Well, vacuum the condenser out and hope that no permanent damage results. A clogged condenser is the most common reason for compressor overheating and may even cause premature compressor failure. A few models continue to operate with significant clogging but many are very sensitive and quickly cycle off on the overload. It is always important to check and clean condenser coils frequently.

Smaller and older designs used "static condensers". Static condensers are identified by a large black grid up the back of the refrigerator and no cooling fan (i.e. static, no forced convection.) Static condensers models, like the old curved-front Frigidaire and Westinghouse, never clog up and rarely cause problems. In fact, static condenser designs are the old, spare refrigerators often encountered on basements. They seem to chug along, trouble free for 30-40 years.

Fan-driven convection allows a refrigerator to be jammed into a tight cabinet right up against the wall. And bigger refrigerators can be manufactured because forced-convection cools off freon more efficiently.

Hot Compressor
Lights On
No Cooling at All
Troubleshooting Refrigerators
Diagnostic System