Avantco Refrigerators Troubleshooting Guide

Refrigerators are typically the most heavily-used pieces of equipment in kitchens, so it is essential to any operation to keep your refrigeration equipment functioning properly. Leaks, power issues, and the inability to maintain temperatures are all common problems that can affect any refrigerator over time, whether it is a reach-in, undercounter, or beverage cooler. Use this troubleshooting guide to help detect and easily correct some issues you may be having with your Avantco Refrigeration refrigerators and learn how these problems can be kept at bay with preventative maintenance!

Use the following links to navigate and learn how to troubleshoot common Avantco refrigerator issues:

Refrigerator is Leaking
Power Issues
Temperature Issues
Light is Not Working
Compressor is Not Running
Maintenance Tips

Employee putting food into a reach-in refrigerator

Water is Pooling in the Corner of My Avantco Refrigerator

If your refrigerator is leaking, try these fixes first.

Is the refrigerator on uneven flooring? Make sure your unit is level as tilting could cause the water in the evaporator pan to overflow.
Is your kitchen too humid? If your kitchen has an abundance of excess moisture, your unit may be leaking because of condensation build-up. Move your unit to a drier area.
Is the door gasket(s) not sealing properly? Remove the door gasket from the frame of the door and clean the gasket. Check the door gasket for a proper seal after it's replaced.
Is the drain tube clogged? The unit's drain tube should be regularly checked to keep clogs from causing motor or electrical damage. Because the drain tube is not easily accessible, it is recommended that an authorized service technician be called to clear it.

Avantco refrigerator that is not powered on

Avantco Refrigerator Won't Stay On

If your Avantco refrigerator turns on then off or won't turn on, there are a few simple things to check to ensure that it is getting the proper power supply.

Is the unit plugged into the outlet correctly, and is the outlet functional? All units should be plugged into a grounded and properly sized electrical outlet with appropriate overcurrent protection. Please make sure that your unit has its own dedicated outlet.
Is the right amount of voltage flowing through the outlet? Low or high voltage can detrimentally affect the refrigeration unit.
Are you using an extension cord to connect your unit to power? Do not use an extension cord as this can void the unit's warranty.
Is your GFCI outlet tripped? If the unit is plugged into a GFCI outlet, check if the "RESET" button is popped out. Push the "RESET" button and check if the unit functions properly. If the outlet continues to trip, check to see if the circuit is overloaded or call in a service technician to assess if the wiring is faulty.
Is it tripping the breaker? Call a service technician.

Avantco refrigerator digital temperature control

Avantco Cooler is Not Holding Temperature

Numerous factors can contribute to your refrigerator's temperature not being cold enough - some of these issues are easy to fix yourself while some might require calling your service technician to check the unit.

Is the thermostat set too high? Set the thermostat to lower temperature.
Is airflow blocked? Re-arrange products to allow for proper air flow. Make sure there is at least four inches of clearance from the fan.
Are the refrigerant levels low? Contact a service technician to check the refrigerant levels.
Is your door closing properly? Make sure your door is completely shut each time you close it. If your door is not closing properly, you may need to clean or replace the gasket or hinge to ensure that your unit's door is sealing properly and keeping cold air inside.

How to Reset an Avantco Refrigerator's Minimum Temperature

Resetting your Avantco refrigerator's minimum temperature is a quick and easy task.

Hold the "SET" button for one second.
Use the arrow buttons to adjust the temperature to 33 degrees Fahrenheit or to whatever the minimum temperature is that you want the unit to run at.
Press "SET" again to save.

Employee reaching into a well-lit refrigerator

Avantco Refrigerator Interior Light is Not Working

Check for the following if your refrigerator's interior light is not turning on.

Is the bulb connected? Make sure the bulb is correctly inserted in the socket.
Has the bulb burned out? Replace the bulb.

Employee putting a food pan into an Avantco refrigerator

Avantco Refrigerator Compressor is Not Running

Check for the following if your refrigerator's compressor is not running.

Is a fuse blown or is the circuit breaker tripped? Replace the fuse or reset the circuit breaker.
Is the unit unplugged? Plug in the power cord. If you just unplugged the unit, wait at least 10 minutes before plugging it back in as to not damage the compressor.
Is the thermostat set too high? Readjust the thermostat to a lower temperature.
Is the cabinet in a defrost cycle? Wait for the defrost cycle to finish.
Are the condenser coils dirty? Dirty condenser coils can cause the compressor to overheat, which will cause the compressor to stop working. Clean the coils if they're clogged or dirty.

Avantco Refrigerator Maintenance Tips

The key to getting the longest possible lifespan out of your commercial fridge or freezer is performing regular cleaning and maintenance on it. Along with regular maintenance, following "best practices" when operating your unit is also imperative to its longevity and can greatly cut down on the time and cost associated with service calls. For the safety of your staff and unit, disconnect the power cord before cleaning any parts of the unit.

Clean the Condenser Coil

The coils on refrigeration equipment naturally accumulate dust and debris. Over time, this buildup will cause the refrigeration system to work harder to maintain temperature and can potentially lead to failures in other key components. Signs that the condenser coil may need to be cleaned include the refrigerator using more electricity than normal or not maintaining the proper temperature. It is recommended to clean the coils at least once per month with a commercial condenser coil cleaner.

Clean the Door Gaskets

Door gaskets should be washed on a regular basis, preferably once a week. Simply remove the door gasket from the frame of the door, soak it in warm, soapy water for 30 minutes, then dry with soft cloth and replace.

Clean the Fan Blades and Motor

Clean the fan blades and motor with a soft cloth. If it is necessary to wash the fan blades, cover the fan motor to prevent potential moisture damage.

Ensure Proper Airflow

Do not block the air duct / fan at the top of the unit. Maintain a minimum of 4" of clearance between products and the fan at all times.

Replace Worn Out or Damaged Parts

There are many refrigeration parts and accessories that are necessary for the proper functioning of your refrigerator. Perform regular quality checks on parts such as shelves, fuses, bulbs, thermostats, and gaskets and replace those parts when they are no longer functioning. It is always recommended that any servicing / repair be performed by an authorized service technician.

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