Fridge Repair service was scheduled ASAP -next day actually! Service tech was professional and proficient. Quick and easy fix. He did a great job cleaning up and took great care of my fridge. I would highly recommend this company! A+++ service!
LOAD SHEDDING · POWER SURGES · HARARE
Fridge or Appliance Not Working After a Power Cut?
What to check, how to protect your appliances and when to call us
Load shedding is part of life in Harare, and the surge when power comes back is hard on fridges, freezers and washing machines. Here is what to do during an outage, the signs of surge damage and how to protect your appliances.
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Why Power Cuts Damage Appliances
A fridge, freezer or washing machine handles a power cut itself without trouble. The risk comes when the supply returns: voltage can spike or dip for a few seconds while every appliance on the street tries to start at once. Electronic control boards, compressor start relays, overload protectors, thermostats and sensors take the hit, and repeated rapid restarts strain the compressor.
The good news is that surge damage usually affects smaller, repairable parts. A fridge repair after a power cut is often a relay, overload or board rather than a new compressor, and regassing is rarely the answer to surge damage.
What to Do During Load Shedding
- 1
Switch off at the wall
When the power goes, switch fridges, freezers and washing machines off at the socket. The surge when power returns is what damages most electronics.
- 2
Keep the doors shut
A closed fridge stays cold for several hours and a full chest freezer for much longer. Every opening lets the cold out.
- 3
Wait before switching back on
Give the supply a few minutes to settle when it returns, then switch appliances on one at a time, fridge and freezer first.
- 4
Let the compressor rest
A fridge compressor needs a few minutes for its pressures to balance. Switching it off and on quickly makes it struggle to start.
Signs of Surge Damage
First check the socket with another appliance, check the plug fuse if it has one, and reset a tripped breaker once. If the problem stays, these are the signs to look for.
Fridge or freezer completely dead
No light, no hum and no display after the power is back.
Fridge not switching onLight on but no cooling
The cabinet light works but the compressor never starts, or clicks every few minutes.
Fridge compressor problemsFreezer will not start
A chest or upright freezer stays silent and starts to thaw.
Freezer not switching onWashing machine has no display
Nothing happens when you press the power button, or the display shows an error it never showed before.
Washing machine not switching onBreaker trips when you switch on
The earth leakage or circuit breaker trips as soon as the appliance is switched on.
Washing machine tripping electricityBurning smell or a loud click
Switch off at the wall straight away and leave it off until a technician has checked it.
Book a technicianHow to Protect Your Appliances
- Fit a voltage protector between the wall socket and each fridge or freezer. It disconnects the appliance when voltage is too high or low and waits before reconnecting after an outage.
- Use a pure sine wave inverter if you run the fridge on backup power, sized for the compressor's starting current.
- Switch off at the wall when the power goes, and back on a few minutes after it returns, one appliance at a time.
- Keep the condenser clean and ventilated so the compressor starts and runs without overheating, especially after repeated outages.
If an appliance will not work properly after a power cut, our mobile technicians can diagnose it at your home anywhere in Harare and nearby towns. Once your booking is confirmed, we aim to have a technician with you within 1 hour, depending on your location, traffic and technician availability.
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What Our Customers Say
Great service, the team is very proffessional and their level of communication is commendable. My Samsung Fridge Freezer (Side By Side) was repaired right on time and it worked like it was brand new. Thank you so much
Thank you for fixing my Hisense Fridge/Freezer
Quoted word for word from our Google Business Profile.
Read all our reviews on GoogleFREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Power Cuts and Appliances: Questions
Can load shedding damage my fridge?
Yes. The outage itself rarely harms a fridge, but the surge or unstable voltage when power returns can damage the control board, the compressor start relay, the overload protector or the thermostat. Switching the fridge off at the wall during an outage and back on a few minutes after power returns is the simplest protection.
How long should I wait before switching my fridge back on?
Wait a few minutes after the power returns so the supply can settle and the compressor pressures can balance. Then switch the fridge on, followed by the freezer and other appliances one at a time.
Will a voltage protector stop surge damage?
A plug-in voltage protector or surge protector cuts the supply when the voltage is too high or too low and delays reconnection after an outage, which protects most household fridges and freezers. It reduces the risk but cannot stop a direct lightning strike.
Can I run my fridge on an inverter during load shedding?
Yes, if the inverter is sized for the fridge's starting current and gives a pure sine wave output. Modified sine wave inverters can make compressors hum, run hot and fail early.
Is it worth repairing a fridge damaged by a power surge?
Often, yes. Surge damage usually affects smaller parts such as a relay, overload protector, thermostat or control board, which cost far less than a new fridge. We diagnose the fault at your home and give you a quote before any work starts. See fridge repairs or book a repair.
Book an appliance repair
Appliance Not Working After a Power Cut?
Tell us the appliance, the brand and what happened when the power came back. We confirm a time and diagnose it at your home.