The situation when Ariston refrigerator turns on, the compressor is humming, the light is on, and there is room temperature inside, causes panic. Products begin to deteriorate, and there is an urgent need to understand the reasons for the breakdown. Often, equipment owners are faced with the fact that outwardly the unit functions normally, makes the usual vibration sounds, but does not produce cold.
In most cases, the problem lies in a violation of the refrigerant circulation or failures in the control system. This can be either trivial circuit leakageor failure of electronic components. It is important not to ignore the first signs of a malfunction in order to prevent complete damage to the products and expensive repairs.
Further actions depend on how quickly you react. If the device simply stops freezing, but there is light in the chamber, it means that the electrical circuit is not completely broken. However, the lack of cold when the engine is running is a serious symptom that requires careful diagnosis.
Primary diagnosis: why it hums, but there is no cold
Before calling a technician, it is worth carrying out a visual inspection and simple measurements. Sometimes Ariston refrigerator it does not cool due to external factors that can be easily eliminated. Check that the doors close tightly and that there are no gaps in the seal. Warm air from the room can constantly get inside, creating the illusion of a breakdown of the cooling system.
Pay attention to the back wall of the chamber. If it is covered with a thick layer of ice or, conversely, completely dry and warm, these are different diagnoses. In the first case, the defrost sensor could be stuck; in the second, there could be a problem with the refrigerant. Also listen to the nature of the hum: does an even hum give way to silence or are extraneous clicks heard?
⚠️ Attention: If you hear periodic gurgling or hissing, and then there is silence and the cold does not appear, this is a sure sign freon leaks or the capillary tube is clogged. It is impossible to continue operation in this mode.
Check the temperature conditions. Perhaps the power regulator was accidentally knocked down or the “Super Freeze” mode was turned on for a long time, which led to a failure of the operating algorithms. In models with electronic control, a power surge could occur, and the controller stopped sending the correct commands to the actuators.
Problems with refrigerant: leaks and blockages
One of the most common reasons why Ariston refrigerator stopped freezing is the loss of tightness of the system. Freon is a working fluid that transfers heat. If its amount in the circuit decreases due to microcracks or tube corrosion, the cooling efficiency drops to zero. At the same time, the compressor works without stopping, trying to compensate for the lack of pressure.
The second option is capillary blockage. An ice or mud blockage may have formed in the system, blocking the flow of gas. In this case, the compressor also hums and often overheats, but there is no circulation in the evaporator. You can determine this by touching the condenser (grid at the back): it will be cold or warm only at the outlet of the compressor, and not over the entire area.
To eliminate these problems, the intervention of a specialist with equipment is required. It is impossible to independently find a leak or break through a blockage without a vacuum pump and pressure gauges. The technician will perform a pressure test with nitrogen, find the fistula, seal it and fill the system with new gas and oil.
- 🔧 Freon leakage often occurs at soldering points or in the foamed part of the body due to corrosion.
- 🔧 A blockage in the capillary tube can be caused by moisture entering the system during the previous repair.
- 🔧 A sign of gas shortage is a hot compressor and a cold (or unevenly warm) condenser.
Why can’t you just add gas?
Simple refueling without eliminating the leak will only give a temporary effect. After a week or a month, the refrigerator will stop freezing again, as the gas will escape through the same hole. In addition, if there is moisture left in the system, it will freeze in the capillary and again cause a blockage.
Faults of the compressor and start relay
The heart of the refrigerator is compressor. If it hums but doesn't start (you hear a hum and click, then silence), the problem may be with the start relay. This is a small plastic block placed over the motor contacts. Inside it there is a coil or a posistor, which wear out over time and stop starting the engine.
In more severe cases, the compressor itself has an interturn short circuit of the windings. The motor tries to start, hums, gets very hot, but the thermal release switches it off in an emergency. In this state Ariston refrigerator it will not work. You can check the integrity of the windings with a multimeter by ringing the contacts on the case (after disconnecting the equipment from the network!).
If the compressor works, but does not create the required pressure (compression), this indicates its mechanical wear. The valves inside could burn out or become coked. In this case, the engine hums smoothly, does not turn off, but there is no cold. A complete replacement of the unit is required.
