Imagine what would happen if the compressor in your fridge stopped functioning correctly. Yes, you’ll have rotten, spoiled food, water leaks, and mess when the ice in the freezer compartment melts, as well as quite possibly a costly repair or replacement expense if it stops functioning correctly.
So, to save ourselves time, trouble, and money, we need to know how to diagnose problems with them, how to fix fridge compressor, and how to maintain it if something goes wrong.
If you have a fridge that’s making a loud noise and are unsure if it’s the compressor or something else, you can call fridge repair by FixAppliances or try fixing it yourself. Here are a few things you can do to try and fix it, even if you don’t know how to fix fridge compressor.
1. Resetting the Compressor
Although it may appear counterintuitive, rebooting can resolve the compressor issue. Check if your fridge has a reset button to reset it. If it has, pressing it will merely reset the compressor. To learn more about the reset button, consult the refrigerator’s user manual.
2. Fixing the Start Relay
If your compressor seems to run rarely or not at all, you may have a problem with the start relay. The simplest and easiest way to tell if a relay is failing is to remove it and shake it near your ear. To test the relay,
- First, remove the refrigerator from the power supply.
- Remove the back access panel to access the parts inside the refrigerator.
- Shake the relay near your ear. The relay must be replaced if there is a rattling sound.
- If there’s a rattling sound, change the relay.
- After it has been changed, your compressor should resume regular operation.
3. Unclogging Coils
This issue frequently arises due to prolonged neglect in the refrigerator’s cleaning. A buildup of hair or dust in the compressor might cause it to overheat and trip the overload switch. To access the coils on many refrigerators, open the grille at the bottom of the fridge.
- For starters, turn off the power and remove the fridge from its socket.
- Now remove the cover plate from your refrigerator’s interior and look at the coils inside it for any signs of dust buildup or corrosion.
- Make sure they’re clean and free of dust or debris; if they’re dirty, insert a coil cleansing brush into the coils, draw them back, and vacuum them clean.
4. Fixing a Compressor That’s Not Cooling
There are many reasons for your fridge’s compressor working but not cooling. One of them can be incorrect temperature settings. If your refrigerator includes a digital or dial temperature control setting, incorrect temperature settings may cause no cooling, even if the fridge is on. If the temperature settings are incorrect, simply return them to average values.
Finally, if none of these things work, it’s a sign that there are any problems with your fridge’s compressor or that any components are damaged. In that case, the simple fix or any guide about how to fix a noisy fridge compressor might not work, and you might need to replace it.
What Causes the Compressor to Malfunction?
Now that you know how to fix a noisy fridge compressor, you must understand what causes it to malfunction. A refrigerator compressor failure can be caused by several things, including:
High Voltage
A high-voltage surge is the most dangerous thing you can do to your home appliances. When this happens, a wave of electrical current passes through the fridge and its components, generating excessive heat. Lightning strikes frequently cause such surges.
General Wear and Tear
The compressor is machinery that can break from normal wear and tear. But since most are made to last for a long time, normal wear and tear won’t cause it to break if the fridge is less than five years old. The downside of this wear and tear is that your refrigerator will likely become highly noisy and inefficient.
Unclean Condenser Coils
Condenser coils are typically found beneath or at the back of a refrigerator. The condenser fan blows air over the coils to help produce cold air for the fridge, which is how the condenser coils function. As they are located at the back, they do get dirty quickly. When the condenser coils aren’t clean, they don’t work right. This makes the compressor work harder to cool the fridge, which wears out in the long run.
Refrigerant Issues
For the refrigerator compressor to work well and do its job, it needs the right amount of refrigerant, which is then compressed to make the fridge cool. If the refrigerant becomes contaminated or the levels are too low or high, this may cause damage to the compressor and disrupt its performance, resulting in appliance failure over time. Should any irregularities become apparent, check your refrigerator compressor immediately. A timely intervention will rectify any issues before further damages are incurred.
Some Signs and Symptoms of a Malfunctioning Compressor
A fridge compressor may stop working for a variety of reasons. There are a similar number of indicators that you can start watching for to determine whether it needs repair. Sure, when it breaks down and your food spoils is one of them, but there are signs before that happens.
- Your fridge is overheating.
- Your electricity expenses are exceptionally high.
- Your fridge has a loud humming noise, and the condenser fan is not turning.
The loud humming noise from the fridge can help you identify the problem with the fridge compressor, and only then can you find out how to fix a noisy fridge compressor and fix the problem.
Troubleshooting Issues With The Compressor
If your fridge compressor starts making strange noises, it might be time to look at it. This section will show you how to fix a fridge compressor by troubleshooting the problem and making simple repairs.
- Ensure that your refrigerator is plugged in and gets proper electricity. If not, plug it into a working outlet or contact an electrician to check the circuit breaker.
- Using a multimeter, check if the compressor’s windings are getting voltage when it tries to turn on. You should replace the start relay or overload protector if they aren’t.
- Remove any lint or dust buildup around your compressors that could block airflow. Make sure there is plenty of space for air circulation and adequate ventilation for your refrigerant lines.
- Test pressure switches and capacitors with a multimeter to ensure they’re functioning correctly, and replace them if necessary.
- Making sure that all moving parts are lubricated can help prevent friction during operations which can cause your compressor to overheat and shut down unexpectedly.
Keep Your Fridge Compressor Maintained Before It’s Too Late
Refrigerators are essential appliances in every household. Without a functional compressor, no refrigerator can function effectively. It is a critical component of a refrigerator. It has lubricants that keep all the parts safe, which is essential if you want your appliance to last a long time. It also pumps coolant through coils, which control the temperature within your refrigerator. Without this rule, all food and beverages stored in a refrigerator will spoil soon. So you better know how to fix fridge compressor and maintain it to avoid it malfunctioning.
Like any other piece of equipment, they need to be maintained regularly. If they aren’t, they can have many problems. In particular, if it has a lot of problems, you may need to buy a new one, which can be a costly mistake.
Final Verdict
Our guide on how to fix a fridge compressor is here to help you out. Despite being more complex than the average car or bike repair, this task can still be accomplished quickly. If you’re having trouble repairing your fridge or aren’t sure how to fix a noisy fridge compressor, you should seek help from professionals.