May 12, 2026
AI and a dead fridge
ChatGPT helped me diagnose a dead fridge. It did not help me find the replacement part.
Our three-year-old fridge broke overnight.
No cooling, no lights, no compressor sounds. Nichts los, as the Germans say.
I have no real electrician experience, but I wanted to see how far I could get with ChatGPT before calling someone on a Sunday.
I was able to:
- Disassemble the built-in fridge
- Find the control board
- Generate a diagram showing where to test the motherboard with a multimeter
Did I fix the fridge? Not yet.
Did I get further before calling a professional and spending a lot of euros? Yes.
The frustrating part is how little manufacturer documentation is available. I also could not find a replacement motherboard from a reputable source, despite the fridge being three years old and from a name brand.
At this point, it seems easier to throw it away and buy a new fridge, which feels ridiculous. If anyone from Bauknecht or Whirlpool is feeling helpful even though this is out of warranty, I am all ears.
Obvious caveat: mains power is dangerous. AI can help you understand what you are looking at, but it is not a substitute for knowing when to stop.