How to Fix Your Refrigerator's Temperature Settings

If you find that your refrigerator’s temperature reading feels notably warmer than 37° F, first try to figure out whether it’s just the thermostat readout that has become inaccurate and not a cooling issue per se. To do that, buy a stand-alone refrigerator thermometer to place inside the refrigerator and assess the temperature discrepancy. If you find that the interior is warmer than your refrigerator’s readout, turn the fridge temperature down a few degrees and wait 24 hours to see whether the internal temperature drops. If the refrigerator temperature moves down only slightly, keep making incremental decreases until you hit the desired 37° F mark.

If the refrigerator temperature doesn’t budge, try cleaning around the appliance’s compressor and any coils to remove dust and dirt, which prevent efficient cooling, Chai says. Check your owner’s manual for the coil location and vacuum them with a soft-bristle brush. If the refrigerator still doesn’t get cold, you may need a repair—or a new fridge. The inability to cool can signal a defective or old refrigerator nearing the end of its life.