What To Do When Your Walk-In Cooler Fails?

A warm walk-in is never a welcome find. Walk-in coolers and freezers are a key component to the functionality of numerous businesses, from food service to pharmaceutical storage and a variety of industries in between. Cooler failures can result in significant product loss and reduced services if they are left unaddressed. 

If you get to work and find yourself with a warm walk-in, don’t panic. Our first tip for you is: keep the door closed as much as possible while you search for the problem. Walk-in coolers are equipped with thick insulation to help maintain the interior temperature setting. Keeping the door closed will help the cooler hold its temperature as long as possible.

Before you call for service, you can check for these common problems:

What is the thermostat setting?

Unlike your home’s air conditioner, most thermostats for walk-ins are hardwired to the system (meaning they don’t need batteries). Does the interior temperature match the setting on the thermostat? If it does, the thermostat could have been bumped or adjusted to the wrong setting. Try lowering the temperature setting and checking back in a couple of hours. If the interior temperature reads higher than the thermostat setting, check out some of these other potential causes.

Do the doors have a good seal?

Door seal damage is one of our most common cooler repairs. If your cooler doors don’t seal well or are riddled with cracks, it will be difficult to maintain a consistent interior temperature. To get the most life from your door seals, we recommend washing regularly with warm, soapy water and inspecting for signs of cracks and gaps. Unfortunately, this is a part that wears out with use and high-traffic coolers will see more frequent wear. 

Is the cooler currently in defrost mode?

If your cooler feels warm but is maintaining the interior temperature setting, it could simply be in defrost mode. To maintain its low temperature, the unit must defrost itself or ice will build up on the lines. If you enter the cooler while it is in defrost mode, it might feel warm near the evaporator but the thermostat should maintain its setting. This is normal operation. If the interior temperature is warmer than the thermostat setting, it's time to call in the professionals because something else is wrong with the unit. 

Is the drain line plugged?

A plugged drain can back up and leak out of the drain pan and will ultimately cause your cooler to stop running if it becomes completely blocked. If you notice water leaking from your unit, check the drain line and inspect the drain fitting to make sure water can easily flow through. 

Did you recently add more product to the cooler?

If so, it could be overpacked. The evaporator needs adequate airflow around its fans. If the fans are blocked, it could create enough air restriction to overwork the unit. Alternatively, if you overfill the cooler with warm product, it will struggle to lower the temperature back to its original setting. 

Are the coils clean?

Check the coils at the evaporator and condenser. These look like radiator fins and should be clear of dirt and debris. Unfortunately, they are easily coated with airborne dirt and dust and must be regularly cleaned. If you see a film of dirt on the coils, they should be cleaned with a mild coil cleaner. Just like a car radiator, these coils require airflow to function properly. Any restriction caused by dirty coils will result in poor cooler performance and equipment malfunction. 

If you’ve gone through this list and still can’t find the problem, it's time to call in the professionals. A refrigeration technician will check the refrigerant charge and inspect all internal parts to find the cause of your cooler problems and create a plan to get your business back up and running.

Austin, Texas Location

Tri-Point Refrigeration, Inc

118 Iron Road Suite 100,

Hutto, Texas 78634

(512) 651-4565

Lubbock, Texas Location

Tri-Point Refrigeration, Inc

13805 Avenue P Unit B

Lubbock, Texas 79423

(806) 686-0050