A cold freezer with a warm fridge almost always means airflow from the freezer to the fresh-food section is restricted.
Likely causes
- Evaporator fan not pushing air (bad motor, iced blades, or fan not receiving power).
- Damper/baffle between freezer and fridge stuck closed or clogged with frost/debris.
- Heavy frost on the evaporator from a defrost problem (heater, thermostat, or control).
- Blocked return vents from food items pressed against the back wall.
Quick checks
- Open the freezer and listen: do you hear a steady fan? If silent, try pressing the door switch—some fans stop when the door opens.
- Feel for airflow at the fridge vents. Weak/no flow = fan/damper issue.
- Shine a light through the vents: solid frost behind them suggests a defrost failure.
Do this before service
- Pull food away from rear/side vents.
- Ensure doors close fully; replace torn gaskets; clear items from shelves so air can circulate.
- If the freezer fan is running but the fridge is still warm, damper is the prime suspect.
Caution: Avoid chipping ice with sharp tools; you can puncture coils. If you must defrost an ice-packed evaporator, unplug and leave doors open with towels down — never use heat guns or steamers unless you know what you’re doing.
If symptoms return quickly after a manual defrost, the defrost system needs diagnosis. Book a service visit.