Can a Fridge Work Without a Thermostat?

Refrigerators use thermostats, compressors, and coils to control the internal temperature. The thermostat’s job is to adjust and maintain the ambient temperature. They’re also used to cool freezers. However, a fridge thermostat only lasts about 10 to 12 years.

A fridge can work without a thermostat, but it won’t cool the food. The thermostat lets the compressor cool the refrigerator with coolant and multiple fans. If the thermostat doesn’t work, the fridge will feel warm and stuffy. It can also cause food and drinks to spoil.

Throughout this post, I’ll show you why you shouldn’t use a fridge without a thermostat, how you can reset it, and what happens when the thermostat stops working in your refrigerator.

What Happens if a Thermostat Isn’t Working in a Fridge?

If a thermostat isn’t working in a fridge, the temperature settings won’t work. This means the refrigerator might freeze everything or not produce cold air. It’s often hard to notice if the thermostat isn’t working for a few days if the fan still functions.

Keep in mind that a refrigerator fan doesn’t cool anything down. Its sole purpose is to circulate the cold air set by the thermostat. You might notice your fan doesn’t blow cold air if you can’t change the temperature knob or buttons.

All temperature-adjusting appliances wear down quicker than most others. For example, a space heater doesn’t last long if you can’t change the thermostat. The sensor on any temperature-based appliance can tell it to go too high or low. It could also prevent the temperature from changing at all.

So, why can’t a fridge work without a thermostat? Read the following explanations:

• Your food and drinks won’t cool down, which increases the chances of spoilage.
• Mildew can grow in the fridge and cause foul, unwanted odors.
• The connected freezer will heat up, which ruins both sides of the appliance.
• All of the cooling coils in the fridge will thaw, causing metal expansion and cracking the refrigerator.

The good news is that there are several ways to know how if your fridge’s thermostat isn’t working. Diagnosing the thermostat’s issues before any of the previously mentioned food and fridge problems show up.

However, it’s even more important to figure out what’s causing the thermostat to fail. Consider these potential reasons your fridge’s thermostat stopped working:

• Control board failure
• Worn control board
• A lack of voltage
• Loose or broken wires going to the thermostat
• Using the wrong wire gauge
• Damaged fridge compressor
• Malfunctioning refrigerator capacitor

If you’re interested in fixing or figuring out what happened to your fridge’s thermostat, check out the tips and solutions below.

How to Know if Your Fridge’s Thermostat Has Gone Out

Look for these signs to know if your fridge’s thermostat has gone out:

• The thermostat is likely faulty if the air in the fridge isn’t cold. This is the most common issue with fridges that don’t have good thermostats. If you can’t adjust the temperature, your fridge will feel stale and humid. It’ll also cause unwanted fridge odors.
• If the refrigerator fan doesn’t change temperatures when you adjust the thermostat, it needs to be replaced. Put your hand over the fan vent, then put the thermostat to its coldest setting. After 30 seconds, switch it to its warmest setting. There should be a noticeable temperature change unless the thermostat is broken.
• A freezer or fridge that freezes everything needs thermostat maintenance. SFGate explains that there’s a temperature sensor in the thermostat that can wear out and freeze the appliance. The fridge thinks it’s much warmer than it is, so it compensates by putting out the coldest air possible.
• If the control board has 120v to 220v, but the thermostat doesn’t work, the thermostat likely needs to be fixed. The control board transfer energy to the thermostat. If the sensor can’t get enough power or doesn’t get the proper signal from the control board, it’s faulty.

Similar issues happen when your microwave fan doesn’t work. It causes the appliance to overheat or not heat enough. Checking the control board’s voltage is a regular part of any kitchen appliance’s annual maintenance routine.

How to Reset a Refrigerator Thermostat

To reset a refrigerator thermostat, follow these guidelines:

1. Unplug the fridge. This hard reset gives your fridge enough time to prevent and remove electrical errors, most of which come from the control board. The high-voltage capacitor stores a lot of energy for several minutes after being disconnected or turned off.
2. Leave your refrigerator unplugged for 45 minutes. I also recommend this method if you’re trying to make your heating pad last longer. Sometimes, all your appliances need is to cool down and have no voltage going through them for 30 to 60 minutes.
3. Plug the fridge into the wall to activate the thermostat. Your fridge’s fan will turn on, but make sure the air coming through the vents is cold. If not, you’ll have to replace the thermostat.

How to Replace a Fridge Thermostat

1. Remove the temperature adjustment knob from the inside of your fridge. It’s almost always on the top left or top right of your refrigerator. The knob has multiple numbers and temperature settings, but it also houses the thermostat.
2. Disconnect all of the wires from the back of the thermostat. There will be between three to five wires on the back of the thermostat. Take a picture of the wires before disconnecting them. You can also refer to the wiring diagram to know where they go on the fridge’s thermostat.
3. Get a thermostat with the same part number as the old one, then install it. Never use a third-party thermostat or one that’s not suited for your refrigerator’s make a model. Using the wrong thermostat will cause a wide variety of compatibility errors.
4. Place the thermostat knob over the thermostat, then turn on the fridge. Set it to the coldest setting and wait until it cools your fridge, then turn the knob to the desired temperature.

View the helpful YouTube video below if you prefer step-by-step guides to replacing the fridge’s thermostat: