Winter in Metro Detroit often brings heavy snow, ice buildup, and strong winds. When storms move through Southeast Michigan, power outages can happen with little warning. A single downed line or ice-covered transformer can leave homes without electricity for hours, sometimes days.

While the lights going out is frustrating, the bigger concern for many homeowners is what happens to the refrigerator and freezer. Food safety, appliance damage, and expensive grocery loss can all follow a winter outage if the system doesn’t recover properly.

Cold Michigan temperatures don’t automatically protect your food. Once power stops, refrigerator and freezer temperatures begin rising. When electricity returns, sudden restarts and voltage changes can also damage internal parts.

This guide explains what to do during an outage, what to watch for once power returns, and when professional refrigerator repair, freezer repair, or full appliance repair may be needed in Metro Detroit homes.

What to Do Immediately When the Power Goes Out

The first few hours matter most. Small actions can help keep food safe and reduce stress on your appliance.

• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed: Opening the door lets cold air escape quickly. A closed refrigerator usually stays cold for about four hours. A full freezer can stay frozen for up to two days if left unopened.
• Do not adjust temperature settings: Turning dials colder will not help during an outage and may cause issues when power returns.
• Avoid checking food repeatedly: Each door opening raises internal temperature faster than most homeowners realize.
• Unplug appliances if power is flickering: Metro Detroit winter storms often cause brief on-and-off outages. These power surges can damage compressors and control boards. If lights are flashing on and off, unplug the refrigerator and freezer until power stabilizes.
• Group food together: Food stays cold longer when packed tightly. This is especially helpful in upright freezers.
• Leave frozen food frozen: Do not attempt to cook or thaw items unless it becomes clear the outage will be extended.

After Power Returns: Safe Restart Steps and Warning Signs

When electricity comes back on, it’s normal to expect everything to return to normal. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen.

• Wait about 10 to 15 minutes before plugging appliances back in: This helps protect electrical components from unstable voltage.
• Plug directly into the wall outlet: Avoid power strips or extension cords, which can interfere with proper power flow.
• Listen for normal sounds: You should hear the compressor and fans running. Clicking, buzzing, or repeated starting noises are not normal.
• Check temperatures, not just lights: Interior lights may turn on even if cooling systems are not working.

The refrigerator should reach 40 degrees or below within several hours, and the freezer should begin dropping toward 0 degrees within 24 hours.

Call for service if you notice:

• Refrigerator not cooling after outage
• Freezer temperature staying warm
• Food thawing and refreezing
• Clicking every few minutes
• New error codes on the display
• Frost buildup or water pooling inside

These are common post-outage problems in Metro Detroit homes, especially in older appliances or units that were already working hard before the storm.

When a “No-Cool” Problem Needs Professional Repair

After a power outage, refrigerators and freezers don’t always restart normally. Even with electricity back on, cooling may not return.

Common signs include:

• Lights on but no cold air
• Freezer running without freezing
• Clicking sounds every few minutes
• Temperatures rising overnight
• Cooling that starts and stops

These issues often happen when an appliance shuts down suddenly and tries to restart under unstable power. The unit may appear fine but fail to cool properly.

Turning the appliance off and on usually doesn’t fix the problem and can make it worse.

Professional refrigerator repair and freezer repair help identify where cooling is breaking down and restore proper operation. If multiple appliances were affected, full appliance repair can ensure everything is running safely again.

Keep Your Kitchen Protected For The Rest of Winter

In Metro Detroit, outages rarely end cleanly. Power often flickers back on, shuts off again, then returns hours later. That kind of stop-and-start can leave refrigerators and freezers cooling unevenly.

Over the next few days, pay attention to how your appliance behaves. Food not staying cold overnight, ice trays melting, or the fridge running longer than usual are signs the system may not have fully recovered, even if it seems to be working.

Let the appliance cool completely before restocking, and avoid packing food directly against interior vents. If temperatures don’t stabilize or cooling feels inconsistent, it’s usually better to have it checked sooner rather than after food is lost.

Detroit Appliance provides trusted refrigerator repair, freezer repair, and full appliance repair throughout Metro Detroit. Our highly trained employees focus on clear answers and a smooth, low-stress service experience

Schedule refrigerator or freezer services with Detroit Appliance to keep your food protected and your kitchen running smoothly all winter long.