My GE Profile Refrigerator Is Not Working & Makes a Clicking Sound

Power Shortage

• If you have power shortage or outage, it will cut off power to the refrigerator. When power is restored to the refrigerator, the compressor turns on. A clicking noise that happens several times over the course of three to five minutes will indicate the compressor trying to re-start. Once the compressor begins running, the clicking noise will cease. No repair is necessary as long as the refrigerator works normally when power is restored.

Failed Start Relay

• You could get a clicking noise when the compressor’s start relay goes out. When the start relay, the component responsible for starting up the compressor’s motor, is malfunctioning, a clicking noise will be heard but the compressor will not run afterward. You will continue to hear this click every few minutes. In time, the unit will begin to lose its cold temperature and it will get warm inside the freezer and fresh food areas.

Condenser

• The condenser coils on the backside of the refrigerator are the area where the refrigerant flows through the system after being compressed. Compression heats the refrigerant considerably and the heat is transferred out of the refrigerant through these coils. If the coils are dirty or dusty, it can affect the coil’s ability to do its job. When this happens, it can cause the compressor to shut off. It will try to start up again on its own in a few minutes. Each time it tries to start you will hear the clicking of the start relay. Then the compressor shuts off and the compressor will try to restart again. This leads to repetitive clicking, although the start relay and the compressor may be fine. You simply need to clean the coils thoroughly to prevent this issue.

Bad Compressor

• The problem you least hope to find with your refrigerator is a bad compressor. Compressors are expensive and the refrigerator will not work without it. The start relay will click to try and start a bad compressor without success and will keep trying over and over again as long as there is power to the appliance. When your compressor is out you will likely consider complete replacement of the refrigerator.