What you are actually seeing
- It runs on one outlet and not on another
- Fans run but the compressor never does
- Completely dead: no light, no display, no sound
- Not this fault: A dark panel on a cabinet that is cooling normally
Ranked causes on a Comptree Inc refrigerator
- Cabinet switched off at the control or in a showroom mode — Ranked here because: the temperature control is a discrete part with a decisive test rather than a judgement call
- Cold control or thermostat contacts open — Ranked here because: this is a wear part with a service life rather than a component that fails at random
- Outlet dead, on a switch, on a GFCI or on a tripped breaker — Ranked here because: importer cabinets carry the tightest clearance requirements in the compact class and are the most likely to be built in without any
- Supply cord, plug or extension lead faulty — Ranked here because: several units in the range run through an external supply or adapter, which is a discrete failure point
- Converter, inverter or battery supply not delivering — Ranked here because: a supply that is present but weak produces faults that look like component failures
What to check, and in what order
- Turn the cold control or setpoint through its whole range and listen for a click
- Stand at the back of the cabinet and listen for a repeated click every few minutes
- Plug a lamp into the same outlet and confirm it lights
- Check the breaker panel and any GFCI outlet on the same circuit, including in a garage or outdoors
Steps you can safely do yourself
- Plug a lamp into the same outlet and confirm it lights — Tools: lamp or outlet tester — Estimated time: a few minutes
- Check the breaker panel and any GFCI outlet on the same circuit, including in a garage or outdoors — Tools: none — Estimated time: a few minutes
- Plug the cabinet directly into a known-good outlet with no extension lead — Tools: none — Estimated time: a few minutes
- Leave the cabinet plugged in and untouched for fifteen minutes and listen — Tools: none — Estimated time: about a quarter of an hour
- Turn the cold control or setpoint through its whole range and listen for a click — Tools: none — Estimated time: a few minutes
Safety
Safety
unplug-before-service branch-circuit-15-20a
When to call a technician
the compressor clicks on its overload without starting, which is a start-component or compressor diagnosis there is a burnt smell, a hot plug or a discoloured outlet the supply is confirmed good, the control calls for cooling, and nothing runs
Nearest pages
What this page does not cover
Not this fault: the family pages that separate the compressor cabinets from the thermoelectric ones Not this fault: model-specific pages once a model number is known
Links: - [Common Comptree Inc Refrigerator Problems](/blog/comptree-inc-refrigerator-problems) - [GE Refrigerator: Ice Maker Fault](/blog/ge-refrigerator-ice-production) - [GE Refrigerator: Controls, Display or Error Code](/blog/ge-refrigerator-control-fault) - [Comptree Inc Refrigerator: Abnormal Noise or Vibration](/blog/comptree-inc-refrigerator-abnormal-noise)
Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 12 years experience
Experienced technician with 12 years specializing in washing machine and dryer repairs across all major brands.
