How to Troubleshoot a Frigidaire Gallery Refrigerator

Frigidaire Gallery refrigerators are popular for their sleek looks, features and excellent performance. Over time, however, it's to be expected that an appliance will start to show signs of age. If your refrigerator isn't working quite as well as it once did, it's not a bad idea to troubleshoot the issue. You can reference your owner's manual if needed for assistance or contact the manufacturer for additional guidance.

Before you begin to troubleshoot the refrigerator, consider your safety and that of those around you. Never attempt to move a heavy refrigerator by yourself and check carefully that children and pets are out of the way before you do so.

In addition, don't manipulate any controls or remove parts of the refrigerator (aside from controls inside the actual refrigeration chamber) until the appliance is unplugged. For extra safety, you can turn power off at the breaker box.

If your refrigerator isn't working at all, the first thing to do is check the power. Unplug your refrigerator and plug it into another outlet — you may need to use an extension cord or power strip to avoid having to move the unit. If it works when plugged in to the other outlet, you'll need to have an electrician fix the outlet it was using. If the refrigerator still does not turn on, contact a technician to troubleshoot the issue.

Does your appliance seem to be working harder than usual to keep things cold? If it feels like the motor won't stop running, check the doors to the refrigerator and freezer. Are they pushed closed all the way? Are the rubber gaskets that line the edges of the doors intact?

If the gaskets are torn or displaced, the refrigerator will continuously kick on and have to work very hard to keep your food cold. This could lead to overheating of the compressor or motor burnout. Contact the manufacturer for information about obtaining replacement gaskets and having them installed.

You can use Frigidaire refrigerator troubleshooting codes to your advantage when dealing with appliance issues. These codes, which should be outlined in your owner's manual, can tell you what is going on with the unit.

For instance, if you have a Frigidaire Gallery refrigerator with display problems, you might see error code SY CE. This means there is an issue with communication between two parts of the unit. This is likely a wiring issue, and it can explain why you haven't been seeing information on the display as you should.

Error codes can also tell you if there is a problem like stuck ice in the ice maker or an issue with the cooling fan.

If your food is freezing in the back of the refrigerator, the temperature may be set too low. Alternatively, there may be too much cold air coming up from the freezer (if you have a unit with the freezer on the bottom). Though this structural issue can be difficult to fix (it may just be a result of the unit's design), you can move food around to accommodate it. For instance, place milk or meat in places that tend to get very cold and keep vegetables and other delicate items in comparatively warmer places.

If food does not seem cold enough, of course, you should change the refrigerator thermostat. It is possible for there to be a problem with the thermostat calibration in the refrigerator, so don't always assume that the numbers displayed are accurate. If your groceries are freezing or spoiling, you should use a thermometer to ensure the unit is reaching the temperature you set.