How to Reset a Refrigerator Compressor: In 4 Easy Steps

How to reset a refrigerator compressor, you ask? Fret not. This article delivers an easy-to-follow guide, which will help you understand why, when, and how to reset your refrigerator’s compressor, making it as easy as pie! Here, we will explore what a refrigerator compressor is, signs that it may need a reset, and provide a simple step-by-step guide to help you do just that. Are you ready? Let’s jump right in!

How to Reset a Refrigerator Compressor
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

Understanding Your Refrigerator’s Compressor

Before we get into the process of how to reset a refrigerator compressor, it’s important to have a clear understanding of your refrigerator’s compressor. This means knowing what it is, where it’s located, and how it affects the overall functioning of your fridge. Knowledge is power, after all!

What is a Refrigerator Compressor?

The refrigerator compressor is like the heart of your fridge, pumping coolness into it. The compressor is responsible for maintaining the chilly temperature that keeps your food fresh and your ice cream frozen. It’s the boss of cold in your refrigerator, making it one essential part of the appliance.

Signs Your Compressor Needs a Reset

Just like how a car engine coughs and sputters when it’s not feeling great, your refrigerator compressor also gives off signals when it needs a reset. Maybe your refrigerator is making strange noises like it’s trying to tell you something? Or perhaps it’s getting too hot to touch? Or even worse, it’s not keeping your ice cream as frozen as you’d like? These are all signs that your compressor may need a reset.

Preparations Before Resetting

Before we dive into the process of how to reset a refrigerator compressor, it’s important to take some precautions. This is just like stretching before the workout – you need to prepare yourself and your tools. Safety first, folks!

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Safety Measures

Safety first, right? Absolutely! Resetting a refrigerator compressor isn’t like wrestling a crocodile, but it does require a certain degree of caution. Always remember to switch off and unplug the refrigerator before you start. And hey, a pair of safety gloves wouldn’t hurt either, right?

Gathering Required Tools

Doing a reset isn’t like going on a treasure hunt, but you will need some tools. A trusty screwdriver, a multimeter (if you’ve got one), and perhaps a flashlight to see the inner workings of your fridge will be handy. Ready to feel a bit like a home improvement hero? Of course, you are!

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Steps on How to Reset a Refrigerator Compressor

Now we’re getting to the main event! Resetting a refrigerator compressor might sound like rocket science, but with the right guidance, it’s actually pretty straightforward. So, let’s roll up our sleeves and get down to it!

Locating the Compressor

Locating the compressor is as easy as spotting a lighthouse on a clear night. It’s usually at the back of your fridge, a large, cylindrical component. Finding it is like winning half the battle. Ready for the next step?

Unplugging the Refrigerator

Before touching the compressor, make sure to unplug the fridge. Imagine unplugging the refrigerator as pulling the teeth of a snarling wolf – it’s important to do it right to avoid getting bitten, or in this case, shocked. Remember safety first?

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Accessing the Compressor’s Overload Relay

The overload relay is the little pal of your compressor, protecting it from overheating. Locating this requires a bit of squinting and flashlight waving, but you’ll find it attached to the compressor. Ready for the detective work?

Testing the Overload Relay

Using a multimeter, test the overload relay. If it’s reading zero or close to it, that means it’s working just fine, like a light bulb that shines bright. If it’s not reading close to zero, then it’s like a flickering bulb that needs replacing. Ready to be an electrician for a day? Let’s do it!

Resetting the Compressor

Now we’re at the main event! To reset the compressor, remove the relay and give it a little shake. If it rattles like maracas, it’s in good shape. If not, you’ll have to replace it. Once that’s done, plug the relay back in, and voilà, you’ve reset your refrigerator’s compressor! Feeling like a pro? Well, you pretty much are!

Reconnecting the Refrigerator

Plugging your refrigerator back in is like waking it up from a deep sleep. You’ve got to do it gently. Make sure all the wires are in place, and then plug it back in. Your refrigerator should be running like it’s brand new. That wasn’t so hard, was it?

After Resetting Your Compressor

After a successful reset, there are a few final checks to ensure everything is running smoothly. Just like after baking a cake, you need to taste it to ensure it’s perfect. So, let’s make sure your refrigerator is back in tip-top shape!

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Post-Reset Checks

You’ve crossed the finish line, but wait! There’s just a bit more to do. Just like how you’d give your pet a treat after a trick, give your fridge a check. Make sure it’s cooling properly, not making weird noises, and not overheating. You want your compressor to be the cool kid on the block, don’t you?

When to Call a Professional

If your refrigerator is still acting like a moody teenager, it might be time to call in the pros. Yeah, it’s like admitting that you can’t win every game, but sometimes you need a coach. Don’t worry, you gave it your best shot! There’s no shame in calling someone who’s got a utility belt full of tools and knowledge.