Refrigerator Guide
Refrigerator Compressor Problems & Replacement
The compressor is the heart of the cooling system. When it struggles, you'll usually see weak cooling, constant running, repeated clicking, or no cooling at all — sometimes with the unit feeling hot at the back.
Signs of a compressor or start-relay fault
- The fridge runs nonstop but never gets cold enough.
- A clicking sound every few minutes — the start relay trying and failing to start the compressor.
- The compressor is hot to the touch and the overload keeps tripping.
- No cooling at all, with the compressor silent.
Repair, or replace the fridge?
Often the compressor itself is fine and the cheap start relay or overload is the real fault — a quick, affordable fix. A genuinely failed compressor is a bigger job involving the sealed refrigerant system, which needs certification.
On high-end and built-in units like GE Monogram or Sub-Zero, a compressor repair is frequently worth it given the cost of the appliance. On an older budget fridge, replacement may be the smarter call. We'll diagnose which part actually failed before recommending anything.
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.