How a Home Warranty Can Help When Your Fridge Stops Working

When your refrigerator stops working or your fridge is not cooling, the urgency is immediate. Food can spoil quickly, repair costs are unpredictable, and you need a licensed technician fast. Many breakdowns stem from major components such as compressors, fan motors, or control boards, which are often expensive to fix. Common refrigerator repair costs typically range from $150 to $400, with larger failures costing much more.

This article explains why refrigerators fail, what you can safely troubleshoot, and how a home warranty company like ARW Home can help reduce repair costs, provide peace of mind, and quickly connect you with a qualified technician.

Why Refrigerator Breakdowns Become Expensive Quickly

Refrigerators run 24 hours a day. When something disrupts cooling performance, other parts overwork to compensate:

• When a fan slows down, the compressor must cycle longer.
• When frost builds up, the freezer section works harder.
• When a control board misreads temperatures, motors run continuously.

Over time, this strain leads to more costly failures. The true cost is not just repairing parts but also:

• Hundreds of dollars in spoiled groceries.
• Multiple days of temporary food storage.
• Damage from leaks or thawing freezer water.

Even small symptoms can escalate fast. Filing a warranty claim early improves outcomes and reduces stress.

What a Home Warranty Does When Your Fridge Stops Working

A home warranty for refrigerators turns an urgent breakdown into a manageable process. Instead of finding a repair company, estimating costs, or paying full retail price, you know exactly what to do, who will handle the repair, and how much you will pay.

With a plan from ARW Home, homeowners get:

• A predictable flat service fee.
• Quick dispatch of a licensed contractor.
• Covered parts and labor up to the plan limits.
• No upfront diagnosis costs.
• Less disruption to daily life and peace of mind.

In an urgent moment like a fridge not cooling, certainty matters most

Common Refrigerator Issues Covered by a Home Warranty

Coverage depends on plan terms but generally applies to failures caused by normal wear, not neglect, improper installation, or accidents. Many best home warranty plans cover key functional components of home appliances, including refrigerators.

Typical covered failures may include:

Compressor Failure

• Symptoms: Compressor stops cycling, loses pressure, or overheats.
• Compressor repair cost averages $300 to $800, depending on model and refrigerant.
• Home warranty coverage limits your out-of-pocket expense to the service fee.

Evaporator or Condenser Fan Motor Failure

• Symptoms: Humming, clicking, or uneven cooling inside fridge or freezer.
• Evaporator fans not working can lead to poor air circulation and uneven temperatures.
• Fan repairs typically cost $60 to $200 but may be covered under home warranty refrigerator coverage.

Faulty Temperature Sensors or Thermostats

Symptoms include:

• fluctuating temperatures
• warm shelves while the freezer stays cold
• refrigerator constantly running

Thermostat replacement averages $100–$250, depending on accessibility and brand. Without coverage, parts and labor add up quickly, especially when diagnostic time is required.

Defrost System Breakdown

Breakdowns affect components such as:

• defrost heater strips
• thermal fuses
• timers
• control modules

When the defrost cycle fails, frost builds up inside the evaporator section, restricting airflow.

Defrost heater replacements often cost $120–$400, depending on model and labor. These failures are typically tied directly to normal wear and are commonly eligible for warranty-based repair.

Control Board Failure

Control boards regulate:

• defrost timing
• cooling cycles
• internal fan operation
• temperature management

Once firmware or circuitry fails, the refrigerator may shut down, cycle incorrectly, or stop cooling altogether.

Replacing a refrigerator control board typically costs $200–$800 for parts and labor. Because this is one of the most expensive single-component failures, homeowners feel the biggest savings when a warranty covers the repair.

Quick Electrical Checks for Your Fridge

Sometimes, a fridge not cooling is linked to minor electrical issues. Before calling a technician, check:

• If the outlet is working or the GFCI / outlet is not working for the fridge. Reset the GFCI if necessary.
• Ensure the breaker for the fridge circuit is not tripped.
• Test another appliance in the same outlet to confirm power.

If the fridge still does not work, submit a claim to your home warranty company.

