How Long Is Food Safe If My Refrigerator Stops Cooling?
What this costs
| Option | Job | Low | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Repair | Appliance Repair | $90 | $460 |
What to do right now
- Keep the doors closed as much as you can.
- Put a thermometer inside to see the real temperature.
- If it will take longer than 4 hours, FDA says to use coolers with ice.
- We also recommend checking that the fridge has power before you assume it failed.
What to throw out
FDA names perishable items such as meat, poultry, seafood, milk, eggs and leftovers. CDC also lists cut fruits and vegetables. Don't judge by smell or looks. FDA says you can't rely on appearance or odor.
Two FDA pages use different numbers
These agency pages are written for power outages, not broken refrigerators. Applying them to a failed fridge is our own reasoning, by analogy. FDA's outage and flood page, current as of March 5, 2024, says to discard refrigerated perishable food above 40 degrees for 4 hours or more. CDC's page, dated November 24, 2025, also uses 4 hours. FDA's older key tips page, current as of February 2, 2018, says 2 hours or more. So the newer pages say 4 hours. If you want the more careful rule, we recommend 2 hours. If you're not sure how long it has been warm, throw it out.
The freezer
FDA and CDC say a full freezer holds about 48 hours and a half-full one about 24, with the door closed. Food with ice crystals or at 40 degrees or below can be refrozen or cooked.
Refrigerator Not Cooling? What to Check First
Common questions
What temperature should my fridge be?
Is it worth fixing or replacing the fridge?
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Last verified 2026-11-04
- FDA: Food and water safety during power outages and floods — Current as of Mar. 5, 2024. About 4 hours unopened; discard perishables above 40 degrees for 4 hours or more; full freezer 48 hours, half full 24; can't rely on appearance or odor.
- FDA: Power outages, key tips for consumers about food safety — Refrigerator keeps food cold about 4 hours; current as of Feb. 2, 2018; uses 2 hours above 40 degrees as its discard point.
- CDC: Keep food safe after a disaster or emergency — About 4 hours with door closed; discard food above 40 degrees; when in doubt, throw it out.
General information, not professional advice. Conditions, codes and prices vary. Turn off power, gas or water before any work, and hire a licensed professional when in doubt. Cost figures are our estimates, not quotes.