Choose Product
Identify Problem
03
Find Solutions
HomeRepair HelpHotpoint Refrigerator RepairHotpoint Refrigerator runs constantly Repair

Hotpoint Refrigerator runs constantly

If your Hotpoint refrigerator runs constantly, it’s reacting to something keeping it from reaching the right temperature. The most likely culprit is warm room air—refrigerators work best in about 60 to 95 degrees F (16 to 35 C), so hot, humid surroundings make the compressor run more. If the environment isn’t the issue, the compressor itself can be inefficient and run continuously, especially after you’ve ruled out fan motors and the thermistor. Also check the freezer temperature; if the freezer is above about 10 degrees F the fridge compartment will struggle and the unit will run nonstop. A door that does not fully close because of a misplaced bin or food item is another common cause. Less likely but worth testing are defrost system faults: a failed defrost heater or a bad defrost thermostat will let frost build on the evaporator coils and force the refrigerator to run constantly. You can test defrost components with a multimeter for continuity, and enter your model number on RepairClinic.com to find the exact replacement parts for your refrigerator.

01 - Room Temperature is Hot

Normal operating temperatures for a refrigerator are between 60 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit (16 and 35 degrees Celsius). The hotter and more humid the air is the less efficient the refrigerator will be, causing it to run more. If possible, keep the refrigerator within the recommended operating temperatures and as cool as possible.
Top Solution

02 - Hotpoint Refrigerator Compressor

The compressor is the component that pumps refrigerant through the sealed system to cool the appliance. If you've determined the fan motors are all working and the thermistor is accurately monitoring the air temperature, it's possible the compressor itself is inefficient, resulting in it running continuously, although this is not a common problem.
Enter model number to search for the required part specific to your product
Need help finding your model number?
Shop all Hotpoint Refrigerator Compressor Parts
Highly Likely

03 - Freezer Temperature is Above 10 Degrees F (-12C)

Since the refrigerator compartment gets its cold air from the freezer compartment for many model types ("Top Freezer", "Bottom Freezer", and "Side by Side" models, for example), the refrigerator compartment will take longer to cool down if the freezer is not cold enough. As a result, the compressor may run constantly. The freezer temperature should be set between 0 and 5 degrees Fahrenheit (-18 to -15 Celsius).
Highly Likely

04 - Door Not Fully Closing

Check to see that the doors are closing properly. If a door bin or food item is keeping the door open slightly the refrigerator may not cool properly, which can cause the refrigerator to run constantly.
Highly Likely

05 - Hotpoint Refrigerator Defrost Heater Assembly

The defrost heater assembly turns on several times throughout the day to melt away any frost that may have accumulated on the evaporator coils. If the defrost heater assembly is defective, the refrigerator will not defrost, and frost will continue to accumulate on the evaporator coils. If the evaporator coils are frosted over, the refrigerator will work harder to remove the heat. As a result, the refrigerator will run constantly in an effort to cool down. To determine if the defrost heater is defective, use a multimeter to test it for continuity. If the defrost heater does not have continuity, replace it.
Shop all Hotpoint Refrigerator Defrost Heater Assembly Parts
Common

06 - Hotpoint Refrigerator Defrost Thermostat

If the refrigerator runs constantly, the defrost thermostat might be defective. Several times a day the defrost heater turns on for a few minutes to melt away any frost that may have accumulated on the freezer or refrigerator evaporator coils. In order for this to work, the defrost thermostat has to sense that the coils are cold enough. If the coils are cold enough the defrost heater will turn on. If the thermostat is defective it may not be able to sense the temperature of the coils and then won't turn on the defrost heater. If the defrost heater doesn't turn on, the frost will build up on the coils and eventually no air ...will be able to travel through the coils to provide cooling . The defrost thermostat can be checked for continuity. It should have continuity when it reaches the low temperature of its operating range.
Shop all Hotpoint Refrigerator Defrost Thermostat Parts
Common

07 - Hotpoint Refrigerator Control Board

If the refrigerator runs constantly, the control board might be defective. A few times a day the control board is supposed to turn off the cooling system and turn on the defrost heater to melt away any frost that may have accumulated on the freezer evaporator coils. If the control board is defective it could cause the system to never cycle into defrost.
Shop all Hotpoint Refrigerator Control Board Parts
Common

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my refrigerator running constantly?
Fridge not cooling but freezer cold — what should I check?
How do I test the defrost heater or defrost thermostat?
Could a bad compressor cause the refrigerator to run all the time?
How do I enter my model number on RepairClinic to find the right replacement part?