The compressor is the heart of your refrigerator. When it stops running, the entire fridge warms up within hours. Before assuming the worst, there are several quick checks and inexpensive component replacements that may get your compressor running again without a full replacement.
Quick Answer
When a refrigerator compressor does not start, the most common culprit is a failed start relay — a small, inexpensive component (₹200–₹500) that clicks into the side of the compressor. This is the first thing to check and replace. Other causes include a failed overload protector, faulty thermostat, or — rarely — a seized compressor.
How to Tell If the Compressor Is Not Running
- The fridge is warming up but the light and display still work
- No low hum from the bottom-back of the fridge
- You hear clicking every 3–5 minutes (the compressor trying and failing to start)
- The bottom-back of the fridge feels unusually cold (not warm from compressor heat)
Causes and Fixes
1. Faulty Start Relay
The start relay provides a boost of power to start the compressor motor. When it fails, the compressor cannot start and you hear a click every few minutes as the overload protector cuts in to prevent damage.
Fix: Locate the start relay — it is the small plug-in component on the side of the compressor at the back-bottom of the fridge. Pull it off and shake it near your ear. A rattling sound confirms the relay is faulty. Replace it with a matching part (model number is on the relay). Cost: ₹200–₹500. This is a genuine DIY fix.
2. Failed Overload Protector
The overload protector is a thermal switch that shuts the compressor off if it overheats. A faulty protector cuts the compressor off even when temperatures are normal.
Fix: The overload protector is typically attached to or near the start relay. It can be tested with a multimeter for continuity. Replacement cost: ₹200–₹400.
3. Faulty Thermostat
The thermostat signals the compressor to start when the fridge temperature rises above the set point. If the thermostat is stuck in the “cold enough” position, it never sends the start signal.
Fix: Turn the thermostat dial to its coldest setting — if the compressor starts immediately, the thermostat is likely faulty. Replacement thermostats cost ₹400–₹900.
4. Voltage Issues
Compressors are sensitive to voltage fluctuations, common in many Indian towns and cities. Low voltage prevents the motor from starting. A voltage stabiliser protects the compressor and extends its life significantly.
Fix: Install a refrigerator voltage stabiliser (₹800–₹2,000). Many Indian fridge manufacturers recommend this.
5. Seized or Dead Compressor
If the start relay, overload protector, and thermostat are all fine but the compressor still does not run, the compressor motor itself may have seized. A technician will test the compressor windings with a multimeter.
Fix: Compressor replacement costs ₹4,000–₹12,000 including labour. For a fridge over 8–10 years old, compare this against the cost of a new refrigerator.
Step-by-Step Diagnostic
- Confirm the fridge has power — display and light should work
- Listen for clicking — indicates the compressor is trying to start
- Remove and shake the start relay — rattling means it is faulty
- Replace the start relay and test
- If still not starting, test the thermostat by setting it to maximum cold
- If neither fixes it, call a technician for compressor testing
When to Call a Technician
- Start relay replacement did not solve the problem
- Compressor is hot to the touch and silent
- Technician diagnosis confirms dead compressor windings
Also see: Why Is My Refrigerator Not Cooling? and Whirlpool Refrigerator Error Codes. If the compressor repair is uneconomical, sell your old refrigerator in Bangalore for scrap or resale value.