Frigidaire Refrigerator Control Board Troubleshooting Guide!

Having a properly functioning main control board is crucial for a Frigidaire refrigerator as it oversees essential operations like cooling, freezing, and defrosting, among other functions.

Therefore, understanding how to troubleshoot and address issues with the Frigidaire Refrigerator Control Board is of utmost importance.

When the main control board malfunctions, it can impact critical functions of a Frigidaire refrigerator, including cooling, freezing, water and ice dispensing, ice making, and defrosting. Additionally, problems may arise with temperature control, dispenser operations, defrost cycles, ice level detection, and display controls, which are all linked to various control boards within the refrigerator.

In this guide, we will focus on troubleshooting issues related to the main control board as well as other control boards that could potentially fail. Furthermore, we will provide steps to resolve the problems once you have identified the underlying causes. However, before delving into the troubleshooting process, let’s examine the role of the control board, with specific emphasis on the main control board.

Additionally, we will explore diagnostic procedures to help confirm whether the main control board is indeed the source of the problem and highlight specific diagnostic error codes associated with its failure.

Quick Troubleshooting Guide

Control Board Problem	Affected Control Board
Refrigerator not cooling or freezing	Temperature control board or main control board
Refrigerator freezing but not cooling	Temperature control board, defrost control board, or main control board
Refrigerator cooling but not freezing	Main control board
The water dispenser is not working	Dispenser control board or main control board
The ice maker is not working	Ice-level control board or main control board
Ice maker not dispensing ice	Dispenser control board or main control board
Refrigerator not defrosting	Defrost control board or main control board
Freezing food	Temperature control board or main control board
Ice and water dispenser not working	Dispenser control board or main control board
Refrigerator running nonstop	Defrost control board or main control board
The control panel is not working	Display control board, dispenser control board, or main control board
Burning smell	Main control board

Understanding the Function of Frigidaire Refrigerator Control Boards

Frigidaire Refrigerator Main Control Board 

The main control board in a Frigidaire refrigerator contains various components like conductors, capacitors, resistors, and diodes. These components enable the control board to regulate the flow of electric current throughout the refrigerator.

The main control board is responsible for controlling crucial parts such as the compressor, fan blades, and motors. In terms of overall refrigerator functions, the main control board oversees important operations including cooling, freezing, defrosting, water and ice dispensing, and ice making, among others.

Frigidaire Refrigerator Temperature Control Board 

While not as central as the main control board, the temperature control board plays a significant role in the refrigerator. It supplies voltage information to the compressor and refrigerator fan motor to facilitate cooling. If the temperature control board is faulty, it can lead to cooling issues within the unit.

The temperature control board not only controls cooling but also plays a role in freezing functions.

Frigidaire Refrigerator Defrost Control Board 

The defrost control board serves as the central component of the defrost system in a refrigerator. It determines the frequency at which the defrost cycle operates.

If the defrost control board malfunctions, the defrost system may fail, resulting in the accumulation of ice on the evaporator coils. This ice buildup can create a barrier, causing the refrigerator to warm up and the defrost cycle to cease functioning properly.

In such cases, the refrigerator will not defrost and may continue to run continuously.

Frigidaire Refrigerator Dispenser Control Board 

As the name suggests, the dispenser control board manages the operation of the dispenser system, including the water and ice dispensers.

If the dispenser control board is faulty, the water and ice dispensers in your Frigidaire refrigerator may not work as intended. Additionally, a malfunctioning dispenser control board can prevent the ice maker from dispensing ice properly.

Frigidaire Refrigerator Ice-Level Control Board 

The ice-level control board regulates the power supply to the ice maker. A faulty ice-level control board can result in insufficient power reaching the ice maker, causing it to be unable to produce ice.

Frigidaire Refrigerator Display Control Board 

If the control panel on your refrigerator is not functioning correctly or experiencing malfunctions, it is likely that the display control board is the affected component. This control board governs the functions and visual display of the control panel.

Running a Diagnostic on a Frigidaire Refrigerator Control Board to Identify Faults

Before concluding that the control board in your refrigerator is faulty and needs replacement, it is advisable to perform a diagnostic test to confirm this assumption.

The following steps outline the process of entering diagnostic mode on a Frigidaire refrigerator:

Step 1 (Temperature Up + Temperature Down) – Locate the Temperature Down and Temperature Up buttons on your freezer settings and press them simultaneously. 

Step 2 (5 Minutes Release) – After holding the temperature buttons for 5 minutes, release them to enter diagnostic mode for your Frigidaire fridge. 

Step 3 (Temperature Up) – Wait for the LED display to show “1” and then press the Temperature Up button. 

Step 4 (Service Mode Select) – Once the LED displays a number from 1 to 8, choose the desired service mode to view the error code associated with the diagnostic. Step 5 (Exit Diagnostic Mode) – Take note of the error code and unplug your refrigerator to exit diagnostic mode.

