Fridge Running But Not Cooling in Dhaka? 6 Real Causes & How to Fix Them
Refrigerators in Dhaka deal with extra stress: voltage fluctuations from DESCO/DPDC, high ambient temperatures, and dust that clogs condenser coils faster than in cooler climates. When a fridge stops cooling — but the motor is still running — here are the six causes that account for virtually every case we see.
1. Refrigerant Gas Leak
The Most Common Reason a Fridge Loses Cooling
Refrigerant (R134a or R600a in most modern Bangladesh-market fridges) circulates through the evaporator coil inside the freezer compartment and absorbs heat. When this gas leaks — usually through a tiny crack in the evaporator coil or a connection fitting — the fridge loses its ability to cool completely over days or weeks.
Gas leaks don’t happen by themselves in newer fridges. If yours is leaking, there is a physical damage point that must be found and repaired before refilling gas — otherwise the new gas leaks out too.
Signs: Freezer stops freezing first, then fridge section warms up. Fridge runs longer than usual. No visible ice buildup anywhere inside (normally there should be some).
⚠ Professional Only Leak Find + Repair FirstR600a (isobutane), used in most modern fridges, is flammable. Never attempt DIY refrigerant work on a modern fridge. Our technicians at R. K. Refrigeration Works Ltd. use proper gauges and safety equipment for all gas work.
We offer complete fridge gas refill service in Dhaka that includes leak detection, weld repair if needed, and a full recharge to factory pressure specs.
2. Faulty or Failing Compressor
When the Cooling Engine Stops Working
The compressor is the pump that circulates refrigerant. It’s the most expensive part of a fridge. When a compressor weakens or fails, the fridge motor runs but produces no cooling.
Compressor failure in Bangladesh fridges is most often caused by: running with low refrigerant (overheats the compressor), voltage spikes from unstable power supply, or the start relay failing (which prevents the compressor from starting despite trying).
Signs: Fridge motor runs continuously with no temperature drop. Clicking sound every few minutes (compressor trying and failing to start). Fridge warm despite running all day.
⚠ Professional Diagnosis Start Relay Check FirstBefore assuming the compressor needs replacement (expensive), ask your technician to test the start relay first. A faulty PTC start relay costs ৳150–৳300 to replace and causes the exact same symptoms as full compressor failure. We check this first every time.
Learn more about our fridge compressor repair service in Dhaka including what to expect from the diagnosis and when repair vs replacement makes financial sense.
3. Dirty or Blocked Condenser Coils
Heat Can’t Escape the Fridge
Most fridges have condenser coils either at the back or underneath the unit. These coils release the heat that the fridge removes from inside. When they’re covered in dust and pet hair (common in Dhaka’s dusty environment), the fridge can’t shed heat efficiently. The system overheats and runs but produces minimal cooling.
Signs: Fridge or freezer feels slightly cool but not properly cold. The back or bottom of the fridge feels unusually hot. Fridge runs constantly without cycling off.
Partially DIY Vacuum + BrushIf your fridge has accessible coils at the back, carefully vacuuming them with a brush attachment is safe. If the coils are underneath behind a panel, call a technician to clean them properly without damaging the drain pan or wiring.
4. Defrost System Failure (Ice Buildup on Evaporator)
The Evaporator Is Buried Under Ice
Frost-free fridges have an automatic defrost system: a heater, defrost timer, and thermostat that melt accumulated ice off the evaporator coil every 8–12 hours. When any part of this system fails, ice builds up over the evaporator until airflow is completely blocked.
The result is a peculiar situation: the freezer has ice everywhere, but the fridge section (which gets cool air from the freezer via a fan) is warm because no air can get through the ice-covered evaporator.
Signs: Freezer section has excessive frost or ice buildup. Fridge compartment is warm but freezer feels cold. Fridge cooling improves for a day or two after manual defrost, then returns to warm.
⚠ Professional Repair Defrost Timer/Heater5. Faulty Door Gasket (Seal)
Warm Air Constantly Leaking In
The rubber gasket around your fridge door creates an airtight seal when closed. When this seal cracks, tears, or loses its magnetic grip, warm room air continuously enters the fridge. In Dhaka’s hot climate (30–38°C in summer), even a small gap means the fridge can never overcome the heat load.
This is more common in older fridges (5+ years) and those used in kitchens where the door is opened frequently.
Signs: Condensation or moisture around the door seal. Visible gap or crack in the rubber. Fridge runs almost continuously. You can feel cold air escaping from the door edges.
