Bosch fridge light on but not cooling, freezer warm and clicking every minute - AskHow

Hi, I’m Mike, your home appliance troubleshooting expert; when the doors are closed, is the freezer still cold at all, and do you hear the compressor or fans running from the back or inside?

Do you see frost building up on the back freezer wall or any error/blinking temperature lights on the display?

About how old is the fridge, and did this start after a power outage, move, or doors being left ajar?

From the back of the fridge, do you hear a repeated click every minute or two like it’s trying to start and then stopping?

Thanks—based on both sections warming, no heavy frost, blinking temps, and the click-hum-stop cycle, the most likely cause is a failed start relay/overload (compressor starter) on the compressor; the runner‑up cause is a locked compressor that can’t start. Other less likely possibilities include a failed condenser fan motor (would make the back very hot and airflow poor) or a bad control board, but your symptoms most strongly match a starter failing to energize the compressor. Safety note: repeated clicking can overheat the compressor’s overload; if the back is very hot or you smell burning, unplug the fridge and let it cool, and avoid touching hot surfaces. What this means for you: a starter replacement is typically a straightforward repair (often $150–300 parts/labor); if the compressor itself is locked, that’s sealed‑system work and usually $800–1,500, where replacement may make more sense at 7–8 years old. Given your description, I’d have a tech test the starter and compressor current draw first. Want me to walk you through a few safe, basic checks to further confirm the starter vs compressor without taking anything apart?