There are a few reasons why a refrigerator stops working and this includes a Kenmore refrigerator. So if your Kenmore refrigerator is not working, let us help you fix it.
Table of Contents
Kenmore Refrigerator Not Working after Power Outage – Solutions
The following are parts to check in order to solve the problem of a Kenmore refrigerator not working after a power outage:
1. Circuit Breaker
The breaker might have tripped off during the outage so you need to check it. The breaker is usually outside the house, not inside it. Take a look at the breaker that controls the refrigerator see whether or not it is off. If it is, turn it back on.
2. Control Panel
A power outage can turn off the refrigerator though this is not common. If you find that this is the case, you may have to check the wire connections from the electronic control board to the panel.
However, before looking at the connections, check the internal lights of the refrigerator. If you find that the lights are on, then the refrigerator is not turned off. Otherwise, some part of the unit is not connected.
3. Power Outlet
Check the power outlet into which the cord of the refrigerator goes. It may have burned during the power outage or it is no longer delivering the required amount of voltage to the unit.
Try plugging another appliance into it; use a small one for this troubleshooting step. If the appliance comes on, the outlet is not completely damaged. If it is a GFCI outlet, try resetting it by pressing the reset button.
4. Power Cord
The cord may have loose internal wiring or burn due to the outage. Though this is rare, it is best to check the cord if the above parts are in good working condition. Replacing the cord is affordable and easy so if you find it is damaged, replace it as quickly as possible.
If the lights inside the refrigerator are working but the unit is not cooling, you may have to give it some time to begin cooling. The components are not damaged so some internal component is causing the issue.
You will require the services of a qualified appliance technician to diagnose the problem and fix it permanently. Contact Kenmore for further assistance or hire an independent technician.
Kenmore Refrigerator Water Dispenser Not Working After Replacing Water Filter – Solved
Try running a few gallons of water out of the waterline in order to clear any air trapped in the system. The air may be preventing the dispenser from working due to built-up pressure.
Afterward, try the dispenser. If it still does not work, remove the water filter and inspect it. Make sure the head of the filter is not damaged and there is no dirt. Also, ensure it is the right type for the Kenmore refrigerator model you have and you install it properly.
Tightening the filter too much during installations stops the water from flowing to the dispenser. Loosen the filter a little and see if it fixes the problem.
If necessary, replace the filter with a bypass plug to see whether or not the fault is from the water filter. If the dispenser starts working with the bypass plug, remove the bypass plug and check the filter head assembly.
There is a small nipple on the filter head, right at the spot where water will enter the filter. When you install a new filter, it pushes the nipple in a little so water can flow through it. If the nipple damages during the filter installation, there won’t be any water so the dispenser won’t work. You may have to change the filter head.
Kenmore Refrigerator Ice Maker Not Working After Power Outage – Quick Fix
If you find that the ice maker in your Kenmore refrigerator is not working after a power outage, check for power. The ice maker should cycle on and off even if it is not making ice. If it is not cycling at all, then it is a power issue.
Check the power switch if the ice maker has one and turn it off before turning it on again. If the ice maker remains unresponsive, turn it off, disconnect the refrigerator, wait about 5 minutes, and power everything.
However, if the ice maker still does not work, replace the entire ice maker assembly because it has become defective.
Other Parts to Check
But if the ice maker cycles but does not make ice, check the feeler arm by its side. It should be down before the ice maker can work. Therefore, push it down and see if it fixes the ice maker.
Check the waterline if the arm does not fix the ice maker. Something may be stuck inside it, preventing water from getting to the ice maker for the icemaking process.
Unplug the refrigerator from the wall outlet. If the outlet is not reachable, flip the circuit breaker that controls the refrigerator. Move the unit and shut off the water supply. Next, remove the ice maker and inspect it for ice chunks. Thaw the ice maker if you find ice around it.
Now, check the water line at the back wall of the freezer. The open end may be plugged with an ice fragment so try removing the ice with a small object. Otherwise, channel the heat of a dryer on the line to melt the ice. Replace the ice maker afterward.
Temperature Issue
The temperature may be too high for the ice maker to produce ice. If the problem started after the power outage, the issue may be with a high temperature. Therefore, check the setting of the temperature and adjust it if necessary. If the setting is correct, check the internal temperature with a thermometer.
The temperature must be at most 10 degrees Fahrenheit for the ice maker to work. If you had to adjust the temperature, give the refrigerator at least 24 hours to stabilize. The same applies if the power has just been restored.
