Whirlpool arc7612. Fridge not getting cold. Freezer obviously working as it frosts up despite being 'frost free'. Slight gap in door seal near top of door. Last time we had this happen I unplugged it for a da#y, plugged it back in and it worked. Guessed it was frozen up and blocked somewhere??

There should be a defrost timer built into the fridge, every fridge has them. This may need replacing.

defrost the freezer.

Refrigerator or freezer is not cold enough
* Check the temperature setting
* Assure that there is enough room for air flow in the refrigerator or freezer
* Check for air flow restrictions in vents
* Test the temperature control
* Clean the condensor coils
* Check the door seals
* Test the door switch
* Test defrost heater
* Test defrost timer
* Test evaporator fan
* Check for a clogged drain tube
* Check for refrigerant leak

try checking the freezer door seal.
if slight gap anywhere around the door seal drawer fronts will frost up.
warm seal up with hair dryer and ease seal out with your hands..
problem often happens with door reversal.

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17. I heard a sizzling noise inside my freezer section and it looked like something on fire when I opened the freezer door. What should I do?
    
18. I feel heat or warmth around my refrigerator doors...help!
    
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20. My fridge is running but not cold enough  - with Frost free repair information as well
    
21. My refrigerator is leaking water inside the fridge
    
22. My fridge is leaking onto the floor
    
23. My fridge is freezing things
    
24. My fridge makes a bang noise when it shuts off
    
25. My Frost free fridge will not run at all
    
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The pattern of frost buildup would indicate to me that the freezer door may not be fully closing due to a product on the door or shelve. Frost only on the back wall would indicate a defrost system problem. Frost like snow on product packages indicates air leaking into the freezer in some way.

This is a frost free frige, so if you see frost, that is the problem. Check the defrost heater, defrost limit and defrost timer/board. You can get by for a while by manually defrosting the fridge. Turn it off, unload the food, and leave the freezer door open for 24-36 hours.

We have just had to call out an engineer to get our 1 1/2 year old Hotpoint Graphite Frost Free Fridge Freezer repaired. The fridge had almost entitely stopped cooling even when on high. I was amazed at how easily the problem was sorted. The engineer removed all the basktes from the freezer to access the screws on the inside backpanel of the freezer. Once this panel was removed it was clear that the so called Frost Free doesn't really mean what it says. The ice need to be melted with a bit of simple care. It is obvious that with a bit of care it is easliy a diy job BUT PLEASE BE CAREFUL AND READ THE NEXT PART BEFORE YOU BEGIN TO REMOVE THE ICE> The ice forms around variouys pipes etc and he usecd a screwdriver to help release the ice quicker than waiting for it to defrost and he also used a simple hairdryer to help speed up the process. He had a ntowel and a basin to take care of the water. Next time I would have no problem doing this myself but I would need to leave it a little while to defrost and NOT USE A SCREWDRIVER as I am sure somehow I would puncture a pipe or the wall of the freezer itself and I am quite used to doing the odd bit of DIY. On a difficulkty scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being difficult I would rate the job as about a 3. Hope this helps anyone who reads this about £70.

Although you say the seal is fine, this is almost certainly due to air getting in. With the door closed check that there isn't a tiny gap with a strip of thin card or plastic. Of course if air is getting in then it must also be getting out somewhere else so probe all around the seal.

Check in your owners manual for a "noise" section to see if you can identify the source. Refers make lots of unusual noises so it helps to understand if they are normal or not. Over cold in the fridge may be due to the air damper system being stuck open or food placed too close to the air duct outlet. Frost in the freezer can be due to moisture getting inside from a bad door seal, etc.