Is your Norcold refrigerator beeping?
Or does it display a “no co” error code?
If yes, then you have to reset your appliance to fix the problem.
Ready yourself and your tools…
As the reset process is tricky and would require your full attention.
So, shall we?
Read on to learn:
- 17 steps to reset a Norcold refrigerator.
- Telltale signs that your fridge needs a reset.
- What is the “no co” error code, and what causes it.
- Whether Norcold fridges have special reset buttons.
- And so much more…
How to reset a Norcold refrigerator?
To reset a Norcold refrigerator, press and hold the “ON/OF” button on the display panel for about 3 seconds. Then, wait for 3 to 5 minutes before turning it back ON. Alternatively, you can reset a Norcold fridge by disconnecting and reconnecting several wires on its power board.
17 steps to reset a Norcold refrigerator
#1: Locate the display panel
Note: If your Norcold fridge has displayed a “no co” error code two or more times already, jump to step #5.
But if it’s your first time seeing it, soft reset your appliance.
A soft reset reboots the fridge’s system, which helps it perform and cool more efficiently.
Unlike other smart fridges, you can reset your unit by pressing a specific control button.
To soft reset, locate the fridge’s display panel first.
Depending on your fridge model, it can either be located:
- Inside the unit.
- On top of the fridge door.
#2: Press and hold the “ON/OFF” button
Once you’ve located the display panel, search for the “ON/OFF” button.
As the name implies, it turns ON and OFF the appliance.
But you can also use it to soft reset your unit.
To do that:
- Press the ON/OFF button.
- Hold it for about 3 seconds.
- Then, release.
After this, the display panel and fridge’s motor will shut off.
If the display panel is inside the unit, close the fridge door and proceed to the next step.
#3: Wait for 3 to 5 minutes
Technically, the soft reset is done after pressing the ON/OFF button.
But to ensure a successful reset, let it sit for 3 to 5 minutes.
The reason:
Turning OFF the fridge for a few minutes helps its compressor rest and reboot. Which improves the fridge’s cooling function.
Plus, it also helps resolve the “no co” error code. Since this error is tied to the fridge’s cooling efficiency.
#4: Press and hold the “ON/OFF” button again
Once done, press and hold the ON/OFF button again for 3 seconds.
Doing this gets the refrigerator back in service.
Next, look at your fridge’s display panel.
If the “no co” error code isn’t displaying any longer, then that means that the issue has been resolved. Congratulations!
But if it remains, hard reset your fridge’s power board. Continue to step #5 to know-how.
Check out: 15 Refrigerator Do’s And Don’ts (Avoid #7 At All Times)
#5: Turn OFF the unit
If you’ve reached this step, it’s either that:
- The soft reset didn’t work.
- Your fridge has displayed a “no co” error twice or more.
Regardless of which, your best solution is to hard reset the power board of your Norcold fridge.
Warning: This reset process is tricky and involves disconnecting wires. So, only do this if necessary.
Plus, doing this may also void your product warranty.
That being said, hard reset your Norcold fridge only if:
- You’re a professional technician.
- Your fridge warranty has expired.
If you’re not confident about it, jump to the BONUS section.
Going back…
To start the hard-reset process, turn OFF your refrigerator.
You can do that by pressing and holding the ON/OFF button on the display panel.
#6: Disconnect certain wires from the power board
Next, pull out your fridge to access its back panel. Or, if you can’t pull it out, access it from the outside of your RV.
Then, read the port labels and locate the following wires:
- 12 Vdc positive and negative wires.
- AC power cord.
- Solenoid gas valve wires.
- Spark/sense electrode assembly wires.
Once you’ve located them, disconnect the wires in the following order mentioned above.
Remove the wires from the back of the fridge by carefully pulling out their plugs.
#7: Unscrew the cover of the power board
Next, locate the power board and remove its cover.
The panelboard cover is usually black, rectangular, and located on the left side.
To remove the power board cover:
- Locate the 4 or more screws around it.
- Remove them using a screwdriver.
Set aside the cover and the screws. You can also get a small magnet to avoid losing the screws.
#8: Reconnect 12 Vdc positive and negative wires
Note: The following steps vary depending on the age of your fridge.
Older and newer models follow a slightly different procedure. And you can determine which one applies to your unit by its serial number.
See the guide below for the next step.
For models with serial number 832171 or higher
Reconnect the 12 Vdc positive and negative wires.
For models with serial number 832170 or lower
Reconnect the wires in the following order:
- Spark/sense electrode assembly wires.
- Solenoid gas valve wires.
- AC power cord.
- 12 Vdc positive and negative wires.
