5 Most Common Bosch Refrigerator Problems and Solutions

Bosch refrigerators have a reputation for being manufactured to last. However, that doesn’t mean that they never break, or that there aren’t ways to deal with the issues that may arise. This article will help anyone who is experiencing Bosch refrigerator problems to identify and resolve said issues.

The refrigerator is one of the most important things in your kitchen. If you have a problem with yours, there are likely to be many complaints about it. A good refrigerator is quiet and maintains temperature well, while a bad one might be noisy or make it difficult to maintain temperature. If you are looking for a new refrigerator, it is advisable to check the brand before buying.

Bosch refrigerators are designed to be energy-efficient, but since they are mechanical/electrical machines, they can still have uncommon problems that appear at random. If you run into issues with your fridge’s temperature, power, or produce freshness, you need to identify the issue quickly, before any food goes bad. To help you out, We have written guides for all common refrigerator problems, providing repair tips for these issues.

Common Bosch Refrigerator Problems – Troubleshoot and Diagnosis

When you experience the first signs of Bosch fridge problems, you can take steps to solve them yourself. Broken pipes, mixed water with the ice cubes, or unusual sounds are all signs that your refrigerator is having issues. You can troubleshoot these problems and fix some of them on your own.

In this article, we look at some common Bosch fridge problems and tips for fixing them so that your refrigerator can be a lifesaver when you need it most.

1. Bosch Refrigerator Not Cooling

Bosch is a name synonymous with quality and reliability. The brand has a solid track record of producing robust, dependable products that last long. However, a refrigerator is a big investment, and there might be problems from time to time. If your Bosch refrigerator’s cooling system isn’t working as intended, here are some pointers on how to diagnose it and fix the issue on your own.

1. Dirty Condenser Coils: The condenser coils are an important component of your refrigerator or freezer’s cooling system. The condenser is the part of the unit where the refrigerant is contained and circulated through the coolant found in the coils. The heat from inside your refrigerator or freezer is transferred to this part of the unit. Because both air and refrigerant are circulated throughout the condenser, it helps keep your food at the perfect temperature.
   If the temperature of your refrigerator is too high or too low, you may need to clean the condenser coils on your refrigerator. Condenser coils are located either inside or behind your refrigerator. Turn off your refrigerator and unplug it, then remove the screws that hold the back grille in place.
   Unplug the fridge from the power source and disconnect the waterline. The condenser is the part that looks like a fan at the bottom of your refrigerator, usually on the back. It has coils inside it. Most fridges have an access panel at the bottom for cleaning them out. Open up the panel and you’ll find a bunch of paper or dust inside.
   Use a stiff brush or an air compressor to dislodge any blockage; make sure there is no spillage when you do this.
2. Faulty compressor: If you want to keep your LG refrigerator running efficiently and get the most out of it, you need to check the compressor. The compressor is responsible for cooling the refrigerator and freezer, so if it’s malfunctioning or broken, your fridge won’t be able to cool your food properly.
   The compressor is usually located on the front or rear of the refrigerator, depending on which brand you have. Remove the back panel to access it, then listen for a clicking sound. If the compressor clicks but there is no cooling, you have a bad compressor.
3. Condenser fan motor not working: If your refrigerator isn’t cooling properly, the condenser fan motor could be broken. The condenser fan motor draws air through the condenser coils and over the compressor, so a broken one will prevent the refrigerator from running properly. First, check for obstructions in the fan blade. Next, try turning it by hand — if it doesn’t spin freely, you’ll need to replace it.
   If your refrigerator is not running or it is running but the condenser fan isn’t turning, make sure there are no obstructions causing the condenser fan blade to stop spinning. Then, connect a multimeter to the wires leading to the fan motor and test for continuity. If it does not have continuity, replace the fan motor.
4. Evaporator fan motor not working: You can easily identify your evaporator fan motor by its position and appearance. It is normally located near the back of the refrigerator, and it is the only fan that has visible cooling coils. The evaporator fan draws air from outside of the refrigerator and moves it to the freezer compartment. Without an evaporator, your freezer would be useless — which is why you should regularly check for signs of malfunction such as loud noises or even melted ice.
   If your refrigerator’s evaporator fan isn’t working, the cold air won’t circulate to the refrigerator. If this happens, the fridge may still get cold, while the freezer won’t get cold at all. To check if the motor is faulty, try spinning the fan blade by hand. If you cannot spin it easily, replace the fan motor.
   Also, make sure the refrigerator is not unusually noisy. If it is, replace the fan motor. If it’s not running at all, check the continuity of the windings with a multimeter. Replace the fan motor if it doesn’t have continuity.
5. Start Relay Issues: Start relay, sometimes called a start winding or a compressor start switch, helps your refrigerator to keep running. If the relay is defective, your icemaker and freezer may stop working.
   If your Bosch refrigerator isn’t running, it’s possible that the start relay is defective. First, test the start relay for continuity between the run and start terminal sockets. If you don’t have continuity, then your relay is defective and should be replaced. Second, if you smell burning wires, this may indicate a short circuit. It’s important to replace the start relay in this case to avoid doing any further damage to the appliance.

