Frigidaire refrigerator not working
Common reasons your Frigidaire refrigerator is not working
The most common reasons your Frigidaire refrigerator is not working are a defective electronic control board, bad temperature control thermostat or a locked compressor.
63% of the time it's the
Electronic Control Board
8% of the time it's the
Temperature Control Thermostat
8% of the time it's the
Compressor
21% of the time it's the
Something else
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Most common repairs needed to fix a Frigidaire refrigerator
Electronic Control Board Replacement
A defective electronic control board can lead to various failures in a refrigerator, including a lack of power or cooling and water leaking. This is because the board serves as the brain of the refrigerator, controlling crucial operations such as regulating internal temperatures, running fans, managing defrost cycles, overseeing the ice maker, and controlling dispenser functions. If the electronic control board malfunctions, it can disrupt communication between many different components, including automatic doors if equipped. A failing board may cause a chattering or clicking noise from the refrigerator and may emit a burning odor. Due to the potential impact on multiple components, it is advisable to have a Sears Home Services professional conduct diagnostic tests on the board to confirm if replacement is necessary.
Temperature Control Thermostat Replacement
A common sign of a bad temperature control thermostat is temperature inconsistency within the refrigerator compartment, leading to either insufficient cooling or excessively cold conditions. You might notice fluctuations in food freshness and find items freezing inappropriately. The refrigerator may run continuously or cycle frequently, indicating a failure to maintain the set temperature. In some cases, the thermostat might cause the refrigerator to be entirely non-responsive, leading to a complete lack of cooling.
Compressor Replacement
A locked refrigerator compressor can exhibit several symptoms indicative of a malfunction. The most noticeable sign is a lack of cooling in the refrigerator compartment, leading to elevated temperatures and the potential for food spoilage. The freezer may also fail to maintain the desired freezing temperatures, resulting in no ice production from the ice maker or dispenser. Additionally, you'll observe that the compressor is unusually silent or fails to produce its typical humming sound during operation. In some cases, the compressor may attempt to start but fail, resulting in repeated clicking noises. The inability of the compressor to circulate refrigerant properly can affect the defrosting process, leading to ice buildup in the freezer. Furthermore, a faulty compressor could send a sudden influx of melting frost to the drain line, causing it to back up, preventing adequate draining, and potentially causing water leaks.
What to expect when you experience a Frigidaire refrigerator not working issue
How is the not working problem fixed?
Correcting most not working problems usually involves replacing the electronic control board, temperature control thermostat or compressor. However, there are many potential causes, so a thorough diagnosis is key to fixing the problem. An accurate diagnosis is essential to understanding how much the repair will be.
Sears Home Services recommendations for a refrigerator that is not working
When the refrigerator is not working it can be for many reasons. To avoid replacing unneeded parts we recommend having a Sears Home Services professional perform diagnostic tests to identify the root cause of the problem. Our technicians are experienced at diagnosing all types of refrigerator failures.
What to look out for with a refrigerator not working diagnosis
Diagnosing modern appliances without proper knowledge and training can be difficult. Without using proper diagnostic techniques, fixing your refrigerator problem will only be achieved through changing parts on a hunch. Appliances, especially in the last 10 years, have become extremely advanced, and many models have electronic parts that are difficult to test. DIY repairs on the latest appliance models are becoming increasingly difficult.
What to do When Your Frigidaire Refrigerator is Not Cooling
When your Frigidaire refrigerator is not cooling, check to see if the compressor is running. If you don’t hear the buzz of the compressor, then a failed compressor start relay could be preventing the compressor from starting. A locked up compressor can also be the problem when your Frigidaire refrigerator is not cooling. A service technician will need to replace the compressor in that situation.
If the compressor isn’t running and the evaporator fan isn’t running either, the cold control thermostat or electronic control board may have failed. Those components won’t run if the control isn’t sending current because it’s defective. Replacing an electronic control board or cold control thermostat is a complicated repair that should normally be performed by a Sears Home Services repair technician.
