How to replace GE refrigerator compressor inverter control board WR87X29409

Is your GE refrigerator failing to cool properly? The culprit might be a faulty compressor inverter control board, but don’t worry—you can swap it out yourself and save the hassle and expense of a technician call! Dive into our step-by-step guide below, complete with a helpful video, to get your fridge back to its chilly best.

When a GE refrigerator fails to cool, one of the first things to check is if the compressor is running. If it’s not and the condenser fan is working, it likely means the compressor inverter control board has failed.

You can replace the board yourself to save the cost of a service call. Let’s walk through the steps together so you can get your fridge running smoothly again.

If you need compressor inverter control board WR87X29409, you can order it here. If you need any other parts for your GE fridge, you can enter your model number at AppliancePartsPros.com to find them.

Watch the full repair here

What is the compressor inverter control board?

The compressor is the heart of a refrigerator’s cooling system. It pressurizes refrigerant gas, which absorbs heat from the interior of the fridge, and vents it out through the back coils.

For the compressor to work properly, it needs power to be converted from the 120-volt AC electricity from your home’s outlets into variable 230-volt power. That conversion is handled by the compressor inverter control board, which can be found at the back of the fridge, in the machine compartment next to the compressor.

READ MORE: How to Interpret Your GE Refrigerator Display Codes

What you’ll need

• Quarter-inch nut driver
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Large flat-blade screwdriver
• Replacement compressor inverter control board (WR87X29409)

Keep safety first 

When working on any appliance, always keep safety first to avoid personal injury or damage to the appliance or parts. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind:

• Always power off and unplug your fridge or switch off the circuit breaker before attempting any maintenance or replacement work. This keeps you safe by preventing any risk of electric shock.
• Never touch or damage refrigerant lines and connections. Escaping refrigerant can be hazardous. EPA-certified technicians are the only people who can handle refrigerant.
• If the fridge has recently been used, give it plenty of time to cool down before working on it.
• Take your time and don’t rush while working to prevent accidents and personal injuries.
• Work in a well-lit area so you can clearly see and access fridge parts.
• Keep your workspace free of clutter and other obstacles. Keep children and pets away from the work area.
• Never work on internal parts with wet hands. Make sure the work area is completely dry.
• Check the user manual to see if there are specific installation or safety instructions related to your fridge or replacement part.
• Be gentle when handling or removing parts. Excessive force might damage the fridge or cause personal injury.
• Wear insulated work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal parts and debris.
• When working with wires, avoid touching any exposed wires or terminals. If you need to touch a wire, use a non-conductive tool or wear insulating gloves to prevent electrical shock.
• Consider wearing safety glasses and/or a dust mask when working with chemicals, dust or a large amount of debris to prevent irritation or injury.

Step 1 – Remove the old board

1. Make sure the fridge is turned off and disconnected from the power supply.
2. Use a quarter-inch nut driver to remove the screws holding the back access panel, then lift off the panel.
3. Vacuum and clean the exposed condenser coils while they’re accessible.
4. Find the inverter control board mounted to a bracket on the round compressor. Remove the two screws that hold the ground wires. Then remove the additional screw on the bottom of the inverter that holds it in place.
5. Lift the control board off. Be sure to pay close attention to each connector and wire you disconnect so you can reinstall them later.
6. Use a flat-blade screwdriver to pry off the large plug from the compressor terminals.
7. Disconnect the smaller plugs by squeezing their side tabs and pulling them apart.
8. Release the wire harness from the retaining clip.
9. If a refrigerant line is blocking the board, remove the two hold-down clips on the compressor and use a screwdriver to carefully pry up the compressor to create enough space to move the board through.
10. Angle out the old board cautiously to avoid damaging refrigerant lines.

READ MORE: Refrigerator Won’t Start: Top 6 Reasons and Fixes for Kenmore, Whirlpool, Frigidaire, GE, and Other Brands

Step 2 – Install the new board

1. Lift the compressor to make space for installing the new board.
2. Connect the plug to the compressor terminals in the correct upright orientation.
3. Sit the new board on the compressor bracket, aligning the locking tabs and screw holes.
4. Replace the mounting screw to secure the new board.
5. Carefully reconnect each wire harness plug and clip. Make sure all of them are locked in place. Reinstall the two clips used to hold the compressor down.
6. Position the wire harness back into its retaining clip.
7. Double-check that all connections are restored.
8. Attach the rear access panel. Insert the tabs on the access panel into their slots.
9. Replace all the quarter-inch screws to secure the access panel.

Finishing touches

1. Plug the refrigerator power cord back in or turn on its circuit breaker.
2. Allow time for the compressor and coolant system to normalize the temperatures. Make sure it’s cooling correctly before returning perishable food items to the fridge.

READ MORE: Causes of refrigerator noises and how to quiet them

More information

Thanks for reading! We hope this article helped you replace the compressor inverter control board in your GE refrigerator.

If you still need some replacement parts, grab your model number and head over to AppliancePartsPros.com. We offer over two million parts and most orders arrive in two business days. If you need some help with finding the right part or placing an order, you can contact our team at 1 (877) 477-7278.

While you’re waiting for your new part to arrive, you can explore our DIY blog and watch thousands of video tutorials on our YouTube channel.

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