2. Refrigerator not defrosting

Too much Frost in your Refrigerator? If you have a Bosch Fridge, you may have noticed too much frost in the freezer recently. This happens when the defrost control panel malfunctions, causing excess frost to build up in the freezer compartment. If this is happening with your Bosch Fridge, contact an authorized Bosch service center for assistance.

Below are some of the parts that can cause defrosting issues:

1. Defrost Control Board: A defrost control board is an essential component of any refrigerator. The primary job of this board is to power the refrigerator’s defrost cycle, during which time the food in your appliance will defrost. If you notice that your refrigerator is not melting ice or frost, or that your temperature levels are becoming increasingly warmer, it could be due to a defective defrost control board.
2. Defrost Timer: The Bosch refrigerators defrost timer is an electronic component whose function is to advance the defrost cycle of your refrigerator. The defrost cycle occurs several times a day to remove frost buildup on the evaporator coils. If the defrost timer is not advancing into the defrost cycle, has stopped advancing, or is not sending power to the defrost heater during the defrost cycle, you will need to replace it with a new unit.
3. Defrost Heater Assembly: Frost buildup in your refrigerator is not only unsightly, it can ruin the food stored inside. The defrost heater assembly prevents this from occurring by melting away any frost that may have accumulated on the evaporator coils. A common reason why frost may accumulate is if the defrost heater assembly does not work properly.
   To fix a refrigerator that is not defrosting completely, locate the defrost heater on an upper corner of the freezer. Disconnect the circuit breaker and remove five screws to detach the heater from the back wall. Using a multimeter, check the continuity of the heater with it set on “Ohms.” If there is no continuity, replace the defrost heater.

3. Bosch Ice Maker is Not Working

Sometimes, a Bosch refrigerator won’t make ice—and it’s not your fault. If the temperature of the freezer is set incorrectly, the ice maker will not produce ice correctly. The temperature should be set between 0 and 5 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure that the ice maker works properly. To avoid this problem, look at the temperature settings on your refrigerator. Here are the parts you may want to check:

1. Water Inlet Valve: The water inlet valve is part of the ice maker assembly, and it is responsible for delivering water into the machine. If the pressure from the water supply is insufficient, the ice maker won’t make ice. The flow rate is controlled by a solenoid-operated valve, which requires 20 psi to function properly. Make sure that the water pressure to the valve is at least 20 psi.
   If the water pressure is sufficient, use a multimeter to check for power to the water inlet valve. If you’re certain that the water inlet valve is receiving enough power, and that the filter has been recently replaced or properly maintained (if there even was such a thing as a filter), and the ice maker still won’t fill with water to make ice, replace the water inlet valve.
2. Ice Maker Assembly: If the ice maker assembly is not functioning properly, replacing it with an identical assembly will ensure that any problems are resolved. However, if some of the component parts in the assembly are damaged, they must be replaced individually. As many of the components are not available separately, you may need to replace the entire assembly instead of individual parts.
3. Faulty Door Switch: The door switch is a safety feature — it prevents the refrigerator and freezer from working when you don’t need it (during defrost, for instance). When the door is open, the switch should be held in place. Check its continuity with a multimeter to make sure that it’s functioning properly. If the switch doesn’t have continuity when you activate it, replace it.
4. Ice Level Control Board: Sensor ice makers are the most popular variety of ice maker, because they are easy to install and very efficient. They’re controlled by sensors that measure the height of the ice in the bin. When the sensor detects that there is enough ice, it shuts off the water supply to the producer until more ice is needed.
   If the ice maker isn’t working, make sure the ice level control board is getting power. If it is receiving power, yet still not making any ice, it’s most likely time to buy a replacement.

