Freezer trips the household circuit breaker or GFCI outlet when it starts.
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: Do not repeatedly reset a breaker that trips; this indicates a potentially dangerous fault. Unplug the freezer.
Basic checks:
- Inspect the power cord for cuts, crushed sections, or exposed wires. Replace the cord if damaged.
- Ensure the outlet is properly wired and not overloaded with other appliances.
Component inspection:
- Check the compressor terminals and wiring for signs of arcing or melted insulation.
- Test the defrost heater for continuity to ground; replace if shorted.
Professional diagnosis: If the compressor is shorted to ground or the source of the fault cannot be safely identified, contact a licensed appliance technician or electrician.