Common questions and problems with the Refrigerator.
Common questions and problems with the Refrigerator.
Before requesting a maintenance for your refrigerator, check below the usual problems that may be mistaken with a malfunction.
※Please, also check the Instructions manual of the refrigerator.
If you can not find the instructions manual, click here.
※Click on the desired subject to check the details.
Check the details below:
・ Is the power plug properly connected to the outlet?
・ Are all the switches on the electricity breaker set to ON(入)?
For details regarding the electricity breaker, click here.
・ If the refrigerator has a setting panel/knob, check if it is not set to off [切].
The refrigerator will only start to cool after a while.
・ Is the cold air vent blocked with ice?
If ice gathers and block the air vents, the cold air won't be able to get into the fridge.
・ Is the door being open for too long/frequently?
After the door is open for too long, it will take time for the inside to become cold again.
※ Just by opening and closing the door, the temperature inside will raise by at least 2 degrees.
・ Are you not storing too many items or not organizing them properly?
If you put to many items inside or if the items block the vents, the fridge will not cool entirely.
・ The fridge does not start to cool right after plugging the power.
When turning on the refrigerator, it will start to prepare and take around 2~3 hours to cool.
・ Are you storing warm/hot items in the fridge?
Storing warm/hot items in the fridge will increase the temperature inside and the other items.
Leave the warm/hot items outside until they cool down before storing in the fridge.
・ Isn't the temperature in the room too high?
If the temperature surrounding the refrigerator is above 30℃, it will start to affect the contents.
If the temperature is below 10℃ it may also become unstable.
If even after checking the items above the problem does not improve, check the maker and model of the refrigerator and file an [Inquiry Form] with the details.
Depending on the refrigerator type (maker / model), while set to winter mode "(冬期)" the fridge will not be refrigerate, only the freezer will work.
When the freezer is cooling but the fridge is not, check if it's not set to winter mode "冬期".
Check below examples of setting panels/knobs:

If even after checking the items above the problem does not improve, check the maker and model of the refrigerator and file an [Inquiry Form] with the details.
Check if there was not a gap in the door or if the door is being open too often.
・ Usually, the ice should melt in the fridge, but if the door is kept open for too long, the motor may force the cooling and ice may start to form inside the fridge.
If there is ice forming in the fridge, use a towel soaked in lukewarm water (around 40℃) to wipe.
Check if the rubber seal on the door is not dirty or bent.
・ If the door is not sealed properly, the temperature will rise and the fridge motor will overwork.
・ Check if the rubber seal is sealing the door properly. If the rubber is bent, straight it so the air inside will not escape. If there is ice forming in the fridge, use a towel soaked in lukewarm water to wipe.
・ In some refrigerator models, you can remove the rubber seal. If the seal has come off, please, reattach it by pressing it against the base on the door.
If even after checking the items above the problem does not improve, check the maker and model of the refrigerator and file an [Inquiry Form] with the details.
The frost in the freezer will not melt by itself. Remove the frost and clean the inside periodically.
How to clean the freezer:
Before starting the cleaning, remove the contents of the refrigerator and turn the temperature button to "OFF" 「切」 to start the defrost.
※Frozen food can go bad if it goes back to room temperature and is not used. Leave the contents in a cool place and return to the freezer before it melts.
Important notes: ・ Avoid using knifes, screwdrivers, icepicks and other sharp objects to remove the ice, as it may damage the thermal insulation and brake the refrigerator. Use a freezer ice scraper.
Some manufacturers do not provide the scrapper and must be bought separately.
If even after checking the items above the problem does not improve, check the maker and model of the refrigerator and file an [Inquiry Form] with the details.
Check if the temperature/cooling is not set to weak「弱」.
When the temperature set too is weak the ice/frost in the freezer or the fridge may start to sweat (condensate) with the temperature difference and cause the condensate water to leak.
Raise the strength of the cooling to a higher number or to the position 「強」.
Check if the water collecting plate is fixed in place.
Sometimes the water will leak naturally from the fridge, so a water collecting plate is set in the back.
If the plate comes of or is bent, the water that it is suppose to collect will leak instead.
Check the water plate and fix its position.

Water collecting plate.
If even after checking the items above the problem does not improve, check the maker and model of the refrigerator and file an [Inquiry Form] with the details.
※Click on the desired subject to check the details.
The refrigerator motor will always make sound while it's on.
The refrigerator may make sound if it is in direct contact with the wall, an object or if its tilter when the support below is not adjusted.
For the examples below, the motor will make a louder sound than normal:
・ When leaving the fridge open for too long, or if it's frequently opened.
・ When the temperature around is too high.
・ Turning the refrigerator on, after being off.
If even after checking the items above the problem does not improve, check the maker and model of the refrigerator and file an [Inquiry Form] with the details.
Check the cooling strength that is configurated:
You may change the cooling strength if it's set o a high number or to "strong" 「強」 or continuous cooling「連続」.
Items close to the cold air vents:
If you put liquids or food/items with high moisture content close to the cold air vents, the cold air blowing directly may freeze it.
※If the temperature in the room/around the fridge is cold, the chances of the content freezing is high.
If even after checking the items above the problem does not improve, check the maker and model of the refrigerator and file an [Inquiry Form] with the details.
Food smell inside the fridge:
・ If the fridge is not cleaned periodically, the food smell will stick to the fridge.
When the refrigerator gets dirty, use a towel soaked in warm water to wipe it.
Be sure to clean liquids and oil that need to be removed before sticking to the plastic parts, causing the smell to stain and make it mold grown inside the fridge.
・ Check the instructions manual on how to remove the parts and shelfs for the cleaning.
・ Be sure to store the food inside sealed container to prevent the smell to stick to the inside of the fridge. You may also use products that prevents the smell in the fridge.
The surface (sides/top surface) of the refrigerator gets hot to some extent.
・When cooling the inside of the refrigerator, the heat must released outside.
By releasing the heat, the pipes reach temperatures around 50~55℃.
When turning on the refrigerator or during hot days, the motor will work more and the surface may become hot enough to not be able to touch it, but will not have issues with the inside.
・ Keep the area around and on the top of the refrigerator open to better release the heat.
(You can check the details in the 「Instructions Manual」. )
The refrigerator may be having a problem with the draining pipes or the cooling system and the water may be forming by the temperature difference.
After checking the items above and if the problem does not improve, check the maker and model of the refrigerator and file an [Inquiry Form] with the details.
If the refrigerators shelfs, drawers, ice tray, etc... get damaged or lost, we may request a replacement.
Inform the maker and model of the refrigerator and file an [Inquiry Form] with the details.
・ After the request, it will take around one week for the replacement to arrive.
・ If the reason the part broke was the responsibility of the tenant, the replacement will be charged.
■ For the tenants that have the short term contracts "monthly plans" ( Short Term Plan, Student Discount Plan ):
If the tenant has the plans above including the [Support Service and Keys], depending on the circumstances of the damage, the tenant may be free of charge.
(To check the availability, ask during the request for the maintenance.)