Why Frigidaire Refrigerator Control Panel Not Working/Responding?

You know your Frigidaire refrigerator control panel is defective and needs replacement when you press the command buttons and get no response. Or worse, the unit stops working altogether. Sometimes, your Frigidaire refrigerator may still function normally, but the display won’t respond. 

Frigidaire refrigerator control panel does not work or respond due to power supply issues, display glitches, lock mode turned on, or defective components. Solutions include replacing the control board, resetting the unit, and calling in a professional when the issue is deeply rooted.

Don’t fret if your Frigidaire refrigerator control panel isn’t working. This article will discuss common reasons why the component isn’t working and how to fix it.

1. Main Control Board Failure

As the name implies, the main control board controls the core functions of the refrigerator. These functions include cooling, freezing, defrosting, the display, and ice levels, among others. 

The main control board also controls the refrigerator’s motors, fans, temperature control, etc. A faulty main control board leads to the following issues.

• Unresponsive display, dispenser, and main control boards
• Malfunctioning ice maker
• Cooling but not freezing
• Continuous running

The main control board works together with other control boards for, i.e., temperature control, ice level, dispenser, and display. If your Frigidaire main control board isn’t responding, the main culprit is likely a faulty display control board. 

Read: How To Fix Frigidaire Refrigerator Vibrating Noise?

How To Fix?

Unfortunately, a faulty main control board cannot be repaired. Instead, it should be replaced with a new one. Follow the given steps to replace your Frigidaire’s main control board.  

1. Check for your unit’s error codes. Modern Frigidaire refrigerators provide specific error codes for specific issues. For instance, the SYCE error code denotes potentially irreversible communication errors between the electrical components. Often, this results from a faulty control board, a damaged user interface board, or bad wiring.
2. Switch off the main power supply and unplug your refrigerator from the wall outlet to protect yourself from an electrical shock.
3. Open your freezer drawer and remove the lower grille to expose the control board housing. The control board housing is held in place by tracks on both sides. Use a flathead screwdriver to pull out the control board housing.
4. Next, take a picture of the wire connectors and their exact locations on the control board to use as a reference when reinstalling the wires on your new control board.
5. Disconnect the wires and remove the control board from its housing.
6. Snap the new control board into position in the housing and use the wiring picture as a guide for connecting the wires in your new control board. Ensure that each connector goes into its respective terminal.
7. Push back the housing into the refrigerator and keep it aligned with the tracks so that it stays in position. 
8. Lastly, place the grille into position and plug your refrigerator back on.

Your new control board should respond to commands. Check out this video for more detailed instructions on replacing the control panel in your refrigerator. 

When troubleshooting, pay attention to any burning smells from the main control board. Such smells could indicate a shorted wire or other burnt electrical components.

2. Display Glitches

Is your Frigidaire refrigerator display not responding? This often happens in Gallery Frigidaire refrigerators. 

Electrical faults, power surges, a faulty display, and a faulty control board are to blame for these glitches, which result in your unit’s display not responding.

Constant power surges may cause your refrigerator to reset and randomly turn off your unit’s display. Another reason why the display does not respond is when the display control board is faulty. A faulty display control board may occur due to wiring issues that arise with frequent movement. As a result, the control board’s wiring harness becomes loose.

When that happens, the display control board does not receive sufficient power, causing the unit to turn on and off repeatedly. Thankfully, there are a few ways around the problem.

Read: How To Fix The Frigidaire Refrigerator Ice Maker Clicking Noise?

How To Fix?

The power company can fix power surges. However, you can inspect your unit for power and wiring issues before contacting the power company to fix the power surges.

1. Inspect the wiring harness on your main control board. Start by removing the main control housing and pushing the power connectors in. That way, no cables are left loose.
2. Clean the main control with a small, soft brush or a soft cloth dipped in isopropyl alcohol. Sometimes, dust and debris eventually lead to hardware failure. The control panel should be cleaned once a year — dust does not cause immediate damage to the unit, but a gradual build-up can. 

CAUTION: If you clean the control board with isopropyl alcohol, do not turn the unit back on until all the liquid has dried up. Use a dry, clean fabric to wipe off any residue liquid.

If your Frigidaire refrigerator is older than ten years, you might experience some display glitches. Thankfully, these are easy to fix with a simple reset. You can reset the unit by turning off the power and waiting 5 minutes before reconnecting to the power supply.

If nothing else works, consider replacing the display. Suitable replacement parts can be found online, but be sure to get your replacement parts from a reliable source. Better yet, get in touch with a professional technician for the job.

Read: FRIGIDAIRE Refrigerator – Not Cooling But Freezer Fine. How To Troubleshoot It?

3. Lock Feature Turned On

Sometimes, an unresponsive control panel is caused by the user’s settings. Frigidaire refrigerators have a control lock (child lock) feature that prevents children, pets, and other guests from changing the unit’s settings.

The control lock feature is engaged by holding the “Control Lock” key for three seconds. Doing so deactivates all the controls on the unit so that no accidental changes to the system settings can be made.

How To Fix?

Turning off the lock feature should get your control board running normally. Hold the control lock button for 3 to 5 seconds to turn off the lock feature. A red LED light in the panel will turn off, indicating that the lock feature is disengaged. 

Read: Why Water Dispenser Not Working On FRIGIDAIRE Refrigerator?

4. Power Saving Mode Turned On

Some Frigidaire models come with a power-saver/demo mode that kicks in when the refrigerator has not been used for a long time. The powder saver or demo mode can kick in automatically if the refrigerator has not been opened for 24 hours. You can also set it manually. 

Originally, the demo mode was designed to showcase the refrigerator’s features in the showroom. 

The power saver mode is designed to reduce energy usage by disabling the refrigerator’s components. 

During this time, the refrigerator’s display and buttons may not respond, and the compressor will not run continuously. The refrigerator will not cool, but the interior lighting will stay on. Still, most controls may not respond.

How To Fix?

Disabling the power-saver/demo mode can be done in different steps depending on your model. However, the following steps are general to most Frigidaire refrigerators.

1. Hold the Ice Off and Adjust Freezer buttons simultaneously for three seconds and release them when you hear a beep.
2. The display should no longer show “OF OF.”

Check your manufacturer’s manual for clearer instructions on deactivating your specific Frigidaire model’s power-saver/demo mode.

Read: Frigidaire Refrigerator Troubleshooting Guide

Conclusion

The best way to solve issues arising from a faulty refrigerator control panel is to replace the control panel completely. Remember, replacing the control board will involve some electrical work. Contact a professional maintenance specialist if you’re unsure how to fix it.