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How to Troubleshoot and Repair a Refrigerator


Diagnose Bad Compressors, Dirty Condenser Coils

© 2009 by All rights reserved; content may not be copied, rewritten, or republished without author’s written permission. Author’s Google profile

Side by Side Hotpoint Refrigerator
A side-by-side hotpoint refrigerator



When it comes time for refrigerator repair, you need refrigerator troubleshooting skills.

Whether you own a Samsung with a bad compressor, or an LG that won’t cycle off,you can diagnose and fix the appliance yourself in many cases.

Keep in mind that if the job involves working with freon, a licensed technician will likely be required to do that part of the job. Whenever one of your kitchen appliances has mechanical or performance issues, the first step is to discover the root cause of the problem instead of simply running out to purchase a new one.

This process is generally rather straightforward. All you’ll need is a few basic tools, some mechanical and HVAC skills, and a handy checklist.

Read on; this article will provide the checklist to use for troubleshooting refrigerators; print it out for reference if that helps.

This guide is rather generic since all major brand names work "more or less" the same way, even though high-end models have several more bells and whistles, like ice makers, filtered water dispensers, and even cameras. As a matter of fact, they have a lot in common with your central air conditioner.

Tip: Any DIY’er not comfortable working with electricity should call an electrician. But you knew that.

Refrigerator Malfunction Symptoms and Solutions

Compressor Does not Run and the Light Won’t Come On

  • Is there no power to the fridge? Make sure that it’s plugged in and check the circuit breaker.
  • Is the electric cord damaged or loose? Test the cord.

The Light Comes on but the Unit Doesn’t Run

  • Is your temperature control knob turned off or too far down? Adjust it.
  • Is your compressor overheating? Clean your condenser coils.
  • Compressor defective? Call service company. The new one will need a refrigerant charge and it takes a licenced individual for that.
  • Is your condenser fan defective? Replace it or call a service company.
  • Is your temperature controller defective? Test the control.
  • How about the defrost timer? Test it and replace if needed.
  • Do you have a defective overload protector? Replace it yourself or call a service company.

Compressor Starts and Stops Uncharacteristically Quickly

  • Is the overload protector tripping too quickly? Check the voltage at the outlet.
  • Is your condenser fan defective? Replace it or call a service company.
  • Compressor defective? Call service company.
  • Condenser coils dirty? Clean the coils.

Find Replacement Refrigerator Parts

Appliance Doesn’t Cool Properly

  • Check the temperature control knob and adjust if needed.
  • Do you suspect a refrigerator refrigerant leak and/or contamination? Call a service company.
  • Is the door closing completely? Refrigerators doors are engineered to close automatically from the half-open point. Raise the front leveler adjusters until it closes properly.
  • Do you have dirty condenser coils? Clean the coils.
  • Is your temperature controller defective? Test the control.
  • Test your evaporator fan. If it’s faulty, replace it yourself or call a service company.
  • Evaporator jammed up with ice? Defrost the fridge, test the defrost timer, test the defrost limiting switch, and finally test the defrost heater.
  • Has your door seal seen better days? Test around the door by closing the door on a sheet of paper. Do you feel plenty of tension when you pull it out? If you don’t, replace it with a new properly sized gasket.

The Unit Gets Too Cold

  • Is your temperature control knob set too cold? Adjust it.
  • Is your temperature controller defective? Test the control and replace if needed.

The Compressor Will not Cycle Off; It Keeps Running

  • This might be the door seal. Test around the door by closing the door on a sheet of paper. Do you feel plenty of tension when you pull it out? If you don’t, replace it with a new properly sized gasket.
  • Are the condenser coils dirty? Clean the coils.
  • Do you see a frost build-up? Defrost the refrigerator.
  • If your fridge has an exposed evaporator plate or coils and they’re dirty, clean them up with warm soapy water.

These general guidelines should help you to troubleshoot and repair a refrigerator; if nothing else and you have to call a service person, at least you will have an idea of what they are trying to sell you. Not saying they might try to oversell you with tech-babble, but...


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About the Author:

Photo of Kelly R. SmithKelly R. Smith is an Air Force veteran and was a commercial carpenter for 20 years before returning to night school at the University of Houston where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science. After working at NASA for a few years, he went on to develop software for the transportation, financial, and energy-trading industries. He has been writing, in one capacity or another, since he could hold a pencil. As a freelance writer now, he specializes in producing articles and blog content for a variety of clients. His personal blog is at I Can Fix Up My Home Blog where he muses on many different topics.















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