Refrigerators of the South Korean corporation LG are deservedly considered one of the most reliable on the household appliances market. However, even the most advanced mechanisms are subject to wear, and over time, owners may be faced with the need for diagnostics. Understanding what is in your model will help you avoid unnecessary expenses on calling a technician for basic checks or, conversely, notice a critical fault in time. what exactly breaks in your model, will help you avoid unnecessary expenses on calling a technician for basic checks or, conversely, notice a critical malfunction in time.
Most often, problems arise not because of the defective unit itself, but due to power surges, improper operation or natural aging of consumables. In this article, we will analyze in detail the main components that fail first, and learn to distinguish the symptoms of a breakdown.
Statistics from service centers show that the lion's share of calls fall on electronic components and the heat dissipation system. About 60% of breakdowns associated with compressor failure are caused by voltage surges in the network, and not by a defect in the motor itself. Therefore, knowing the weak points of your model is the first step to extending the life of the device.
Problems with the No Frost system and icing
The system No Frost (or Total No Frost) is called relieves the user of the need to defrost the camera manually, but it is this that becomes the source of specific malfunctions. If you notice that a “fur coat” or ice build-up is growing on the back wall of the freezer, this is a direct signal that there is a problem with air circulation or defrosting operation.
First of all, attention should be paid to Defrost heating element. This heating element is turned on by a timer or a command from the controller to melt the frost on the evaporator. If it burns out, the ice does not melt, clogs the channels, and cold air stops flowing into the main chamber. As a result, the food in the refrigerator compartment begins to deteriorate, although the freezer can work properly.
⚠️ Attention: Trying to chip the ice with a knife or other sharp objects in the chamber No Frost often leads to damage to the evaporator. Repairs of this kind require replacing the entire circuit and refilling with freon, which is much more expensive than replacing the heating element.
The second important element is defrost sensor (defrost thermostat). It monitors the temperature of the evaporator and tells the control unit when to turn the heat on and when to turn it off. If the sensor is lying, the refrigerator can either constantly heat the evaporator (which will lead to defrosting of food), or not start defrosting at all, which will cause icing.
- 🧊 Ice crust on the back wall of the freezer.
- ❄️ Poor cooling in the upper compartment when the compressor is running.
- 💧 Water under the vegetable boxes in the refrigerator compartment.
- 🔊 Characteristic cracking of ice when the fan is running.
It is also worth mentioning fan. If its blades freeze or the motor fails, the circulation of cold air stops. This can be easily diagnosed by the absence of noise from the fan immediately after opening the door (in some models it works constantly, in others - cyclically). year
Faulty compressor and start relay
The heart of any refrigerator is compressor. Models LG often use inverter compressors, which are characterized by quiet operation and energy efficiency. However, it is precisely the complexity of their design that makes them sensitive to voltage fluctuations. If the refrigerator hums but does not cool, or turns on for a few seconds and immediately turns off with a click, the problem is most likely in the start relay or the motor itself.
The start relay is a small unit that provides an impulse to start the engine. It is a consumable item and may fail due to overheating or current surge. Replacing a relay is a simple procedure and can often be solved independently if you have electrical skills. Symptoms of a relay malfunction are often confused with a compressor breakdown, but the cost of repairs in these cases differs by an order of magnitude.
If the problem is in itself inverter compressor, the situation is more serious. Inverters LG are controlled by complex electronics, and if the windings or mechanical parts of the motor fail, a complete replacement of the unit is required. Modern models often display an error code on the display indicating problems with the inverter (for example, a series of errors 06 or 10 depending on the model).
Why is the new refrigerator humming?
New LG refrigerators may make unusual sounds in the first weeks of operation. This is due to the grinding in of compressor parts and the circulation of refrigerant in new tubes. If the hum is not accompanied by vibration of the case and a sharp change in temperature, this is normal.
It is important to distinguish between types of noise. A steady hum is normal. Knocking, grinding or intermittent buzzing with clicks is a sign of a malfunction.
| Symptom | Probable cause | Difficulty of repair |
|---|---|---|
| Clicking and silence | Starting relay or jammed compressor | Medium |
| Constant hum, no cold | Freon leak or compressor breakdown | High |
| Whistling or squeak | Fan or blower malfunction | Low |
| Gurgling | Normal refrigerant circulation | Not required |
Failures in the electronics and control module
Modern refrigerators LG are stuffed with electronics that control all processes. Control module is the “brain” of the device. It reads temperature sensors, controls the compressor, fans and heating elements. Failure of the control board often occurs due to power surges in the network or moisture ingress.
Symptoms of electronics failure can be very different: the refrigerator may turn on and off randomly, stop responding to the control panel buttons, or error codes will appear on the display that are not reset. Sometimes the board just “freezes,” and in this case a full reboot can help.
☑️ Electronics diagnostics
To access the board, you often need to remove the top cover of the refrigerator or the back panel. Visual inspection may reveal swollen capacitors, blackened tracks or traces of oxidation. If you do not have the skills to solder and read electrical circuits, it is better to entrust the repair of the board to a specialist, since incorrect replacement of components can lead to failure of other components.
