Your fridge is not cooling but the freezer's fine, and you're standing in the kitchen trying to decide if this is a quick refrigerator repair or the start of an appliance-shopping weekend.
Signs It's a Cheap Fix
- Condenser coils visibly dusty or blocked
- Unit makes a clicking sound but doesn't start cooling
- Only the ice maker or water dispenser has stopped working
Signs It's Heading Toward Replacement
- Compressor runs constantly and loudly — a real refrigerator compressor cost issue worth pricing out before deciding
- Unit is 10+ years old and this isn't the first repair
- Fridge is warm but freezer stays cold (sealed system issue)
One thing worth trying first: unplug the unit for 10 minutes and plug it back in. A tripped control board resets this way more often than people expect — no repair needed at all.
Repair vs. Replace: Cost Comparison
| Repair | Replace | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical cost | $100–$450 | $1,000–$2,500+ |
| Time to resolve | Same day, most cases | Days to weeks (delivery) |
| Best for | Under 10 yrs old, single-part failure | 10+ yrs, compressor/sealed-system failure |
The Verdict
Under 10 years old with a repair bill under half of replacement, repairing is the right call. Compressor failure past 10 years — replacement is usually the honest answer, and we'll tell you that on the visit.
Call (737) 707-2283 for a same-day diagnostic.