constantly?
If the checks above have not sorted it, it needs looking at properly. £66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.
Local engineers covering Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire — same and next-day appointments, and the person who comes out is one of ours, not a subcontractor.
Call 0115 648 0929 Book online — postcode and number is all we need
Common questions
Why is my fridge running constantly?
The motor never switches off, and the appliance may or may not still be cold. A fridge should cycle on and off through the day. One that runs without stopping is either working hard for a reason it should not have to — dusty coils, a poor seal, a warm room — or it has lost enough refrigerant that it can never reach the temperature it is aiming for, so it never switches off. The first set is worth checking yourself; the second is not.
Can I fix a fridge running constantly myself?
Vacuum the coils at the back and make sure there is a gap for air behind and above. Check the seals grip all the way round. Check the thermostat has not been turned to its coldest setting by accident. Note whether it is still actually cold — running constantly and cold is a different fault from running constantly and warm. Those checks fix it more often than not. If it comes back, it needs looking at properly.
How much does it cost to repair a fridge running constantly?
£66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.
Other fridge faults
- fridge not cooling
- fridge freezer icing up
- fridge making a loud noise
- fridge leaking water inside
- fridge freezer not cold enough
- fridge freezer not working after defrosting
- American fridge freezer water dispenser not working