Kenmore Refrigerator: not powering on

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Is your Kenmore refrigerator not powering on? If you're experiencing a complete lack of powerâ€”no lights, sounds, or displayâ€”it could be due to a power supply issue, a faulty power cord, or an internal control board failure. This guide covers common causes and solutions to get your fridge running again.

Urgency: High

Important Tips for Kenmore Models

After a power outage, some Kenmore models may require a power cycle reset to clear internal control errors before they will power on normally.

Possible Causes

Power supply interruption

How to Identify: No power to outlet; plugging another device into the same outlet also yields no power.

Part: Circuit breaker / power outlet

Faulty power cord or plug connection

How to Identify: Visible damage to cord; fridge plug only partially inserted; refrigerator shows no response even when outlet is confirmed live.

Part: Power cord / plug

Internal control board failure

How to Identify: After power supply is confirmed, fridge remains unresponsive; no lights or control panel activity.

Part: Electronic control board

Tripped safety device due to power surge

How to Identify: Occurs after a power outage or surge; fridge is entirely unresponsive until reset procedures are followed.

Part: Internal protection circuits

DIY Solutions

Check and reset power supply

Easy 5-15 minutes

Unplug the refrigerator from the outlet.
Test the wall outlet by plugging in a lamp or other appliance to confirm it has power.
If the outlet is powered, plug the refrigerator back in firmly.
Check the home circuit breaker panel and reset any tripped breaker.

⚠️ Safety First: Do not force plugs; avoid wet hands when handling electrical components.

Perform a refrigerator power cycle reset

Easy 10 minutes

Unplug the refrigerator from the outlet.
Wait 5â€“10 minutes to allow internal electronics to reset.
Plug the refrigerator back into a known-good outlet.
Observe for lights or sounds indicating start-up.

⚠️ Safety First: Ensure the outlet is functional before resetting.

Professional Repairs

Replace electronic control board

Estimated Cost: $150 - $350

Inspect and repair internal wiring or safety devices

Estimated Cost: $100 - $300

When to Call a Professional

Refrigerator remains unresponsive after verifying outlet and breaker functionality.

Visible damage to internal wiring or control board.

Electrical burning smell or overheating is present.

Preventive Maintenance

Check power cord and outlet annually: Issues related to power delivery failure.
Frequency: annually
Avoid using extension cords: Voltage drop and power interruptions.
Frequency: ongoing

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Kenmore Refrigerator not powering on?

Common causes include power supply interruption, faulty cord, or control board failure.

How do I fix Kenmore Refrigerator not powering on myself?

Unplug the fridge, test the outlet, and perform a power cycle reset.

How much does it cost to fix not powering on?

Professional repairs can range from $100 to $350 depending on the issue.

When should I call a technician for not powering on?

Call a technician if DIY fixes don't work or if you suspect control board issues.

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

100%

DIY Success Rate Difficulty: DIY

Common Issues Reported by Users

Shorted out wire (1 mentions)

User Suggested Solutions

Repair shorted out wire behind the evaporator fan

Success rate: 50.0%

Analysis based on 2 community discussions
View Sources

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

Community Discussions

No power to compressor or fan

Found a shorted out wire behind the evaporator fan and repaired it.

DIY View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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