Step 5: Take note of the error code displayed on the control panel. This code will help identify the specific issue with the refrigerator.

Step 6: Unplug your refrigerator from the power source and wait for at least 60 seconds. This time allows the control board to reset and clears the error code.

Control Board Error Codes

If you encounter error codes on your Frigidaire refrigerator, they can help identify if the control board is faulty. Here are some error codes that indicate a malfunctioning Frigidaire refrigerator control board:

Fault Code Interpretation Recommended Solution 

• SYCE Communication failure involving the main control board Replace the user interface or main control board 
• 5YEF, EF, or SYEF Failing evaporator fan circuit Replace the evaporator fan or main control board 
• Code DF The absence of the defrost circuit Replace the control board or wiring harness 
• 5YCF or SYCF Power failure affecting the control board Replace the user interface or control board

Control Board

If you’re experiencing problems with your Frigidaire refrigerator, the control board may be the culprit. Here are twelve common issues to troubleshoot when dealing with a faulty control board:

Frigidaire Refrigerator Won’t Cool or Freeze

If your refrigerator fails to cool or freeze properly, it could indicate a faulty temperature control board or main control board. Additionally, other potential causes include dirty condenser coils or defective fan motor, compressor, thermistor, or thermostat.

Frigidaire Refrigerator Freezes But Won’t Cool (Cold Freezer but Warmer Fridge): In cases where the freezer is cold but the fridge remains warm, a defective temperature control board or main control board could be the issue. It’s also worth checking the defrost control board, as it may contribute to the problem. Frosted evaporator coils, a faulty thermistor, or a malfunctioning defrost system could also be potential causes.

Frigidaire Refrigerator Cools But Won’t Freeze (Cold Fridge but Warmer Freezer): If your fridge is adequately cooled but the freezer is not freezing properly, consider the possibility of a faulty main control board. If ruled out, potential causes include a clogged water filter, defective evaporator fan motor, compressor, or thermistor.

Water Dispenser Is Not Working: A malfunctioning dispenser control board or main control board can cause issues with the water dispenser. However, other factors such as low water pressure, a faulty water inlet valve, frozen water tube, clogged filter, or defective dispenser switch should also be considered.

Ice Maker Is Not Working: A faulty ice-level control board or main control board can prevent the ice maker from functioning correctly. If only the ice maker is affected, the issue may be with the ice-level control board or components like the ice maker switch, mold thermostat, door switch, or clogged filter. If multiple functions are impacted, the main control board might be at fault.

Ice Maker Won’t Dispense Ice: When the ice maker produces ice but fails to dispense it, a defective dispenser control board or main control board could be the cause. If no other issues are present, focus on the dispenser control board. However, a faulty dispenser switch, dispenser solenoid, dispenser actuator, or auger motor might also be contributing factors.

Frigidaire Refrigerator Won’t Defrost

If your refrigerator is not going through the defrost cycle, a failing defrost control board or other defrost components like the defrost heater, timer, or thermostat might be to blame. If ruled out, it’s likely that the main control board is defective.

Frigidaire Refrigerator Freezing Food

A refrigerator compartment that freezes food indicates a faulty temperature control board or main control board. If these components are functioning correctly, other potential causes include a defective thermistor, temperature control thermostat, or damper control.

Ice and Water Dispenser Not Working

A malfunctioning dispenser control board or main control board can cause issues with both the ice and water dispensers. Before concluding that the control boards are at fault, test the dispenser and door switches with a multimeter to ensure continuity.

Frigidaire Refrigerator Running Non-Stop

If your Frigidaire refrigerator runs continuously, it may indicate a malfunctioning defrost control board or main control board. Other potential causes include dirty condenser coils, a warm freezer (temperature above 100°F), a faulty defrost thermostat, defrost timer, or door gasket.

Control Panel Not Working

If your refrigerator’s control panel fails to function, it could indicate a malfunctioning display control board, dispenser control board, or main control board. It’s advisable to rule out the other control boards before considering the main control board as the potential issue.

Burning Smell

In some cases, a faulty main control board can cause a burning smell in the refrigerator. However, it’s crucial to consider the main control board only if other refrigerator functions are also not working correctly. Other possible explanations for a burning smell include a faulty light bulb, compressor, power cord, or shorted wire.

Fixing a Faulty Frigidaire Refrigerator Control Board

To address a bad control board, it is recommended to replace the faulty component. Running a diagnostic test can help identify the specific fault code and the affected control board. You can then search for the meaning of the fault code online to gain more insight into the issue.

Conclusion

When your Frigidaire refrigerator experiences issues with cooling, defrosting, freezing, or ice/water dispensing, it’s important to consider the possibility of a faulty control board. However, before replacing the main control board, it’s advisable to run a diagnostic to confirm its malfunction.