When your Frigidaire refrigerator is not working, there are things you can do to fix it. This includes when the fan isn’t working.
Thermal Fuse
The thermal fuse checks the heating element in the refrigerator in case it isn’t working properly. When the thermal fuse disconnects, it can stop the fan from working.
Test the fuse with a multimeter and if it doesn’t show continuity, it should be replaced.
Power Surge
A power surge can affect many different parts of the home, including your refrigerator. Typically, it happens from a lightning strike or a surge from the power company.
If you suspect a power surge, you can test the motor and inspect the control board. Replace them if they are faulty.
When your refrigerator fan is not working it is likely a problem with the fan motor. Run a continuity test using a multimeter and replace the motor if necessary.
Top Reasons Why Your Frigidaire Refrigerator Fan Is Not Working
Our refrigerator is a relatively simple machine. There are some working parts to it, however, that can cause problems and if one breaks down, the entire refrigerator suffers. What can you do when the fan is working?
The most common reason why the fan is not working in a refrigerator is because the motor has failed. A refrigerator motor cannot be repaired but will have to be replaced. Check for continuity and if it fails, replace the motor.
Of course, it would be nice if everything were as simple as replacing what was broken. In many cases, however, you will have to look much deeper in order to find the true reason why the problem has occurred.
Before we start looking into why the refrigerator fan is not working, you need to consider safety. Anytime you are working with a large appliance or electrical components, the possibility of harm is increased.
Live Electric: Never work on live electric. You should unplug the refrigerator or turn off the circuit breaker before working on energized parts.
Always have control over the electrical source. This could be by keeping the plug in clear view or by locking the breaker or breaker box. Doing so keeps the unit from being energized without you knowing it.
In most refrigerators, any residual energy will dissipate quickly but there may be some stored energy that could shock you if you touch it. When in doubt, use a multimeter to test the area before you put your hands in.
Lifting Danger: A refrigerator may roll easily enough but when you are lifting or leaning the appliance, it’s good to have help. Working by yourself is never a good idea, as someone would have to call for help if you are hurt.
Here are five different reasons that will help you narrow down your search. This will save you time, but you may also find that more than one issue is occurring.
Power Supply Issues
If power is not getting to the fan, it isn’t going to work. This seems like a basic principle, but there is much more to it. That is because there are many things that could go wrong between the power supply and the fan.
PRO TIP: This is not the most common reason why a refrigerator fan stops working but it is the one I check first when I get a repair ticket. It’s one of the easiest to fix.
Consider the following list of possible issues in order.
Power Outage – If you are currently experiencing a power outage, then nothing is going to work. Check the lights in the rest of the home.
No Power to Refrigerator – Next, check to see if the power is out to the refrigerator itself. The easiest way to do this is to open the door and see if the light comes on.
Be careful that you don’t open the door unnecessarily if the refrigerator is not working. Conserving the cold air for as long as possible may help to conserve the food.
Power Cord – Carefully inspect the power cord for any damage. This isn’t likely to occur unless you pinched the cord when moving the refrigerator.
Inspect the plug for any signs of melting or burning.
If you notice any damage, the cord should be replaced.
Receptacle – Although most outlets will last for many years, it is possible for them to fail from time to time. It is also possible for the receptacle to partially fail, with one side working and the other not working.
Inspect the receptacle for any signs of damage or burning. You should also try resetting the outlet.
Most refrigerators are running on a GFCI breaker. This type of breaker will trip if there is an overload, but you can reset them by pushing the reset button on the receptacle.
If there is not a reset button on the receptacle, look for an outlet nearby with the reset button. Several receptacles can be operated on a single outlet with those buttons.
If you can’t reset the receptacle and the breaker isn’t tripped (see next step), you should replace the outlet.
Tripped Breaker – The final check is for a tripped breaker. If you look in the breaker box and the breaker for the circuit associated with the refrigerator is slightly out of line or if a red line shows beside it, it needs to be reset.
