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Why is My Refrigerator Light Not Coming On?

By Mariette Mifflin, About.com

Question: Why is My Refrigerator Light Not Coming On?

Why is my refrigerator light not coming on when the door is open?

Answer: If your refrigerator light is not coming on, it may be that the bulb is burned out. Check the bulb to see if it has a dark area in the bulb or broken and loose filament. When you shake the bulb, you'll hear a rattling noise if filaments inside are damaged. You can purchase special bulbs for appliances, usually 25 watt, at your local hardware or merchandise store. Unplug your refrigerator, change the bulb and hopefully this will solve this problem.

If your bulb is fine but the light just doesn't come on when the door is open, the possible cause could be a stuck button. The light is operated by a plunger-type button - when the door opens, it releases and the light is activated. Over time, these buttons can become 'stuck' from a build up of dust or dirt and require a simple cleaning with a cloth and warm sudsy water to loosen it.

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