The situation when your Indesit refrigerator suddenly stops maintaining a low temperature in the upper compartment always takes you by surprise. In this case, everything in the freezer can freeze tightly, and food on the shelves of the main compartment spoils, and this is a classic symptom of impaired cold circulation. In two-chamber models with a No Frost or drip defrosting system, the reasons often lie in mechanical obstacles or electronics failures.
Before calling a technician, it is important to carry out an initial diagnosis to eliminate simple operating errors. Often users do not notice that the operating mode has been accidentally changed or something is blocking the outlet of cold air. Understanding the operating principle of your model will help you quickly find a fault.
In this article we will analyze in detail the main breakdowns that cause Indesit refrigerator not to freeze in the upper compartment, and we will tell you what you can do yourself. We will consider both software failures and complex technical malfunctions that require specialist intervention.
Checking the operating mode and basic settings
The most commonplace, but common reason for the lack of cold from above is an incorrectly selected operating mode. If you accidentally activate the function "Super Freeze" (Super Freeze), the compressor will work without stopping, freezing food in the lower chamber, but the air circulation in the upper compartment may be disrupted or limited by the control board algorithms. In this mode, the indicator is constantly on, and the temperature at the bottom can drop to -24°C, while the top remains warm.
It is also worth checking if the mode "Vacation" (Vacation) is turned on. In this mode, the top compartment may not be cooled at all to save energy while you are away from home while the freezer continues to operate. Disable these functions and wait a few hours for the temperature to stabilize.
⚠️ Attention: If, after turning off the "Super Freeze" mode, the temperature does not recover within 6-8 hours, the problem lies deeper than just a settings failure.
Sometimes the problem is solved a simple reboot of the electronics. Disconnect the device from the network for 10-15 minutes to reset controller errors. After turning on, listen to whether the motor-compressor starts and whether the sound of the fan is heard (if the model is with No Frost).
Problems with air circulation in the No Frost system
If your Indesit refrigerator is equipped with a system No Frost, then cold is forced into the upper chamber through special channels. A fan located behind the back wall of the freezer is responsible for this process. If it does not work, the cold air simply does not reach the upper shelves, remaining below.
The reason the fan stops is often ice freezing on its blades. This occurs if the evaporator defrost system is not working correctly. The ice coat blocks the rotation, the motor hums but does not spin, and the upper chamber stops cooling. Visually, this can be seen by severe icing on the back wall of the freezer.
It is also worth checking the air ducts. Sometimes users pack shelves too tightly with food, blocking the outlets for cold air to escape. Even one bag of soup lying right next to the nozzle can upset the temperature balance throughout the entire volume.
To eliminate this problem, complete defrosting of the refrigerator is often required. Leave the doors open for at least 24 hours (preferably overnight) to allow all the ice inside the system to melt and drain. After that, turn on the device and check the operation.
Malfunctions of the defrost system and heater
If after defrosting the problem with the lack of cold at the top appears again after a week or two, then the automatic defrosting system is faulty. In Indesit refrigerators a chain of elements is responsible for this process: heating element (heater), defrost thermostat and timer (or electronic module).
Most often it fails itself. Evaporator heating element. It burns out and stops heating the radiator, as a result of which the evaporator becomes overgrown with ice, which tightly blocks the fan. You can check the heater with a multimeter for an open circuit. Its resistance should be within normal limits (usually several hundred Ohms), and not show infinity.
The second suspect is the defrost thermostat. This is the sensor that tells the heater when to turn on and when to turn off. If it is “stuck” in the open state, the heating command will never be received, and the ice will grow endlessly.
| System element | Failure symptom | Check method |
|---|---|---|
| Evaporator heating element | The ice freezes in a thick layer, the fan stops | Check with a multimeter (there must be a circuit) |
| Defrost thermostat | The heater does not turn on at all | Check at low temperature |
| Fan | Noise, humming or complete silence | Visual inspection of the rotation of the blades |
How to get to the heating element?
To replace the heating element in most Indesit No Frost models, you must remove rear plastic panel in the freezer compartment. First you need to completely defrost the unit, otherwise you can damage the plastic or get an electric shock. The heating element is usually located under the evaporator or built into it.
