I have a kenmore side by side model number 795.5881 i woke this morning and the fridge has completely stopped working no lights or nothing i have power to the outlet.

Usually this is the defrost timer that is sticking. If you post the model number I can see about parts.

If you're lucky, it's just the capacitor on the motor. Have it checked, but be prepared to need a new compressor.

small glass 15 amp fuse on top of unit. remove cover and replace fuse

On some models you have a mother board located on the back outer section of the refrigerator that can be faulty. There is a tech sheet located behind the kick plate or under the front of the ref bottom to refer to. If someone olays with the digital controls you may have to reprogram the mother board, which is explained in the tech sheet.

check if compresor runs. relay on compresor can fail

Sears has a complete model number system that is confusing I know. Sears made it that way. Not sure why but look around the cold food door while open and look near bottom on the frame just above the kick plate. The number looks like this, (model No. 253.64802400 for example) Find that number and we can go from there, Thanks, Sea Breeze

is the compressor hot? same as last job. unplug ref. clean the condenser coil, install new 3n1 start relay on compressor.

hi .thanks for the question .is the fridge on, is it running. if not. it could be in defrost mode .if it is running .pull freezer from the wall, remove back panel ,clean all coils. thanks the appliance doc

While not specific for your model number, this Kenmore manual has lots of information about changing fuses, checking wiring, etc. https://www.appliancefactoryparts.com/content/pdfs/145975-2.pdf

It most likely did not fix itself and will give trouble again in the future. If you will post the complete model number I will try to tell you what to look for if it happens again and the most likely components to cause the problem. If it has knobs that you turn for the temp control, you probably have a sticking thermostat that started working when you bumped it with the rag, but it could also have been a defrost timer that was sticking, or it could just have been a coincedence that it started working at that time.