Refrigerator Won’t Shut Off? Here’s What to Do

Your refrigerator is probably the most used and relied-on appliance you have in your home. So if it stops working correctly, this can be very annoying and disruptive.

One of the most common problems people have with their fridge is when the compressor doesn’t shut off and instead runs constantly. Thankfully, most of the time it is usually something simple that is causing the problem that can be easily fixed.

In this article, we’ll explain what to do if your refrigerator won’t shut off.

Step 1 – Check the Freezer Temperature

The first step is to check the temperature of your freezer. If it is set to the wrong temperature (above 10 degrees Fahrenheit or -12 degrees Celsius), it can make your fridge keep running, as it has to work harder to keep the refrigerator unit at the right temperature.

Here’s how to check the temperature:

1. Locate the temperature control – it’s in the freezer.
2. Make sure that the freezer temperature is set between 0 and 5 degrees Fahrenheit (-18 and -15 degrees Celsius). If not, adjust the temperature. 
3. Monitor your fridge for a few hours to see if the problem has been solved. If not, move on to the next step.

Step 2 – Check the Condenser Coils

The condenser coils help dissipate heat from the refrigerator. If they get dirty or covered in ice, your fridge will have to stay on constantly to keep the fridge at the right temperature.

Here’s how to check the condenser coils:

1. Turn the refrigerator power off.
2. Pull the refrigerator out from the wall so you can access the back of it.
3. Remove the lower panel at the back of the fridge.
4. Locate the condenser coils.
5. Check the coils to see if they are covered in ice or are dirty. If covered in ice, leave your fridge turned off until they are defrosted. If dirty, clean them. If they are fine, you can move on to the next step.
6. Once cleaned or defrosted, plug your fridge back in, and monitor it over the next few hours to see if the problem has been solved. If not, move on to the next step.

Step 3 – Inspect the Condenser Fan

The condenser fan helps to circulate warm air over the coils so they can cool down and not freeze over. If the fan becomes faulty, your fridge might stay on constantly.

Here’s how to check the condenser fan motor:

1. Make sure the refrigerator power is turned off.
2. Locate the condenser fan (check your manual if you’re not sure).
3. Remove the safety panel around the fan.
4. Try to turn the fan around manually. If it is obstructed in any way, remove the object obstructing it.
5. If the fan moves around, use a multimeter to check the fan motor for continuity.
6. If the fan doesn’t have continuity, it will need to be replaced. If it does have continuity, it is working fine, and you can move on to the next step.
7. If you replace the fan, turn your fridge back on, and check if the problem has been solved. If not, move on to the next step.

Step 4 – Check the Defrost Heater

The defrost heater helps to melt frost or ice off the condenser coils. If it becomes faulty, your refrigerator might not turn off from its cooling cycle.

Here’s how to check the defrost heater:

1. Check your refrigerator is still turned off.
2. Locate the defrost heater (check your manual if necessary).
3. Use a multimeter to check the heater for continuity. If the heater doesn’t have continuity, it will need to be replaced. If it does have continuity, it is working fine, and you can move on to the next step.
4. If you replace the heater, turn your fridge back on, and check if the problem has been solved. If not, move on to the next step.

Step 5 – Check the Defrost Thermostat

The next step is to check the defrost thermostat. The purpose of this component is to tell the defrost heater to turn on when it needs to so that it can help melt any frost or ice in the refrigerator unit. If it stops working, your refrigerator will keep running.

Here’s how to check the defrost thermostat:

1. Check that the refrigerator is still switched off.
2. Locate the defrost thermostat.
3. Use a multimeter to check the thermostat for continuity.
4. The test needs to show that the defrost thermostat has continuity when the thermostat reaches the lowest level of its operating range.
5. If the thermostat fails the test, replace it. If it is working fine, move on to the next step.
6. Once replaced, check if the problem is solved. If not, move on to the next step.

Step 6 – Check the Door Gasket

The door gasket/seal ensures that your refrigerator door stays shut correctly and no air can escape from it. When it becomes faulty, your refrigerator will need to stay on continuously so that your fridge stays at the right temperature.

Here’s how to check the door gasket:

1. Open the fridge door and inspect the gasket for any cracks or damage or if it has come off the door in any place.
2. If fine, place a piece of paper between the door and the gasket and shut the door. Check if the piece of paper can easily be pulled out. If so, this is a good indication the gasket is faulty and should be replaced. If fine, move on to the next step.
3. If you replace the gasket, turn your fridge back on, and check if the problem has been solved. If not, move on to the next step.

Step 7 – Check the Defrost Timer

The defrost timer tells the defrost heater when it needs to turn on and off. If it becomes faulty, your refrigerator might stay turned on constantly.

Here’s how to check the defrost timer:

1. Locate the defrost timer.
2. Check that when the timer advances to defrost that the heater turns on. If it doesn’t, this means the timer is faulty and should be replaced. If the timer is fine, move on to the next step.
3. Once replaced, check to see if the problem has been solved. If not, move on to the final step.

Step 8 – Replace the Main Control Board

If you still haven’t fixed the problem, your last option is to replace the main control board. The control board very rarely becomes defective, but it can happen. The problem is it’s very difficult to test, so your best option is to just replace it. However, if you have an old fridge, you might be better off just buying a new one.