The KitchenAid fridge gives you many unique features. But when the Kitchenaid refrigerator light is not working, it becomes inconvenient. Usually, this would mean a power outage or something with the fridge plug.
However, if you can still feel the cold and hear the fridge humming, you know it’s working. That’s why when the fridge power is consistent, but the light is still out, it could mean something needs to be fixed.
Believe it or not, it doesn’t always come down to the light bulb itself. So, there are a few things you want to check to get the light working on your KitchenAid fridge.
It could be the wiring, the door switch, or even a dirty socket. In this article, we’ll outline some of the most common reasons why the KitchenAid refrigerator is not working and how to fix those issues without calling a service.
Why is Kitchenaid Refrigerator Light Not Working?
If the light stop working in your KitchenAid refrigerator, it won’t affect the functioning of the fridge. Nevertheless, the light in the refrigerator is vital for many, especially for securing a quick midnight snack.
However, it’s important to know how the fridge light works before you start identifying the problem.
The lighting that illuminates when the fridge door is opened is a typical 120-volt lightbulb. The internal wiring of the refrigerator provides electricity to the socket. It is similar to any other light bulk, just smaller in size and wattage.
The lightbulb is operated by a small push-button switch or lever mounted in the door frame of the refrigerator.
The switch interrupts the circuits and shuts the lightbulb off when depressed by the door closing. As a result, the button completes the circuit and turns on the light when the door opens.
When the KitchenAid refrigerator is not working, you should start with the most manageable issues and move to more complicated causes.
So, let’s go through the list of reasons for the KitchenAid refrigerator troubleshooting.
1. The Door is open for longer than 10 mins.
KitchenAid refrigerators have a feature that turns the light off if it’s been open for longer than 10 minutes. It is handy since it saves both electricity and the lightbulb.
It is also possible that you haven’t closed the fridge door completely the last time you opened it, and the light stayed on. If you close it properly for about a minute to reset it, it will work again.
But after 10 minutes, it would have turned off, then you opened the door, and the light wouldn’t come on. If it happens regularly, there is an issue with the light switch, which we’ll discuss later.
2. Worn Fridge seas
Modern KitchenAid refrigerator closes automatically. If any food item stops it from closing, the door won’t close automatically.
Besides, the issue might be the seals have broken. They go around the entire edge of the fridge. Over time the seals can wear and start sagging in places.
If the seal is not good enough, the fridge won’t close properly, and the light will stay on but go off after 10 minutes and won’t turn on once you open it. That’s a loop you wouldn’t want to get.
3. The Light socket is loose.
If the light socket wasn’t screwed or plugged in firmly when being installed, it might have come loose. And since the refrigerator light bulb is screwed into a socket to work, the KitchenAid refrigerator won’t work.
4. The Light switch is not activating.
You might have noticed a small switch on the fridge door handle that gets pressed when you close the fridge and pops out when you open it. It is a switch that closes and turns the light on and off.
The door switch location may vary depending on the model number, but it has to be either near the top or the bottom of the door opening.
If your KitchenAid refrigerator has such a button, but the light is not working, the switch might be damaged and needs to be replaced.
5. Defective power supply
The “simplest” issue, if we could call it so, could be the defective power supply. It may be that the KitchenAid Refrigerator is not working simply because it needs to be plugged in or because the power is not reaching it.
It is also the poor power supply that could alter the work of the light switch.
6. Sabbath mode on Sabbath day
The Sabbath day is a religious holiday celebrated every Saturday of every week. A “Sabbath Mode” is designed for those whose religious observances require turning off the lights.
Therefore, the fridges with this mode will turn off the light for an entire day on Saturday.
Since each model has different settings, you should check the manual to learn how to turn this mode off.
7. Wiring harness
The faulty wiring harness is the last reason why the KitchenAid refrigerator is not working. However, it applies if you have recently installed or moved your fridge.
So we don’t recommend checking the wiring harness connection unless you make sure no other reasons apply.
It is also best to check the individual KitchenAid fridge manual since the models differ, and the wiring harness connection could be set up differently.
How to fix Kitchenaid Refrigerator Light Not Working?
While the absence of light in the fridge won’t affect your fridge contents or its functioning, it is an essential element of your KitchenAid refrigerator. It helps you quickly and easily identify the products stored there.
Could you still use it if the Kitchen refrigerator light is not working? Absolutely, but who wants that?
Although not fixing this issue won’t cause any more serious problems with your fridge, you need to fix it for convenience. And luckily, we’ve gathered the optimal DYI solutions that won’t require you to go the extra mile.
You can just skim through to get ideas for KitchenAid refrigerator repair.
1. Check the door switch.
The door switch that turns the light on and off is the easiest thing to check when the KitchenAid refrigerator is not working.
The light is off when the door is closed, and the spring-loaded plunger makes an electrical connection to ensure the light doesn’t burn out.
To test the door switch, press the switch and release it when the fridge door is open. If you toggle the switch a few times and the light comes on, it might have been just a loose wire inside.
However, if the light won’t turn on and the switch looks particularly dirty, it could be a sign it is broken.
2. Replace the door switch
To replace the refrigerator door switch, you’ll need to order a replacement door switch based on the model of your KitchenAid fridge. When you have it, begin by turning off the refrigerator, just in case. Then pry the old door switch out with a screwdriver or a putty knife.
After this, switch out the wire connection for the new switch and press the new replacement part into the socket. Plug the refrigerator back in and press the switch. The light should come right back on.
But if it still doesn’t work, you need to call a professional appliance repair.
3. Tighten the lightbulb
First, open up the cover. However, only some fridges have the same cover construction. So do some inspection before that. You should press a few latches and pull them away from the cover to open it. But get a screwdriver if it doesn’t open that way.
When you have access to the lightbulb, twist it clockwise to tighten, just like the head of the flashlight. If the light comes back when you tighten the bulk, the KitchenAid refrigerator is working; the issue is solved.
4. Secure the wiring
While you still got the cover removed, check any wiring you can reach. Sometimes the shaking of the fridge can cause some loose wiring connections. As a result, the connections are pulled free of the electrical contact.
Wiggle the wiring to see what happens. If you get a flicker, try to pull the wires toward the back of the light socket. It helps to re-establish the connection and get the light back.
5. Check the bulb
When the wiring is fine, you need to check whether there is anything wrong with the lightbulb itself. For that, gently turn the bulb clockwise until it comes loose, and check the inside of the glass compartment.
See if you can spot any broken fragments or shake the bulk lightly. When you hear a small scraping or tinkling sound, your bulb is likely busted and needs to be replaced.
6. Check the bulb socket.
As we’ve discussed before, the lightbulb is not always the issue for the KitchenAid refrigerator not working. So if the bulb is not busted or burned out, check the bulb’s base and the socket. They might be corroded or dirty.
Surprisingly, dirty light sockets inside the plastic cover happen very often. To clean it, take a damp cloth or wet paper towel and wipe the socket and the lightbulb’s base. Then try screwing the bulk back in.
7. Replace the lightbulb
After examining the lightbulb and confirming it’s burned out, you’ll need to replace it. Some models use lightbulbs that are about 120V, but sometimes they could be 23V to 40V.
Use the faulty bulb to determine which one you need. They usually have the style, size, and wattage printed on the bulb.
If you can’t find any information, take the lightbulb to the local hardware store. They’ll know what to do. When you have a new bulk, you need to screw it back into the socket and see the KitchenAid refrigerator now working issue disappear.