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Maytag refrigerator not working
Common reasons your Maytag refrigerator is not working
The most common reasons your Maytag refrigerator is not working are a locked compressor, faulty ice maker assembly or a defective electronic control board.
42% of the time it's the Compressor
23% of the time it's the Ice Maker Assembly
14% of the time it's the Electronic Control Board
21% of the time it's the Something else
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Most common repairs needed to fix a Maytag refrigerator
Compressor Replacement
A locked refrigerator compressor can exhibit several symptoms indicative of a malfunction. The most noticeable sign is a lack of cooling in the refrigerator compartment, leading to elevated temperatures and the potential for food spoilage. The freezer may also fail to maintain the desired freezing temperatures, resulting in no ice production from the ice maker or dispenser. Additionally, you'll observe that the compressor is unusually silent or fails to produce its typical humming sound during operation. In some cases, the compressor may attempt to start but fail, resulting in repeated clicking noises. The inability of the compressor to circulate refrigerant properly can affect the defrosting process, leading to ice buildup in the freezer. Furthermore, a faulty compressor could send a sudden influx of melting frost to the drain line, causing it to back up, preventing adequate draining, and potentially causing water leaks.
Ice Maker Assembly Replacement
A faulty refrigerator ice maker can have diverse effects, impacting various aspects of the refrigerator's operation, including its ability to make ice. Increased noise during the ice-making process could indicate a problem in the ice maker's components. A malfunctioning ice maker may lead to water leaks around the ice maker assembly, potentially causing water puddles in and around the refrigerator. If the bail arm fails to shut off ice production, it could result in the ice maker drawer jamming due to an overproduction of ice, potentially leading to damage to the drawer or adjacent shelf. The failure of other components in a refrigerator that stops cooling will affect ice production, so a thorough inspection of the refrigerator by a Sears Home Services professional is recommended for an accurate diagnosis.
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.
Why is my Maytag refrigerator suddenly not working?
Check for power
First, check to see if your refrigerator has power. If the control panel is dead or the interior light won’t turn on when you open the door, reset the house circuit breaker to see if the fridge will power up.
If the refrigerator doesn’t power up after resetting the breaker, test the electrical outlet for power by plugging a night light or similar item into the outlet to check for power. If the outlet is dead, have an electrician fix the outlet.
Troubleshoot compressor problems
When your refrigerator has power but the compressor isn’t running, follow the tips in this DIY video to troubleshoot compressor problems that will prevent the fridge from cooling:
Check the compressor start relay
Remove the machine compartment cover and check the condenser fan. If the condenser fan runs, then your compressor should be getting power because the compressor shares a circuit with the condenser fan motor on almost all refrigerators.
Unplug the refrigerator and unhook the start relay retainer clip. Pull the compressor start relay out of the refrigerator. Shake the start relay to see if it rattles. If it does, that's a tell-tale sign the relay is fried. Replace that part and your refrigerator may begin working again.
If the start relay doesn't rattle, you’ll need to check for continuity to confirm that it’s bad. Put the one meter lead into terminal 5 and the other meter lead into terminal 6.
If you detect an open circuit between those terminals then the meter will read 1 in the far left digit. You’ll need to replace the PTC relay.
If the start relay's okay, then you may have a defective compressor. Unfortunately, you’ll need to get a service technician’s help to replace a compressor, because that repair involves recovering Freon.
Check for thermistor problems
If your condenser fan wasn’t running, then you may have a defective electronic control board or a bad thermistor (temperature sensor).
Testing a thermistor in a refrigerator is fairly simple. Follow the steps in this DIY video to test the thermistor(s) in your refrigerator and/or freezer compartments:
Replace a thermistor if it isn’t working properly. This may restore cooling in your refrigerator.
If the compressor start relay and thermistors in the refrigerator are okay, then a problem with the electronic control board or a wiring failure may be preventing the compressor from running.
Follow the remaining troubleshooting tips in the video to find and fix the cause of the compressor failure or have a service technician visit your home and fix the fridge if you’re not able to repair the problem yourself.
What to expect when you experience a Maytag refrigerator not working issue
How is the not working problem fixed?
Correcting most not working problems usually involves replacing the compressor, ice maker assembly or electronic control board. 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 that is not working
When the refrigerator is not working it can be for many reasons. To avoid replacing unneeded parts, we recommend scheduling Maytag refrigerator repair with a local Sears Home Services professional who can 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 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.