What is the first thing to check when a refrigerator stops working

What is the first thing to check when a refrigerator stops working

Although homeowners rarely think about it, the refrigerator is probably the most reliable appliance we own. What other appliance can run for years, sometimes decades, without breaking down? Yours may have stopped working, but it may be worth considering how long it has worked for you so far.

In any case, now you need to find out why it has stopped working. A good guide to troubleshooting refrigerator problems in general, but here we focus on the possible causes of an electrical failure. Maybe the light worked, maybe it didn't. But a refrigerator will never cool or freeze food.

How a refrigerator works

A refrigerator works on the same principle as the air conditioner in your home or car. A closed refrigerant circuit takes heat and moisture from the internal storage compartment (especially the freezer) and passes it through a series of heat exchangers that remove heat from the air and dissipate it. The compressor makes the heat exchange possible by converting the refrigerant from a gaseous to a liquid state, which can be repeated. When the refrigerator "starts", what you hear is the compressor motor driving it.

What causes a refrigerator to stop working?

Refrigerators also have several components, such as thermostats, timers, overload switches and fans, which facilitate the cooling process and ensure that everything works properly. Appliances with an automatic defrost function have heaters that turn on and off automatically to prevent frost buildup. A malfunction in any of these components or systems can cause your refrigerator to stop working.

If your refrigerator has stopped and the indicator light does not come on.

While this may seem obvious, usually the refrigerator shuts down completely because it is not receiving power at all.

The first thing you should do is check the circuit breaker on the circuit that supplies power to the refrigerator (in your home's electrical panel). Most homes have a 20 amp circuit dedicated to the refrigerator, while in older homes it may be connected to a regular kitchen circuit. Turn the circuit breaker back on (or replace the fuse) if it appears to have tripped.

Check the outlet where the refrigerator plugs into (possibly behind the refrigerator) to see if there is a circuit breaker, or reset the tripped breaker and still no power. Test the lamp by plugging it into the sockets on both sides. Lack of power may indicate a faulty plug or a wire that has come loose from the circuit.

Finally, check the refrigerator power cord for damage. First, make sure that the appliance is unplugged from the mains.

If the refrigerator has stopped, but the indicator light is still lit.

If the indicator light is on, at least you know the refrigerator has power. Before calling a service technician, there are a few things you can try.

Lower the freezer temperature and check to see if the refrigerator turns on. Lowering the freezer temperature is not a good test, as many refrigerators are cooled by freezer ventilation.

2 Make sure there is adequate air circulation around the refrigerator. It should have at least 3 inches of air space at the back and 1 inch at the top to allow heat to escape from the coils. Insufficient space will cause the compressor to overheat and the refrigerator to shut down.

3. Clean the outer coils according to the manufacturer's instructions, also to prevent overheating.

4. Test the compressor by disconnecting the refrigerator from the mains for approximately 2 hours and reconnecting it. If the compressor starts, it is likely that something is causing the compressor to overheat.

In addition to these diagnostic tests, you should probably get a service technician who can test the following: compressor relay and overload protection, thermostat, defrost timer, and evaporator fan.

If the motor makes noise but the refrigerator does not cool.

If the compressor motor seems to be running, making a humming or whirring noise, but the refrigerator is not cooling at all, it's time to call a professional. Be sure to ask if the refrigerator should be disconnected from the mains while you wait for the service call.

Whatever you do, keep it cold.

Whatever the problem, you can largely prevent food from defrosting and spoiling by opening the door as little as possible. Every second the door is open increases the temperature in the refrigerator and freezer.