If the light in your fridge stays on even after you’ve shut the door, the extra heat generated could spoil your food. There are several possible causes to this issue. It could be an issue with the door or a problem with your appliance’s switch. Here are some of the reasons your fridge light won’t turn off and how to get it sorted.
Fridge Light Won’t Turn Off - Do You Need to Replace It?
Your fridge light won’t turn off? It might be because of problems with the fitted door, the seal, or the light switch.
Problems with the Fitted Door
Start by checking if there’s a problem with the way the doors were fitted. It’s possible that they might have gone out of alignment if someone walked into the open door or adjusted it during a renovation or the hinges have sagged. Consider checking with the company or person who installed the door or hire a fridge repair technician to help you out.
Problems with The Seal
The seal on the door of your fridge should be tight against the appliance when you shut the door. A simple check would be putting a piece of paper in the door when it’s shut. If the paper falls to the floor, that means there’s a problem and you may need to have the seal reinstalled.
Examine the seal carefully as it should barely allow you to see if the light in the fridge is still on. If the seal is broken, worn, missing or damaged from a home improvement job or renovation, then you’ll need to have it repaired or replaced.
Check the Light Switch
If there’s no problem with the doors or seals, then the next culprit would be the switch inside your freezer. Most fridges have a sensor switch in the door frame that is pushed in whenever you shut the door. You’re likely to find the switch near the top of the door, usually located in the interior plastic liner, inside the fresh food compartment. Shutting the door, therefore, switches off the light in the fridge.
To check if the switch is working as it should, simply open the door, press the switch with your finger and see what happens. If the light doesn’t go off, then you’ll need to replace the light switch. Replacements are pretty simple to find, and you can fix it on your own in just a few minutes. Some switches are concealed and operated by a magnet so you’ll have to seek professional help.
Contact Your Manufacturer
If you’re still having trouble identifying the root cause of the problem, try checking your device manual. It will likely have more detailed solutions for your refrigerator make and model. If you still can’t find a possible solution, or you’re having a hard time fixing the issue, try calling the manufacturer. They should be able to talk you through any further ideas and possible solutions for any problems you have, whether it be your ice dispenser, light switch or a bad compressor noise.
Bottom Line
Some fridges are fitted with an off-delay timer, which means the light will stay on a little longer before switching off. In such a case, check whether the light eventually switches off by placing a mobile phone on video recording in the fridge and closing the door for a few minutes to confirm that the fridge light won’t turn off.
