Refrigerator

5 Signs Your Refrigerator Compressor Is Failing

A failing compressor rarely quits without warning. It usually gives you a week or two of warning signs first — the trouble is most people don't know what to listen and look for until the fridge stops cooling altogether.

The 5 Warning Signs

• The fridge runs constantly and never seems to shut off
• A loud clicking or humming sound from the back panel
• The freezer stays cold but the fridge section goes warm
• The outside of the fridge near the compressor feels hot to the touch
• Your power bill jumps without another explanation

If you notice two or more of these at the same time, the compressor or its start relay is the likely cause.

Why This Happens

The compressor is the pump that moves refrigerant through the system. As it wears out, it has to work harder to keep the fridge cold, which is why it runs longer and pulls more power. A worn start relay — the small part that gives the compressor its initial jolt to turn on — can cause the clicking or humming without the compressor motor itself being damaged, which is a much cheaper fix.

What to Do

Don't wait it out. A compressor that's struggling can fail completely within days, and a full fridge of spoiled food usually costs more than the repair itself. In the meantime, move anything you can't afford to lose to a cooler with ice. Call a technician to test the compressor and start relay before assuming you need a full replacement — the relay fix alone resolves a good share of these calls.

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