4. Bosch Refrigerator is too Noisy

The loud noise from your refrigerator can be a persistent and bothersome issue — it might even become so bad that you’ll start to dread the fridge’s hum. Repairing your Bosch refrigerator yourself is an alternative solution: instead of spending hundreds on a service call or thousands on a new appliance, you can do it yourself in 30 minutes.

1. Fan Blade: Many refrigerators are equipped with cooling systems that use fans to circulate the cold air throughout the appliance. When one of these fans stops working, the refrigerator will no longer be able to cool food effectively. When this occurs, you may notice that your refrigerator is louder than usual, because it has to work harder to maintain a consistent temperature.
   If you find that the issue is with the fan blade, the most likely reason for this is due to an accumulation of rust or debris. To fix this problem, remove the back panel from the freezer compartment and inspect the fan blades. If they are not turning freely, try cleaning them off by hand. Any large debris can be removed by gently blowing on them or using a hose to dislodge small particles that have accumulated.
2. Evaporator Fan Motor: When the evaporator fan in the fridge stops working, it’s likely to make a lot of noise. The noise is especially loud when you open the door. If the evaporator fan is making a lot of noise, replace it immediately.
3. Condenser Fan Motor: If your refrigerator is making strange noises, it’s possible that something is caught in the condenser fan motor. The condenser fan motor is usually located underneath the refrigerator near the back. Pull the refrigerator out from the wall and remove the rear access panel to access it. If you’re comfortable doing so, unplug the refrigerator before you remove the cover. Then, look for any objects that could be stuck in the motor or surrounding area.
4. Faulty Compressor: If your fridge is making loud noises, most likely the cause is your compressor. Compressors are known to wear out over time, and once they start to wear out, they noisier than normal. The compressor is located underneath the fridge, near the back. You can remove the back panel to access it. If that does not fix the problem, you will want to contact a local repairman.

5. Bosch Refrigerator water dispenser not working

Sometimes Bosch refrigerators have a problem with the water dispenser. Since it’s as important as any other component of your refrigerator, you need to be prepared for the worst. And that means staying updated with the latest news and training on the ins and outs of this appliance.

1. Frozen Water Tube: If you’re worried that your refrigerator’s water supply tube is frozen, just disconnect it at the bottom of the door and blow air through it. If your tube is frozen, let it thaw out.
2. Water Inlet Valve: Before you panic, make sure that your refrigerator’s water line is securely connected to a water source with a minimum of 20 psi. If your water pressure is low or if the valve is defective, you may find that the valve won’t open. Your refrigerator water dispenser will not work unless the cold water valve is able to open and provide water to the system.
3. Faulty Dispenser Control Board: A refrigerator dispenser control board is the circuit board that receives the signals from the buttons on the dispenser and sends them to the rest of the dispenser system. It governs most of the functions of the dispenser, and if it stops working, most of the dispenser’s components and functions will not work either. Before you replace a piece of your dispenser system, make sure that only that specific piece is defective.
4. Defective Dispenser Switch: Bosch refrigerator dispensers use a system of switches to send voltage to a mechanical component. If a switch is defective, the product will not dispense water or ice properly. To test a switch for continuity, use a multimeter. Continuity means that an electrical current can flow from one wire to another through the switch. If there is no continuity, the switch must be replaced.

Conclusion

Bosch is one of the world’s best brands when it comes to refrigerator repairs. When your fridge stops working, your first instinct is to pay a professional. However, we’ve found that with a little persistence and some basic understanding of how your fridge works, you can fix it yourself for much less than what a repairman would cost.