F14 is displayed and the refrigerator may not enter or exit defrost properly, sometimes accompanied by unusual clicking sounds.

Safety: Unplug the refrigerator before accessing the main control board. The board carries mains voltage.

Steps:

• 1. Access main board: Remove the rear or top cover (depending on model) to expose the control board.
• 2. Visual inspection: Look for a small relay or triac labeled for defrost. Check for burn marks, cracked solder joints, or melted plastic.
• 3. Check heater circuit: Before replacing the board, verify that the defrost heater is not shorted (see defrost heater fault). A shorted heater can damage the relay.
• 4. Replace board: If the relay/triac is visibly damaged or tests faulty, replace the entire main control board with the correct part. Transfer any jumper settings as per service documentation.

Note: Component-level repair of the PCB is not recommended for most homeowners; replacing the board is the standard approach.