Relatively Affordable Fix Gasket ReplacementSimple test: Close the door on a piece of paper. If you can pull the paper out easily, the seal is weak and needs replacement.
6. Faulty Thermostat or Temperature Control Board
The Fridge Doesn’t Know It’s Warm
The thermostat monitors the internal temperature and signals the compressor to run when the fridge needs cooling. A faulty thermostat may incorrectly read the temperature as already cold, causing the compressor to never switch on — or only run for very brief periods.
Signs: Fridge runs very infrequently (unlike the opposite symptom of running constantly). Temperature dial adjustment makes no difference. Intermittent cooling that’s fine for a day then fails for a day.
⚠ Professional Diagnosis Thermostat Test RequiredQuick Diagnosis by Symptom
| What You’re Seeing | Most Likely Problem | DIY or Pro? | Urgency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freezer warm, fridge warm, motor running | Gas leak | Pro Required | Urgent |
| Clicking every few minutes, nothing cooling | Start relay / compressor | Pro Required | Urgent |
| Fridge back very hot, barely cold inside | Dirty condenser coils | Partial DIY | Medium |
| Ice block inside freezer, fridge warm | Defrost system failure | Pro Required | Medium |
| Moist door edges, runs constantly | Door gasket failure | Pro Recommended | Low–Medium |
| Compressor rarely runs, fridge warm | Thermostat fault | Pro Required | Medium |
5 Tips to Keep Your Fridge Running Longer in Dhaka
Dhaka’s climate is particularly hard on refrigerators. Here is what our technicians at R. K. Refrigeration Works Ltd. consistently see makes the biggest difference:
- Use a voltage stabilizer — Dhaka’s power supply fluctuates more than in most cities. A good voltage stabilizer protects the compressor and PCB from spikes that cause premature failure.
- Keep the fridge at least 10cm from the wall — condenser coils need airflow to release heat. Pushing a fridge flush against the wall causes the motor to overwork and overheat.
- Don’t put hot food inside — place it at room temperature first. Hot food forces the compressor to run hard for hours, which shortens its life.
- Set temperature to 3–5°C for fridge, -18°C for freezer — most people set fridges colder than needed, which wastes electricity and stresses the compressor.
- Have condenser coils cleaned annually — especially if your kitchen is dusty. A one-hour coil cleaning job can add years to your fridge’s life.
Also check our related guides on professional fridge repair service in Dhaka and our full list of home appliance repair services including washing machine, TV, and microwave oven repair.
Fridge Not Cooling? Don’t Let Your Food Spoil
R. K. Refrigeration Works Ltd. provides same-day fridge repair across all Dhaka city areas — every day from 8AM to 12AM. Call for a free telephone diagnosis before booking.
📞 Call 01859977692 View Fridge Repair Service →Frequently Asked Questions
If your fridge motor is running but the interior isn’t cold, the six most likely causes are: refrigerant gas leak, compressor or start relay failure, dirty condenser coils blocking heat release, defrost system failure causing ice buildup on the evaporator, a worn door gasket letting warm air in, or a faulty thermostat that isn’t triggering the compressor correctly. A gas leak or compressor issue are the most common causes in Dhaka. Call R. K. Refrigeration Works Ltd. at 01859977692 for a same-day diagnosis.
Fridge repair cost in Dhaka varies widely by the problem. Replacing a start relay costs around ৳300–৳500 including labour. Gas leak repair plus recharge typically runs ৳2,000–৳4,000. Defrost heater or thermostat replacement is usually ৳1,000–৳2,500. Compressor replacement (if the compressor itself is dead) ranges from ৳5,000–৳12,000+ depending on the brand and fridge model. R. K. Refrigeration Works Ltd. provides a fixed price quote before starting any work — no hidden charges.
A general rule: if the repair cost is less than 50% of a new comparable fridge, repair is usually the better choice. Fridges in Bangladesh typically last 12–18 years with proper maintenance. If your fridge is under 8 years old, almost any repair makes economic sense. If it’s over 12 years old and needs a compressor replacement, comparing new fridge prices is worthwhile. Our technicians at R. K. Refrigeration Works Ltd. will give you an honest recommendation — we don’t push repairs when replacement makes more sense.
Yes. R. K. Refrigeration Works Ltd. repairs all major refrigerator brands available in Bangladesh, including Samsung, LG, Walton, Singer, Sharp, Haier, Panasonic, Hitachi, Whirlpool, Minister, Vision, and more. Both single-door and double-door models, frost-free and direct-cool, are covered. Call 01859977692 to confirm availability for your specific brand and model.
