Common Problems With Wine Coolers | Reasons and Solutions

Buying a wine refrigerator is a wise decision because of the benefits it brings. Maybe you are an avid wine collector, someone who needs wine regularly, or you live in an area where wine must be refrigerated to prevent spoilage. Wine coolers can fail at any time for several reasons, just like any other appliance, so it’s a good idea to know how to fix these common problems with wine coolers.

Basic things to know about your wine coolers

Don’t be too hasty when you see a problem with your wine cooler, but take a close look at the factors surrounding the wine cooler to come up with appropriate solutions if you don’t want the problem to become more serious.

Wine coolers can use compressors or thermoelectric devices to keep wine bottles cold in the cabinet, depending on the customer’s purpose.

Similar to a regular refrigerator, the compressor components work and if they’re not cooling something is wrong.

Thermoelectric coolers can be affected by the temperature of the environment, so a hot room will cause them to not function properly.

Ambient temperatures between 50°F and 80°F are ideal for these wine coolers.

If the temperature exceeds this maximum limit, your appliance will not be able to maintain the proper temperature for your wine.

Common problems with wine coolers and solutions

#1. Too warm or too cool in the room

• First of all because the temperature in the area where the refrigerator is placed is too high.
• To cool the air around it and the wine bottles, the cold side of the wine fridge is placed inside the fridge.
• The hot side cannot give off enough heat if the surrounding temperature is too high, so heat will continue to build up.
• Resulting in the devices not being cooled properly according to the operating principle

Solution: 

• Lowering the room temperature by adjusting the air conditioner 
• Simply move the wine fridge to a cooler area

#2. Inadequate ventilation

• The cooling capacity of the cooler may be reduced when it is placed in an area with poor ventilation or when blocked by other objects.
• These situations can also cause the internal temperature of the cooler to heat up.
• The internal cooling of the cooler is hindered by the heat generated by the cooling system, with nowhere to escape to the inside of the cooler.

Solution:

• Wine coolers are installed away from anything that could interfere with ventilation to avoid blockages.
• Adequate ventilation should be provided around the wine fridge to allow for optimal airflow.

#3. Defective or unplugged fan

• Wine refrigerators also use fans to suck out the hot air inside.
• The dust or other material can clog the evaporator fan, preventing the fan from spinning
• If the propeller can rotate freely, the fan motor may be faulty.

Solution:

• Unplug the device for your safety before starting fan troubleshooting
• Clear any objects or garbage around
• Test its function after cleaning by plugging it in.
• If you find it too difficult, call a professional if you suspect that the fan motor must be replaced due to a malfunction.

#4. Faulty thermostat

• Wine cooler with a compressor is controlled by a thermostat
• The compressor may be overloaded and overheated when giving an alarm signal
• Wine cooler is not cooling properly in both cases
• A faulty thermostat can lead to improper cooling of the wine compressor

Solution:

• It’s a bit difficult to replace a broken thermostat yourself because it’s not your expertise so a professional should replace it instead.

#5. Clean or replace the condenser fan

• A damaged condenser fan can affect a wine fridge’s ability to cool
• The condenser fan helps move air through the condenser coils, allowing the refrigerant in the alcohol cooler to dissipate heat as it passes through the coils.
• The internal temperature of the wine cooler will increase

Solution:

• They are not clogged or damaged by thoroughly inspecting the blades
• Clear out any debris that could get in the way of the blade if they get blocked
• The need for replacement arises if the blade is damaged

#6. An evaporator coil with a fault

• If the compressor is not working properly, it may not be able to do this
• The result of an engine problem, a lack of refrigerant, or a refrigerant line not circulating normally

Solution:

• A qualified technician identify and fix any problems with the compressor
• After troubleshooting your wine cooler, it is discovered that it is malfunctioning.

#7. There is a loud noise in the wine cooler

• The wine cooler may simply make a noise because the evaporator is transferring refrigerant
• Fan systems can fail and make loud noises
• Lack of solvent for cooling can also cause the compressor to overwork.

Solution:

• Call in a technician to take a close look at the problems inside
• If there are no problems, noise-canceling materials can be installed in the wine cooler door.

