Based on insights from over 1,000 commercial fridge service callouts in the past year across restaurants, retail, and hospitality sectors.
When your commercial fridge or freezer stops cooling, it’s not just an inconvenience, it’s a potential business crisis. From food waste to compliance issues, a cooling failure can cost thousands in minutes. Here are the top 10 causes we encounter, and what you can do about them.
Dirty Condenser Coils
Seen in 34% of commercial units we’ve serviced. Dust and grease from kitchens block airflow and prevent heat from escaping.
Quick Fix: Clean with a coil brush or vacuum every 6 months. For high-use environments (like kitchens), quarterly cleaning is ideal.
Faulty Evaporator Fan Motor
If the fan stops working, cold air can’t circulate leading to uneven cooling and rising temperatures.
🛠 Accounts for 18% of breakdowns in cold rooms and under-counter fridges.
Warning Sign: Warm shelves at the top, icy ones at the bottom.
Blocked Internal Vents
Often caused by overstocking or poor layout. It restricts airflow, making some items freeze while others spoil.
Pro Tip: Maintain at least 25% free space inside. Use wire shelving for better air distribution.
Blocked Internal Vents
Often caused by overstocking or poor layout. It restricts airflow, making some items freeze while others spoil.
Pro Tip: Maintain at least 25% free space inside. Use wire shelving for better air distribution.
Damaged Door Gaskets
Door seals wear out quicker in commercial environments due to frequent use. A broken seal lets warm air in and cold air out, causing your system to overwork.
Found in 22% of our repair visits—particularly with older multideck chillers and prep fridges.
Icy Evaporator Coils
When evaporator coils freeze over, airflow is blocked. The result? Warm spots and inconsistent temperatures.
Typically caused by:
- Faulty defrost timer
- Constant door openings
- Poor humidity control
Faulty defrost timer
Constant door openings
Poor humidity control
We see this in 1 in 5 callouts for display fridges and walk-in freezers.
Incorrect Temperature Settings
It’s more common than you’d think. Staff accidentally change the thermostat or don’t realise seasonal changes affect cooling.
Ideal Settings:
- Chiller: 2–4°C
- Freezer: -18°C
- Meat/Prep Fridge: 0–2°C
Refrigerant Leak or Low Pressure
If your fridge is running but not cooling, it could be due to a drop in refrigerant gas. This is a pressurised system—any leak impacts performance immediately.
Warning Signs:
- Hissing noises
- Oily residue near copper lines
- Ice only on part of the evaporator
Hissing noises
Oily residue near copper lines
Ice only on part of the evaporator
💡 This is a F-Gas certified fix only. Never attempt DIY regassing.
Compressor Malfunction
The compressor is the powerhouse of your fridge. If it’s overheating, struggling to start, or short-cycling, cooling will fail soon after.
⚠ Found in 13% of major commercial breakdowns.
Average repair cost: £400–£650 (including labour + gas top-up)
Electrical or Control Panel Issues
We’ve found that 9% of “fridge not cooling” faults actually stem from power surges, faulty relays, or control board glitches.
Tip: Always use a voltage stabiliser or surge protector in high-risk areas.
End-of-Life Equipment
If your commercial unit is 10+ years old, components wear down, insulation thins, and efficiency drops.
📉 Aged units are 40% more likely to experience cooling issues.
Consider an energy-efficient replacement if repairs are frequent.
Prevention = Protection (and Profit)
From our CRM data:
- ✔︎ 76% of breakdowns could have been prevented with quarterly servicing
- ✔︎ Coil cleaning alone improved energy efficiency by up to 18%
- ✔︎ Fridges with annual maintenance plans had 61% fewer urgent repairs
✔︎ 76% of breakdowns could have been prevented with quarterly servicing
✔︎ Coil cleaning alone improved energy efficiency by up to 18%
✔︎ Fridges with annual maintenance plans had 61% fewer urgent repairs
Prevention = Protection (and Profit)
From our CRM data:
- ✔︎ 76% of breakdowns could have been prevented with quarterly servicing
- ✔︎ Coil cleaning alone improved energy efficiency by up to 18%
- ✔︎ Fridges with annual maintenance plans had 61% fewer urgent repairs
✔︎ 76% of breakdowns could have been prevented with quarterly servicing
✔︎ Coil cleaning alone improved energy efficiency by up to 18%
✔︎ Fridges with annual maintenance plans had 61% fewer urgent repairs
Let’s Fix It Before It Fails
At Be Cool Refrigeration, we specialise in commercial fridge repairs and planned maintenance. Whether you’re running a busy kitchen or managing multiple locations, we’ve got a rapid-response team ready to help.
📞 Book a visit today or set up a service plan tailored to your site.
🔧 Learn more about our commercial fridge maintenance programmes here.
Written by
Ali Elm
Ali is the Head of Operations at Be Cool Refrigeration with over a decade of hands-on experience in HVAC and commercial refrigeration. He oversees every installation, repair, and maintenance project, making sure the work meets the highest standards. Ali holds full F-Gas certification and has worked across residential, commercial, and industrial refrigeration systems throughout London and the South East. When he is not on site, he writes these guides to help business owners and homeowners understand their cooling systems better.