The compressor is the “heart” of the refrigerator: it compresses the refrigerant and starts its circulation throughout the system, maintaining the desired temperature inside. When the compressor fails or malfunctions, the refrigerator stops cooling, and food spoils quickly.
The causes of failure can be simple (settings, power supply, overheating) or complex (refrigerant leakage, problems with the starting elements, motor wear). Below are the main symptoms and typical malfunctions that most often lead to compressor failure. Fridge repair service specialists will help you solve the problem.
What you can check yourself and when you need a technician
Safety checks that are usually permissible without disassembling the refrigerator: ensure the electrical outlet is working properly, eliminate extension cords of questionable quality, check the temperature settings, allow the appliance to cool after transportation or prolonged use in hot conditions, and ensure adequate ventilation at the back and sides. If you hear relay clicking, the compressor is overheating, the refrigerator isn’t cooling even when running continuously, or you suspect a leak or blockage, diagnostics with tools will be required.
To accurately determine the cause, it’s important to measure the current, check the relay and capacitor, test the sensors and control module, and, in case of circuit problems, search for leaks, vacuum, and recharge. In such situations, contacting a refrigerator repair service can quickly identify the problem and avoid compressor damage due to overload.
How to tell if the motor isn’t starting, rather than just running infrequently
Infrequent compressor startups may be normal (the thermostat is working, the temperature is set high, Eco mode is on, the room is cool). But if the motor truly fails to start, the refrigerator stops producing the desired cold, and attempts to start are repeated with characteristic symptoms.
To distinguish “rarely starts” from “does not start,” evaluate not only the pauses between cycles, but also the behavior of the compressor housing, sound, fan operation (in No Frost mode), response to setting changes, and the presence of periodic start attempts.
Signs that the compressor is not starting
- No cold output: the temperature in the compartments rises steadily, food thaws/spoils, even though the settings are set for cold.
- The compressor does not “start”: there is no steady hum or vibration, instead there is silence or only short attempts to start.
- The “click-silence-click again” cycle: periodic clicks of the starting relay (every 10-120 seconds or several minutes) Without achieving stable operation.
- The compressor is hot when not in use: the compressor housing is noticeably warm, but there is no consistent start or cooling.
- In No Frost mode, the fan may be running, but there is no cooling: you can hear the air flow, the light and indicator are present, but the compressor does not start and the evaporator does not cool.
- Changing the setpoint does not help: setting the regulator to “colder” or “Super Freeze” mode does not result in startup at a reasonable time.
Bottom line: if the refrigerator is not cooling, and the compressor is either silent or regularly “attempts” to start with clicking and shutting off, this is a sign of a starting problem. If the cold temperature persists, and the pauses between starts increase due to conditions (cool room, infrequent door openings, incorrect settings), the compressor simply starts less frequently, which may be normal.