#8. Appear frozen or thawed in the wine cooler

• If this happens, it is most likely that the door is not closed properly
• Also rule out the possibility that the rubber pads on the outside of the door are torn or come apart

Solution:

• The first is to remove the refrigerator to remove the ice in the wine cooler
• Then leave the cabinet door open to dry
• Call a technician to handle the next steps

You can see more:

• Why Are Wine Fridges So Expensive? The Ultimate Answer from Wine Experts
• Is A 20 QT Cooler Big Enough? – Here’s Your Answer
• What is the ideal temperature for a dual-zone wine fridge? | The Ultimate Answer

How to restart a wine cooler

In case you use the recommended troubleshooting techniques to fix the wine cooler but it still won’t work or the temperature rises suddenly. You may have to force the wine cooler to reset itself.

The actions will be performed in the following order:

• A cup of water can be left inside the device for 24 hours to test its internal temperature.
• The most accurate reading will be obtained if the cup of water is placed in the center of the device.
• What you need is a hard reset if the temperature is higher than the minimum.
• Start by unplugging the wall-mounted wine cooler for 45 minutes.
• After that, reconnect the gadget and power it on. The wine refrigerator can return to its original state with just one operation.

Contact the wine cooler manufacturer or repair company immediately if the factory reset does not work. You can contact a technician to check and provide the fastest solution.

Or watch this explanation video:

FAQs

How could a wine cooler possibly go wrong?

Six typical causes for wine coolers to stop cooling are too warm or too cool in the room, inadequate ventilation, defective or unplugged fan, faulty thermostat, clean or replace the condenser fan, and a defective evaporator coil. The special thing is that problems with wine coolers can be repaired at home, but more complex problems require a technician.

Should a wine cooler be repaired?

If the parts are expensive or the cooler is aged, a wine cooler under Your wine cooler may harvest of the parts may not be too high, but sometimes the final shipping cost is the same as a whole new wine cooler.

How can a non-cooling wine refrigerator be fixed?

It is possible that your wine cooler has a broken evaporator function. This may be the result of ice accumulation. In addition, this component contains a fan that can become clogged or dusty.

Get rid of any clutter near the fan or component itself to solve the issue. You must replace the fan if it is broken or bent. It is simple to fix the ice buildup on the evaporator. Before connecting the cooler, simply let the ice thaw.

What leads to the icing of a wine cooler?

A common issue is ice buildup in wine refrigerators. Wine coolers may develop ice when moist air enters the device during the cooling process. The back of the wine cabinet may freeze as a result of this moisture condensing, resulting in an ice buildup.

How do you spot a faulty wine cooler?

Whether the bottle is open or not, throw it away if you detect any mold or bacteria floating in it. Open it and take a smell if there is nothing visible. Does it have a wine cooler fragrance to it? If so, drinking it is probably okay.

What causes my wine cooler to run continuously?

Normally, the fan will switch on and off dynamically to move the air inside the cabinet, maintain a uniform temperature and also save energy. By moving cool air around, the fan uses less power and prevents the compressor from running too often.

Why does the water in my wine cooler leak?

Too much condensation is what causes your wine fridge to leak. A hole or other opening in your wine cooler that allows warm air inside can often cause excessive condensation. As condensation increases significantly, excess moisture will be generated, seeping through the crevices in your appliance and causing water at the bottom of the wine cooler to collect.

How can a wine cooler get reset?

If your appliance seems to be fine but it still can’t keep the right temperature for refrigeration, resetting the refrigerator compartment is the best option for you. Unplug and leave the device unplugged for 30 to 60 minutes to reset. Your current liquor storage is mostly unaffected if you keep the doors closed.

Is it necessary to defrost wine coolers?

Your wine cooler does not require manual defrosting in a normal operating setting, but there are some circumstances where it may be necessary.

Ventilation for a wine cooler is required?

Indeed, just like all other types of wine coolers, integrated wine coolers require airflow. Since there is no space at the back, integrated coolers have ventilation in the front.

Does my wine cooler have mold-why is that?

High humidity is considered the main cause if you regularly discover mold in your wine cooler. In your wine fridge, add some nuts, salt, or a bag of chalk to draw in more moisture. If you’ve eliminated mold from your wine cooler but it keeps reappearing, think of another way.

Conclusion

There are many common problems with wine coolers, and the ways to deal with them will vary. The above information can help you know when your wine cooler is not cool, what are the chances of it happening, and how to deal with it before calling a technician. Or more quickly, you can fix it yourself when there are minor technical errors and are easy to fix. Thanks for reading!