Why Is My Wine Fridge Not Turning On?

From outside of the industry, wine cooling might look simple – but in reality, wine fridges are complex appliances with several components that can fail.

Whether you own an Avintage, Liebherr, Dunavox, Swisscave, Vestfrost or another luxury brand, the same core issues usually apply. If your wine fridge isn’t turning on, don’t panic – most problems can be traced to a handful of common faults.

In this article, we’ll cover the main reasons a wine cooler won’t start, alongside simple troubleshooting steps you can try before calling in a technician.

Reasons Why Your Wine Cooler Isn’t Turning On

Even the best wine coolers you can buy can experience issues. If your fridge has suddenly stopped working – whether it’s brand new or has been running for years – here are the most likely causes.

Power Supply Issues

One of the most common reasons is a lack of power supply:

• Check the fridge is properly plugged in.
• Try turning it off at the socket for a few seconds before switching it back on.
• If this fails, test another appliance in the same socket to rule out a mains issue.

If the problem lies with your home’s electrical supply, you may need to contact an electrician.

Dirty Condenser Coil or Fan

Wine fridges with compressors rely on a condenser coil and fan. If these get clogged with dust, the unit may refuse to power up.

• Inspect the fan at the back of the fridge.
• If it’s blocked, switch off the unit, remove the fan, and wipe it clean with a soft cloth.
• If the fan has stopped moving entirely, replacement is usually required.

Faulty Thermostat

The thermostat regulates cooling by controlling the compressor, evaporator, and fan. A defective thermostat can prevent the fridge from starting.

• Place a cup of water with a thermometer inside the fridge.
• Compare the thermometer reading with the thermostat display after a few hours.
• If the readings don’t match, the thermostat may need repair or replacement.

Compressor or Motor Problems

Unique to Dunavox and some other compressor models, a faulty compressor or motor can prevent the fridge from turning on.

• A compressor that won’t kick in could be dirty, leaking, or broken.
• Motors that fail will often need a full replacement by a professional.

Your problem not listed here? Check out our list of common wine cooler problems.

Different Wine Cooler Brands And Why They Won’t Turn On

Avintage Wine Fridges Not Turning On

Avintage fridges and wine cabinets are often used for built-in kitchen setups:

• Confirm the ventilation grille isn’t obstructed – overheating can cause automatic shut-off.
• Check the control panel – Avintage models sometimes need a hard reset.
• If you hear clicking but no cooling, it may point to compressor or relay problems.

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Liebherr Wine Fridges Not Turning On

Liebherr models are generally very reliable, but common issues include:

• Child lock accidentally activated (easy to miss).
• Faulty plug socket or blown fuse – these units are sensitive to surges.
• No fan/compressor noise may indicate a PCB or compressor failure.

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➤ Learn how to fix your Liebherr wine cooler

Dunavox Wine Fridges Not Turning On

As many Dunavox fridges are integrated, installation issues are common:

• Check the power cable isn’t trapped or damaged behind the unit.
• Touch control panels can occasionally freeze – try resetting.
• If lighting works but cooling doesn’t, the compressor relay may be at fault.

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➤ Learn how to fix your Dunavox wine cooler

Swisscave Wine Fridges Not Turning On

Swisscave units are premium and well-insulated, which affects troubleshooting:

• Ensure ventilation is clear – blocked airflow can trigger safety shutdowns.
• Try a reset by unplugging for 10 minutes before powering back on.
• Error codes on the display often give clues to the specific issue.

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➤ Learn how to fix your Swisscave wine cooler

Vestfrost Wine Fridges Not Turning On

Vestfrost models are generally durable, but if yours won’t start:

• Double-check the plug and fuse – these fridges can be sensitive to faulty power supply.  
• Make sure the unit isn’t placed too tightly against the wall, as poor ventilation can trigger safety shutdowns.  
• If the display lights up but cooling doesn’t engage, the compressor may need inspection.  
  

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➤ Learn how to fix your Vestfrost wine cooler

General Troubleshooting Steps

Before you book an engineer, try these universal checks – they apply to both integrated and freestanding wine fridges.

1) Check the Circuit Breaker

Your home’s circuit breaker could have tripped after a power surge. If you’ve noticed that other appliances in your home aren’t working, look for the breaker and reset any switches in the “off” position.

2) Inspect the Power Cord

Frayed or damaged power cords are another frequent cause.

• Always unplug the fridge before inspecting the cable.

• If you notice any damage, order a replacement cord from the manufacturer or book a technician to replace it safely.

3) Switch Off and On Again

Sometimes the simplest fix works! Try turning the fridge off at the mains, wait a few seconds, and switch it back on. This can reset minor electrical faults.

4) Call a Wine Cooler Engineer

If none of the above works, it’s best to consult a qualified engineer or contact the manufacturer directly. Brands like Avintage, Liebherr, Dunavox, Swisscave, and Vestfrost all have support teams that can advise on repairs or warranty coverage.

Final Note 

There are a variety of reasons why a wine fridge might not turn on – from something as simple as a tripped circuit breaker to more serious issues like a broken compressor.

Most problems can be checked and fixed at home, but for persistent faults, it’s worth contacting a professional technician or the manufacturer.

If you need further help, get in touch with our support team at 0330 828 6540 or email info@elitefridges.co.uk – we’ll be happy to assist.