Refrigerator Guide
Kenmore Refrigerator Run Capacitor Problems
The run capacitor gives the compressor the electrical boost it needs to start and keep running. When it weakens or fails, the compressor may click, hum, and stop — or not start at all — and the fridge stops cooling.
It's a small, inexpensive part, but diagnosing and replacing it safely involves stored electrical charge, so it's not a casual DIY job.
Signs the capacitor (or start relay) is the cause
- The compressor tries to start with a click every few minutes but won't keep running.
- You hear a hum from the back, the compressor is warm, but the fridge isn't cooling.
- The fridge cools intermittently — fine some days, warm others.
Why this needs a technician
Capacitors store a charge even with the fridge unplugged and must be discharged safely before handling. The capacitor, start relay, and overload protector also work together — testing tells which one actually failed, so you don't replace a good part and still have a dead compressor.
A meter reading confirms the diagnosis in minutes; guessing wastes parts and can leave a real compressor fault undiagnosed.
Rather have a pro handle it?
Our technicians repair this across Toronto and the GTA — same-day in many cases, with clear pricing and a warranty on the work.