Repair vs. Replacement Costs

Costs vary widely depending on the part. Based on national averages:

• Repairing an evaporator fan generally runs mid-range
• Replacing a control board typically lands in the higher-priced tier
• A failing compressor is among the most expensive fixes

When repair costs approach $700–$800, homeowners often consider replacement, especially for units older than 8–10 years. Home warranty coverage can help avoid these large, unexpected expenses. To better understand similar pricing across other appliances, see types of home warranty repairs.

What Typically Isn’t Covered When a Fridge Stops Working

Coverage is designed to apply when a failure results from normal household usage, not preventable situations. Homeowners should expect exclusions for:

• Pre-existing failures present before coverage began
• Cosmetic damage, dents, or loose handles
• Damage caused by power surges or improper installation
• Plumbing-related water leaks unrelated to the fridge
• Food loss reimbursement
• Worn shelves, door bins, and decorative trim

Setting expectations early ensures smoother claim approval.

Signs You Should File a Warranty Claim Immediately

Even if a refrigerator problem seems slight at first, many symptoms are early warning signs of bigger mechanical failures. If you notice any of the conditions below, it’s often wise to file a home warranty claim sooner rather than later:

Fridge Is Running but Food Is Warm

If the compressor and fans seem to run, but fridge shelves stay warm while the freezer remains cold (or the whole unit fails to maintain temperature), that often signals failure of a fan, thermostat, or airflow component inside the fridge.

Rapid Frost Buildup in Freezer

Sudden or excessive frost accumulation, especially behind freezer panels or on evaporator coils, often means the defrost system has stopped functioning properly (heater, timer, or control board issues). When the defrost cycle fails, ice builds up, and airflow becomes blocked, which severely impacts cooling efficiency.

Repeating Clicking or Humming Noises

If the refrigerator makes repeated clicking or buzzing noises, especially at startup, or fans hum loudly (or not at all), this may indicate problems with the compressor or a failing motor.

Water Leaking Around Refrigerator Base

Water pooling under the fridge or dripping inside usually points to issues like a clogged defrost drain, damaged water line (especially if ice maker or water dispenser lines run through the fridge), or a failed inlet valve. Because leaks can damage flooring, cabinetry, or cause mold, and often indicate internal system failure rather than simple user error, it’s smart to submit a claim quickly.

Ice Maker or Water Dispenser Not Functioning

If the ice maker or water dispenser stops working, it’s usually due to a failed motor, water valve, or control sensor, rarely a simple plug-and-play fix. A mechanical failure in one of these components, especially in built-in units, often requires a licensed technician and may be covered under a home warranty depending on plan details.

In all these cases, waiting often increases cost because other parts strain to compensate.

How a Home Warranty Helps Lower Out-of-Pocket Costs

Without warranty coverage, repairing a refrigerator can quickly become expensive. Diagnostic fees, labor charges, and specialty parts all add up. A single component failure, such as a fan motor, inlet valve, or control board, can cost several hundred dollars including labor.

With a home warranty from ARW Home, costs are predictable and manageable. Homeowners pay only one service fee, while ARW arranges a licensed technician to handle the repair. Eligible parts and labor are covered, even when repairs require specialized ordering or multiple visits.

Home warranty coverage is especially helpful when:

• Major components fail, such as compressors, fan motors, or control boards.
• Work requires access to sealed systems inside the refrigerator.
• Manufacturer parts are back-ordered or difficult to source.
• Removal and reinstallation of the appliance are required.

This coverage reduces financial unpredictability and provides peace of mind when your refrigerator stops working, letting you focus on getting your kitchen back to normal quickly.

What to Expect When Filing a Claim Through ARW Home

Step 1: Submit a claim: Online or by phone, noting symptoms, timing, and whether the fridge is powering on.

Step 2: Pay the service fee: This covers dispatch and technician diagnosis.

Step 3: A licensed technician is assigned: You don’t have to search for availability.

Step 4: Diagnosis determines eligibility: Technicians identify whether the failure is from wear, not damage, misuse, or pre-existing conditions.

