Refrigerator and freezer stopped cooling completely with loud humming noise
When a refrigerator and freezer stop cooling while emitting a loud humming sound from the compressor, the issue often lies in a failing component like the start relay or capacitor. Waiting days for a repair technician leaves homeowners stranded with potential food spoilage while attempting emergency DIY troubleshooting.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1Waiting for an authorized repair technician to diagnose and service the unit.
- 2Cleaning condenser coils, replacing the start relay, and power cycling the appliance.
- 3Replaced the compressor start relay and TSD
- 4Replaced the 12 microfarad capacitor
- 5Checked compressor winding resistance and continuity to shell
- 6Replacing the control board
- 7Replacing the evaporator fan
- 8emptying the unit and pulling it out to inspect
- 9checking vents and door seals
- 10reading potential troubleshooting issues online
- 11Replacing common parts like the thermostat assembly, bimetal defrost thermostat, and defrost timer
- 12Ordering a condenser fan motor kit
- 13Considering buying a new refrigerator
- 14checking airflow and filters
- 15inspecting the compressor and evaporator
- 16Replacing individual deicing system components like the defrost heater
- 17Leaving the refrigerator unplugged and upright for an extended period to let internal fluids settle
- 18Turning the appliance off and on multiple times
- 19Check the electrical breaker and outdoor unit fuses
- 20Inspect the capacitor and contactor
- 21Check for clogged condensate lines and drain lines
- 22looking for sales to replace the refrigerator
- 23Unplugging and plugging back in the refrigerator to reset the unit
- 24Checking coils and letting the fridge run to monitor frost patterns
- 25Replacing the main electronic control board
- 26unplugging and plugging back in the refrigerator
In their words
Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.
“My house is currently 75 and it is set at 68. The AC is not working in the house.”source ↗
“The outdoor unit is not running. I can hear the unit in my basement running.”source ↗
“Now it won't turn on - decorating not yet done, only just noticed the problem when I realised it wasn't making any fridgy noises.”source ↗
“I tilted it while moving it, and not sure exactly how tilted it got while it was still turned on as I had to move it to get to the plug, and had no idea about not tilting them.”source ↗
“Is it effed? Is there anything I can do to save it?”source ↗
“My refrigerator wasn’t cooling but the freezer would completely ice over to where the door would be tough to open.”source ↗
“I replaced the defrost heater but not much changed.”source ↗
“So I have this 2012 Whirlpool fridge (purchased 2020) that the freezer only gets down to 34F. How do I know if the problem is compressor/refrigerant related?”source ↗
“My fridge and freezer are both not cooling at all. LG can't have a repair tech out until next Wednesday, so I'd like to try everything in my power until then.”source ↗
“The fridge is not cooling properly and the compressor makes a loud humming/grounded-type sound when it tries to run.”source ↗
“Even after changing the relay and capacitor, the exact same humming sound is still there.”source ↗
“I'm having trouble with my GE GNE27JSMDFSS refrigerator and could use some help diagnosing it.”source ↗
“The freezer is still cold, but the refrigerator compartment isn't cooling.”source ↗
“I replaced both and it still doesn't work.”source ↗
“I have a Samsung side-by-side that the fridge half seemingly suddenly stopped working on.”source ↗
“Freezer half is fine, temperature is good and reads correctly, no ice buildup, vents are clear, etc.”source ↗
“the fridge half seemingly crapped out last night sometime.”source ↗
“I’ve replaced the common parts, thermostat assembly, bimetal defrost thermostat, and defrost timer. Do dad no luck.”source ↗
“After that, I don’t know what to do. Any other ideas or it’s time for a new refrigerator?”source ↗
“Yes, it’s running. Normal humming. Just not cold.”source ↗
“Whirlpool ED5FVGXWS02 First time it’s happened and everything on the freezer side ruined.”source ↗
“I noticed the fan & light were not on so I unplugged the refrigerator for a minute then plugged it back in and the freezer cooling fan & light were back on like normal.”source ↗
“Thin light frosting on the coils but no where else… so wondering why it just randomly shut off.”source ↗
“Fridge just stopped cooling this morning.”source ↗
“Unplugged and plugged back in, worked fine for 2hrs and then just shut off again before reaching set temp.”source ↗
“Pulled off back plate - no idea what I’m looking at though.”source ↗
“the entire thing just stopped making noise twice today”source ↗
“I feel air right now, but it stopped blowing earlier twice. I had to unplug and plug back in and it started up again”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 10Why does my brand new AC not cool as well as the old one?
- 3Refrigerator stops cooling properly after being moved on its side
- 3Why does my refrigerator ice maker keep breaking?
- 2Why is my fridge ice maker making ice so slowly?
- 5Refrigerator water line leaking and flooring damage
- 9Why do cooling coils keep freezing over?