Amana Refrigerator: not starting

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

If your Amana refrigerator is not starting, you may notice it shows no signs of power, such as lights or compressor activity. This issue can stem from various causes like a power supply problem, incorrect control settings, or faulty components. Understanding these symptoms can help you troubleshoot effectively.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Amana Models

  • Amana official troubleshooting emphasizes correct power supply (115V, dedicated circuit) and ensuring controls are turned on to get the refrigerator to start.

Possible Causes

No power supply to the refrigerator

How to Identify: No lights or sounds when the fridge is plugged in; outlet does not power another appliance.

Part: Electrical supply / outlet / cord

Controls are turned off or in incorrect state

How to Identify: Control panel shows settings off, or fridge set to OFF mode; no lights appear because controls are disabled.

Part: Internal control panel / temperature settings

Faulty start relay or start capacitor

How to Identify: Compressor does not start and may click, indicating it cannot engage; fridge does not run though power is present.

Part: Start relay / start capacitor on compressor

Faulty temperature (cold) control / switch

How to Identify: No continuity through temperature control on multimeter; fridge won’t initiate cycle because control doesn’t signal start.

Part: Temperature control / cold control

Failed electronic control board

How to Identify: No response from any function despite power present; visible damage or burn marks on control board.

Part: Main electronic control board

DIY Solutions

Verify and restore power supply

Easy 10-20 minutes
Tools Needed: small household lamp or tester appliance
  1. Unplug the refrigerator.
  2. Test the wall outlet by plugging in a lamp or small appliance.
  3. Check home circuit breaker or fuse box for tripped breakers and reset if needed.
  4. Plug refrigerator directly into the tested outlet (no extension cords).
⚠️ Safety First: Ensure hands are dry when working with electrical outlets.

Ensure controls are turned on

Easy 5 minutes
  1. Open the refrigerator and locate the control panel.
  2. Verify that power to controls is enabled and that the fridge is not set to OFF.
  3. Reset temperature settings to recommended values and observe for response.

Professional Repairs

Replace start relay and/or start capacitor

Estimated Cost: $40 - $120

Replace temperature control switch

Estimated Cost: $30 - $150

Replace electronic control board

Estimated Cost: $200 - $400

When to Call a Professional

Refrigerator still does not start after verifying power supply and controls
Compressor shows clicking or no start attempts indicating internal part failure
Any electrical components need testing beyond simple DIY checks

Preventive Maintenance

  • Check power connection and outlet periodically: Prevent failures due to loose plugs or tripped breakers
    Frequency: monthly

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Amana Refrigerator not starting?
Common causes include no power supply, controls being off, or faulty components like the start relay.
How do I fix Amana Refrigerator not starting myself?
Start by checking the power supply and ensuring controls are on. Reset settings if necessary.
How much does it cost to fix not starting?
Professional repair costs range from $40 for a start relay to $400 for an electronic control board replacement.
When should I call a technician for not starting?
If DIY solutions don't work or if the issue seems complex, it's best to contact a technician.

References & Sources

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Defective control board (1 mentions)
  • Compressor issues (starter relay, capacitor) (2 mentions)

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Replace control board

    Success rate: 33.0%

  2. Check and replace starter relay and capacitor

    Success rate: 0.0%
Analysis based on 3 community discussions
View Sources

Data compiled from real discussions on r/appliancerepair and r/Appliances:

  1. Refrigerator worked fine; was shut off 2 months ago, now won...
  2. Fridge compressor won’t start and clicks
  3. Help with fridge compressor relay part

Community Discussions

Refrigerator won't start after being turned off for 2 months

Control board likely defective; voltage is present but compressor does not activate.

Pro needed View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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