DIY Troubleshooting Guide For Your Refrigerator

Before you call a repairman or an appliance company use the fault list below to find out what is causing your refrigerator problem. Review and test out some of the possible causes we have listed below. Then verify the cause and repair the fault yourself if possible. Common refrigerator parts online here.

NOTE: This in-depth repair guide will AT LEAST give you an idea of the faulty appliance part that you may need to replace so that you may search online for the lowest price possible and REPAIR YOURSELF.

Refrigerator Parts Location Diagram

Not sure this is your exact problem? Try our Symptom Checker — answer a few quick questions and we’ll point you to the right guide.

Symptom Number 1 – Refrigerator light does not come on.

Possible Causes For Malfunction (The below solutions are listed in order of MOST likely).
Troubleshoot in the order as they appear…..
Possible Solution 1 – Replace the light bulb.
Possible Solution 2 – Test the door switch mechanism.

Symptom Number 2 – Refrigerator does not run and light doesn’t work.

Possible Causes For Malfunction (The below solutions are listed in order of MOST likely).
Troubleshoot in the order as they appear…..
Possible Solution 1 – Make sure the refrigerator is plugged into the wall outlet.
Possible Solution 2 – Check for a blown fuse or circuit breaker that is tripped.
Possible Solution 3 – Test the power outlet for electrical current.
Possible Solution 4 – Inspect the electrical cord for possible damage.
Possible Solution 5 – Eliminate use of any extension cord.
Possible Solution 6 – Check the outlet voltage with a meter.

Symptom Number 3 – Refrigerator does not run but the light works.

Possible Causes For Malfunction (The below solutions are listed in order of MOST likely).
Troubleshoot in the order as they appear…..
Possible Solution 1 – Check the current temperature setting knob.
Possible Solution 2 – Make certain there is a 2 to 3 inch space between the walls and the back of the refrigerator.
Possible Solution 3 – Clean the condenser coils.
Possible Solution 4 – Unplug the refrigerator and wait one hour and plug it back in.
Possible Solution 5 – Test the temperature control.
Possible Solution 6 – Test the evaporator fan.
Possible Solution 7 – Test the defrost timer.
Possible Solution 8 – Test the compressor relay.
Possible Solution 9 – Test the overload protector.
Possible Solution 10 – Test the compressor motor.

Symptom Number 4 – Refrigerator or freezer is extra cold.

Possible Causes For Malfunction (The below solutions are listed in order of MOST likely).
Troubleshoot in the order as they appear…..
Possible Solution 1 – Check the current temperature setting knob.
Possible Solution 2 – Test the temperature control system.

Symptom Number 5 – Refrigerator makes strange sounds.

Possible Causes For Malfunction (The below solutions are listed in order of MOST likely).
Troubleshoot in the order as they appear…..
Possible Solution 1 – Check that the refrigerator is on a flat level surface.
Possible Solution 2 – Check the drain pan for water.
Possible Solution 3 – Check the condenser fan.
Possible Solution 4 – Check the evaporator fan.
Possible Solution 5 – Inspect the compressor mount.

Symptom Number 6 – Refrigerator runs continuously.

Possible Causes For Malfunction (The below solutions are listed in order of MOST likely).
Troubleshoot in the order as they appear…..
Possible Solution 1 – Defrost the freezer.
Possible Solution 2 – Clean the condenser coils.
Possible Solution 3 – Check the refrigerator door seals.
Possible Solution 4 – Test the door switch.

Symptom Number 7 – Refrigerator starts and stops often.

Possible Causes For Malfunction (The below solutions are listed in order of MOST likely).
Troubleshoot in the order as they appear…..
Possible Solution 1 – Clean the condenser coils.
Possible Solution 2 – Check the outlet voltage.
Possible Solution 3 – Test the condenser fan.
Possible Solution 4 – Test the compressor relay.
Possible Solution 5 – Test the overload protector.
Possible Solution 6 – Test the compressor motor.

Symptom Number 8 – Freezer does not defrost automatically.

Possible Causes For Malfunction (The below solutions are listed in order of MOST likely).
Troubleshoot in the order as they appear…..
Possible Solution 1 – Test the defrost timer.
Possible Solution 2 – Test the defrost heater.
Possible Solution 3 – Test the defrost thermostat.

Symptom Number 9 – Refrigerator has an bad odor.

Possible Causes For Malfunction (The below solutions are listed in order of MOST likely).
Troubleshoot in the order as they appear…..
Possible Solution 1 – Remove spoiled food.
Possible Solution 2 – Clean refrigerator interior.
Possible Solution 3 – Clean the door seals.
Possible Solution 4 – Remove breaker strips and check for wet insulation.

Symptom Number 10 – Water on floor outside of the refrigerator.

Possible Causes For Malfunction (The below solutions are listed in order of MOST likely).
Troubleshoot in the order as they appear…..
Possible Solution 1 – Check the drain pan.
Possible Solution 2 – Check the ice maker water supply hose in and out from the water inlet valve.

Symptom Number 11 – Water on the inside of the refrigerator.

Possible Causes For Malfunction (The below solutions are listed in order of MOST likely).
Troubleshoot in the order as they appear…..
Possible Solution 1 – Clean the drain tube.
Possible Solution 2 – If you have an ice-maker, check refrigerator and ice-maker for level.

Symptom Number 12 – Refrigerator or freezer is not getting cold.

Possible Causes For Malfunction (The below solutions are listed in order of MOST likely).
Troubleshoot in the order as they appear…..
Possible Solution 1 – Check the temperature setting.
Possible Solution 2 – Make sure there is enough room for air flow in the refrigerator.
Possible Solution 3 – Check for air flow restrictions in the vents.
Possible Solution 4 – Test the temperature control.
Possible Solution 5 – Clean the condenser coils.
Possible Solution 6 – Check the door seals.
Possible Solution 7 – Test the door switch.
Possible Solution 8 – Test defrost heater.
Possible Solution 9 – Test defrost timer.
Possible Solution 10 – Test evaporator fan.
Possible Solution 11 – Check for a clogged drain tube.
Possible Solution 12 – Check for refrigerant leak.

Written by Keith Schneerer

Certified Appliance Tech · Founder, RemoveAndReplace.com

Keith has spent 30+ years repairing machines, starting as a military mechanic and later maintaining food processing equipment before moving into appliance repair. He founded RemoveAndReplace.com to share field-tested repair advice.

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