Finally, consider that something may have burned in the ice maker or even the refrigerator. If you are not sure how to fix this issue yourself, contact Kenmore or hire a service technician for further assistance.
Check out these other articles…
Kenmore Refrigerator Is Beeping [How to Fix]
Kenmore Refrigerator Door [Problems & Solutions]
How to Level a Kenmore Refrigerator [Quick Guide]
Kenmore Refrigerator Blinking Light [Issues & Solutions]
Kenmore Refrigerator Handle [Issues & Solutions]
Kenmore Freezer Stopped Working After Power Outage – What to Do
Check the circuit breaker, power cord, and power outlet of the freezer. Turn the circuit breaker back on if it is off, replace the power cord if there is loose wiring, hire an electrician to replace the power outlet if it is damaged, or reset it if is the GFCI type.
But if none of these applies, check the components of the freezer, particularly the start relay and compressor. Remove the relay and shake it; if it rattles, replace it. And if there is no continuity showing between the two terminals, replace the relay.
For the compressor, find a service technician to test it and determine whether or not it has failed. The test is usually complex so may be too much for a DIY.
However, if you are going to perform the test yourself, check out this video…
Kenmore Refrigerator Is Not Working – Solutions
Check the lights inside the refrigerator. If they are not working, then the refrigerator is not receiving power. Therefore, check the circuit breaker; it may have tripped off. Make sure the power cord is fully plugged into the wall outlet and the outlet is working.
If the power cord is damaged, replace it. And if the power outlet is no longer working, find an electrician to replace it with a suitable one.
If none of the above fixes applies and the refrigerator lights are working, then do the following:
1. Check the Condenser Coils
The condenser coils should be cleaned once every 6 months. If you don’t have hairy pets or don’t live in an area with a lot of dust, they should be cleaned every 12 months.
You can use a vacuum cleaner or a small leaf blower to clean them. If you can get a condenser coil cleaning brush and can easily reach the coils, the brush would do a better job. Make sure to remove every trace of dust and dirt; wipe with a cloth if necessary.
Keep the coils clean so that they can efficiently release the heat that the refrigerator generates. If they are significantly dusty, the heat builds and compromises the cooling capacity of the refrigerator.
2. Check the Evaporator Fan
Get behind the rear panel inside the freezer and check the fan. Turn the blades with your hand to see how well they turn. If they are stiff, consider replacing the motor of the fan. And if the motor makes a loud noise, replace it.
But if none of the above applies, take a multimeter and test the windings of the motor to check for continuity. If you find no continuity, replace the motor of the fan.
The evaporator fan spreads cold air inside the freezer and refrigerator after taking the air over the evaporator coils. If the refrigerator stops working, it may be that the fan is no longer functional.
3. Check the Start Relay
Remove the relay from its place on the compressor’s side and shake it slightly. If it makes a rattling noise, it is an indication that it is faulty so replace it. And while doing so, see if there is a burnt smell coming from it. Replace it if this applies.
But to be absolutely sure before replacing it, run a continuity test between the two terminals of the relay with a multimeter. If there is no continuity, replace the relay.
The relay starts the compressor and enables it to run smoothly. If the relay fails, the compressor will have a hard time running and consequently, the refrigerator will stop working.
4. Check the Condenser Fan
Ensure nothing is obstructing the blades of the fan. Clean them and inspect the area around them. Remove any debris sticking and causing the blades to spin poorly.
Next, turn them with your hand to see if they spin well. If they don’t, it may be an indication that the bearings of the motor are worn and the motor needs a replacement. But if the blades spin well and nothing is obstructing the blades, run a continuity test on the motor of the fan. If you don’t find continuity, replace the motor.
The condenser fan cools the condenser coils and compressor. If it becomes defective, the refrigerator will overheat and stop cooling.
5. Check the Thermostat
Turn the dial of the thermostat from low to high and wait for a click as the compressor and other components turn off. The click lets you know the thermostat is not defective but if you don’t hear the click, check the thermostat for continuity using a multimeter. If it does not show continuity at any temperature setting, replace the thermostat.
The thermostat has the job of sending power to the evaporator fan motor and compressor. In some refrigerators, it also supplies power to the condenser fan motor. The refrigerant may not run to cool the refrigerator if the thermostat fails.
6. Check the Thermistor
With a multimeter, run a continuity test on the thermistor after finding it in the refrigerator. Its resistance should change as the temperature of the refrigerator changes. If you don’t see this happening, and there is no continuity, replace the thermistor.
