Why Your Refrigerator Stopped Working and What to Check First

Whether it’s a busy morning, and you’re trying to cram your lunches into the fridge before rushing off to work, or you come home late at night looking forward to a cold beer – whatever your reason, having a refrigerator that isn't working can be an unexpected headache. If you find yourself facing this frustration, read on for some steps on what might have caused the issue and ways to diagnose it.

Improper Settings

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Living without a functioning refrigerator can be extremely inconvenient. If your refrigerator has stopped working, the issue may be caused by improper settings or something being inadvertently left open. The most important thing to check if your refrigerator has stopped running is to make sure it's plugged in and see if the power light comes on. Another thing to check is that all the knobs and switches have been properly adjusted. You will want to adjust them correctly and then turn off the unit’s power supply before trying again after checking these two items. It’s also worth taking a look inside the fridge to make sure nothing has been left open that could cause cold air from escaping.

Dirty Condenser Coils

If your refrigerator suddenly stops working, a good first step to take is to check the condenser coils. If the coils are found to be dusty or clogged with pet fur, dirt, and other debris, they could be preventing air from moving freely, which can lead to an overheating compressor and cause your fridge to switch off as a safety measure. It's easy enough to clean them yourself, or you can contact Quality Appliance Repair Calgary LTD to provide quick and reliable maintenance. Taking these steps will solve many common refrigerator problems and hopefully restore your appliance back up and running in no time.

Damaged Door Gaskets

The door gasket seals cold air inside the fridge and prevents warm air from entering. Over time, door gaskets become worn and cracked, meaning they can no longer do their job properly. That's why it's so important to maintain your door gaskets by regularly cleaning them and checking for any damage. The good news is, replacing a damaged gasket isn't too difficult – you'll need to buy a new one designed specifically for your model refrigerator, remove the old gasket, then fit the new one in place. After that, you should have your fridge up and running again.

Blocked Air Vents

Blocked air vents will cause the internal temperature to rise, which in turn causes the cooling system to shut off because it cannot achieve the intended temperature. To check if this is the cause, you should start by checking that both rear vents are unobstructed and free of debris and dust. If possible, use a vacuum attachment to clear away any blockages that you may find. If all is clear, go ahead and switch on the refrigerator again; otherwise, you might need to contact an appliance repair service as soon as possible.

Faulty Electric Supply

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This can be something very simple like a blown fuse or break in the power cord. Check around your entire household or building to make sure all the fuses are correctly in place and that no circuits have been switched off. If those components appear fine, consider checking the wiring of your refrigerator's plug to ensure it's been securely connected to its power source. Additionally, check your home's circuit breaker to ensure it hasn't thrown since attempting to start the appliance.

Faulty Compressor

The compressor is the heart of your refrigerator - it helps maintain a consistent temperature within the appliance by compressing and pumping refrigerant through its system. A faulty compressor could be causing your refrigerator to fail, so it's important to assess this part first before moving on to other potential problems. Therefore, if your refrigerator suddenly stops working, you should check how active your compressor is by checking whether it’s making any noise or not. If it’s not running at all, then replacing the compressor is highly recommended.

Faulty Thermostat

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The thermostat helps regulate how much cold air gets inside the refrigerator, and when it stops working, it will prevent your fridge from functioning properly. Before you call out a technician for repair, take a few moments to check whether the thermostat setting has been changed inadvertently. It could just be the cause of your problem.

Taking care of your refrigerator is important, not only for convenience but also to maximize its life span. With as much time and money as you invest in a new fridge, it pays off to take the time to diagnose simple problems like checking if your outlet is working or troubleshooting the thermostat. Even if you have to call in an appliance repair service, knowing the basics of why your refrigerator stopped working can save you time and money in the long run. If none of the improvements mentioned here work, contacting a trained technician may be your next step.