What Causes the Refrigerator to Freeze Everything Inside It?

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One main cause of a refrigerator freezing the contents inside is that the temperature is set too low. Most refrigerators have digital or knob controlled temperature settings.

The temperature of a refrigerator should be kept between 38 and 42 degrees Fahrenheit. If the refrigerator is staying colder than these ideal temperatures, the setting needs adjusted to bring the temperature up a few degrees. Some fridges have knobs with numbers, such as one through seven, and the lower numbers often indicates a warmer temperature level. The knob should be adjusted one number at a time to determine if it solves the issue.

On most refrigerators, food on the top shelf is subjected to freezing because this is the coldest part of the fridge. The cold air blows through the top which causes food to freeze. To eliminate this issue, more delicate foods should be placed on a lower shelf.

A defective thermostat can also cause the temperature of the fridge to remain too warm or too cool. To determine if this is the problem, the temperature control knob should be turned until a click is heard. If the knob is turned and no click is heard, then this is an indication of a faulty thermostat. Most thermostats are replaceable and can be obtained from the manufacturer.