My freezer works but the fridge isn't cold — what's wrong?

We see this all the time. It usually traces to a dead evaporator fan, frost clogging the air vents from a bad defrost system, or a stuck air damper, and a Howard County tech can pinpoint which and explain the repair.

My refrigerator keeps leaking — what's causing it?

Water inside or under the refrigerator typically traces to a clogged or frozen defrost drain, a cracked water line to the ice maker, or a worn door gasket. We handle these for Howard County homeowners all the time, and most are inexpensive fixes when caught early.

Why is my fridge freezing everything?

Food freezing in the fresh-food compartment typically points to a bad temperature control, a failed thermistor, or a damper stuck open. It's almost always a quick part swap — one of the more affordable refrigerator repairs we do around Columbia.

What's the average lifespan of a refrigerator?

Most fridges last 10 to 15 years, though premium and built-in models often go longer. A newer unit with a single failed part is usually worth fixing; once it's past 15 or hits a sealed-system or compressor failure, replacement often makes more sense — and our Howard County techs will tell you straight which way to go.

When does it make more sense to replace a fridge than repair it?

It depends on the fridge's age and what's failed. Newer units with a bad fan, thermostat, water valve, or control board are easy repairs; older ones with a sealed-system or compressor failure usually aren't worth it. We give you a straight estimate first, and Howard County customers who replace get the service charge credited toward a new refrigerator from us.

How soon can you get to Howard County?

In Columbia and the rest of Howard County, we usually book within a day or two. Before the visit, your tech calls or texts an arrival time, so you're not waiting around all day.

Is there a fee for a service call in Howard County?

Yes. A service charge — the amount depends on the brand — covers the trip out and a full diagnosis. The repair is a separate cost you approve before we start the work.

What kind of guarantee comes with a refrigerator repair?

Every repair we make is backed for 90 days. If the same problem crops up again within 90 days, we return and take care of it free of charge.

Refrigerator Repair in Columbia & Howard County

Refrigerator Repair Howard County Counts On

You shouldn't lose a fridge full of food waiting on a repair. Landers Howard County with same-day and next-day appointments, and we back every repair for 90 days.

Schedule service

A woman stands at her refrigerator smiling because of reliable Howard County refrigerator repair.

Refrigerator Repair Problems

Fridge Acting Up? Here's What We See Most

Not cooling or warm inside

The cause is often a worn compressor, dirty condenser coils, or a failed evaporator fan.

Freezer won't freeze

If your freezer can't hold temperature, the defrost system, evaporator fan, or seal is usually to blame.

Leaking water

A puddle under the fridge usually means a clogged defrost drain, a cracked water line, or a worn door seal.

Ice maker or water dispenser quit

When the ice or water stops, it's usually a clogged filter or line, a failed water inlet valve, or a worn ice-maker assembly.

Loud or running constantly

A fridge that runs nonstop or gets noisy typically has a bad condenser fan, dirty condenser coils, or a strained compressor.

Frost buildup or freezing food

A failed defrost heater, a bad thermostat, or a leaky door gasket can cause excess frost or a fridge that freezes food.

Schedule service

Repair or Replace

Repair or Replace — How to Decide

From Columbia to Ellicott City and across Howard County, we service French door, side-by-side, and built-in refrigerators, and we'll tell you honestly when replacement is the better option.

Repair it

Under 10 years old
A single part has failed
No string of recent repairs
Repair runs less than half of a comparable new refrigerator

A Landers technician offers refrigerator installation in Baltimore, MD.

Replace it

Past 15 years old
Sealed-system/compressor failure on an older unit
Repair cost is creeping toward the price of a new one
It's running up your energy bill

Schedule diagnostics

Talk to a team member

Browse new refrigerators

The Repair Process

Four Steps to Cool In Columbia, MD

Schedule service

Step 1

Call and explain the problem

Step 2

We listen and diagnose your refrigerator

Step 3

We explain repair vs. replacement options

Step 4

We restore the cool to your kitchen

Reviews

Why Howard County Calls Landers First

Customers in the Columbia, MD area had been let down by a repair company before. See what changed when they called Landers.

The guy that came over was knowledgeable, friendly and quick. He helped me understand what was wrong and made suggestions for a better fridge purchase next time!

Bryan M.

We have an 18 yo ge monogram Hubby left the freezer door ajar overnight… In the am … both temps were way off… We were told to empty fridge, turn off breaker for 48 hours with both doors open… We don’t know if it will fix the issue… time will tell Brandon was friendly and professional Update: Well I have to say I was skeptical… but hopeful that keeping the refrig off for two days would fix the issue… After two days of my kitchen being a mess and running up and down the stairs to the basement fridge… I got up this morning to 0 and 34!!! I did a happy dance in my messy kitchen The other good news was the fridge now is almost as clean as when we bought it Thanks again!

Cindy R.

I cannot say enough about the quality of our experience with Lander’s. We had a tricky issue with our Fridge/Freezer. I had to call so many times to schedule service and though I’m sure I became known as a “problem child”, I was never made to feel that way by anyone scheduling my appointments. The level of service was nothing short of perfection. Josh came a few times to work on it and then George came a few more times. Both were professional, punctual, and informative. They never quit trying to find the issue. George was on the phone with Frigidaire multiple times to be certain that he wasn’t missing anything. He even spent his own time talking to buddies in the industry to try to figure out the problem. I’m certain that any other company would have thrown in the towel, but not these guys. In the end the problem was fixed. If I’d had to buy a new appliance I would have bought from them and I would still have written this review. A thousand stars for Landers!

Debbie F.

Landers did a diagnostic of my refrigerator/freezer. As the compressor is still under warranty, Landers informed me of what to do to get LG (the refrigerator brand) to install a new compressor. And he recommended which brands actually try to redesign their appliances so they have fewer reoccurring problems.

Dee M.

Service Areas

Refrigerator Repair Across Columbia and Howard County

We repair refrigerators and freezers in Columbia and in cities across Howard County.

See all service locations

Talk to a team member

Next Day Appointments Across Howard County

Clarksville, MD

Columbia, MD

Cooksville, MD

Dayton, MD

Elkridge, MD

Ellicott City, MD

Fulton, MD

Glenelg, MD

Glenwood, MD

Highland, MD

Jessup, MD

Marriottsville, MD

North Laurel, MD

Savage, MD

Scaggsville, MD

West Friendship, MD

Woodbine, MD

Also Serving: Baltimore County · Montgomery County · Anne Arundel County · Harford County

Refrigerator Brands We Trust

Hand-picked by the Howard County techs who service them.

Plus 50+ more, all serviced with factory-authorized parts.

Frequently asked questions

We repair over 50 brands — GE, Whirlpool, Samsung, LG, Frigidaire, Sub-Zero, Bosch, KitchenAid, Maytag, and Viking among them — across French door, side-by-side, top- and bottom-freezer, built-in, and counter-depth models, plus standalone freezers. We use factory-authorized parts and service your fridge no matter where you bought it. The one exception is warranty work, which we only handle on appliances we sold. Howard County homeowners can count on us for any of them.

We coordinate with the landlord or property manager first, keep a card on file, and pre-charge the service charge with a $350 pre-authorization — that lets us approve repairs under $350 on the spot if we can't reach you while the tech is on site. If the tenant isn't there to let our technician in at the scheduled time, a second service charge covers the return trip. It's how we keep Howard County rental repairs moving without delay.

Howard County, let's get your fridge cold again.

Repaired right and backed for 90 days

Schedule service

Call (410) 695-8160