If your refrigerator keeps turning off, you may be wondering if the control panel is the culprit. Luckily, there are a number of signs that can help you determine whether you need to focus on the control panel or another part of your fridge. Do you see these four issues? If so, it may be time to replace the control panel or the wires connecting it.

1. The fridge is not running and acts like it is shut off.

In some cases, broken fridges run, but they do not get cold. If this is happening, the issue is likely with a fan or condenser. If the problem is the control board, in most cases, your fridge simply won't run. All of the power runs through the control board so you won't see any lights or hear the fridge motor at all.

2. The fridge jumps into action with a little slap.

Ideally, you should not hit your refrigerator, but if out of frustration you have smacked it when it wasn't running and it instantly turned back on, that is a sign that the wires leading to the control panel may be faulty. To illustrate, imagine a wire has been stripped or frayed, and electricity is no longer able to travel down it freely. However, when your palm or the side of your fist hits the control panel, it jars the two pieces of the broken wire back together, creating a path the electricity can run through.

Unfortunately, smacking your fridge is not a foolproof way to fix it, and luck determines whether or not a deftly delivered blow pushes the wires back together. However, you can use the experience as a diagnostic tool.

3. The condenser fan is not blocked.

A blocked condenser fan can cause a lot of issues with a fridge, potentially even making it appear that the fridge is off. If you suspect that the issue is the control panel, take a few moments to look at the fan. If it's dirty and full of debris, clean it. If your fridge starts working normally, you have found the culprit. If your fridge still turns off even with a clean condenser fan, that points to the control panel as the issue, especially if your fridge exhibits some of their other symptoms.

4. You get the right voltage reading from the wires leading to the control panels.

If you have a voltmeter and you feel comfortable and safe using it, you can remove the face of your fridge control panel and test the wires leading to it. The voltage should be noted on the control panel. If you get a reading that is consistent with the voltage, that indicates that the wire are working, but something is going wrong once the power reaches the control panel, effectively shutting off the fridge.

Still not sure if it's the control panel or another issue? Contact a refrigerator repair person for help.

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