Kenmore Side by Side Refrigerator Not Cooling or Working?

Kenmore side by side refrigerator is one of the smart and efficient refrigerators. Generally, the Kenmore refrigerator doesn’t cause severe problems.

But sometimes the refrigerator causes issues. For example, the problem might occur while cooling or working. Even the refrigerator might stop cooling or working.

So you might be confused about why your Kenmore side by side refrigerator is not cooling or working. Different causes might be responsible for this.

You have to know the problems in detail if you want to solve their problem. Moreover, learning the application of the solutions is also important.

Kenmore side by side refrigerator not cooling or working?

Kenmore side by side refrigerator might not cool or work when the condenser coils are dirty. Moreover, a faulty compressor might also cause Kenmore not to cool or work. Evaporator fan problems, compressor start relay failure, damper control malfunction, etc. might be responsible.

However, the reasons for the cooling or working problem of Kenmore side by side refrigerator might be different. To solve the problem, you have to know the reasons in detail. So, let’s see why your Kenmore refrigerator is not cooling or working.

Dirty condenser coils:

Generally, the refrigerator’s condenser coils are situated under the refrigerator. The function of the coils is to dissipate heat when the refrigerant passes into the coils. Sometimes, the coils get dirty.

When the condenser coils are dirty, they will not function well and will not dissipate heat properly. So, the cooling and working capacity of the condenser coils will be reduced. The control of the temperature of the Kenmore refrigerator will be difficult.

Evaporator fan problem:

The evaporator fan of the Kenmore refrigerator is another essential component for cooling. So, the refrigerator might not cool or work if the evaporator fan gets frosted or damaged.

For example, if the evaporator fan gets frosted, the fan might get damaged eventually. The damaged fan will not pass cold air through the refrigerator. So, problems in the evaporator fan can stop the Kenmore refrigerator from cooling or working.

Compressor start relay problem:

The problem in the compressor start relay might cause the refrigerator to stop cooling. Generally, the function of the compressor start relay is compressing the refrigerant.

Then the relay converts the refrigerant into a liquid. Thus the start relay helps the cooling process of the Kenmore refrigerator.

When the compressor start relay gets any problem, the cooling system will not work correctly. So, the compressor start relay problem might be responsible for the problem.

Faulty compressor:

The compressor is one of the essential parts of the refrigerator. Generally, the primary function of the compressor is to pump the refrigerant. By this, the cool air dissipated. So, a faulty compressor is a big problem for pumping the refrigerant.

You might know that if the refrigerant is not converted or pumped, the cooling system will not work.

Generally, compressors don’t get damaged quickly. If the refrigerator is old enough, it can face a compressor problem. So, a faulty compressor can stop Kenmore refrigerator’s cooling.

Temperature control board problem:

Generally, the temperature control board provides voltage to the electrical components of the refrigerator. So, if the temperature control board has a problem, the board will stop providing voltage to the compressor and fan motor.

So, if the temperature control board has a problem, the refrigerator’s cooling system might not work correctly.

How do you know if your Kenmore side by side refrigerator compressor is bad?

The cooling system of the Kenmore side by side refrigerator might not work if the compressor is bad. But you can’t know about the compressor immediately. So, you have to know whether the compressor is bad or not.

The first sign is that the compressor makes an unusual or loud noise. Moreover, the compressor can become overheated. You might also notice that the compressor is turning off and on frequently. This rate will be more than usual.

Besides, the compressor might stop working permanently. So, the cooling system will also not work when the compressor is bad.

For the frequent turning on and off, the power will be needed more. So, the electric bill will also be high. You can know that your Kenmore side by side refrigerator compressor is bad from these symptoms.

How much does it cost to replace a Kenmore side by side refrigerator compressor?

A bad compressor can stop the refrigerator’s primary function. So, if a compressor is bad, you must replace it. You might be interested to know how much it costs to replace a Kenmore side by side refrigerator compressor.

Generally, a new Kenmore refrigerator compressor can cost $100 to $500. But with the labor cost, the expense will be more. For example, the cost might be from $250 to $650. Moreover, the cost might vary according to the technician.

However, the cost of the compressor is one of the priciest among the different refrigerator components. But the compressor doesn’t go bad quickly. Even companies provide warranty for compressors.

So, if you have a warranty on the Kenmore refrigerator, you can get the compressor replaced. Otherwise, you have to buy a new one.

How to fix a Kenmore side by side refrigerator that is not cooling or working?

Now that you know different reasons why your Kenmore refrigerator is not cooling or working, you might want to know solutions. Different problems have different solutions. So, let’s see how you can fix a Kenmore side by side refrigerator that is not cooling or working.

Clean condenser coils:

You might know that dirty condenser coils can disturb the cooling system of your Kenmore refrigerator. So, you can clean the coils to function the refrigerator again.

Replace the compressor:

The cooling system will not be solved quickly if the problem is with the compressor. You have to replace the compressor with a new one.

Replace evaporator fan:

You can’t fix the fan or fan motor easily if the problem is with the evaporator fan. You must replace the evaporator fan or the fan motor with a new one.

Replace start relay:

A faulty start relay can disturb the cooling system. If the start relay has burnt, you must replace it.

Reset the refrigerator:

Sometimes, power or an electrical problem can cause a cooling system problem. Moreover, technical issues might be responsible. So, if you can reset the refrigerator, it will start working correctly. If significant problems are not related, the cooling system will work efficiently.

How do you reset a Kenmore side by side refrigerator?

Now that you know resetting a Kenmore side by side refrigerator can solve many problems, you might want to know the process. So, let’s see how you can reset a Kenmore side by side refrigerator.

Turn off the refrigerator:

First, you have to turn off the refrigerator. To do this, you can open the door and press and hold two buttons together.

You have to press and hold Home and Ultra ice buttons together at the same time. Hold the buttons for at least 5 seconds. This will turn off the controls of the refrigerator.

Unplug the power:

Then you have to unplug the electrical connections of the refrigerator from the power outlet.

Plug in and turn on the refrigerator:

Now you can plug the refrigerator cord again into the power outlet. Then you can turn on the refrigerator, and this will reset the refrigerator.

Final Thoughts

Kenmore side by side refrigerator’s cooling system problem can occur when the compressor goes bad. Moreover, the evaporator fan problem, dirty condenser coils, start relay problem, control board problem, etc., can be responsible. You can solve the problem by replacing the faulty component.