If none of the lights work and you hear no sounds from the refrigerator, the appliance may not have power. Check the outlet cord to make sure it’s plugged in properly. If you find no problems with the power cord being plugged in, check the house circuit breaker for the fridge. Reset the house circuit breaker if you find it tripped. This should restore power to the fridge.
If your Frigidaire refrigerator is not cooling after following these troubleshooting tips, schedule refrigerator repair service and we’ll send a technician to your home to diagnose and fix the cooling problem.
Troubleshooting a Frigidaire Refrigerator Not Staying Cold
Intermittent cooling problems in your refrigerator can be caused by excessive frost buildup on the evaporator that temporarily clogs cooling air passages through the freezer and refrigerator compartments. When you discover you Frigidaire refrigerator not staying cold, check the refrigerator and freezer door gaskets for loose spots or damage. Cracked or loose door gaskets will allow warm, moist air to enter the freezer compartment and cause excessive frost on the evaporator fins. Cooling air won’t be able to flow through the refrigerator and freezer when the air passages through the evaporator fins are blocked. Repair or replace any loose or damaged door gask4ts in your refrigerator.
Another source of warm, moist air that could be entering your fridge and causing cooling problems is a loose or jammed ice dispenser door. When the ice door doesn’t fully shut on the ice dispenser, room air can enter the freezer and cause excessive frost on the evaporator. Check for an ice cube or ice chips blocking the ice door from closing. Clear the ice chute of the stuck cube or ice chips and the ice door should shut properly. If the ice door is cracked or broken and not shutting properly, have a Sears Home Services technician repair your Frigidaire fridge.
A problem with the automatic defrost system, low refrigerant charge, compressor problems and blocked supply or return air vents in the fridge could cause also cause cooling problems. When your Frigidaire refrigerator is not staying cold and you can’t find and fix the failure yourself, depend on Sears Home Services to solve the problem for you. Set up refrigerator repair service and we’ll fix your Frigidaire refrigerator not cooling problem quickly and efficiently.
Fixing a Frigidaire Gallery Not Cooling Problem
When you find your Frigidaire Gallery not cooling, check the air vents in the refrigerator to see if items are blocking air flow. Blocked air vents are a leading cause of cooling problems in a Frigidaire Gallery refrigerator. The owner’s manual shows where air supply and return vents are located in the fridge. Follow the instructions in the manual for keeping those areas clear of items that will block the vents.
Additional problems that can prevent your Frigidaire Gallery from cooling properly are door seal leaks and a compressor failure. A broken evaporator fan can prevent the refrigerator from cooling as well.
Examine the refrigerator and freezer door seals for leaks. Repair or replace any loose, cracked or damaged door seals to keep cold air in the fridge.
If the compressor isn’t running, a failed compressor start relay could be causing your Frigidaire Gallery not cooling problem. Unplug the fridge and check the compressor start relay if you are confident in your DIY repair abilities. A bad start relay will often rattle loudly when you shake it after removing it from the compressor. Replace the compressor start relay if you suspect that it is bad and you may be able to fix the Frigidaire Gallery refrigerator not cooling problem yourself. If you’re not confident that you can check that compressor start relay and replace it yourself if it’s bad, schedule refrigerator repair service and we’ll fix your Frigidaire Gallery not cooling problem for you.
If the compressor runs but the evaporator fan isn’t running, you’ll likely need to replace the evaporator fan. That fan is somewhat complicated to access, diagnose and replace in a Frigidaire Gallery refrigerator. When you find that the evaporator fan isn’t running, schedule refrigerator repair service and we’ll send a technician to your home to fix the fridge.
What to do When You Find a Frigidaire Mini Refrigerator Not Cooling
Mini fridges are popular and convenient but cooling problems can occur in these appliances at any time. When you discover your Frigidaire mini refrigerator not cooling, transfer food to a different fridge or an ice chest and troubleshoot the fooling problem by following these tips.
