Fridge Repair: Fridge Doesn't Run, But Light Works

If your fridge is not working even through the light is on, save money on costly fridge repair by solving the problem yourself. There are a couple of checks that you can perform at home, and if you’re lucky, you will be able to get your fridge back up and running without having to burn a hole in your pocket. Here is a list of things that you should check for when the fridge doesn’t run but the light is in working condition.

Disconnect the Electrical Supply

It is always a good idea to disconnect your fridge from the electrical supply before you undertake any fridge repair project. Of course, this also means that you will have to remove any perishable frozen goods from your fridge. Remove any ice cream and frozen meats and vegetables from the fridge and store them in another freezer or ask a neighbor if he/she can store them for you.

Check the Temperature               

There is a temperature setting knob located inside the fridge. If the temperature is set too high, the compressor will not kick in and the fridge will not cool. Adjust the knob so that it is set to a lower temperature and see if the compressor starts. If not, there could be a problem with the temperature controller itself. If you are good at working on electrical projects, you can save some money and replace the temperature controller unit. Otherwise, you should ask a fridge repairman to do it for you.

Check for Airflow

Your fridge needs adequate room all around it for airflow. Ideally there should be at least three inches of space between the fridge and the walls of your house, and at least one inch of space between the ceiling and the top of the fridge. If this is the problem, consider moving the fridge to a more suitable location.

Check the Condenser Coils

The black coils at the back of the fridge are known as condenser coils. These coils are what allow the fridge to cool by dissipating heat. If the coils are not cleaned regularly, they can lose their efficiency and over a period of time, can stop cooling entirely. Check to see that the condenser coils are clean. If not, use a vacuum or a brush and some soap and water to thoroughly clean them.

Test the Compressor

If the fridge is still not cooling, disconnect it from the mains for two hours. After 2 hours, plug the fridge back in and switch it on. If the compressor starts up, then there may be a problem caused due to the compressor overheating. You should ask a fridge repairman to look into the problem.

Check the Defrost Setting

Older fridges came with a pushbutton for manual defrosting. Sometimes, the button may become stuck in the defrost mode, causing the fridge to stop cooling. Try to pull the button back out and see if it works. If your fridge is a newer models and fitted with automatic defrost, there could be a problem with the defrost timer unit. This will have to be checked by a fridge repairman.