Wine fridge too cold: why it overcools

Confirm it really is too cold

The display shows the air temperature near the sensor, not the wine. Stand a fridge thermometer in a glass of water on the middle shelf for a few hours, then read it. Wine in bottles changes temperature slowly, so this is the best guide to what the wine is experiencing.

Check that the display is in °C, not °F. Some models switch with a button combination. A reading of 12 that you thought was °C may be set as something very different in °F. Our temperature guide lists common settings in both.

Common causes

Work through these causes in turn. The table lists the usual signs of each and the fix that normally solves it, starting with the simplest.

Most wine fridges hold a setting somewhere between about 5 and 18 °C, so a reading a couple of degrees below your target is within normal swings as the compressor cycles. A steady reading several degrees below, or bottles that feel icy, is worth investigating. Keep notes of the thermometer reading, the room temperature and the setting for a day or two; that pattern often points straight to the cause and is useful if you need to contact the maker.

Cold rooms and climate class

A compressor fridge controls temperature by switching cooling on and off. It cools, but most cannot warm. In a room colder than the setting, such as an unheated garage in January, the inside drifts towards room temperature and can fall below your target. Some models include a heater to hold a set temperature in a cold room; the manual or specification will say so.

Check the climate class on the energy label: SN is designed for cooler rooms, N for normal rooms. See wine fridge in a garage for more.

Bottles near the cold plate

On many fridges, the back wall is the cold plate. Bottles pressed against it get much colder than the air, and in rare cases can partly freeze, pushing the cork. Leave a finger's width between bottles and the back wall, and keep the drain channel clear.

If ice forms on the plate and spreads, that is a different issue covered in wine cooler icing up.

Dual-zone models

In a dual-zone fridge, the colder zone can chill the warmer one if the divider shelf is missing or out of place, or if the warmer zone is set close to the colder one. Check the divider and settings. Some models need a minimum difference between zones; the manual will say. See how to set a dual-zone wine fridge.

Sensor or control faults

If the fridge ignores the setting, runs non-stop and pulls the temperature well below target, the sensor or control board may be faulty. Unplug for several minutes to reset, then reset the temperature. If the problem returns, contact the maker.

Do not try to fix it by covering vents or sensors, which can damage the compressor. If you are replacing it, our freestanding guide and under-counter guide compare models and their stated ranges.

Note:Unplug the fridge before cleaning or moving it. Do not open control panels, wiring covers or the sealed cooling system; faults there need the maker's service team or a qualified engineer.

Compare freestanding wine fridges →

Frequently asked questions

Can wine freeze in a wine fridge? It is unusual, as most cannot go below about 4 or 5 °C, but bottles touching the cold plate in a cold room can get very cold.

Is a slightly cold wine fridge a problem? A degree or two below the setting does no harm. Wine just needs a few minutes out of the fridge before serving.

Why is my wine fridge colder in winter? Most models cannot heat, so a cold room pulls the temperature down.

Should I unplug my wine fridge in a cold garage? Only if it would go below what you want. A model with a heater, or a warmer room, is the better answer.