Refrigerator Light On? Simple Ways to Stop It

Ever open your fridge, close the door and hear a click, but the light stays bright? It’s annoying, wastes energy, and can shorten the life of the bulb. The good news is most of the time you can sort it out yourself without calling a technician.

Why does the fridge light stay on?

The most common culprit is the door switch. Inside the fridge there’s a small plastic button that gets pressed when the door closes. Over time the switch can get sticky, broken, or covered in debris, so it never tells the light to turn off.

Another reason is a loose wire or a faulty control board. If the wiring that runs from the switch to the bulb is frayed, the circuit can stay closed even when the door is shut. In newer models the light may be controlled by a sensor on the main PCB, and a glitch there can keep the lamp on.

Sometimes the bulb itself is at fault. Certain LED or CFL bulbs have built‑in sensors that misread the door status, especially if you’ve swapped out the original bulb for a different type.

How to fix a refrigerator light that won’t turn off

Start with the easy stuff. Pull the fridge out just enough to see the hinge area and locate the door switch – it’s usually a small round piece of plastic on the side wall. Press it manually; you should feel a soft click and the light should go out. If it doesn’t, clean it with a damp cloth and a little dish soap. Food crumbs or ice can jam the switch.

If cleaning doesn’t help, test the switch with a multimeter. Set the meter to continuity, press the button and watch the reading. No continuity means the switch is dead and needs replacement. Replacement switches are cheap and can be found at any hardware store – just match the model number or bring the old one with you.

When the switch works but the light still stays on, check the bulb socket. Make sure the bulb is screwed in properly and that the contacts aren’t corroded. A quick spray of contact cleaner can solve minor oxidation.

For LED bulbs, consider swapping back to the original bulb type recommended by the fridge’s manufacturer. LED versions sometimes need a specific voltage, and using the wrong one can confuse the sensor.

If none of the above fixes the problem, the wiring might be the issue. Unplug the fridge, remove the back panel, and look for any loose or burnt wires leading from the switch to the bulb. Tighten any loose connectors and replace any damaged wire sections.

When wiring looks fine but the light is still on, the fault is likely in the control board. That’s a more advanced repair – you’d need to locate the board (usually behind the interior liner), inspect for blown fuses or burnt components, and possibly replace the board. At this point calling a professional, like Bognor Regis Appliance Repair Experts, is the safest move.

Quick recap: check the door switch, clean or replace it, make sure the bulb and socket are clean, verify wiring, and only then consider the control board. Most fridge lights that stay on are fixed with a simple switch tweak, so you can often save time and money.

Got a stubborn light that won’t quit? Give the steps a try, and if it’s still bright, don’t waste energy – call a local repair service. A quick fix now means a lower electric bill later.