Quick Answer
The cost of fixing a refrigerator that isn't cooling depends entirely on the fault — a door seal or thermostat replacement is a minor repair, while a compressor or refrigerant leak repair is more involved. A licensed technician can give you a fixed, upfront quote after diagnosing the exact fault.
Avoid any quote given over the phone without a proper diagnosis — refrigerator faults vary too much in complexity to price accurately without inspecting the unit.
When a fridge stops cooling, most homeowners want to know one thing first: how much is this going to cost? The honest answer is that it depends entirely on which of several possible faults is causing the problem.
Here's a breakdown of what drives the cost up or down, and how to make sure you're getting a fair, transparent quote.
What Affects the Cost of a Fridge Repair
- Which component has failed — a seal or thermostat is far simpler than a compressor
- Whether the fault is electrical, mechanical, or refrigerant-related
- Parts availability for your specific brand and model
- Whether the fridge needs to be moved or partially disassembled
- How old the unit is and whether parts are still in production
Lower-Cost Repairs
- Door seal replacement
- Thermostat or control board calibration
- Condenser coil cleaning
- Fan motor replacement
More Involved Repairs
- Compressor replacement
- Refrigerant leak detection and re-gassing
- Major control board failure
Getting a Fair, Fixed Quote
A reputable technician will diagnose the exact fault first, then provide a fixed price before starting any work — not an estimate that changes once the job is underway. DP Electric offers free, no-obligation quotes after diagnosis, with no surprise call-out fees.
We Service All Melbourne Eastern Suburbs
Same-day appliance repairs available across:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to fix a fridge that's not cooling?▼
It depends on the fault. Simple repairs like a seal or thermostat are low-cost; compressor or refrigerant repairs are more involved. A technician can give you a fixed quote after diagnosis.
Is it cheaper to repair or replace a fridge that won't cool?▼
For fridges under eight years old with a single-component fault, repair is almost always the more cost-effective option compared to buying new.
Do quotes include the call-out fee?▼
At DP Electric, the diagnosis and quote are provided upfront with no hidden call-out surprises — you'll know the full cost before any work begins.
Why won't technicians give a price over the phone?▼
Refrigerator faults can have several different causes that look identical from the outside. An accurate price requires an in-person diagnosis.
Need help with this right now?
Same-day service · Licensed technicians · 12-month labour warranty & 3-month parts warranty
Dishank Patel
Lead Technician & Founder · DP Electric Melbourne
Dishank Patel has over 10 years of hands-on experience repairing household appliances across Melbourne's eastern suburbs. He holds all required Victorian electrical and gas licensing and has personally repaired thousands of appliances across brands including Bosch, Miele, LG, Samsung, and Fisher & Paykel.