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Fisher Paykel · Refrigerator · Troubleshooting guide

Fisher paykel rf135b refrigerator not powering off — prior to unplugging

For the Fisher & Paykel ActiveSmart RF135B family, the User Guide does not document a separate whole-refrigerator power-off button.

RefrigeratorNot Powering Off
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Quick answer

For the Fisher & Paykel ActiveSmart RF135B family, the User Guide does not document a separate whole-refrigerator power-off button. If the model has ice or water features, first turn the ice maker off at the internal control panel and shut off the refrigerator's water supply. Then use the accessible power point or installed isolation switch to disconnect the appliance, gripping the plug and pulling it straight from the outlet rather than pulling the cord. Do not move the refrigerator while it is still connected, and do not reach behind it through water or around a damaged cord; ask the property owner or a qualified technician to make the isolation safe.

Refrigerator not powering off
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Work through in order

Diagnostic checks

Use only checks that match the exact appliance or system and its official guide.

  1. Check 1

    Confirm the complete model suffix and whether the RF135B is an Ice & Water, Automatic Ice, or non-ice-and-water variant using the serial plate and the matching User Guide; do this with the doors open only as long as needed and without moving the cabinet.

    Expected result: The label identifies an RF135B variant with a connected water system, an automatic ice maker, or neither, and the guide matches the appliance; or the suffix or market is different or unknown.

    Next step: Use the matching guide for the identified variant. If the label or market cannot be matched, stop before changing controls and ask Fisher & Paykel support or the property owner for the correct manual.

    Why this matters

    Why: The RF135B family guide covers multiple feature variants and warns that models may not be available in every market. Only the matching variant determines whether a water or ice control step is relevant.

  2. Check 2

    If the refrigerator has Ice & Water or Automatic Ice features, turn the ice maker to OFF on the internal control panel and shut off the refrigerator water supply at its accessible isolating faucet; do not disconnect tubing or reach behind the appliance.

    Expected result: The ice-maker indicator is off and the water supply is closed for a plumbed variant, or the refrigerator is a non-ice-and-water variant where no water step applies.

    Next step: Continue to the power-point or isolation-switch step. If the faucet cannot be reached safely, there is a leak, or the variant is unclear, leave the appliance operating only if safe and have the owner or a qualified technician isolate it.

    Why this matters

    Why: These steps prevent ice production and water-feed risk while the refrigerator is being disconnected. They are feature-specific controls, not proof that the refrigerator's cooling system has lost mains power.

  3. Check 3

    When the refrigerator is idle and the plug or fixed-wiring isolation switch is safely accessible, turn off the appliance at that supply point and disconnect by gripping the plug firmly and pulling straight out; never pull the cord, use an extension or double adapter, or reach through water.

    Expected result: The appliance is no longer powered and the cord remains undamaged, or the plug is inaccessible, the cord is frayed or hot, the outlet is wet, or the installed isolation point is not safe to operate.

    Next step: For a normal dry accessible connection, keep the plug and cord protected after disconnection. For any inaccessible, wet, damaged, or uncertain connection, do not move or unplug the refrigerator; contact the property owner, qualified electrician, or Fisher & Paykel service.

    Why this matters

    Why: This is the documented whole-appliance power boundary. A panel setting or turning off the ice maker does not replace removing supply power, while a damaged or wet electrical point creates a shock and fire hazard.

  4. Check 4

    If the refrigerator will remain disconnected, remove or protect perishable food, leave the doors open only when the appliance is clean and safe to store, and record the unplug time; if it will be restarted, wait at least 10 minutes before restoring power.

    Expected result: Food has been transferred safely and the refrigerator will remain off, or it is being reconnected after a short interruption and the ten-minute interval has elapsed.

    Next step: Keep the unit disconnected while cleaning, storing, or arranging service. On restart, reconnect only from a dry, intact, correctly grounded supply point and monitor for abnormal sound, odor, heat, or repeated tripping.

    Why this matters

    Why: Fisher & Paykel's guide addresses food protection during power loss and specifies a ten-minute wait after the refrigerator is turned off before turning it back on so refrigeration-system pressures can equalize.

Use your observations

Decision map

Find the observation that best matches what you see, then follow the next safe action.

  1. PATH 01Next step

    What you see

    The matched RF135B guide identifies a plumbed Ice & Water or Automatic Ice variant and the accessible controls and isolating faucet are dry and safe.

    Do this next

    Turn the ice maker off, close the water isolating faucet, then use the accessible power point or isolation switch and unplug by the plug if safe. Do not disconnect tubing or move the cabinet while connected.

    Why this path and its safety boundary

    Why it matters: The ice-maker and water-supply steps apply before the final mains-power disconnection; neither step alone turns off the refrigerator's cooling system.

  2. PATH 02Next step

    What you see

    The matched RF135B guide identifies a non-ice-and-water variant with no connected water supply.

    Do this next

    With the refrigerator idle and the connection dry and intact, turn off the supply and pull the plug straight out by its body. If the connection is not safely accessible, arrange qualified help instead of moving the refrigerator live.

    Why this path and its safety boundary

    Why it matters: There is no ice-maker or water-faucet step to perform; the documented whole-appliance shutdown is still at the power point or isolation switch.

  3. PATH 03Next step

    What you see

    The model suffix or market is unknown, the plug cannot be safely reached, or the cord, outlet, water connection, or surrounding floor is damaged or wet.

    Do this next

    Do not pull the refrigerator out, reach behind it, disconnect tubing, or handle the cord through water. Notify the property owner and request a Fisher & Paykel technician or qualified electrician.

    Why this path and its safety boundary

    Why it matters: The correct feature sequence or electrical isolation cannot be confirmed, and the situation has moved beyond a routine user shutdown.

When checks do not resolve it

Need a professional?

Ask Fisher & Paykel service, the property owner, or a qualified electrician to handle shutdown when the plug or isolation switch is inaccessible, the cord or outlet is damaged or hot, water is present near electrics, the refrigerator is plumbed but the isolating faucet cannot be reached, or the model suffix and market do not match the guide. Stop immediately for smoke, sparking, burning odor, repeated breaker trips, a water leak, or exposed wiring. Do not move the refrigerator while powered, pull it by the cord, disconnect water tubing, remove electrical covers, or make live measurements.

Common questions

FAQ

Is turning the RF135B ice maker off the same as turning off the refrigerator?

No. The User Guide treats ice-maker shutdown as a feature-specific step for applicable variants. Whole-appliance power is disconnected at the power point or isolation switch, followed by safe unplugging by the plug.

How long should I wait before plugging the refrigerator back in?

The RF135B family guide says to wait 10 minutes after the refrigerator is turned off before turning it back on so system pressures can equalize.

Read the exact guide

Official sources

  • ACTIVESMART REFRIGERATOR Installation Guide / User GuideFisher & Paykel · The opened official guide explicitly lists RF135B and covers Ice & Water, Automatic Ice, and non-ice-and-water variants. It states that variants may not be available in all markets, says the ice maker can be turned off and water supply shut off for applicable holiday use, instructs turning off and unplugging from the power point for moving, warns to grip the plug rather than the cord, and specifies a ten-minute wait before restarting.
  • 13.5 cu ft Series 5 Refrigerator Freezer, IceFisher & Paykel · The opened US product page identifies an RF135B-series ice variant, its SmartTouch panel, 110-120 V supply, and links the English and Canadian French User Guides. It is used to bound the variant and market context, not to invent a universal power-off button.

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