As an Amazon affiliate, we earn a commision from qualifying purchases.
We previously looked at troubleshooting a fridge that stopped running though the lights were still on.
As a follow-up, I will take you step by step on what exactly may lead your fridge to stop running with no sound and how to fix it in this article.
Let us get started.
Refrigerator stopped running no sound – How to troubleshoot the issue
Before we start, I have to say that many of these fixes are pretty easy and you can complete them yourself in less than 10 minutes(for the most part).
Here they are:
Check if there’s a power issue
Now, if you have connected your appliance to a fridge guard(as it is recommended), the guard usually cuts power to the refrigerator, shutting it off during a long period of power sag.
This will obviously make your refrigerator stop running (the lights won’t also work).
So check if this is the issue…
To do that, disconnect the guard from the power outlet.
Then, using a multimeter, test the current of your outlet.
Note that a refrigerator typically requires 120v (AC) for normal functioning so if your outlet is constantly giving less than 120v, you may want to call an electrician to diagnose the cause.
Another thing you should check is the circuit breaker- it will stop and you’ll hear no sound if the breaker has tripped (it can due to a power overload on your power outlets).
So check if the circuit breaker is tripped and turn it back on.
Check for a faulty compressor
Moving on, the next possible cause of your fridge stopping running (with no sound) is a faulty compressor.
Remember that the compressor is responsible for the faint humming sound that your refrigerator produces when working properly.
For that reason, if your fridge suddenly stops running and goes silent, it could be something to do with the compressor.
So read how to know fridge compressor is not working [and how to fix it]
Refrigerator stopped running no sound – more fixes
Check if the electronic control board (ECB) is bad
Most newer refrigerator models are generally controlled by an ECB- its work is to monitor the temperature and also control the fans, compressor and defrost system.
Now, if this board gets damaged, it can result in your fridge stopping with no sound being produced(there will also be no power anywhere-lights, fan, compressor).
Unfortunately, ECB boards are quite expensive so I suggest that you first test all other parts for failure.
So, how do you inspect the control board? Well, simply follow the steps below:
- Disconnect your fridge from the power.
- Next, locate the control board. In most refrigerators, the control board is usually found on the outside back of your refrigerator (covered by a small panel). However, if you are having trouble identifying the location of your control board, you can look it up in your owners manual.
- Now disconnect your control board and take it out to visually inspect it for any signs of burnt/loose connections, Black discoloration and any other damage.
If you spot any burnt relays that you can replace with a soldering iron, you can do it as it is cheaper.
However, if the burnt or damaged part is irreplaceable, you will need to get a replacement for your control board.
About purchasing a new board
When purchasing a new board, make sure that you get a part that is compatible with your refrigerator.
To point you in the right direction, we have compiled a list of OEM control boards for various brands of refrigerators below
| Refrigerator brand | Control board replacement |
| LG | Get it on Amazon |
| Samsung | Get it on Amazon |
| Frigidaire | Get it on Amazon |
| GE (GENF0) WR55X10996 | Get it on Amazon |
| GE CFCP1NIYSS, DSHF9NGYACBB, DSHF9NGYACWW, CFCP1NIYCSS and CFCP1NIYASS. | Get it on Amazon |
| GE with no compressor inverter board | Get it on Amazon |
| Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Amana, Inglis, Kenmore and Jenn-Air | Get it on Amazon |
| Magic chef | Get it on Amazon |
As regards installation, you do not have to worry about installation instructions as these control boards come with easy-to-follow installation instructions.
Another option you have is to search for an instructional video about replacing the electronic control board on a refrigerator on YouTube- there are some great tutorials there.
Quick Tip: Be sure to check to see if the fuse is blown(Black discoloration on the printed circuit board). If so, that’s the issue so keep your old board and replace the fuse instead.
Try to hard reset your refrigerator
At times, the refrigerator may experience electrical glitches that will lead to it not running properly.
As such, when your refrigerator stops running, you can always try to hard reset it first before even thinking about the compressor or control board.
And the good news is that resetting a fridge is fairly straightforward.
In fact, some refrigerators normally have a reset button and pressing the reset button will quickly reset it to its default factory settings.
However, if your fridge has no reset button, just follow the below steps to reset your fridge.
- Unplug your fridge from the power source. At times, you may hear some knocking or whooshing sounds – that is normal.
- Turn off the fridge and freezer controls by setting their temperatures to 0.
- Let the fridge stay in this state for 1 to 4 hours.
- Reconnect your fridge to a power source and adjust the fridge and freezer controls to your desired settings(Preferably towards the middle digit of your temperature range).
- Wait for around 24 hours for the temperatures to stabilize.
- Try to power it on afresh and see how it goes
Quick Tip: You can also unplug it from power for about 5 minutes to 1 hour to hard reset it
Refrigerator stopped running no sound – FAQs (Frequently asked questions)
What is the first thing to check when a refrigerator stops working?
Well, the first thing to check should be whether there is a power outage.
If not, you might want to check for a tripped circuit breaker or insufficient voltage at its power outlet.
Why would fridge suddenly stop working?
As we have seen above, there are several causes that may cause your fridge to suddenly stop working.
Below is a summary of these causes:
- Tripped circuit breaker.
- Insufficient / no power.
- Faulty compressor.
- Faulty electronic control board.
- Electrical glitches/bugs
Refrigerator stopped running no sound – final words
The above steps should help you fix a refrigerator that stops running.
However, if these fixes do not solve your issue, I recommend that you reach out to a qualified technician for further troubleshooting.
ALSO READ:
How to troubleshoot Samsung twin cooling freezer problems
Samsung refrigerator troubleshooting ice maker [detailed guide]
How to remove ice maker from Samsung refrigerator (step by step)
Samsung refrigerator fan noise ice buildup (Solved!)
What causes a freezer to stop freezing?