Check the door gasket for loose spots or damage. If the door gasket is damaged, replace it. If you just find the door gasket loose, push the gasket back into the channel in the door and apply to adhesive if necessary to keep it in place. Resolving a door gasket issue may fix the problem when you find your Frigidaire mini refrigerator not cooling.
Excessive frost can also inhibit cooling a Frigidaire mini fridge. Defrost the fridge by unplugging the unit and opening the door. Frost should melt off the evaporator in the freezer section within a few hours. Plug the fridge back in and see if it cools properly.
One more fix that can solve a Frigidaire mini refrigerator not cooling problem is to replace a bad compressor start relay. The start relay is plugged into the compressor and helps the compressor start when the control sends current to the compressor to start that component. If you can replace that start relay yourself, you can sometimes fix a cooling problem in a Frigidaire mini fridge.
What to Do When You Find Your New Frigidaire Refrigerator Not Cooling
When you discover your new Frigidaire refrigerator not cooling, you’ll probably be able to get it fixed under that warranty if it’s less than a year old. You’ll need to follow the troubleshooting steps in your owner’s manual to try and fix the cooling problem yourself before scheduling service.
Check for items blocking air vents inside the fridge. The owner’s manual shows the location of air supply and return inside your fridge. Rearrange items if necessary to clear the air vents.
Also, check the settings. Make sure the temperatures are set properly for the refrigerator and freezer sections. The refrigerator should typically be set to 37-degrees and the freezer should be set at 0-degrees. Adjust the settings if necessary to the fridge will work properly.
If you find the fridge not working at all, check the power cord to make sure it is properly plugged into the electrical outlet. If you find the fridge power cord plugged in properly, check the house circuit breaker for the fridge. Reset the house circuit breaker for the refrigerator if you find it tripped. If the breaker is okay, check for power at the electrical outlet by plugging in a small appliance our night light into the fridge outlet to make sure it is working. If not, have an electrician fix the electrical outlet for the refrigerator. You can make sure that the refrigerator works by briefly plugging it into a different outlet using an extension cord. Don’t continue to run the refrigerator using an extension cord, just check to see if it works.
If these basic troubleshooting steps don’t help you resolve the problem when you find your new Frigidaire refrigerator not cooling, schedule service or arrange warranty service through Frigidaire if the fridge is still under warranty.
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Glossary Terms
Refrigerant is a chemical compound used in HVAC systems and refrigerators to absorb heat from the environment by cycling through states of evaporation and condensation, enabling the cooling process through its cycle of evaporation and condensation.
R-12 refrigerant, also known as Freon-12, is a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) compound that was once widely used in air conditioning systems, refrigerators, and aerosol propellants before its phase-out due to environmental concerns.
CFC certification refers to the credentialing process that qualifies HVAC technicians to handle chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other refrigerants in a manner that complies with environmental regulations. It is essential for professionals who install, maintain, or repair HVAC systems and refrigeration equipment.
A refrigerator thermostat is a device within a refrigerator that regulates its temperature by turning the cooling system on and off based on the interior temperature compared to the set desired temperature.
Additional possible Frigidaire refrigerator symptoms you may experience
- Frigidaire refrigerator water not working
- Frigidaire refrigerator water not coming out
- Frigidaire refrigerator water dispenser not working
- Frigidaire refrigerator side by side model ice maker not working
- Frigidaire refrigerator refrigerator not freezing
- Frigidaire refrigerator not making ice but water works
- Frigidaire refrigerator not dispensing ice
- Frigidaire refrigerator not cooling
- Frigidaire refrigerator noisy
- Frigidaire refrigerator no power
- Frigidaire refrigerator light not working
- Frigidaire refrigerator leaking water
- Frigidaire refrigerator ice maker stopped working
- Frigidaire refrigerator ice maker not making ice but water works
- Frigidaire refrigerator ice maker leaking
- Frigidaire refrigerator gallery ice maker not working
- Frigidaire refrigerator fan not working
- Frigidaire refrigerator display not working
- Frigidaire refrigerator compressor not running