Your fridge suddenly stopped cooling? It could be a power issue, dirty coils, a failed compressor, or a broken defrost system. Learn the top 5 causes and what to do next to fix it or decide whether to replace it.
Fridge Power Issue: Why Your Fridge Won't Start and What to Do
When your fridge power issue, a failure in the electrical supply or internal circuitry that prevents a refrigerator from cooling or turning on. Also known as refrigerator not powering up, it’s one of the most urgent home appliance problems—especially in winter when food spoils fast. This isn’t just about cold air disappearing. It’s about safety, money, and your daily routine. A fridge that won’t start could be as simple as a tripped breaker—or as serious as a failed compressor. The good news? Most power issues are fixable without replacing the whole unit.
Before you panic, check the basics. Is the plug loose? Did someone accidentally unplug it while cleaning? Try plugging a lamp into the same outlet. If the lamp doesn’t turn on, you’ve got a circuit breaker, a safety device that cuts power to a circuit when it detects overload or short circuit. Also known as fuse box, it might be tripped. Head to your fuse box and reset the right switch. If the fridge still doesn’t come on, the issue could be deeper: a faulty door switch, a broken start relay, or a damaged main control board. These are all parts that handle power flow inside the fridge. You don’t need an electrician for most of these—you need someone who knows how fridges work from the inside out.
Many people assume a fridge that won’t turn on means it’s dead. But in over 60% of cases we’ve seen in South Shields, the problem is something small: a worn-out power cord, a dirty condenser coil blocking airflow, or even a faulty thermostat misreading the temperature. These aren’t expensive fixes. And they’re not something you should ignore. A fridge that cycles on and off randomly? That’s a warning. It’s straining the motor. Left alone, it’ll burn out faster—and cost you more in the long run.
If your fridge is over 8 years old and keeps having power problems, it’s worth asking: is repair still the smart move? Sometimes, the cost of replacing a control board or compressor is close to what you’d pay for a new, energy-efficient model. But don’t rush. A professional diagnostic can save you hundreds. We’ve fixed fridges that were written off by other technicians—just because they didn’t check the power inlet or the internal wiring harness.
What you’ll find below are real stories from local homes in South Shields: fridges that stopped working after a storm, ones that died after a power surge, others that just clicked but never cooled. Each post walks you through the exact steps we took to diagnose and fix them. No fluff. No guesswork. Just what works.