Sudden stoppage of the freezer in refrigerator Ariston can turn calm into panic, especially if large stocks of food are stored in the chamber. When equipment stops freezing, this does not always mean a fatal breakdown of the compressor or a complex freon leak that requires expensive intervention.
Often the reason lies in violations of operating rules or failures in electronic control, which can be corrected independently. In this article, we will analyze in detail why Ariston refrigerator it stopped freezing, how to correctly carry out initial diagnostics and in which cases calling a technician is really necessary.
Understanding the principles of operation of the system No Frost or static cooling will help you quickly localize the problem. We will look at the main components responsible for cold and methods for checking them, so that you can make an informed decision on further actions.
Primary diagnosis and simple causes
Before looking for complex technical faults, it is necessary to eliminate trivial user errors. If Ariston refrigerator it doesn’t freeze in the freezer, but the compressor makes sounds, the problem may lie in a leak or overload.
Check whether the chamber is not too tightly packed with food. Air circulation is a key factor for cooling systems. If air flows are blocked by bags or containers, the cold simply does not reach the sensors and products.
Pay attention to the door. Even a microscopic gap or contamination of the seal allows warm, moist air to penetrate inside. As a result, the evaporator becomes covered with an ice crust, and temperature the temperature inside the chamber rises.
⚠️ Attention: If you notice that the rubber seal does not fit tightly, do not try to change it immediately. Try heating the deformed area with a hairdryer and pressing it with a weight - this often restores elasticity.
Make sure that the equipment is installed level. Misalignment of the case may prevent the door from closing tightly, which is a common reason why freezer stops keeping cold.
Problems with defrosting mode and icing
One of the most common reasons why Ariston refrigerator It freezes poorly, due to a failure in the automatic defrosting system. In models with No Frost ice should not accumulate, but if the shutdown heating element or timer fails, the evaporator turns into an ice monolith.
When the evaporator is completely covered with ice, the fan stops driving air through the radiator. As a result, the chamber is warm, and there is a block of ice behind the back wall. This is a classic symptom of a malfunction defrosting system.
To check, you will need to completely defrost the equipment. Unplug the appliance, open the doors and leave for at least 24 hours. If after turning on the refrigerator worked normally, but after 5-7 days the problem recurred, the problem is definitely in the defrosting components.
- ❄️ Defrosting heating element: a heating element that could burn out and stop melting the ice.
- ⏱️ Timer or board: a device that does not give a command to turn on the defrost mode.
- 🌡️ Defrost sensor: a sensor that incorrectly reads the evaporator temperature.
If after defrosting the equipment started working, but the cold disappeared again after a week, it means the defrosting cycle is technically broken. In this case, replacing the heating element or the sensor will solve the problem.
Faults in the compressor and start relay
The heart of any refrigerator is the compressor. If Ariston refrigerator it hums, but does not freeze, or turns on for a few seconds and immediately turns off with a click, the problem lies in the starting mechanism.
The starting relay is responsible for starting the engine. If it breaks down, the compressor tries to start, but cannot, which causes a characteristic click and shutdown. This protects the motor windings from combustion, but leaves the chamber without cold.
In more serious cases, it may fail itself compressor. If it operates silently or, conversely, makes unnaturally loud sounds, and the tubes do not heat up or cool according to the cycle, an interturn short circuit or mechanical wear has probably occurred.
Diagnostics of the compressor requires measuring the resistance of the windings with a multimeter. Normal readings vary, but an open or short circuit is immediately visible. Replacing a compressor is a complex procedure that requires evacuation of the system and refilling refrigerant.
⚠️ Attention: Replacing a compressor yourself is impossible without special tools. If the diagnostics show that it is faulty, you will need to call a technician with the equipment to charge freon.
Freon leak and capillary tube clogged
If the compressor operates continuously without shutting off, and there is no cold in any of the chambers, there is a high probability of a refrigerant leak. Freon is a working fluid that transfers heat. Without it, the cooling cycle is impossible.
Leaks often occur at soldering points or in foamed parts of the body due to corrosion. Signs of a leak are: hot sides of the case (instead of warm), lack of characteristic hissing when turned on, and a clean, frost-free capacitor on the back.
Another similar problem is clogging of the capillary tube. Oil circulates in the system, which over time can become coked or mixed with decomposition products. This prevents the movement of freon.
