Fridge fan motor not working: signs, causes and repair

Fans are among the most common parts to fail in a fridge or freezer, because they run for years inside a cold, damp space. A fridge has two fans that matter, and the symptoms of each are different. Knowing which one has failed tells you a lot before anyone opens the cabinet.

The evaporator fan

This fan sits inside the freezer, behind a panel, and pushes cold air from the evaporator into the fridge and freezer sections. When it stops, the air stops moving. You get a freezer that may still be cold and a fridge that warms up, often with ice forming on the coil.

Signs of a failing evaporator fan:

• A squeal, rattle or whirring noise from the freezer that then stops.
• A fridge that is warm while the freezer is still cold.
• Ice on the back wall of the freezer.
• The fan not turning when you hold the door switch in.

The condenser fan

On many fridges, particularly larger and commercial units, a second fan blows air over the condenser coil and the compressor to carry heat away. If it fails, the compressor overheats, the unit runs constantly and cooling gets worse and worse. You may notice the compressor area being hot, the fridge running non-stop and then tripping out on overload.

Signs of a failing condenser fan:

• The back of the fridge or the compressor area is very hot.
• The fridge runs all the time but struggles to cool.
• The compressor switches off and on repeatedly.
• A fan that is not turning, or turning slowly, near the compressor.

Why fans fail

• Bearings wear out and seize.
• Ice on the evaporator touches the blades, bending them or stopping the motor.
• Dust and grease collect on the blades and the motor.
• Moisture gets into the motor winding.
• An electrical or control fault stops the fan getting power.

Is a new fan worth it?

Almost always, yes. A fan motor is one of the more affordable repairs, and replacing it prevents the compressor from taking the damage. We see evaporator and condenser fan motor failures regularly, particularly on Defy fridges.

What it costs

Call-out fees start from R250 and depend on your area. A fan motor replacement typically falls within our minor repair range of R350 to R950. Major repairs start from R1,250. We will tell you exactly what is wrong and what it costs before we start.

If your fridge is warm and the freezer is cold, or the back is very hot, call us with the make and model. We carry common fan motors and can usually replace them on site.