☑️ Compressor diagnostics
Failures in the defrost system (No Frost)
In models with the system No Frost A common reason for lack of cooling is a malfunction of the defrost circuit. If the heating element of the evaporator burns out or the defrost sensor is stuck in the “heating” position, the evaporator becomes coated with ice. The fan stops moving air, and cold does not enter the chambers, although the compressor can work properly.
The defrost sensor (defroster) should open the heating element circuit when the ice melts. If it is faulty, the heating element may heat constantly (which is dangerous) or not heat at all. In the latter case, once every 10-14 hours the heating element should turn on and melt the ice. If this does not happen, ice freezes on the fan, blocking its blades.
To test this version, defrost the refrigerator completely (for 24 hours with the doors open). If after turning it on it works normally, but after a week or two it stops freezing again, the problem is definitely in the defrosting system. It is necessary to change the heating element, sensor or timer/control module.
| Component | Fault symptom | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Evaporator heating element | Open circuit, no heating | Replacing the heating element |
| Defrost sensor | Does not close/open the circuit | Replacing the sensor |
| Fan | Noisy or standing still (frozen) | Defrost, fan replacement |
| Timer/Module | Does not switch modes | Board repair or timer replacement |
Electronics: control module and sensors
Modern Ariston refrigerators are controlled by an electronic module. Voltage surges in the network can lead to burnout of control board elements. In this case, the module may issue incorrect commands: do not turn on the compressor, do not start the fan, or erroneously read the temperature.
Thermal sensors (thermistors) also often fail. They change their resistance depending on the temperature. If the sensor “lies” and shows the module that it is already -20°C in the chamber, the compressor simply will not turn on, although it may be +10°C inside. Replacing the sensor is an inexpensive and quick procedure.
Sometimes the problem lies in the oxidation of the contacts in the connectors. Humidity inside the chamber promotes corrosion. Checking the contacts and “plugging” the control board connectors sometimes helps restore operation without replacing expensive parts.
⚠️ Attention: Before any check of electrical components be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply. Working under voltage is life-threatening and can permanently damage the electronics.
The influence of external factors and operating rules
The cause of the breakdown does not always lie inside the unit. Sometimes refrigerator it fails to cope with the load due to incorrect installation. If the equipment is located close to the wall or in a niche without gaps, the condenser cannot release heat. The compressor overheats and goes into protection, stopping cooling.
Loading with food also plays a role. If you put a bucket of hot soup in the chamber or filled the freezer to capacity with food at room temperature, the refrigerator may not be able to cope with heatstroke. In such cases, it will work for wear, but will not reach the desired temperature.
The temperature in the room is also important. If the refrigerator is in an unheated garage or on a balcony where the temperature is below +10°C, the oil in the compressor thickens and it may not start. And if it is above +35°C, the system may not cope with heat removal.
- 🌡️ The minimum distance from the back wall to the wall should be at least 5-7 cm.
- 🌡️ Do not install the refrigerator next to radiators or in direct sunlight.
- 🌡️ Load products in small portions, giving the equipment time to gain cold.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Why does the Ariston refrigerator hum, but does not freeze after defrosting?
If after complete defrosting (24 hours) the refrigerator turned on, worked for a couple of hours and stopped again If it freezes, most likely there is a problem in the defrost system (the heating element or sensor has burned out) or there is a freon leak. When there was a leak, the gas left, and after defrosting, its remains circulated for a short time.
Is it possible to use the refrigerator if it does not freeze, but the light is on?
For a short time - yes, to remove food. But it is impossible to keep it on for a long time in the event of a malfunction (especially if the compressor is running non-stop). This will cause the motor to burn out or the wiring to melt. Unplug the device from the outlet before the technician arrives.
How much does the repair cost if the freon leaks?
The cost consists of finding the leak, sealing the tubes, evacuation and filling with gas. The price depends on the complexity of access to the leak site. If the tube bursts in the foamed part of the housing, repair may not be economically feasible.
What does a flashing light or error code on the display mean?
Flashing of the temperature indicator usually indicates that the temperature threshold in the chamber has been exceeded. Error codes (for example, F01, F02) indicate a specific faulty sensor or component. The decoding of the codes for your model Ariston needs to be found in the instructions or service manual.
Is it possible to replace the compressor yourself?
Theoretically, yes, if you have soldering skills and tools. In practice it is very difficult. You need a vacuum pump, a pressure gauge station, scales for filling gas, and the freon itself with oil. Without experience, there is a high risk of damaging the new compressor or getting injured.