They also often break temperature sensors. They are thermistors whose resistance changes depending on temperature. If the sensor shows incorrect values, the “brain” of the refrigerator makes erroneous decisions: for example, it does not turn on the compressor, thinking that it is already cold inside, or freezes to the point of a “glacier.”
Damage to seals and problems with the door
It would seem that it could break in rubber strip? However sealing rubber band (cuff) is a critical element of tightness. Over time, rubber loses elasticity, cracks or deforms. Warm, moist air enters the chamber through a loose door, which leads to increased ice formation and increased load on the compressor.
You can check the tightness with a simple test with a sheet of paper. Clamp the sheet with the door around the perimeter. If it pulls out too easily or without resistance, then the seal is not sealing in that place. Sometimes adjusting the door hinges solves the problem, but more often the cuff itself needs to be replaced.
⚠️ Attention: When replacing the seal, be sure to use a hair dryer to heat the rubber. The cold cuff is rigid and may not fit into the groove correctly, which will lead to repeated leakage after a short time.
Another common problem is hinges and closer mechanisms. If the door is sagging, it may not close all the way. In models with a system Door-in-Door (door within doors), the plastic guides or latches of the additional door may wear out, which is why it stops closing tightly.
- 🚪 The door does not latch with a characteristic clap.
- 💨 You can feel a flow of cold air at the door junction.
- 📉 Ice freezing in the corners of the doorway.
- 🔧 Creaking or stiffness of the door when opening.
Refrigerant leaks and blockages systems
The refrigerant circulation system in the refrigerator LG is sealed. Under normal conditions, freon does not disappear anywhere for years. However, if the refrigerator has stopped freezing and the compressor works almost non-stop, there is a high probability refrigerant leakage or clogging of the capillary tube.
Leaks most often occur in places where the evaporator tubes are soldered (especially if it is made of aluminum, which is susceptible to corrosion) or in the door perimeter heating circuit. Finding a leak without special equipment (leak detector) is almost impossible. Self-refilling with freon without eliminating the cause of the leak is a pointless waste of money.
Clogged capillary tube is usually caused by moisture getting into the system or oil breakdown products. The symptom is often a hot condenser (grid at the back) only in the upper part, while the lower part remains cold, and the absence of the characteristic sound of gas flowing.
Why sensors and thermostats fail
Sensors in refrigerators LG are low-current elements, but their failure paralyzes the operation of the entire system. Why do they break? The main reason is oxidation of contacts. Constant cycles of heating and cooling (especially important for defrost sensors) change the structure of the material, and the readings become incorrect. thermal wear and contact oxidation. Constant cycles of heating and cooling (especially important for defrost sensors) change the structure of the material, and the readings become incorrect.
In addition, humidity affects the sensors. The humidity in the chamber is high, and if the insulation of the sensor wire is broken (for example, due to careless defrosting or cleaning), a short circuit or oxidation of the connector occurs. The control unit sees an open circuit or critical resistance and goes into emergency mode. No Frost the humidity is high, and if the insulation of the sensor wire is broken (for example, due to careless defrosting or cleaning), a short circuit or oxidation of the connector occurs. The control unit sees an open circuit or critical resistance and goes into emergency mode.
It is important to understand the difference between a mechanical thermostat (in older models) and an electronic sensor. A mechanical one may simply “stick” in the “on” or “off” position. An electronic one, as a rule, produces a specific error code, which can be read by the blinking of indicators or on the display.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about LG repair
Why does an LG refrigerator make a loud bang or click?
A loud bang is often caused by thermal expansion of plastic parts of the case or bursting of freon bubbles during a sudden change temperature. If the click is accompanied by the compressor stopping, this is the operation of the protective relay. Single clicks during operation are the norm for some models.
What does a flashing indicator on the control panel mean?
A flashing indicator (usually "Ice Plus" or a temperature icon) indicates a malfunction. The number of flashes or combination of lit indicators corresponds to the error code. For example, the blinking of the refrigerator compartment indicator may indicate a problem with the air sensor.
Is it possible to operate the refrigerator if the defrosting heating element is broken?
For a short time - yes, but you will have to defrost the refrigerator manually every 3-5 days, otherwise the ice will completely block the airflow channels and the chamber will stop cooling. Long-term operation with defrosting not working can lead to fan failure.
How to reset the error on an LG refrigerator?
Try to unplug the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes. This will reset the electronic module. If the error was caused by a temporary power surge, it will disappear. If there is a hardware malfunction (the sensor has burned out), the error will return immediately after turning it on.
Why is there water in the vegetable compartment in the LG refrigerator?
Most likely, the drain hole for condensate removal is clogged. It is located on the back wall of the refrigerator compartment. It must be carefully cleaned with a brush or soft wire. Also, the reason may be a displacement of the water collection groove inside the housing.