Reset the breaker by turning it off and then turning it back on. The breaker may feel slightly spongy when doing this, which is normal.
If the breaker continues to trip, you might be running too many appliances on the breaker. Typically a refrigerator should run on its own circuit.
Otherwise, you may need to have the breaker changed by an electrician. The breaker may be hot, or you could smell smoke or a rotten egg smell if the breaker needs to be swapped out.
Loose Fan Wires – The final thing to check is if there are loose or broken wires running to the fan motor. This is checked last because you will have to remove the panel to access the motor.
If you find any wires that are burnt or have become loose, they should either be replaced or tightened. It’s also a good idea to get to the reason why those problems took place.
I recommend opening the panel and checking the fan last because it works along with some of the other reasons why a refrigerator fan isn’t working. Make sure to check them while the panel is off.
Fan Motor Failure
This is the most common reason why a refrigerator fan stops working. When the motor isn’t working, the fan won’t spin and the air will not circulate.
Before removing the panel to access the motor, disconnect the refrigerator from the energy source. This can be by unplugging the unit or by turning off the circuit breaker.
Remove the motor from the appliance and test it using a multimeter. If the motor does test for continuity, it should be replaced. You can’t fix a broken refrigerator motor in most cases.
Obstruction
There are a variety of issues that could lead to something blocking the fan from turning. This is also something that can be checked while you have the panel off.
Wear gloves while performing this test. The fan blades are not overly sharp but they could cut you if you aren’t careful. If the fan starts spinning while you are working on it then gloves may help save your fingers.
Reach in and try to spin the fan blade manually. If it spins freely without any hesitation, then there is not likely something blocking it.
If it is a permanent obstruction, such as wires or a piece of the panel, you will have to move them to another position and ensure they don’t move back again.
On the other hand, if there is ice buildup blocking the fan, the problem may go away on its own as you allow the ice to melt. If it continues to happen, however, there is likely another reason behind it.
Overheating
Like almost any appliance, your refrigerator has parts that monitor the temperature and take appropriate action when it gets too hot. This includes the thermometer and the thermal fuse.
When a high temperature is detected, these parts will cause it to shut down. This includes if the fan gets too hot, because a hot fan motor can lead to motor failure and other problems.
There are also times when these parts malfunction and they will read high temperatures when they don’t exist. As a result, they might interrupt the electrical circuit to keep the fan from running during that time.
Both the thermometer and the thermal fuse can be removed from the refrigerator and tested with a multimeter. If they aren’t testing for continuity, they should be replaced.
A lack of ventilation can also cause the fan motor to overheat. Make sure nothing is blocking an air vent, either inside or outside of the refrigerator. Also, look for a buildup of dust near a vent, which can also cause problems.
Control Board
One other possible problem that would keep the fan from running is an issue with the control board. This is not a common issue, but it is one to consider.
Before you panic and think that the entire control board needs to be replaced, there may be a quick fix. This is done by resetting the refrigerator, which will often reset any issues you may be temporarily experiencing.
The easiest way to reset a refrigerator is to unplug it and leave it unplugged for 5 minutes. This allows any residual energy to be dissipated.
After waiting, you should plug it in again and allow it to complete the full setup cycle. Although the fan might not come on right away, it should come on in the next cycle.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on June 12, 2023.
If resetting the refrigerator does not work, it may be a problem with the control board. After turning off the power to the appliance, remove the circuit board carefully.
It is difficult, if not impossible, to test the circuit board fully but you can inspect it visually. Look for any damage or burnt areas on the circuit board. It would help to use a magnifying glass to see clearly.
Next, look carefully at the wiring and if you see any signs of damage, you will have to replace it.
In most cases, a damaged circuit board will cause more problems than just a fan that won’t work. It’s one of the last things to check because it is often the last thing to go wrong.
These are just a few of the many different issues that could lead to a refrigerator fan not working. Below, we will cover some specific points for different types of refrigerators, along with some other things to check.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on June 12, 2023.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on June 12, 2023.