How to Reset a Refrigerator Compressor: A Step-by-Step Guide
Quick Answer
To reset your refrigerator compressor, unplug the unit from the wall for at least 10 to 15 minutes. This allows the refrigerant pressures to stabilize and the control board to clear any temporary glitches before you plug it back in and adjust your temperature settings.
Look, I've probably done this exact reset 200+ times and it still surprises me how often it just works. When a compressor locks up or the thermal overload trips, the fridge sits there doing nothing while the control board stays confused. Skip the reset and keep trying to force a start, and now you're burning out a $20 start relay or stressing the compressor windings. A free fix becomes a $200 repair.
GenericRefrigerator
How to Reset Your Generic Refrigerator
OK so here's the deal. This is the first thing you try before anything else, zero tools, 20 minutes, and it fixes probably 30-40% of the 'my fridge stopped cooling' calls I get. The compressor isn't always dead. Sometimes it just needs a reboot, same as your router. Had a guy last week convinced he needed a new fridge, did this reset, and it's been humming ever since. Try it first.
Common Causes
- A power surge or brownout scrambled the control board's logic and locked the compressor relay in the off position, even though everything else looks completely normal.
- Dirty condenser coils built up enough dust and pet hair that the compressor ran hot for too long, tripped its internal thermal overload switch, and now it won't restart until things cool way down.
- The start relay is dying. It's a little $15-20 part that clips onto the side of the compressor, and when it goes, you get that repeating click every few minutes as the motor tries and fails to start.
- After a power outage, refrigerant pressure gets unbalanced and sits high on one side. The compressor motor can't overcome that back pressure at startup, so it trips off immediately.
- Control board firmware got stuck in a weird state after a voltage fluctuation, basically a software freeze that only a full power cycle will clear out.
Symptoms You May Notice
- Fridge feels like room temperature inside, but the display shows normal numbers and the interior lights still work.
- You can hear the fans running in the back or the freezer section, but there's no low hum from the compressor at the bottom rear.
- A clicking sound coming from the bottom rear of the unit, repeating every 2-3 minutes as the compressor keeps attempting to kick on and failing.
- Food is spoiling before it should, milk going bad a day early, vegetables wilting way faster than normal.
- Ice maker has completely stopped producing ice and the freezer section feels noticeably warmer than it used to.
Tools Required for Diagnosis
No tools required for basic resetThermometer (optional, to verify internal temps after reset)Flashlight (helpful for seeing the wall outlet behind the unit)
Diagnostic Checklist
Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does resetting the compressor fix a clicking noise?
Sometimes. That clicking usually means the compressor is trying to start and tripping off almost immediately. High refrigerant pressure is one cause, and a proper reset lets it equalize. But if the clicking keeps up after a full 15-minute wait, you're probably looking at a bad start relay. That little part costs $15-25 and clips right onto the side of the compressor. Pull it off and shake it near your ear. If it rattles, it's toast. Pretty easy swap.
How often should I reset my refrigerator compressor?
Only when you've got a problem. This isn't a routine maintenance thing you do every few months, it's a troubleshooting step. If your fridge is running fine, leave it alone. Now, if you find yourself doing this reset every couple of weeks because the cooling keeps dying, stop and call a tech. That's a sign something is actually failing, either a compressor on its way out, a slow refrigerant leak, or a control board that's had enough.
Will I lose my food if I unplug the fridge for 15 minutes?
No. A closed refrigerator holds safe food temps for 4 hours minimum according to the FDA. Fifteen minutes is nothing. Just keep the doors shut during the reset and don't open them to check on things. The fridge will recover those few degrees within an hour of restarting. Your groceries are fine.
What if my refrigerator has a 'Reset' button on the panel?
Those panel reset buttons usually just clear error codes or reboot the display software. They don't cut power to the compressor hardware. I've tested this with a clamp meter, the compressor stays energized right through a panel reset on most brands. For an actual compressor reset, you need a full power cycle at the wall outlet. The hard unplug wins every time.
Why did my compressor stop working in the first place?
Power surges are the number one thing I see. Even a brief brownout can trip the thermal overload or scramble the control board. After that it's dirty condenser coils. When those coils are caked with dust and pet hair, the compressor can't shed heat, it runs hot, the thermal overload shuts it down to protect the motor. Clean those coils every 6-12 months. Seriously. It makes a huge difference in how long the compressor actually lasts.
How do I know if the reset actually worked?
Give it 24 hours before you decide it failed. After you restore power, the compressor kicks on but it takes a full day for temps to stabilize, especially if the fridge warmed up at all during the outage. Stick a thermometer inside to check progress. If after 24 hours the fridge section is still above 40°F or the freezer is above 10°F, the reset didn't solve the underlying problem and you'll want a tech to come look at it.
Can I damage the compressor by resetting it too quickly?
Yeah, actually. If you unplug and immediately plug back in, the compressor tries to start against unequalized high-side pressure. The motor can't get up to speed, draws way too much current, and the thermal overload trips again instantly. Do this repeatedly and you're shortening the compressor's life in a real way. The 15-minute wait isn't just a suggestion, it's protecting a part that costs $200-600 to replace.
MS
Last verified for technical accuracy on March 17, 2026