We have all had this experience. We get something out of the fridge while we binge on the latest Netflix release, and 30 seconds later, the fridge begins to beep. A quick nudge at the door solves the problem…until it doesn’t. Why is my fridge beeping with the door closed? This blog will outline common causes, what you can do, and when you need to call in the professionals.
How to repair a beeping fridge:
Door Switch Fault
Within today’s modern fridges, a magnetic reed switch or optical sensor switch may be tricked into believing the door is still open, so your fridge keeps beeping. This may happen because of a dirty sensor or misaligned parts.
Solution – clean the sensor and check for blockages that might interfere with the sensor.
Call in the pros? Yes, if your fridge keeps beeping, and you have tried the other remedies on this list.
Door Not Closing Completely
The door is closed but the refrigerator keeps beeping. The seals around the door may be misaligned, dirty, or cracked. Sensors may detect an issue with the door that makes your fridge keep beeping.
Solution: clean the magnetic seal around the door with warm, soapy water. Clean the grooves in the seal with a soft toothbrush to remove debris.
Call in the pros? Maybe, if other suggestions here don’t help.
Blocked Vent
Vents that circulate cold air in your refrigerator may become blocked by food, dirt, or ice. That can cause a rise in temperature and why your fridge is beeping with the door closed.
Solution: Make sure that food or packaging is not blocking the vents. Check the vents gently with a Q-tip for dirt buildup. If grime seems excessive, check with your owner’s manual for information on how best to clean the vents. Ice in the air vents can be cleared with a full defrost of your refrigerator. Check your manual for information on how to do that safely.
Call in the pros? Yes, if this becomes a regular occurrence.
High Internal Temperature
Your fridge should be set at around 3C (37-40F). If sensors detect a rise in temperature, that could be why your fridge keeps beeping.
Solution: Check for and clean blocked vents on the inside, check for and brush clean dirty condenser coils, and check for cracked or loose door seals.
Call in the pros? Yes, if you have tried everything to resolve the problem.
Unbalanced Refrigerator
Unbeknownst to you, your refrigerator may be unbalanced on the floor. While not common, unbalanced fridges can cause doors to be misaligned, which may lead to doors not sealing properly and why the fridge keeps beeping.
Solution: try using gentle rocking of the refrigerator to see if it teeters or shakes. If it does, it is unbalanced. Use a bubble level, both from left to right and from front to back, to determine which way it might be leaning. Your fridge should have adjustable jacks for feet to aid in levelling, or you may need to use shims.
Call in the pros? Yes, if the process of levelling is beyond your capabilities. If it is possible, try to get a reading with a bubble level to, at least, know if the fridge is unbalanced or not before calling the pros.
Control Panel Issue
For years now, refrigerators have come with connectivity, bluetooth, and almost every high-tech upgrade imaginable. With the increase of complexity in an appliance that is just to keep food from spoiling, there is an increase in the possibility that that is why your fridge keeps beeping.
Solution: “Have you tried turning it off and on again?” can work in this instance. Unplug your fridge, but don’t plug it back in immediately. Wait up to 10 minutes for the onboard computer to reset itself, and then plug it back in.
Call in the pros? If the beeping hasn’t stopped and you have tried the alternatives in this blog, then it is time to contact the professionals.
What should you prepare for the professionals?
If you do contact professional service technicians, there are steps that you can take to make their job easier. First, you should have the model number and serial number available before making the call. Those are usually found on a sticker on the inside. After you have arranged for a service call, consider doing the following to make the appointment proceed as smoothly as possible.
Steps taken: what have you already done to try to solve the problem? Make bullet point notes of what you have tried. The repair technician may want to do some of the same things just to verify, but a list will go a long way to help their diagnosis.
Clean out: clean the fridge of items and wipe it down. Store frozen food in a cooler, and keep perishables in a place as dark and cool as possible. Time the storage to just before they arrive to shorten the time that food is outside of the fridge. Wipe down shelving and drawers for overall sanitation.
Get Info: locate the warranty for the refrigerator, as well as the purchase receipt and a record of earlier repairs if applicable. Have them handy if they are needed.
Prioritize Safety: unplug the refrigerator before the technician shows up. Make sure that there is a cleared area around the fridge. If the fridge is in an enclosure or set in a wall space, consider moving it out if you can. If it is in a cramped area, clear away close by countertops and move chairs and items that might get in the way.
Leak Prep: there might be water spillage as the repairs progress, so have some towels ready to sop up any water that gets spilled. A clean repair site is a safe repair site.
