The situation when LG refrigerator suddenly stops cooling food always takes you by surprise and causes legitimate panic. It is especially unpleasant to discover that it is warm in the cell, and food on the shelves has already begun to spoil, while the equipment should ensure the safety of supplies. Owners of equipment from this brand are often faced with the fact that an apparently serviceable device simply ceases to perform its main function.
The reasons for such a breakdown can be hidden either in banal violations of operating rules or in serious technical malfunctions of internal components. Failure compressor, leak refrigerant or malfunction of electronics - all this requires immediate intervention. Ignoring the first signs of trouble can lead to a complete replacement of expensive units.
Before calling a technician, it is worth conducting an initial diagnosis to understand the scale of the problem. It often happens that malfunction it is superficial in nature and can be eliminated on its own in a matter of minutes without calling service. In this article we will analyze in detail all possible failure scenarios.
Primary diagnosis and external factors
The first thing to do if LG refrigerator it does not freeze is to exclude the influence of external factors. Very often, users forget about basic things, such as a tight fit of the door or the presence of a heat source next to the equipment. Check whether the power cord has come loose from the outlet and whether there is voltage in the network.
Pay attention to how long ago the unit was manufactured. If the No Frost system does not work correctly due to ice, the equipment may go into standby mode or simply stop cooling. It is also worth checking whether the device is too close to the wall, which interferes with air circulation. defrosting unit. If the No Frost system does not work correctly due to ice, the equipment may go into standby mode or simply stop cooling. It is also worth checking whether the device is placed too close to the wall, which interferes with air circulation.
In some cases, the problem lies in overloading the chambers with products. When air ducts clogged with bags, cold air cannot circulate throughout the volume. This creates the illusion of a breakdown, although in reality the unit is simply suffocating from its own load.
It is important to check the temperature settings. Perhaps one of the household members accidentally reset the settings by switching thermostat to the minimum cooling mode or turning off one of the cameras.
⚠️ Attention: If you hear a hum, but there is no cold, do not try to immediately disassemble the back panel. Let the equipment stand turned off for at least 2 hours so that the pressure in the system has time to equalize before restarting.
Make sure that the temperature in the room where the device is installed is maintained. If the room is colder than +10°C or hotter than +32°C, the LG refrigerator may not work correctly or stop to protect the compressor.
Faults in the No Frost defrosting system
LG brand appliances are famous for their reliable system No Frost, but even it is subject to wear and tear. The most common reason why the lower or upper chamber stops freezing is the failure of one of the elements of the defrosting system. Ice blocks the channels, and the cold stops flowing to the evaporator.
The main culprits here are Defrost heating element, the defrost thermostat or timer. If the heating element burns out, the ice does not melt, a “fur coat” grows and blocks the path to air masses. Visually, this may not be noticeable until you get to the internal evaporator.
The defrost thermostat is responsible for the timely switching on and off of the heater. If it is “stuck” in the open state, the heating command simply will not be received. As a result, refrigerator it will work for wear, but will not cool due to the ice jam.
- ❄️ Symptom: A layer of ice or frost is visible on the back wall inside the chamber.
- 🔊 Sound: The compressor works longer than usual, trying to gain temperature.
- 💧 Water: Water leaks inside the chamber or on the floor near the device.
For accurate diagnosis, you need to “ring” the elements with a multimeter. The resistance of the heating element must be within normal limits, usually several hundred Ohms. If the device shows a break, the part must be replaced.
Sometimes the problem lies in the drainage system. If the water drain hole is clogged with debris or frozen, the condensation does not go away, but accumulates and freezes, creating additional ice. Cleaning the drainage often solves the problem.
☑️ Diagnostics of the No Frost system
It is worth remembering that after repairing the defrost system refrigerator it may take up to 24 hours to return to normal operation and stabilize the temperature balance in all chambers.
Problems with the compressor and start relay
The heart of any refrigerator is compressor. If this unit fails, the unit stops freezing completely. LG models often use reliable inverter compressors, which are characterized by quiet operation, but their repair requires high qualifications.
It often happens that the motor itself is working, but cannot start due to a malfunction. start relay. This small device is responsible for supplying the starting impulse. If the relay is burned out, the compressor will only hum or click, but will not start working.
Inverter models LG Linear Compressor are controlled by complex electronics. If the control board “sees” an error in the operation of the motor, it blocks the start to avoid breakdown. In such cases, the corresponding error code may light up on the display.
⚠️ Attention: An attempt to independently replace the compressor or solder pipes without a vacuum pump and filling equipment is strictly prohibited and dangerous to life.
Signs of problems with the compressor often include strong heating the motor housing. If you touch the back wall and the engine is hot, but there is no cold, this is a bad signal. It is also worth paying attention to the nature of the sound: a smooth hum is replaced by an intermittent one or disappears altogether.
The table below shows the main symptoms and their probable causes associated with the motor:
| Symptom | Probable cause | Actions |
|---|---|---|
| The compressor hums, but does not start | The starting relay is faulty or the motor is jammed | Replacing the relay or diagnosing the motor |
| The motor is hot, cold no | Freon leak or compressor failure | Call a technician to find a leak |
| The compressor does not make sounds | No power or the control module is burnt out | Checking the power circuit and boards |
| Strong vibration and noise | Destruction of the compressor suspension | Replacement of shock absorbers or compressor |
If LG refrigerator equipped with an inverter motor, diagnostics are carried out through service menu or using a special tester. Conventional methods of “testing” the windings may not be informative enough here.
Refrigerant leak and capillary blockage
One of the most insidious problems is leakage freon. The refrigerant circulates in a closed circuit, and if the seal is broken, the pressure drops and cooling stops. Freon is not consumed during operation, so its disappearance always indicates a hole in the system.
