Kenmore Refrigerator Not Cooling: DIY Troubleshooting and

Quick Answer

If your Kenmore isn't cooling, the first thing I want you to do is pull it out and check the condenser coils for a thick layer of dust. In my experience, dirty coils are the leading cause of poor cooling, but if those are clean, we need to listen for the compressor and fans to rule out a mechanical failure.

When a Kenmore stops cooling, the repair path depends on who actually made it. The first three digits of your model number tell you everything: 795 means LG, 106 or 665 means Whirlpool. LG-built models have a well-known compressor defect with a 10-year warranty that might cover you for free. Whirlpool-built units usually just need a defrost repair. Ignore this too long and you're adding $200+ in spoiled groceries on top of the repair bill.

KenmoreRefrigeratorSeverity: highDifficulty: intermediate75% DIY Success

Time to Fix

30–120 min

Difficulty

intermediate

Parts Cost

$15 – $80

Tools Needed

Phillips #2 screwdriver, 1/4 inch nut driver

Kenmore Refrigerator Not Cooling: DIY Troubleshooting and

Don't write your fridge off just yet. Honest truth: most 'dead fridge' calls I've been on turned out to be a $25 start relay or condenser coils caked in dog hair. I replaced three of those relays just last Tuesday. Spend thirty minutes on this before you call a tech or swipe your card on a new one, because the fix might literally cost less than pizza delivery.

Most Likely Causes

Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:

Dirty condenser coils35%

Evaporator fan motor failure20%

Defrost system malfunction15%

Compressor start relay failure15%

Sealed system or compressor failure15%

Symptoms You May Notice

Your freezer is rock-solid at 0 degrees but the fridge section feels like a warm closet, like 50-55 degrees when you stick a thermometer in there.
There's a rhythmic clicking from behind the fridge every 2-3 minutes, then silence, then it clicks again. That's your compressor trying and failing to start.
The fridge runs constantly, you can hear it humming all day and night, but it never actually gets cold enough to keep food safe.
The entire back wall of the freezer is covered in a thick sheet of frost that's actually poking through the vent slots and blocking all the airflow.
The compressor housing on the back is burning hot to the touch but there's zero vibration coming from it, meaning it's trying to run but completely can't.

Can you reset a Kenmore refrigerator to clear the NOT-COOLING code?

Unplug the fridge and let it sit for a full 10 minutes. Don't just flip the breaker and flip it right back on. While it's unplugged, press and hold any door switches you can find for about 30 seconds to drain residual power from the control board. Plug it back in and give it a full 24 hours before you make any judgments. Temps won't stabilize for at least 4-6 hours, so don't panic if it's still warm after the first hour.

Tools Required for Diagnosis

Phillips #2 screwdriver1/4 inch nut driverVacuum with crevice tool attachmentDigital multimeterRefrigerator coil cleaning brushHair dryer (for manual defrost testing)

Service / Diagnostic Mode

For most electronic Kenmore (LG-built) models, open both doors and press the 'Refrigeration Temp' and 'Express Freeze' buttons simultaneously five times within two seconds. The display will show '88 88' and enter a test mode to check fans and the compressor.

Diagnostic Checklist

Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.

Did the fix not work?

If the problem comes back after following these steps, a component has permanently failed and needs replacement. Check the specific error code your refrigerator is showing:

ER-FF Error →

ComponentComponent Under Test

Expected Range0–50 ohms

ConditionIf Open (OL) or infinite, replace component.

Replacement Parts

If your diagnostic testing proves the component has failed, you will need a replacement. We recommend OEM parts over aftermarket for water-handling components.

Part Name	OEM Number	Estimated Price
Compressor Start RelayWP2262185 · $15–$45	WP2262185	$15 – $45
Evaporator Fan MotorADJ73252201 · $35–$80	ADJ73252201	$35 – $80

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know who made my Kenmore refrigerator?

Open the fresh food door and look for the silver sticker on the left wall near the top. The first three digits of the model number are your key: 795 means LG built it, 106 or 665 means it's Whirlpool, 253 is Frigidaire, and 596 is Amana. This matters a lot because LG's 795-series has a specific compressor warranty, and parts, wiring diagrams, and even the diagnostic mode sequence are all completely different depending on who actually built the machine.

Why is my Kenmore freezer cold but the refrigerator is warm?

Almost always it's an airflow problem, not a dead compressor. Cold air for your fridge section gets generated in the freezer and pushed through by the evaporator fan. If that fan dies, or if ice from a defrost failure plugs up the vents, cold air can't move into the fridge compartment at all. Your freezer stays fine because it doesn't depend on the fan the same way. Check the fan first since it's a $40-70 part, way cheaper than most people expect.

My Kenmore fridge is clicking every few minutes. What's that?

That's the overload protector shutting the compressor down. It's trying to start, failing, and cycling off to prevent burnout, then trying again a few minutes later. Usually it's a dead start relay, which is a $15-30 part. Pull the relay off the side of the compressor and shake it. If it rattles, replace it. If the relay's fine but the clicking continues, the compressor itself might be seized, which is a much bigger and more expensive problem.

Is it worth fixing a Kenmore refrigerator with a bad compressor?

Depends on two things: the model prefix and how old it is. If you've got a 795-series that's under 10 years old, check for LG compressor warranty coverage before you spend anything because you might get it covered. If it's out of warranty, compressor replacement runs $600-900 in parts and labor, so at that point a new fridge often makes more financial sense. But Whirlpool-made 106 and 665 models are really reliable and compressor failures on those are pretty rare, so it's usually something cheaper on those units.

My Kenmore runs constantly but never gets cold. Where do I start?

Start with the condenser coils on the back or bottom. If they're packed with dust, the compressor runs nonstop because it can't shed heat and the fridge never hits its target temp. That's a free fix if you do it yourself. If the coils are clean, check the door gaskets next. Run your hand slowly around the edge of the closed door while the fridge is running and feel for cold air escaping anywhere. A torn or warped gasket is a $30-50 fix and it'll absolutely cause this exact symptom.

Related Kenmore Refrigerator Error Codes

Code: ER-FFKenmore Error Code ER FF: Evaporator Fan Failure

Same Fix on Other Brands

Lg refrigeratorNOT-COOLING: LG Refrigerator Not Cooling Troubleshooting Whirlpool refrigeratorNOT-COOLING: Whirlpool Refrigerator Cooling Issues

Models Known to Experience NOT-COOLING Errors

This repair applies to most Kenmore refrigerators with this error code. Common model numbers include:

795.72053, 106.51133, 253.70313, 665.61623, 795.74023, 795.51833, 106.73412, 253.44513

Written by

Mike Sullivan

Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 20 years experience

Last verified for technical accuracy on March 17, 2026