Noticed this morning that the milk in the lower door shelf was very warm. Also noticed that the ice maker hasn't made much ice, but the stuff in the freezer (meat) is frozen solid like it should be. We turned the freezer control to the coldest setting and turned the refrigerator control to the coldest setting. I put a thermometer in the refrigerator and on the middle shelf, it reads about 40 degrees after about 1 hour. Where should I start on diagnostics?

We've had some past problems w/this refrigerator, but it seemed to be working OK lately. This is the first time the refrigerator hasn't been able to keep up.

I replaced the settings back to the middle. I also took the panel off the bottom (my coils are under the refrigerator and towards the front) and looked at the coils, which had a thin layer of dust. I was able to vacuum the front part of the coils off (I've done this before), but I notice I can't get any vacuum attachment behind that front row of coils as it's a downward V shape and there's no room under or on the sides. Can't even get my hand under.

Well, I let the refrigerator go 24 hours on the new settings (freezer slightly higher than the middle setting, refrigerator on middle setting) and this morning the temp was around 33 or so, so it seems to be cooling OK now. I also took compressed air and blew off the coils. I'll have to invest in a coil brush.

Now my garage fridge is having similar problems. I took the advice I got and reset the freezer and fridge settings (I had turned the fridge to the coldest setting), and it's temp is around 40-42 right now. My plan is to slowly empty it and transfer what is left into the house fridge and then unplug it and keep the doors open for a few days as I figure it's most likely really frozen inside.