Only a specialist with a manometric manifold can diagnose these conditions. It will measure the pressure in the system: if there is a leak, it will be zero, if there is a blockage, it will be abnormally high on the discharge side.
| Symptom | Probable cause | Nature of compressor operation | Condenser condition (rear) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heat in the chamber, ice on the evaporator | Defrost failure | Works cyclically | Warm evenly |
| Warm, no ice | Freon leak | Works without stopping | Barely warm or cold |
| Clicks, starts for 2-3 seconds | Relay malfunction | Trying to start | Cold |
| Heat, compressor is hot | System clogged | Works without stopping | Hot to middle |
Is it possible to refuel the refrigerator yourself?
Independent refueling is impossible without special equipment (vacuum pump, pressure gauges, scales). An attempt to refuel "by eye" from cans will result in damage to the compressor or an explosion of the system. A license to work with fluorinated gases is required.
Failures in electronics and temperature sensors
Modern Ariston refrigerators equipped with complex electronics. If control module receives incorrect data from the sensors, it may not turn on the compressor or fan.
The air temperature sensor in the chamber could fail and transmit a signal that there is already cold. In this case, the “brains” of the refrigerator see no point in starting cooling. The sensor is checked by testing it with a multimeter at different temperatures.
It is also worth paying attention to fan. In No Frost systems, it is this that drives away the cold. If it is frozen in an ice trap or burned, the cold will remain in the freezer at the back wall, and the main chamber and center of the freezer will be warm.
Sometimes resetting errors helps. To do this, the equipment is disconnected from the network for 15-20 minutes. If, after turning on, the indication lights up or the lights flash, this is an error code, the decoding of which must be found in the instructions for the specific model Ariston.
☑️ Diagnostics before calling a technician
Methods for self-troubleshooting
If you decide to try to solve the problem on your own, start with the safest method - complete defrosting. This action is free and in 30% of cases brings the equipment back to life if the problem was a broken defrost cycle.
During the defrosting process, you can check the fan. Get to the evaporator (by removing the back panel in the freezer) and check if the impeller turns by hand (with the power off!). If it is jammed with ice, the heating element needs to be cleaned and checked.
Replacing the start relay is a procedure available to a home handyman. It is inexpensive and often solves the problem of a “clicking” refrigerator. The main thing is to buy a relay of exactly the same model as was previously installed.
To replace sensors or heating elements, you will need to “ring” them with a multimeter. If the device shows an open circuit (infinity) or a short circuit (zero), the part is replaced with a new one.
⚠️ Attention: Technical characteristics of refrigerators may vary depending on the year of manufacture and series. Before ordering spare parts, check the part numbers with the markings on your device or in the official spare parts catalog.
Prevention and operating rules
In order to freezer compartment serve for a long time, it is important not to overload it with warm products. A sharp jump in temperature causes the system to wear out and provokes abundant ice formation.
Check the condition of the seal regularly. Wipe it with a soft cloth and soapy water to remove any grease that might prevent a tight seal. Once a year, it is advisable to lubricate the seal with silicone grease to maintain elasticity.
Do not place the refrigerator close to the wall. A gap of 10-15 cm is necessary for effective heat removal from the condenser. Overheating of the rear grille leads to increased pressure in the system and accelerated wear of the compressor.
Keep the drain hole clean, if your model has one. A blockage can cause water from defrosting to freeze at the bottom of the chamber, gradually blocking the operation of the system.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why does the Ariston refrigerator hum, but does not freeze?
Most likely, there was a failure in the refrigerant circulation system (clogging) or a freon leak. It is also possible that the compressor is running but not producing the required pressure due to worn valves. Diagnostics of the pressure in the system is required.
How long should the freezer defrost?
For complete melting of ice in hard-to-reach places and evaporation of moisture from the thermal insulation, it takes at least 24 hours. The minimum time is 8-10 hours, but for a high-quality result it is better to leave it for a day.
Is it possible to use a refrigerator if it does not freeze?
You can operate equipment with non-working cooling only when it is turned off. Turning on a faulty device can lead to combustion of the compressor, which will make repairs economically unfeasible.
What does a flashing temperature indicator mean?
Flashing usually indicates an increase in the temperature in the chamber above normal. This can be either a consequence of loading warm products or a sign of a technical malfunction if the cold does not return after a few hours.