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Kenmore Elite refrigerator light not working
Common reasons your Kenmore Elite refrigerator light is not working
The most common reasons your Kenmore Elite refrigerator light is not working are a defective electronic control board, dead power supply board or an inoperative user interface.
57% of the time it's the Electronic Control Board
25% of the time it's the Power Supply Board
7% of the time it's the User Interface Control
11% of the time it's the Something else
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Most common repairs needed to fix a Kenmore Elite refrigerator
Electronic Control Board Replacement
A defective electronic control board can lead to various failures in a refrigerator, including a lack of power or cooling and water leaking. This is because the board serves as the brain of the refrigerator, controlling crucial operations such as regulating internal temperatures, running fans, managing defrost cycles, overseeing the ice maker, and controlling dispenser functions. If the electronic control board malfunctions, it can disrupt communication between many different components, including automatic doors if equipped. A failing board may cause a chattering or clicking noise from the refrigerator and may emit a burning odor. Due to the potential impact on multiple components, it is advisable to have a Sears Home Services professional conduct diagnostic tests on the board to confirm if replacement is necessary.
Power Supply Board Replacement
A dead refrigerator power supply board can result in a complete loss of power to the refrigerator, resulting in no lights, no cooling, and no operational sounds. The display panel, if present, may be blank or unresponsive. In models with automatic doors, a malfunctioning power supply board may lead to the doors no longer opening or closing automatically as intended. In some cases, there might be intermittent power issues, where the refrigerator may work inconsistently or sporadically. Additionally, the failure of the power supply board can lead to an absence of any audible humming or clicking sounds typically associated with the refrigerator's normal operation.
User Interface Control Replacement
When a refrigerator user interface control becomes inoperative, it loses the ability to communicate with the main control board, affecting settings like temperature or ice maker status. The interface will cease to display, creating the appearance of a powerless refrigerator. In some instances, it may only show an error code. If the user interface solely controls drawer temperature settings, a crack in the shelf housing the interface can prevent it from responding to the selected settings.
Why is the LED light not working on my Kenmore refrigerator?
A bad door switch, defective LED light assembly, wiring failure or bad control board could prevent the LED light from working in your refrigerator.
Check the refrigerator door switch
If no LED lights work when you open the refrigerator door, unplug the refrigerator and check the refrigerator door switch.
Pull the door switch out and measure resistance through the door switch using a multimeter.
With the door switch activation lever extended to simulate the door being open, you should measure near 0 ohms of resistance. If you measure infinite resistance, replace the door switch.
Here’s a DIY video that shows how to replace the door switch in a refrigerator:
If the door switch is okay, then a bad LED light assembly, wiring failure or bad electronic control board could be preventing the light from working.
Check the LED Light Assembly
With the refrigerator still unplugged, pull the LED light assembly out to check it for damage. Replace the LED light assembly if it’s damaged or you see burn marks on a bulb or its circuit board.
Here’s a video that shows how to replace an LED light assembly in a freezer which will help you see how to replace that same part in a refrigerator:
If the LED light assembly appears to be okay, schedule refrigerator service to have a Sears Home Services technician examine your refrigerator and fix the lighting failure.
What to expect when you experience a Kenmore Elite refrigerator light not working issue
How is the light not working problem fixed?
Correcting most light not working problems usually involves replacing the electronic control board, power supply or user interface control. However, there are many potential causes, so a thorough diagnosis is key to fixing the problem. An accurate diagnosis is essential to understanding how much the repair will be.
Sears Home Services recommendations for a refrigerator light that is not working
When the refrigerator light is not working it can be for many reasons. To avoid replacing unneeded parts we recommend having a Sears Home Services professional perform diagnostic tests to identify the root cause of the problem. Our technicians are experienced at diagnosing all types of refrigerator failures.
What to look out for with a refrigerator light not working diagnosis
Diagnosing modern appliances without proper knowledge and training can be difficult. Without using proper diagnostic techniques, fixing your refrigerator problem will only be achieved through changing parts on a hunch. Appliances, especially in the last 10 years, have become extremely advanced, and many models have electronic parts that are difficult to test. DIY repairs on the latest appliance models are becoming increasingly difficult.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Glossary Terms
A dual ice maker is a feature in some refrigerators that includes two separate ice makers: one in the fridge compartment and another in the freezer section. This setup doubles the appliance's ice-making capacity.
A French-door refrigerator features two doors that open side-by-side on the top section for the refrigerator compartment, with a bottom freezer drawer, combining style, efficiency, and easy access to both refrigerated and frozen goods.
Refrigerant is a chemical compound used in HVAC systems and refrigerators to absorb heat from the environment by cycling through states of evaporation and condensation, enabling the cooling process through its cycle of evaporation and condensation.
R-12 refrigerant, also known as Freon-12, is a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) compound that was once widely used in air conditioning systems, refrigerators, and aerosol propellants before its phase-out due to environmental concerns.