Refrigerant leak and problems with the compressor
A more serious situation when Indesit refrigerator the top does not freeze due to a freon leak. In dual-compartment models with one compressor, the refrigerant first passes through the freezer compartment, cooling it, and only then enters the circuit of the main compartment. Therefore, in the event of a partial gas leak, it is the upper compartment that “warms up” first, while below it can still freeze, but weaker than usual.
A sign of a leak is often a hot condenser (the grille at the back or the side walls, if they are heated) only halfway or the absence of the characteristic gurgling and hissing in the tubes after turning off the compressor. The motor can work almost non-stop, trying to gain temperature, but to no avail.
⚠️ Attention: A freon leak is not just a “lack of gas.” This is a violation of the tightness of the circuit. You can’t just refill the refrigerator - you need to find the leak, vacuum seal it, replace the filter-drier and only then refill.
Another possible reason is a clogged capillary tube. The microscopic hole through which freon enters the evaporator becomes clogged with oil breakdown product or moisture. The symptoms are similar to a leak: the freezer is working, but it’s warm at the top. In this case, the compressor can become very hot and hum.
Repair in such cases requires calling a specialist with equipment. It is impossible to eliminate a leak or blockage on your own without a vacuum pump, a pressure gauge station and the skills of soldering copper pipes.
Failures in the operation of the electronic control module
Modern Indesit refrigerators are controlled electronically. If the control module is malfunctioning, it may be sending incorrect commands to the compressor or fan. For example, the board “thinks” that the temperature is normal and does not turn on the cooling, although in reality it is warm there.
Often the cause of failures is power surges in the network. Electronics are sensitive to changes, and over time, capacitors on the board can swell or lose capacity. Visually, traces of burning or oxidation of contacts may be visible on the board.
Sometimes the problem is solved by flashing the module or replacing burnt elements, but more often a complete replacement of the control board is required. Diagnostics of the module requires special knowledge and equipment.
Why is there ice in the freezer, but warm above?
This question often baffles owners. It would seem that if there is ice below, it means there is cold. But in reality, this is a sign that the cold is “locked” below. In systems No Frost this 90% of cases indicates that the fan does not drive air upward due to icing or breakdown.
In drip systems (crying evaporator), this picture may indicate that the condensate drainage channel is clogged or the seal of the upper door is broken. Warm air from outside is constantly sucked inside, and the refrigerator cannot cope with the heat influx, although the compressor is working.
Check the rubber seals. If they do not fit tightly, moist air enters the chamber, which settles on the walls and products, disturbing the temperature balance. Wipe the rubber bands and check their fit around the entire perimeter.
When you need to call a technician
There are a number of situations when self-repair of the Indesit refrigerator is not only useless, but also dangerous. If you hear that the compressor is trying to start, the relay clicks, but immediately turns off, this could be an interturn short circuit of the windings or a compressor wedge.
You also need a technician if you find oily stains under the refrigerator or on the pipes at the back. This is a sure sign that the refrigerant has come out along with the oil, and the tightness is broken.
You should not go inside the system yourself if:
- ❄️ You do not have experience working with electricity and a multimeter.
- ❄️ Soldering of copper pipes and working with gas.
- ❄️ There is a suspicion of a phase breakdown on the case (it stings when touched).
- ❄️ The warranty on the refrigerator is still valid (opening the seal will void it).
Remember that a qualified specialist will be able to accurately diagnose the unit that requires replacement, and carry out repairs in compliance with the technology.
☑️ Checklist before calling a technician
Why, after defrosting, did the refrigerator stop freezing again after a week?
This is a classic sign of a malfunction of the defrosting system. You removed the ice manually, but the automation did not turn on the heater again, and the evaporator was again covered with ice, blocking the fan. It is necessary to change the heating element, defrost thermostat or timer.
Is it possible to operate the refrigerator if the top does not freeze?
For a short time - yes, if the compressor does not work for wear. But prolonged use will lead to deterioration of the products in the upper chamber and possible overheating of the motor, as it will work without interruption, trying to reach the set temperature.
How much does it cost to repair the No Frost system in Indesit?
The cost depends on the region and specific parts. Replacing a heating element or thermostat is usually cheaper than repairing a compressor or refilling with freon. The exact price can only be found out after on-site diagnostics.
How often do you need to defrost a No Frost refrigerator?
The No Frost system does not require regular defrosting by the user, it does it itself. However, once every year or a year and a half, it is recommended to defrost the unit completely for hygienic washing and checking the condition of the seals.