Refrigerator Stopped Working No Light
What Makes a Fridge Stop Working?
Refrigerators also have several components, such as thermostats, timers, overload switches and fans, to facilitate the cooling process and keep everything working properly.
Automatic-defrost units include heaters that cycle on and off automatically to prevent frost build-up. Failure of any of these components or systems can make your fridge stop working.
If Your Fridge Has Stopped and the Light is off
As obvious as this sounds, often a fridge shuts down completely because it’s simply getting no power.
The first thing to check is the breaker (in your home’s electrical service panel) of the circuit serving the fridge. Most homes have a dedicated 20-amp circuit for the fridge alone, while older homes may have it on a general kitchen circuit. Turn the breaker back on (or replace the fuse) if you find that it has tripped.
Check the outlet the fridge is plugged into (which is probably behind the fridge) if it’s not the breaker, or you’ve reset a tripped breaker and there’s still no power. Plug a lamp into both sides of the outlet to test it. No power likely indicates the outlet is bad or a circuit wire has come loose.
Finally, check the power cord to the fridge for damage. Make sure that the appliance is unplugged first.
If Your Fridge Has Stopped but the Light Still Works
If the light goes on, you at least know the fridge is getting power. There are a few things you can try before calling a repair person:
- Turn down the freezer’s temperature setting to see if the fridge kicks on. Lowering the temperature in the refrigerator compartment isn’t a good test, because many refrigerators are chilled via vents from the freezer.
- Make sure there is sufficient airflow around the fridge. You should have at least 3 inches of air space at the back and 1 inch at the top to help dissipate heat from the coils. Insufficient space can overheat the compressor, causing the fridge to shut down.
- Clean the exterior coils,following the manufacturer’s instructions — this is also to prevent overheating.
- Test the compressor by unplugging the fridge for about 2 hours, then plugging it back in. If the compressor starts up, chances are something is making it overheat.
Beyond trying these diagnostic tests, you’ll probably need to call a repair technician, who may test the following devices: compressor relay and overload protector, temperature controls, defrost timer, and evaporator fan.
If You Hear the Motor but the Fridge Won’t Cool
If it seems like the compressor motor is running, or it’s humming or making some kind of noise, but the fridge isn’t cooling at all, it’s time to call a service pro. Be sure to ask whether it’s best to unplug the fridge while you wait for the service call.
If everything looks normal but the cooling performance is poor, there are a number of things you can check for and possibly remedy yourself. For these, consult your owner’s manual.
Whatever You Do, Keep the Cold In
Regardless of the problem, you can greatly forestall food thawing and spoilage by opening the doors as little as possible. Every second with the doors open raises the temperature in the fridge and freezer compartments.
Note: Anytime time the fridge breaks down, you need to consult a technician
Why would the fridge suddenly stop working?
There could be several reasons why your fridge suddenly stopped working. One common cause is a blown a fuse. If the fuse in your home is blown, then it will prevent the fridge from working.
You can easily test to see if the fuse is blown by checking to see if the power is coming on in the outlet where the fridge is plugged in. If the outlet is live, but the fridge still isn’t working, then it’s likely that the fridge has a more serious problem and will need to be serviced.
Other common problems that can cause a fridge to stop working include a faulty compressor or a blocked evaporator coil. If your fridge isn’t cooling properly, then there’s a good chance that one of these components is not working properly.
If your fridge is less than 10 years old, then it’s likely that the problem can be repaired by a service technician. However, if your fridge is older than 10 years, then it may be more cost-effective to replace it.
Why did my fridge just shut off?
Refrigerators are one of the most important appliances in any home, so when they suddenly stop working, it can be a major inconvenience.
There are several reasons why a fridge might stop working, but some of the most common are:
-A power outage
-A broken or malfunctioning compressor
-A clogged condenser
-A blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker
-A problem with the thermostat
If your fridge suddenly stops working, the best thing to do is to try to determine the cause. If it’s a power outage, the fridge will start working again once the power is restored. If it’s a mechanical problem, you might be able to fix it yourself, or you might need to call a technician.
Although a broken fridge can be a major inconvenience, it’s important to remember that it’s not a life-or-death situation. You can always store food in a cooler or a closet until your fridge is fixed.
In Conclusion
There could be a number of reasons why your fridge suddenly stopped working, but the most likely causes are a power outage or a malfunctioning compressor.
If your fridge is under warranty, you may want to consider calling a technician to fix the problem. If it is not under warranty, you may want to think about buying a new fridge.