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Refrigerator Compressor: What It Does and Signs It's Failing

The black, dome-shaped pump in the machine compartment at the bottom back of the fridge. It's the heart of the sealed system: it squeezes refrigerant vapor so it can dump heat at the condenser, then the refrigerant picks up heat again at the evaporator inside the cabinet.

Who should replace it

Technician job

Related codes

6 error codes on this site point to this part.

How it works

A sealed motor inside the shell drives a piston or rotary pump. Inverter models run the compressor at different speeds instead of just switching it on and off, with a separate inverter or compressor control board doing the driving.

Signs it is failing

Both compartments warm with the lights and fans still on
A clicking every few minutes from the back as the compressor tries and fails to start
The compressor shell feels cool and silent while the fridge is warm
Loud knocking or a constant buzz from the machine compartment
Compressor current or lock codes

Compressor current, lock and voltage codes, plus sealed-system codes, land here. Samsung ties some of its compressor voltage and current codes to brownouts and surges and has you cut power for 60 seconds before calling for service.

Can you replace it yourself?

Your part of the job: check the outlet and breaker, vacuum the condenser coils and make sure the condenser fan spins. Replacing a compressor means cutting into the sealed system, recovering and recharging refrigerant and brazing new joints. In the US, opening or recharging the refrigerant circuit legally requires an EPA Section 608-certified technician.

Always unplug the refrigerator or switch off its breaker before opening any panel, and turn off water or gas where relevant.

Buying the right part

Get a written quote and weigh it against the age and value of the fridge before approving a compressor job. Check your warranty paperwork first, since some makers cover the compressor or sealed system longer than the rest of the fridge.

Error codes linked to the compressor

Last reviewed 2026-10-19.

Sources we checked