Freezer trips the circuit breaker or GFCI outlet when it starts or runs.
Safety Warning
This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.
If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.
Possible Causes
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety: Repeated breaker tripping can indicate a serious electrical hazard. Do not repeatedly reset a breaker without finding the cause.
Steps:
- Visual inspection: Unplug the freezer and inspect the power cord, compressor area, and wiring for obvious damage or burns.
- Isolate components: A technician can disconnect the defrost heater and other loads to determine which component is shorted.
- Dry moisture: If there are signs of water intrusion, allow components to dry completely and correct the source of moisture.
- Replace failed parts: Replace a shorted defrost heater, damaged cord, or other shorted components. A shorted compressor requires sealed system service.
Recommendation: Due to shock and fire risk, this repair is best handled by a qualified technician.
Repair Difficulty
Required Part
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