The situation when the refrigerator Indesit s The system No Frost continues to freeze the lower compartment, but stops cooling the upper chamber, this is a classic malfunction for this line of equipment. The owner opens the door and discovers that the food on top begins to thaw, while the freezer below operates normally or even freezes too much. This is not an accident, but a consequence of a specific design feature, where one evaporator and one fan are responsible for supplying cold air to both compartments.
The problem lies in the disruption of the circulation of air masses inside the unit. Unlike the drip system, where the cold is distributed by natural convection, in models Indesit air is forcedly pumped. If this flow is blocked by ice, or if the blower mechanism fails, the top of the refrigerator remains uncooled. Understanding the principle of operation helps to quickly diagnose a breakdown and avoid unnecessary costs of calling a technician for simple cases.
In this article we will analyze in detail the main reasons for the failure of the upper chamber, from the most commonplace ones, which can be fixed independently in 15 minutes, to complex technical faults that require replacement of parts. It is important not to panic and sequentially check each of the probable causes in order to accurately determine the source of the problem.
⚠️ Attention: If you hear unusual sounds when the compressor is running or smell a burning smell, immediately unplug the device from the power supply. Operation of faulty equipment can lead to a short circuit or fire.
The principle of operation of the No Frost system in Indesit refrigerators
To understand why exactly upper chamber stopped working, you need to briefly consider the anatomy of the refrigerator Indesit. These models use a single evaporator, which is usually located in a hidden recess behind a plastic panel in the freezer compartment (or between compartments, depending on the specific model). A fan working in tandem with an evaporator drives cold air through special air ducts up into the refrigerator compartment.
Circulation occurs constantly or cyclically, depending on the algorithm of the electronics. If a ice jamis formed in the system, air physically cannot pass through the channel. As a result, the compressor continues to hum, the freezer is cooled directly from the evaporator, and there is a warm, motionless mass of air in the upper compartment. It is the violation of this balance that most often leads to user complaints.
In addition, the system has dampers and thermostats that regulate the amount of cold supplied. If the damper mechanism is stuck in the closed position, the upper chamber also remains without cooling, even if the evaporator itself is working. Understanding these relationships allows you to weed out unnecessary diagnostic options.
Violation of the defrosting mode: the most common reason
The most common reason why the refrigerator Indesit No Frost does not work in the upper chamber is a failure in the automatic defrosting cycle. The system is designed in such a way that it turns on periodically (usually every 8-12 hours), which melts the frost frozen on the evaporator. The water flows into the drainage tray and evaporates. Defrost heating element, which melts the frost frozen on the evaporator. The water flows into the drainage tray and evaporates.
If one of the elements of this circuit fails, the ice does not have time to melt completely. With each compressor operating cycle, the layer of ice becomes thicker. Sooner or later, it blocks the opening of the air duct leading to the refrigerator compartment. Visually, you may not notice this, since the evaporator is hidden behind the back wall of the freezer.
The defrosting chain involves three main components, the failure of any of which leads to icing:
- 🧊 Heating element defrost —a heating element that could burn out due to a power surge or natural wear.
- 🌡️ Defrost sensor (defroster) - a thermostat that should turn off the heating element when the ice melts. If it “lies,” the heating may not turn on at all.
- ⏱️ Timer or control module is a device that gives the command to start defrosting. In modern Indesit, this function is often performed by an electronic board.
You can diagnose this problem by paying attention to the operation of the compressor. If it works almost without interruption, and there is no cold in the upper compartment, the probability of an evaporator clogged with ice is more than 80%. Also, a characteristic “snow” coating or a mound of ice may appear on the back wall of the freezer.
How to check the heating element with a multimeter?
To check, you need to get to the heating element, remove the terminals from it and ring the tester in resistance measurement mode. If the device shows a break (one or infinity), it means that the spiral has burned out and the element requires replacement. Normal resistance is usually from 200 to 400 Ohms.
Malfunction of the blower fan
The second most popular reason for the lack of cold in the upper chamber is stopping fan. It is this unit that is responsible for moving cold air masses from the evaporator to the shelves of the refrigerator compartment. If the blades do not rotate, the cold remains localized in the freezer area, not reaching the top.
Why might the fan stop Indesit? Most often it gets jammed with ice. This occurs if moisture from the food or a door that is not closed tightly causes excess steam to form. Ice freezes on the blades, and the motor simply cannot turn them. In other cases, the fan motor itself fails or its bearings begin to hum and creak before stopping completely.
Checking the operation of the fan is easy:
- ❄️ Open the freezer door.
- 🔍 Find a small hole or grille from where the air is blowing (usually on back or side wall).
- 👂 Listen: if there is no noise when the door is open, press the door sensor button (or press it with your finger), simulating closing. If the fan does not hum, there is a problem.
Sometimes the fan works, but makes a lot of noise or crackling. This indicates the destruction of the bushings or the entry of a foreign object. In such cases, it must be replaced, since vibration can damage other plastic elements of the structure.
⚠️ Attention: Do not try to forcibly spin the fan or pick the ice with a knife when the refrigerator is plugged in. This can lead to injury or damage to the blades, which become brittle at low temperatures.