The thermistor provides the control board with temperature readings from the refrigerator so that the board can power the cooling system. If the thermistor stops working, the temperature readings will be wrong and the refrigerator may stop cooling.
7. Check the Compressor
Test the terminals on the side of the compressor, where the start relay mounts, using a multimeter to check for continuity. If the resistance reads wrong, then the compressor has an open circuit and is defective. Consider replacing it or hire an appliance technician to advise you on what to do.
If all else fails, check the temperature control board and the main control board. If either or both of them fail, the refrigerator will stop cooling and working. However, ensure all other components are in good working condition before checking and replacing the boards.
Kenmore Refrigerator Water Dispenser Not Working But Ice Works – Quick Fix
Do the following if the water dispenser in your Kenmore refrigerator is not working but ice works:
1. Check the Door Water Tube
Disconnect the water tube from under the door and blow air into it. If the air doesn’t pass through the tube, it means something is blocking it, probably ice. Keep the temperature in the freezer at the recommended point to prevent a future occurrence and thaw the ice in the tube.
2. Check the Water Inlet Valve
Begin by checking the water pressure to the inlet valve. It should be up to 20psi for the valve to function properly. If the water pressure is too low, increase it. But if the pressure is right, test the valve to check for continuity. If there is no continuity, replace the valve.
3. Check the Door Switch
Activate the switch and run a continuity test on it using a multimeter to check continuity. If you activate the switch and there is no continuity, replace the door switch.
The switch turns the water dispenser off when you open the door of the refrigerator. The same applies to the ice dispenser. So if it fails, the dispenser will remain turned off.
4. Check the Dispenser Switches
The dispenser has more than one switch so test each one to determine if they have failed. If you find a failed dispenser switch, replace it. The dispenser switches provide power for the dispenser to run. If one or more fail, the dispenser won’t work.
Contact Kenmore for further assistance if none of the above solutions work on your Kenmore refrigerator water dispenser.
Kenmore Refrigerator Ice Maker Not Working – Solved
The following are possible solutions to the problem of a Kenmore refrigerator ice maker not working:
1. Replace the Water Inlet Valve
Start by checking the water pressure. It should be high enough to open the valve so it can supply water to the ice maker. If the water pressure is low, increase it. Also, if you have a water filtration system in your home, it may be affecting the water pressure. Consider running a waterline away from the system to the refrigerator.
But if the water pressure is not the origin of the problem, then test the valve with a multimeter to check continuity. If you don’t get continuity, replace the valve.
2. Change the Temperature Setting
Ensure the setting of the refrigerator temperature is low enough for the ice maker to work. If the internal temperature is higher than 10 degrees, the ice maker may not start working to produce ice.
After adjusting the temperature, allow about 24 hours for the refrigerator to stabilize and for the ice maker to cool enough to make ice.
3. Purchase a New Ice Maker
The ice maker may be defective so test the individual components. If you find the faulty one, be sure to replace it with the right part. More times than not, there are no individual replacement parts for an ice maker, especially older models.
However, if you have a newer model, you may find parts. Contact Kenmore for further assistance.
Kenmore Refrigerator Light Not Working – What to Do
Check the following if the light of a Kenmore refrigerator is not working:
1. Bulb
The first thing you should check is the bulb. It is the easiest to test so just remove it and replace it with another bulb. If it comes on, you know the old bulb burned out.
2. Socket
Take a multimeter and test the light socket to see if it is receiving power. If it is not receiving power, replace it. But if it is receiving power and the bulb is working yet the light does not work, replace the socket.
3. Door Switch
Activate the switch of the refrigerator door and run a continuity test on it using a multimeter. If there is no continuity even when activated, replace the door switch. The switch turns the light on and off when you open and close the door of the refrigerator. If it is defective, the light may remain off.
4. Light Assembly
The entire assembly may not be working and you will have to replace it. Even if you discover that only one component is defective in the assembly, you may not be able to find an individual replacement part. So, the best fix is to replace the assembly.
Recap
If your Kenmore refrigerator is not working, find a solution as quickly as possible. Some of the solutions are quite easy while others are technical so require the services of a technician or electrician.
Chat with us using the chatbox to your right so we can connect you to one of our appliance technicians for further assistance.
Get Instant Help — Ask An Experienced Verified Appliance Technician
Need expert help? Click here to use the chat box on this page to speak with a verified appliance technician right away. No need for expensive in-home service calls. No appointments. No waiting.
