For as long as most people have owned refrigerators, they've known that whenever they open the fridge door, they'll be greeted by that warm glow of the refrigerator light. Therefore, if you're to open your fridge one day and the light fails to turn on, alarm bells might start to go off in your head.

The fridge light is how most people know that their fridge is working. However, there are many reasons why the light might not turn on when you open the door, and many of these reasons have nothing to do with the condition of your fridge.

Is the Power Out?

One obvious reason why the light isn't turning on in your fridge is that there is no power getting to your fridge. This doesn't mean that there's something seriously wrong. It could be because of any of the following reasons:

• There's a power outage in your area

• Something tripped your main switch/circuit breaker

• Your refrigerator isn't plugged in

• Your power extension (if you use one) isn't working

• The refrigerator fuse is blown

• The electrical cable is frayed

All these problems can be easily rectified with very little expense. Before you panic, you should eliminate these possibilities.

Did the Bulb Burn Out?

The light in your refrigerator comes from a bulb, and like any other bulb it can burn out if it reaches the end of its life or if there is a power surge. The first sign that your bulb might be burned out is that the fridge will still be running. This means you'll still hear the compressor turning on from time to time and the contents of the fridge will still be cold.

Open the cover that protects the bulb and inspect the bulb for signs of burning out. You should also check if the bulb's socket is dirty or broken. You can purchase a replacement bulb at a merchandise or hardware store.

Is Your Light Switch Stuck?

Many people forget that there's a switch (usually attached to the door) that turns the light on and off. This switch can get stuck due to the accumulation of dirt and moisture. You can fix this issue by simply cleaning the switch and the area around it with a cloth and warm water.

When you've eliminated these simple causes, you may have to consider the possibility that something else is wrong. At this point, bringing in a fridge repair expert from a company like Sub-Zero Affordable Repair is the best course of action.