Leaks often occur in the foamed part of the body, in places where pipes are welded or in the evaporator. In LG models with the system No Frost the evaporator is hidden behind a plastic panel, so it is visually impossible to see the location of the leak without disassembling it.
Another common technical malfunction is clogged capillary tube. Oil breakdown products or moisture entering the system crystallize and clog the thinnest channel. Freon cannot circulate, and the refrigerator stops freezing.
How do craftsmen look for leaks?
Craftsmen use special leak detectors that react to freon vapor, or a method of washing pipe joints under pressure. In difficult cases, it is necessary to open the foamed part of the housing, which is a labor-intensive procedure.
Symptoms of a leak or blockage often appear gradually. First refrigerator it starts to freeze worse, the compressor works almost non-stop, trying to compensate for the lack of cold. Then the temperature begins to rise, and the food spoils.
Fixing such problems requires professional intervention. It is necessary to find the location of the damage, seal it, replace the filter drier, pump out the air with a vacuum pump and fill the system with a new portion refrigerant strictly by weight.
It is impossible to eliminate a leak or blockage on your own, since this requires specialized equipment and skills in working with refrigeration circuits under high pressure.
Failures in the operation of electronics and sensors
Modern ones LG refrigerators are stuffed with electronics. Various sensors and control modules are responsible for cooling, defrosting and displaying information. If electronic board receives incorrect data, it can block the operation of the compressor.
Temperature sensors are a common cause of failures. If sensor returns incorrect data (for example, it shows that it is -10°C in the chamber, although it is +10°C), the control board will not give a command to turn on the cooling. Sensors tend to change their resistance over time.
Problems may also arise with the control module. Power surges, moisture, or manufacturing defects can damage the “brains” of the refrigerator. In this case, refrigerator may behave chaotically: it freezes, then heats, or simply lights up with error indicators.
The exclusion method is often used to diagnose electronics. The sensors are checked, then the power circuit, and only then is it concluded that the main board is faulty. Some LG models have a self-diagnosis mode available.
It is important to know that some models allow you to reset errors by pressing certain buttons for a long time, but this is only a temporary measure. If the problem remains, the error will return.
Replacing sensors is a simple procedure, but it requires selecting a part with similar characteristics. There are no universal solutions here; each sensor is calibrated for a specific model.
Error codes on the LG refrigerator display
LG digital models are equipped with a self-diagnosis system that displays error codes on the display. This greatly simplifies troubleshooting. If refrigerator does not freeze, first of all, look to see if any code is lit.
Code Er FF indicates a fan motor error. If the fan does not blow, the cold does not enter the chamber and the temperature rises. This often happens due to freezing of the blades or motor failure.
The code Er SF indicates a problem with the defrost sensor. This is directly related to the No Frost system. If the sensor “sees” a break or short circuit, the defrost cycle is disrupted and the ice blocks the operation of the unit.
The code Er DH means a defrost heater error. The heating element does not heat, the ice does not melt. This is one of the most common reasons why LG refrigerator stops freezing after prolonged operation.
- 🔌 Er IF: Communication error between the main board and the display.
- 🌡️ Er HS: Temperature sensor error (often in freezer).
- 🚪 Er DS: Door sensor error (can affect fan operation).
The presence of an error code does not always mean that the part has burned out. Sometimes it's just contact oxidation or a temporary failure. However, if the code returns after a reboot, replacing the unit is inevitable.
To reset the error, completely disconnecting the device from the network for 15-20 minutes often helps. If the problem was an electronics glitch, this may help. But if malfunction physical, the code will appear again.
When you need to call a specialist
Despite the desire to save money and repair LG refrigerator with your own hands, there are situations when without a professional you cannot make do. If you have checked all external factors, defrosted the unit, but it still does not cool, it’s time to call service.
This is especially true for work related to a sealed circuit. Opening the system, soldering and refilling with freon requires a license and special equipment. Inept actions can lead to final breakdown compressor, the repair of which is very expensive.
It is also worth calling a technician if you do not have the skills to work with a multimeter and do not understand the principles of operation of electrical circuits. Diagnostics “by eye” in the case of LG electronics often leads to the purchase of unnecessary spare parts.
A professional technician will arrive with a set of spare parts and equipment. He will be able to determine exactly why refrigerator it is not freezing: it is a leak, a burnt-out module or a simple blockage. An accurate diagnosis saves time and money.
Do not delay repairs. If refrigerator runs idle, the compressor overheats and may burn out completely. A timely call for service will extend the life of your equipment.
Remember that high-quality diagnostics are 90% of successful repairs. An attempt to replace all the sensors at random can be more expensive than one call to a specialist with the device.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why does the LG refrigerator hum but does not freeze?
Most likely, the problem is in the compressor start relay or in the motor itself, which cannot start. It is also possible that a freon leak has occurred and the compressor is running an empty system.
How long does it take to defrost an LG refrigerator?
To completely defrost the No Frost system and evaporator, it is recommended to leave the refrigerator turned off with the doors open for at least 12-24 hours. A shorter defrosting may not melt the ice in hidden channels.
Is it possible to operate a refrigerator if it does not freeze?
It is strictly not recommended. A running compressor without cooling will quickly overheat and fail. In addition, this leads to spoilage of food and the growth of bacteria.
What does a flashing temperature indicator on LG mean?
A flashing indicator usually indicates that the temperature in the chamber is above the set norm. This can happen either after loading warm products or if the cooling system malfunctions.
How often do you need to change the filter in an LG refrigerator?
If your model has an air purification system or a water filter, their service life is usually 6 months. However, this has little effect on the ability to freeze, unlike the cleanliness of the condenser at the back.