The situation when food in the refrigerator compartment is cooled normally, but the freezer ceases to perform its functions, is one of the most common problems of owners of Belarusian brand equipment.
Understanding the structure of your model, be it an old two-compressor Atlant 1700 or a modern unit with a system No Frost will help you quickly determine the source of the malfunction.
Most often the reason lies in a violation of the refrigerant circulation or a malfunction of the electronics that control the defrost cycles.
The main reasons for the lack of cold in the freezer
If you notice that the freezer temperature has risen above normal, the first thing you should check is whether there was an accidental change in the settings.
Sometimes users themselves switch modes without noticing it, or a failure occurs in the control board due to a power surge on the network.
More serious reasons are associated with a freon leak, when refrigerant evaporates through microcracks in the circuit, or with compressor failure.
⚠️ Attention: If you hear a loud cotton, and then the refrigerator stopped working, there may have been an insulation breakdown or an explosion of the starter capacitor - in this case, starting it on your own can be dangerous.
In models with the system No Frost the problem of freezing of the evaporator is often encountered, when air simply does not circulate inside the chamber.
Problems with the thermostat and sensors
Thermostat (thermostat) is a device that commands the compressor to turn on when temperature inside the chamber rises above the set temperature.
If this element fails, the compressor may simply not receive a signal to start cooling.
In modern models, instead of a mechanical thermostat, electronic sensorsare used, which transmit data to the control module.
A malfunction of the defrost sensor or evaporator temperature sensor leads to the fact that the system “thinks” that there is no need to defrost, and the ice freezes in a thick layer, blocking the cold.
It is better to diagnose the electronic unit using a multimeter, checking the resistance of the circuit under different temperature conditions.
How to check the thermostat with a multimeter?
To check the mechanical thermostat, it must be removed (after first disconnecting the refrigerator from the network). In a cold state, the contacts should be closed (the multimeter shows 0 Ohm or makes a squeak). When the thermostat body heats up (you can hold it in your hand), the contacts should open (infinity resistance). If the circuit does not break when heating, the thermostat is faulty.
Replacing the thermostat is a procedure accessible to a home handyman if you know the location of the unit and have a suitable screwdriver.
Faults of the No Frost defrost system
The system No Frost eliminates manual defrosting, but it often becomes the culprit of problems if one of its elements breaks.
The key components here are Defrost heating element, a timer (or electronic module) and a defrost thermostat (defroster).
If the heating element burns out, the ice on the evaporator does not melt during the defrost cycle, accumulates and blocks the cold air supply channels into the chamber.
Visually this is manifested by the fact that the back wall in the freezer is covered with a “fur coat”, and the fan may hum or not rotate at all due to the ice.
Checking the integrity of the heating element is carried out by testing: if the resistance is infinitely large, the heating element must be replaced.
☑️ Diagnostics of the No Frost system
It is also important to check the drainage hole through which water leaves from melting ice - its clogging leads to the formation of an ice plug.
Freon leakage and problems with the compressor
Refrigerant leakage is one of the most unpleasant situations, as it requires not only searching for the location of the damage, but also evacuation of the system.
Leaks often occur in the foamed part of the housing or in places where pipes are soldered, where the metal corrodes over time.
Signs of a leak are that the compressor works almost non-stop, trying to gain temperature, but cold it is not produced.
If the compressor hums, clicks and immediately turns off, perhaps the problem is in the start-up relay or the motor.
In two-compressor models Atlant failure of one compressor (freezer) does not affect the operation of the refrigeration compartment, which makes diagnostics easier.
⚠️ Attention: Filling the refrigerator with freon requires special equipment and skills. An independent attempt to refuel without evacuation of the system will lead to rapid failure of the equipment.
The table below will help systematize the symptoms and possible causes of malfunctions.
| Symptom | Probable cause | Difficulty of repair |
|---|---|---|
| The compressor does not turn on | The thermostat or relay is faulty | Low |
| The freezer is covered with ice | Failure of the defrost system (heating element, sensor) | Average |
| The compressor is humming, but there is no cold | Freon leak or capillary blockage | High (needs a technician) |
| The refrigerator turns on immediately turns off | Faulty start relay | Low |
Electronic errors and codes on the display
Modern refrigerators Atlant equipped with a self-diagnosis system that displays error codes on the display or blinking indicators.
For example, a flashing temperature indicator may indicate that the chamber is too warm, and the system reports an emergency.
Error codes are often associated with an open circuit of sensors: F1, F2, F3 and so on, where each digit corresponds specific unit.
To reset the error, sometimes it is enough to defrost the unit for a day and turn it on again, but if the fault is hardware, the code will appear again.
Instructions for specific models contain a complete explanation signals, so it is always useful to look at the manual.
If the display shows an error associated with the control module, it is not recommended to climb inside the board without knowledge of electronics.
Mechanical damage and wear of seals
Sometimes the problem is trivial: the freezer door does not close tightly due to misalignment or wear sealing rubber.
Warm humid air constantly enters the chamber, which condenses and freezes, creating a huge snow coat.
The compressor in such conditions works for wear, trying to compensate for the heat inflow, but cannot cope with the volume.
Check the integrity of the seal around the entire perimeter: there should be no cracks, creases or dirt that would interfere with the seal.
It is also worth inspecting the door hinges - if they are loose, the door warps and does not fit tightly.
When you need to call a technician
If simple methods like defrosting and checking the voltage in the network did not help, most likely you will need professional repairs.
This is especially true in cases when it is necessary to replace the compressor or search for leaks freon or resoldering of tubes.
The technician has the necessary tools: a vacuum pump, a pressure gauge station and a supply of consumables.
An attempt to independently repair a complex refrigeration circuit can lead to final breakdown of the unit.
A qualified specialist will be able to accurately diagnose the unit and give guarantee for the work performed.
Why did the Atlant freezer stop freezing after defrosting?
Most often, after defrosting, the problem is not completely eliminated if one of the elements of the defrosting system (heating element, timer, sensor) is faulty. The ice freezes again within a few hours or days. It is also possible that during defrosting you damaged the heating element or did not allow the system to dry completely before turning it on.
Is it possible to operate a refrigerator if the freezer is not working?
You can operate equipment with a faulty freezer only in refrigeration mode if the compressor is working properly and does not overheat. However, this is a temporary measure: a violation of the thermal regime can lead to spoilage of food in the refrigerator compartment and accelerated wear of the compressor, which will work in enhanced mode.
How to understand that the compressor has burned out?
Main signs: the compressor does not make any sounds when plugged in (if the thermostat is working), or makes a short beep and clicks and then goes silent. You may also smell burnt wiring or melted insulation in the motor area. Visually, the compressor may be hot, but not start.
What to do if ice is frozen in the Atlant freezer?
You need to completely defrost the refrigerator (turn it off for 12-24 hours with the doors open). After defrosting, turn it on and check operation. If ice appears again after a short time (1-3 days), it means that the defrosting system or the door seal is broken, and repairs are required.