Updated 10/26/2026 · AZ Tech Appliance Repair, Westmont, IL
Why it happens
Most household refrigerators have one thermostat, in the fresh-food section. The freezer only gets cold when that thermostat asks the compressor to run. In a garage that drops into the 30s or below, the fresh-food section stays cold on its own, so the compressor barely runs and the freezer slowly warms up.
Most standard refrigerators are designed for a room between about 50°F and 100°F. Below that, they are outside what they were built for.
How to tell it is the cold, not a failure
- The problem started when the weather turned cold.
- The fresh-food section is very cold, but the freezer is soft.
- The compressor rarely runs, and the back of the unit is not warm.
- The same refrigerator worked fine all summer.
What to do
- Move the unit into a heated space for the winter, such as the basement.
- Check the manual: some models are rated "garage ready", and some manufacturers sell a garage heater kit.
- For a garage, a chest freezer or a garage-ready model is the better long-term choice.
When it really is a repair
If the refrigerator is in a heated room and the freezer is warm, or both sections are warm, that is a real fault: a fan, the defrost system, a start relay, the control board or the sealed system. Call us and we will tell you on the phone which it is likely to be.
Questions
Can I leave my refrigerator in the garage over the winter?
Only if it is rated for garage use. A standard refrigerator will often let the freezer thaw when the garage gets cold.
Will the cold damage the compressor?
Running a standard unit in very cold conditions is hard on it. Unplugging and emptying it for the winter, or moving it inside, is the safer option.