How do I adjust the temperature to make the refrigerator cold

Found this

The temperature is factory preset to provide satisfactory food storage temperatures. However, the temperature control is adjustable to provide a range of temperatures for your personal satisfaction. If a colder temperature is desired, turn the temperature control knob toward MAX and allow several hours for temperatures to stabilize between adjustments.

In my experience, the temperature adjustment knob is behind the grill on the side. They put it hidden there because you hardly ever need to touch it. The model number isn't quite right for a Kenmore. It should be 3+5 numbers 123.12345 like this one 253.12502

https://i.sears.com/s/d/pdf/mp-tc/spinpdf/spin_prod_1011956212

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That is the dumbest answer I've ever heard from a technician.

The cold control on most boxes controls the freezer temperature. You want the freezer temp to be around zero degrees.

Somewhere (usually in the refrigerator section) there's another control that actually sets a damper, letting some cold air from the freezer into the refrigerator. Higher numbers equal lower temperature. Find that second control knob and turn it up by 1 or 2 numbers, let an hour or so pass and check your refrigerator temp. You want about 40 degrees in the fridge.

Prepare to replace the t'stat. At least it is freezing and you haven't lost anything.

1. The first thing you must know is that your refrigerator should be set at 37-38 degrees. Anything at 40 or higher and you are risking food born illness (food poisoning) or spoiling your food. Place your magnetic thermometer in the refrigerator.

2. Set your dial on your refrigerator to the second lowest setting. (If your refrigerator is already equipped with a digital thermostat, simply set it for 37 or 38 degrees and do not move on to the next step)

3. After 2 hours, check your thermometer reading. If your reading is 38 degrees, there is no need to go higher and you are ready to put your groceries in. Be sure not to open and close your refrigerator during these two hours or your temperature reading will be incorrect.

4. If your reading is higher than 38 degrees, move your dial up to the next coldest setting and repeat the steps every two hours until you reach the correct temperature for your refrigerator.

5. Once you have reached the correct refrigeration temperature for your refrigerator, place the magnetic thermometer in the refrigerator permanently and watch for changes.

Typically, your refrigerator temperature will need to be adjusted with the seasons, a higher setting in the summer and a lower setting in the winter.

http://www.acmehowto.com/howto/appliance/refrigerator/check/tempcontrol.php

I suspect, you have low refrigerant in freezer. You may have a leaking pipes. Please get fix the leaks first the top up your refrigerant to normal level.

Hello,

The temperature controls are located at the top front of the refrigerator or freezer compartments.
The recommended setting should be correct for normal household refrigerator use. The controls are correctly set when milk or juice is as cold as you like and when ice cream is firm.
Wait 24 hours for your refrigerator to completely cool before adding food. If you add food before the refrigerator has completely cooled, your food may spoil.
NOTE: Adjusting the refrigerator and freezer temperature controls to a colder-than-recommended setting will not cool the compartments any faster.
If the temperature is too warm or too cold in the refrigerator or freezer, first check the air vents to be sure they are not blocked before adjusting the controls.
To turn Off/On:
Style 1 Press the freezer down arrow touch pad until a dash (-) appears in both the refrigerator and freezer displays. Neither compartment will cool.
Style 2 Turn the freezer control to the word Off. Neither compartment will cool when the freezer is set to Off.

Energy Saver option (on some models)
The Energy Saver option turns off the heater which helps to reduce moisture on the door hinge seal. The refrigerator uses more energy when Energy Saver is off.
Press the control to On to save energy when the environment is less humid.
Press the control to Off when the environment is warm and more humid, or if you notice moisture on the door hinge seal.

Adjusting controls
If you need to adjust the temperature in either the refrigerator or freezer compartment.
NOTES:
For Style 1 control, press the up and down arrow touch pads; for Style 2 controls, turn the dial to adjust the temperature.
Except when starting the refrigerator, do not adjust either control more than one setting at a time.
Wait 24 hours between adjustments for the temperature to stabilize.

Hope this guideline will helpout.....

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Refrigeration units don't care for the most part how cold it gets with exceptions. The oil is not a concern, neither is manual or auto defrost. Refrigeration units that are required to operate in cold temperatures, say below 30 degrees F. have crankcase heaters on them to heat the oil which keeps freon moving out of the oil and the bottom of the compressor. Otherwise when the compressor starts the cold freon will we sucked out of the bottom of the compress with a large quantity of oil which can destroy the compressor. Another item used for cold weather application is a fan control sensor which keeps the condensing temperature up or the unit will again remove the oil from the crankcase. It may work fine for a quite a while, but it will fail in continuously cold temperatures.

Check your settings for the temperature controls. Freezer may be set to warm (IE #1) set it mid point. Also set the refrigerator at mid point and go from there to adjust each to maintain the temperature balances.