Clogged drainage system and freezing of the channel
Another technical reason why Indesit refrigerator stops cooling the upper chamber lies in a banal blockage. The drainage hole through which water from melting ice goes into the tray above the compressor can become clogged with crumbs, mold or grease. When the drain is blocked, water accumulates and freezes, forming an ice coat right in the area of the air duct outlet.
An ice plug in the drainage channel or in the air tunnel itself blocks the passage of air. Even if the fan hums properly and the heating element heats up, the air physically cannot pass through the ice jam. This is often accompanied by the appearance of a puddle of water under the refrigerator or inside the lower section when the ice begins to thaw during rare defrosts.
To eliminate this problem, complete defrosting of the unit is often required. If, after 24 hours of shutdown, the problem returns a week later, it means that the drainage is contaminated with organic matter, which needs to be cleaned out mechanically or washed with hot water.
☑️ Action plan if you suspect an ice plug
Comparative table of symptoms and causes
To make it easier for you to navigate the variety of symptoms, we have prepared a summary table. It will help compare the behavior of your Indesit with the most likely malfunction. freezers Indesit with the most likely malfunction.
| Symptom | Probable Cause | Characteristic sound | Freezer condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| The top does not freeze, the bottom works | The air duct is clogged with ice | The compressor hums continuously | It freezes heavily |
| Silence when open door | Fan is faulty | No wind noise | Freezing only at the walls |
| Periodic appearance of water | Clogged drainage | Gurgling or silence | Normal or ice on the floor |
| There is cold, but weak | Freon leak | The compressor runs jerkily | It freezes slightly |
The table shows that the combination “the top does not freeze” + “the compressor does not turn off” is almost guaranteed to indicate a problem with air circulation due to ice. If the compressor turns off frequently and there is no cold anywhere, these are already signs of a refrigerant leak or problems with the compressor, which is a more serious breakdown.
It is important to note that in models with electronically controlled error codes may appear on the display. For example, codes associated with temperature sensors may indirectly indicate that the system “does not see” the cold in the upper chamber and is trying to compensate for this by endless operation of the motor.
Full defrosting method: a panacea or a temporary solution?
The very first and most accessible method that What experts advise when dealing with the problem “the upper chamber does not work” is to completely defrost the refrigerator Indesit. The essence of the method is simple: disconnect the device from the network for 24 hours (exactly for a day, not for 2-3 hours!) with the doors open.
During this time, all the hidden ice that has blocked the air channels and jammed the fan will have time to melt and evaporate. If after turning on the refrigerator worked like new, then the problem lay precisely in icing. However, this does not always mean that the equipment is fixed forever.
If after 1-2 weeks the situation repeats, it means that one of the elements of the defrosting system (heating element, sensor, timer) is faulty. The defrosting method in this case gives only a temporary effect. If the refrigerator works for months without failure after one defrost, perhaps the cause was a single power surge or opening the door for a long time.
Freon leak and other complex breakdowns
Although less common, it happens that the upper chamber does not work due to a refrigerant leak (Freon). In No Frost systems, the evaporator is often located in the partition between the chambers. In the event of a partial gas leak, the cold may only be enough to freeze the area next to the evaporator tubes, and the cold no longer reaches the top of the refrigerator.
If there is a leak, you may notice that the compressor is running “idle” - it hums, heats up, but the work and rest cycles become uncharacteristically short or, conversely, the motor does not turn off at all, trying to gain temperature. To the touch, the side walls of the refrigerator (condenser) may be barely warm or cold, whereas normally they should be hot.
It is also worth mentioning clogged capillary tube. If a plug of technical dirt or moisture forms in the freon circulation system, the refrigerant stops flowing into the evaporator in full. The symptoms are similar to a leak: slight cold, a running compressor, no icing of the evaporator (it can be covered with only partial frost at the inlet).
Diagnostics and elimination of leaks or blockages requires special equipment: leak detectors, vacuum pumps and pressure gauges collectors. It is impossible to fix such a malfunction on your own without skills and tools; you need to call a specialist.
⚠️ Attention: Information about the types of refrigerant (R134a, R600a) and the amount of charge is indicated on a sticker located on the back wall or inside the refrigerator compartment. Use only brands specified by the manufacturer Indesit.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
How long does it take to defrost Indesit No Frost if the top does not freeze?
It takes at least 24 hours for the ice in the hidden air ducts and on the evaporator to completely melt. Defrosting for 2-3 hours is often insufficient, since the ice plug deep in the channel may remain, and the problem will return immediately after turning it on.
Is it possible to continue to use the refrigerator if the upper chamber does not cool?
For a short time - it is possible if you transfer perishable foods to the freezer or other place. However, prolonged operation in this mode is harmful to the compressor, which will work without interruption, trying to compensate for the lack of cold, which can lead to overheating and combustion.
Why did the problem return after 3 days after defrosting?
This is a sure sign of a malfunction of the automatic defrosting system. Most likely, the defrost heating element has burned out, or the defroster sensor or timer has failed. Ice again accumulates on the evaporator and blocks the channel, requiring professional repair.
Where is the filter in the Indesit refrigerator and does it need to be changed?
In refrigerators Indesit No Frost there are no replaceable air or water purification filters that would require regular replacement by the user. If we are talking about the mesh at the air inlet into the freezer, you just need to wash it with warm water to remove dust.