Is your refrigerator not as chilly as it once was?
Don't blame a hot summer for performance issues. Something is certainly wrong with your refrigerator, but rest assured you can diagnose the problem on your own with minimal skill and only a few tools.
First, double check your temperature control isn't set off or low. Whether it was a sleepwalking mistake or the doings of a terrorizing toddler, you never know: Next, also make sure no blockage exists anywhere where the fridge ventilates from - both around the fridge and freezer compartments.
Next, make sure there's not a dirt buildup around the refrigerator coils. Performance can hamper as dirt overtakes the coils, which also puts more pressure on the motor. Cleaning the coils is easy and you just need a brush that will reach, with tall enough bristles too. A handheld vacuum or vacuum attachment can also be used to clean up dirt and dust from around the fan.
Now that you've cleaned up, ensured no blockages exist, etc., it's time to test your fridge once again. Does the temperature seem any chillier this time around? If not, you've eliminated many potential problems which reduces the causes to diagnose around.
Worst case scenario, no alterations or cleaning will do any good. If the problem is bad enough the damage will exist on the circuit / control board. Such complications are harder to diagnose by an average Joe / appliance repair DIY'er, which is why we recommend sourcing out the job to a refrigerator repair professional.
Of course, you can troubleshoot a circuit board issue as well. Access this part and look for any obvious signs of physical damage. For example, if any relays look burnt that will be good enough intel to tell you that the board needs to be replaced.
Running into trouble with your fridge? Sometimes visualizing the repair is the best way to destress. Check the model number of your refrigerator and look it up online in an appliance parts database. Locate the particular part(s) that might be needed to fix your fridge. Don't freak out if some are pricey, especially since you might not know exactly what needs to be bought. Seeing the cost of each part will tell you 'Hey, the cost of fixing this problem will be labor plus the price of this, this or that replacement part'.