Warning: Reconnecting the spark/sense electrode assembly wires can be dangerous. Exercise extreme caution when doing it. You can also wear a pair of protective gloves for your safety.
#9: Turn ON the unit
After that, turn ON the refrigerator once again.
Just press and hold the ON/OFF button until the unit reactivates.
#10: Short PIN 15 to the power board ground lug
Once the fridge is ON, locate PIN 15 or 16 on the power board.
Then, get one insulated jumper wire and short it to the power board ground lug
Here’s how to do it:
- Connect one end of the jumper wire to PIN 15.
- Connect the other end to the power board ground lug.
Do this for about 10 to 15 seconds. Or until you hear a “click,” which indicates that the controls have been reset.
#11: Turn OFF and ON the unit once
For the next step, turn OFF and ON the fridge once.
Again, you can do this using the ON/OFF button on the display panel.
Doing this is necessary to reboot the system properly after a hard reset.
#12: Redo steps 7 to 9 if the error code remains
To check if the process is successful, look at the display panel.
If the “no co” error code has disappeared, proceed to step #13.
But if it doesn’t, redo steps #7 to #9 until the error code is gone.
#13: Turn OFF the unit
You have disconnected several wires earlier, right?
Then, you have to reconnect them to get your fridge back to running.
And to do that, you have to redo the whole hard-reset process but in reverse.
The first thing you have to do is turn OFF the refrigerator using the ON/OFF button.
#14: Disconnect the wire(s) from the power board
Once the fridge is turned OFF, disconnect the wires from the power board.
Depending on your fridge’s serial number, here are the wires to disconnect:
For models with serial number 832171 or higher
12 Vdc positive and negative wires.
For models with serial number 832170 or lower
Disconnect the wires in the following order:
- 12 Vdc positive and negative wires.
- AC power cord.
- Solenoid gas valve wires.
- Spark/sense electrode assembly wires.
#15: Reinstall the power board cover
After disconnecting the wires, reinstall the power board cover.
Use a screwdriver to secure the power board cover on the fridge’s back panel.
Ensure that the screws are correctly and tightly fastened to avoid electrical hazards.
#16: Reconnect the wires
And for the last step of the hard-reset process, reconnect the wires back to the fridge’s back panel.
Regardless of the fridge model, here’s the order your should follow:
- Spark/sense electrode assembly wires.
- Solenoid gas valve wires.
- AC power cord.
- 12 Vdc positive and negative wires.
#17: Setup the refrigerator
Finally, set up your refrigerator.
Place the fridge in service by turning it ON using the ON/OFF button.
If the internal temperature has been reset, adjust it to your desired setting.
And you’re done! You can now store food supplies on your Norcold refrigerator.
You can also watch this video for visual instructions:
BONUS: Contact Norcold support to schedule a service
If you don’t want to perform the hard reset yourself, or you don’t want to void your warranty…
Contact Norcol support for assistance or service.
They’ll help you troubleshoot the error displayed on your Norcold refrigerator.
If needed, they’ll ask you to schedule a service. So that a professional technician can properly diagnose and fix your appliance.
Just make sure to provide your fridge’s model and serial number.
You might also like: How to maintain a refrigerator?
Frequently asked questions:
Is there a reset button on a Norcold refrigerator?
A Norcold refrigerator has no reset button. But you can use the ON/OFF button on its display panel to soft reset your refrigerator. To do a power board hard reset, you have to disconnect and reconnect certain wires on the fridge’s back panel.
Hard resetting your fridge’s power board is tricky.
And there are 2 ways to do it, depending on the age of your fridge.
Do the new procedure if your fridge’s serial number is 832171 or higher.
But if it’s 832170 or lower, you should follow the old procedure.
Bear in mind that performing a hard reset on your own can void your product warranty. Or worse, damage your refrigerator further.
So, unless you’re a professional technician, contact Norcold support for service.
When should you reset a Norcold refrigerator?
Reset your Norcold refrigerator once it displays a “no co” error code. If it happens for the first time, soft reset your appliance using the ON/OFF button. But if it happens twice or more already, hard reset the fridge’s power board.
Your Norcold fridge will display a “no co” error code once the unit starts producing less refrigerant than usual.
This applies to the following Norcold fridge models:
- N641.
- N642.
- N842.
- NX841.
- NXA641.
- NXA841.
- And other similar models.
On some fridge models, the “no co” error code can appear as “n.”
And this applies to:
- N621.
- N822.
- N410.
- N510.
- N400.
- N500.
- And other similar models.
Reading recommendation: 9 Things To Do When Your Smart Fridge Isn’t Cooling (DIY)