Step 5: Repairs are completed if covered: If parts exceed the coverage limit detailed in your policy, you will be notified before approval.

To see how this process works across entire household systems, review when to file a home warranty claim for system repair.

Why Acting Quickly Improves Claim Outcomes

Refrigerator failures typically worsen when symptoms are ignored. Food begins to spoil, moisture spreads inside compartments, and the appliance starts cycling longer than normal, all signs that the internal system is struggling.

What appears minor at first, such as a loud fan or slow-cooling shelves, often forces larger components to work harder. For instance, if an evaporator fan begins failing, the compressor will compensate by running longer, which can accelerate wear and potentially double the cost of repair later.

Acting early improves claim outcomes because a technician can diagnose the root component before secondary damage occurs.

Filing a claim promptly typically results in faster repairs, a higher likelihood of restoring full performance, and a reduced need for a total system replacement. Early reporting also helps confirm eligibility under your home warranty, as the issue is documented closer to when symptoms began, rather than after additional preventable damage has occurred.

The Smart Way to Handle Unexpected Fridge Repairs

When a refrigerator fails, the disruption is immediate and expensive. A home warranty removes uncertainty during that urgent moment, giving you access to a qualified technician, predictable repair pricing, and coverage for eligible failures tied to normal wear.

Instead of guessing what went wrong or taking on costly repairs alone, homeowners gain a pathway toward fast, manageable resolution.

Whether the failure involves a compressor, defrost system, fan motor, temperature sensor, or control board, having a home warranty coverage means you can fix the issue without absorbing the full financial impact, and without delaying critical repairs.

The Smart Way to Handle Unexpected Fridge Repairs

When a refrigerator fails, the disruption is immediate and expensive. A home warranty removes uncertainty during that urgent moment, giving you access to a qualified technician, predictable repair pricing, and coverage for eligible failures tied to normal wear.

Instead of guessing what went wrong or taking on costly repairs alone, homeowners gain a pathway toward fast, manageable resolution.

Whether the failure involves a compressor, defrost system, fan motor, temperature sensor, or control board, having a home warranty coverage means you can fix the issue without absorbing the full financial impact, and without delaying critical repairs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does a home warranty cover refrigerator repairs?

Yes, many home warranty plans cover refrigerator breakdowns when the failure is caused by normal wear and tear. If the component that failed wasn’t damaged by improper installation or misuse, a covered claim typically results in repair or replacement, with the homeowner only responsible for the service fee.

What refrigerator parts are typically covered by ARW Home?

While coverage varies by plan, ARW Home typically covers key functional components such as:

• Compressors
• Thermostats and temperature sensors
• Fan motors
• Defrost heaters and timers
• Control boards

These are among the most expensive parts to fix when they fail, which is why warranty coverage can be valuable.

What fridge problems are not covered by home warranties? (pre-existing, neglect, cosmetic)

Most home warranties exclude issues caused by:

• Pre-existing failures before the policy start date
• Improper installation or unlicensed repairs
• Neglect or lack of maintenance
• Cosmetic issues (dents, shelves, handles)
• Damage from flooding, fire, power surge, or pest damage

Repairs must stem from normal system wear, not external or preventable conditions.

Why is my fridge running but not cooling?

This often points to a component failure, such as:

• A failing evaporator or condenser fan
• Blocked condenser coils
• A malfunctioning thermostat
• A failing compressor or relay
• Frost buildup blocking airflow

Because cooling issues affect food safety, a technician visit is recommended.

How much does refrigerator repair usually cost without a warranty?

Costs vary widely based on what component needs to be repaired or replaced. Typical average costs include:

• Defrost repair: around $200–$400
• Fan motor: approximately $100–$300
• Compressor replacement: $700 or more

These ranges are why warranty coverage is beneficial when major parts fail.

How do I file a refrigerator claim with ARW Home?

The process is straightforward:

• File a claim online or by phone.
• Pay the service fee associated with your plan.
• ARW sends a qualified technician to diagnose the issue.
• Covered components are repaired or replaced within plan limits.

Homeowners don’t need to find their own repair service; ARW coordinates scheduling and resolution.