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HomeRepair HelpDanby Refrigerator RepairDanby Refrigerator runs constantly Repair
Danby Refrigerator runs constantly
If your Danby refrigerator runs constantly, start with the simplest causes first: high room temperature and humidity make any fridge work harder, so confirm the appliance is operating in the recommended 60 to 95°F range. Next consider the compressor: after you verify the evaporator and condenser fan motors and the thermistor are working, an inefficient compressor can cause the refrigerator compressor running continuously. Also check the freezer temperature — many models feed cold air from the freezer, so a freezer that is above about 10°F (-12°C) can leave the refrigerator warm and force the unit to run nonstop. Inspect the doors and gaskets for items or misalignment that keep the door from fully closing. If fans and doors are fine but frost is building on the evaporator coils, the defrost heater assembly or the defrost thermostat may be failing and blocking airflow. For parts, enter your model number on RepairClinic.com to find the exact replacement part for your refrigerator and get repair instructions tailored to your unit.
01 - Room Temperature is Hot
Normal operating temperatures for a refrigerator are between 60 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit (16 and 35 degrees Celsius). The hotter and more humid the air is the less efficient the refrigerator will be, causing it to run more. If possible, keep the refrigerator within the recommended operating temperatures and as cool as possible.
Top Solution
02 - Danby Refrigerator Compressor
The compressor is the component that pumps refrigerant through the sealed system to cool the appliance. If you've determined the fan motors are all working and the thermistor is accurately monitoring the air temperature, it's possible the compressor itself is inefficient, resulting in it running continuously, although this is not a common problem.
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Highly Likely
03 - Freezer Temperature is Above 10 Degrees F (-12C)
Since the refrigerator compartment gets its cold air from the freezer compartment for many model types ("Top Freezer", "Bottom Freezer", and "Side by Side" models, for example), the refrigerator compartment will take longer to cool down if the freezer is not cold enough. As a result, the compressor may run constantly. The freezer temperature should be set between 0 and 5 degrees Fahrenheit (-18 to -15 Celsius).
Highly Likely
04 - Door Not Fully Closing
Check to see that the doors are closing properly. If a door bin or food item is keeping the door open slightly the refrigerator may not cool properly, which can cause the refrigerator to run constantly.
Highly Likely
05 - Danby Refrigerator Defrost Heater Assembly
The defrost heater assembly turns on several times throughout the day to melt away any frost that may have accumulated on the evaporator coils. If the defrost heater assembly is defective, the refrigerator will not defrost, and frost will continue to accumulate on the evaporator coils. If the evaporator coils are frosted over, the refrigerator will work harder to remove the heat. As a result, the refrigerator will run constantly in an effort to cool down. To determine if the defrost heater is defective, use a multimeter to test it for continuity. If the defrost heater does not have continuity, replace it.
Common
06 - Danby Refrigerator Defrost Thermostat
If the refrigerator runs constantly, the defrost thermostat might be defective. Several times a day the defrost heater turns on for a few minutes to melt away any frost that may have accumulated on the freezer or refrigerator evaporator coils. In order for this to work, the defrost thermostat has to sense that the coils are cold enough. If the coils are cold enough the defrost heater will turn on. If the thermostat is defective it may not be able to sense the temperature of the coils and then won't turn on the defrost heater. If the defrost heater doesn't turn on, the frost will build up on the coils and eventually no air ...
Common
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my refrigerator running constantly?
Freezer is cold but the fridge is warm — what should I check?
How do I know if my refrigerator is not defrosting and which parts could be bad?
My refrigerator door won’t close properly — how do I fix it?
How do I find the correct replacement part on RepairClinic.com for my model?
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