Refrigerator Compressor Not Running: Diagnosis & Repair or Emergency Fix No More Spoiled Food

When the compressor is not working, your refrigerator stops making any coldness at all. Many other components in a refrigerator such as the start relay, overload, capacitor or thermostat may cause the compressor to stop working. Thus it is not easy to locate the problem because any of the other components could be at fault. This video shows an easy way to troubleshoot the most frequent problems as well as how to repair them, or at least make a fix before your new refrigerator arrives.

The compressor is the most expensive part, I would say don’t replace it unless the refrigerator itself is relatively new. If it is due to leaked refrigerant, this can be fixed cheaply. If your compressor is not running due to problems with the start relay, overload, capacitor or thermostat, these parts can be replaced because they are all under $100.

Index:
0:00 Overview
0:20 compressor
0:43 case 2 compressor not running & condenser fan not running
1:10 check compressor
1:36 force compressor & condenser fan running
3:19 short circuit working
4:04 case 3 compressor not running but condenser fan running
4:27 start relay, overload & capacitor
5:10 test Compressor
5:37 Compressor resistance reading
6:08 test Start Relay
6:28 PTC relay
7:06 test overload
7:45 other two situations
8:05 bad compressor
8:28 most frequent moving parts failures
8:48 how the refrigerator works

[StarlettaBiggs]

I would like to truly say thank you from the bottom of my heart. Truly. This showed me exactly what is wrong with my refrigerator and I can have that fixed in no time I've never worked with refrigerators specifically but you put it in such an easy way to understand so thank you for making this video you really helped me thank you😊

[CarlAnthonyTV]

I very much needed to see the exact connection of the blue & white on the start relay and red wires to the overload and how to insert them back into the prongs and no other video I found would show that as clearly and close-up as this one. I had taken these out without getting a clear enough picture beforehand and didn't want to make a worse problem. Thanks a bunch.

[benjaminburris]

This is the best do it yourself video I have ever seen. Great job. I'm all ears and eyes.

[mkrampits]

thanks. The control board had a loose connection and I did not know where it was located. Once you showed me where it was (no fans working), I fixed it in 5 minutes. I was worried about my food spoiling, With the Christmas weekend, I was not able to get a repair person out. I was thinking I needed to buy a new fridge but once you showed me where it was (no compressor and no fans working), I fixed it in 5 minutes. Great video and your narrator did a great job.

[mikelearn]

Thanks for the information. It was easy to follow and saved me buying a new fridge.

[waynewheeler]

Thank you for showing the video and not pretending to be a movie star and talking real slow like this so that you feel like you're on TV and you're a superstar thank you for just sitting there and explaining what's going on Twain and simple you don't use big words you don't have a fancy accent everything simple and clear I subscribe to your thing which I don't usually ever do I did subscribe and like your page thank you

[tokenfire]

Very well explained, great job, I am a Mechatronics Engineer so extremly easy to follow

[redd]

Great video, like you show the names and wire connections

[MrSatan-ryfw]

Thanks dear, your video helped me to fix my fridge. I just do as your information and finally I found that start relay is faulty. Then I changed it and now compressor is running back. Such a informative video. 👍👍

[speedmaverick]

Got me going on a holiday and saved all the food in the unit. Now to find the parts to fix it!

[Saitaverorwhatever]

OMG This is absolutely amazing~! My fridge stopped working (Its literally 1/1/2023, new year's eve.. im fucked) Finding this was a ray of hope~! :D

[ericgilbertson]

In the case where both the compressor and the condenser fan are quiet, I would first check the thermostat since this is a common failure mode that will result in no juice to these units. This can be done by 'shorting' the two power leads that attach to the thermostat.

[John-eegs]

Thank you so much for your informative video!!! It helped me fix my refrigerator.

[worldclassish]

Lots of info I'll have to watch this one several times.

[marktran]

I have a Viking refrigerator. Both my fan and my DC compressor is not working. I tested my fan motor first. My fan motor read 415 ohms. Could it be possible I have an inverter built into this motor that why it is reading high. Any thought on this sir?

[patl]

I have a whirlpool side by side refrigerator model number WRS311SDHM02 and it doesn't get cold at all replaced the control box for Temperature Control. Both fans run lights work. If you push the water and ice it works. Do you buy chance know what it might be.? Thank you so much God Bless you

[robbernath]

Hello. First, thank you for posting this informative video. Hoping you can help me out...

I have a Whirlpool refrigerator model ED5VHEXVQ04 that is having problems staying functional, specifically it keeps stopping from running. I cleaned the coils and the unit started again, but we had it on "5" for both the freezer and refrigerator sides. I turned the fridge setting down to "4" and the unit ran but now has stopped again. I've ordered a new compressor relay but am now thinking it might have something to do with temperature control board. Any guidance you can provide would be appreciated.

[hanklam]

Very well done.
Question on the compressor fan: My similar fridge model sucks outside air over the bottom coils, around the compressor, and then the air exits the fridge by the water /ice maker inlet, where the back panel has holes. Is this correct? Wouldn't it be better for the fan to blow outside air onto the compressor and exit the air out the bottom over the coils?
Thanks

[blaqshiep]

lol jumping out of the fridge was genius

[moosalewis]

very informative bro, very easy to understand and follow.is not what you say ;is how you said it.