When your refrigerator isn’t cooling the way it should, your first thought might be that you need professional refrigerator repair. However, the first thing to check is often the temperature controls. The trouble is, not every refrigerator makes those controls easy to spot.
Depending on the brand and style, they might be inside the fridge, in the freezer, or even hidden in a drawer (and in today’s smart appliance world, on the front door). We’ve worked on a lot of refrigerators and have seen the controls in a lot of places. Here are the most common places to find your controls, plus some tips on how to set them correctly.
Common places for refrigerator controls
Inside the fresh food section (most common)
On many top-freezer and side-by-side refrigerators, the controls are located inside the main refrigerator compartment. Look along the top front edge or on the side wall near the top. These may look like:
- simple dials or sliders
- small digital panels with up/down buttons
Inside the freezer compartment
Some older or budget-friendly models place the control dial in the freezer. Since cold air originates there, adjusting the dial changes airflow to the fridge section.
Above the doors (under a trim panel)
On mid- to high-end refrigerators, especially French door models, you’ll often find a digital control panel just above the fresh food doors. It may be tucked under a small overhang or a thin strip of trim.
On the exterior door panel
Newer side-by-side and French door refrigerators often have touch panels built right into the freezer door, usually combined with the water and ice dispenser. This allows you to adjust temperature without opening the door.
Hidden inside drawers or behind panels
Luxury models sometimes tuck controls inside a deli or produce drawer or behind a clean design panel. These can be easy to miss if you don’t know where to look.
How to set your refrigerator controls
Every refrigerator is a little different, but here are some general rules of thumb:
- Refrigerator section: keep it at 37–40°F.
- Freezer section: set it to 0–5°F.
- If your model has a dial with numbers (like 1–9), the middle setting is usually the recommended starting point.
- Digital controls usually allow you to set the exact temperature. Aim for the ranges above.
Troubleshooting tips
- Give it 24 hours. If you just adjusted the settings, wait a full day before checking results.
- Don’t overpack. Blocking air vents with food containers makes it impossible for the fridge to circulate cold air evenly.
- Check door seals. Even the right temperature setting won’t matter if warm air is leaking in through a cracked or dirty gasket.
- Listen for fans. If the fridge is set correctly but you don’t hear fans running, there may be a mechanical issue.
When settings aren’t the problem
If you’ve found your controls, set them correctly, and your fridge still isn’t cooling, the issue may be:
- dirty condenser coils
- a failed evaporator or condenser fan
- a faulty temperature sensor or thermostat
- compressor problems
These are all signs it’s time to call for professional refrigerator repair.
Wrapping it up
Knowing where your refrigerator controls are, and how to set them, can save you from spoiled groceries and unnecessary frustration. Start by locating your controls in one of the common spots: inside the fridge, in the freezer, above the doors, on the exterior panel, or hidden in a drawer.
If you’ve adjusted the settings and things still aren’t cooling properly, give us a call. Naomi or Brenda will answer the phone, listen to what’s going on, and schedule a technician to get your refrigerator back on track.