The situation when a refrigerator LG suddenly stops freezing always causes panic, because food supplies are at risk. Often, owners notice the problem too late: the ice melts in the freezer, and it becomes warm in the refrigerator compartment, although the indicators may light up as if nothing had happened. The first thing to do This is not to try to immediately disassemble the unit, but to carry out initial diagnostics.
Modern models LG with system No Frost are more complex than old two-chamber refrigerators. Here fans are responsible for air circulation, and dampers are responsible for cold distribution. If one of these systems fails, the cold will stop flowing into the chambers, even if the compressor is running. In this article we will analyze the main causes of failure, from simple operating errors to complex technical malfunctions.
It is important to understand that ignoring the problem in the first hours can lead to damage to the compressor. If the compressor operates continuously for more than 12 hours without shutting down, and the temperature does not drop - this is a critical sign of a freon leak or compressor failure. Further operation in this mode will kill the motor.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any diagnostic work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply. Working with electrical appliances under voltage is life-threatening.
Primary diagnostics: checking obvious causes
Before calling a technician or looking for spare parts, it is worth eliminating trivial errors. Sometimes the refrigerator LG stops freezing because the user accidentally changed the settings or blocked the ventilation. Check whether the unit is too close to a wall or furniture. For normal operation, the system No Frost requires a gap of at least 5-7 cm to remove heat from the condenser.
Carefully inspect the back wall inside the freezer. If you see a thick layer of ice or a “coat” of ice, this may be blocking the fan. In such cases, the air simply cannot circulate. Also check the tightness of the door. The rubber seal should not have cracks, and the door itself should close with a characteristic pop.
- 🔍 Check whether the "Vacation" or "Eco" mode is activated, which reduces the intensity of work.
- 🔍 Make sure that the products do not lie close to the back wall, blocking the openings for the release of cold air.
- 🔍 Assess the temperature in the room: if the room is hotter than +32°C, the refrigerator may not be able to cope with the load.
A frequent cause of poor cooling is improper loading of the chambers. If you just put a large amount of warm food inside, the thermostat might not have time to react and the fan might not have time to cool the volume. Give the equipment a couple of hours to stabilize the mode.
Analysis of the operation of the compressor and inverter system
The heart of any refrigerator LG is the compressor. Most modern models are installed inverter linear compressors, which are characterized by quiet operation and energy efficiency. However, their diagnosis is more difficult than that of conventional piston models. If the refrigerator is silent or, conversely, hums, but does not freeze, the problem may be in the start relay or the motor itself.
Listen to the unit. The inverter motor should not constantly turn on and off with clicks. It starts smoothly and runs at different speeds. If you hear a hum that lasts a few seconds, followed by a click and silence, and then the cycle repeats, this is a sign clinomotor or a faulty starter. In this case, the compressor tries to start, but cannot turn the shaft.
⚠️ Attention: If you hear the relay clicking every few minutes, immediately turn off the refrigerator. Repeated startup attempts can burn out the compressor winding, which will lead to an expensive replacement of the entire assembly.
It is also worth checking whether the side wall of the refrigerator (where the condenser is hidden) is heating up. If the compressor is running but the walls remain cold but the inside is warm, there may be a refrigerant leak. Freon could escape through a microcrack in the evaporator or in places where the tubes are soldered.
How to distinguish an inverter compressor?
LG inverter models usually have an “Inverter Linear Compressor” sticker on the front panel or in the technical data sheet. They operate without the characteristic on/off sound, maintaining a constant hum.
Problems of the defrost system and fan
In refrigerators with a system No Frost the serviceability of the defrost system is critically important. It consists of a heating element (heater), a defrost sensor and a timer (or electronic control module). If the heating element burns out or the sensor “sticks,” an ice monolith builds up on the evaporator, which is hidden behind a plastic panel in the freezer.
This ice blocks the fan, which is supposed to drive cold air into the refrigerator compartment. As a result, it may be cold in the freezer (at the bottom, where the evaporator is located), but warm in the upper chamber. Visually, you may not see the ice, since it is hidden behind the back wall. An indirect sign is the characteristic crackling or noise of a fan trying to break through the icy mess.
To diagnose this malfunction, it is often necessary to defrost the refrigerator for 24 hours. If, after complete defrosting, the unit begins to freeze normally, but after a week the problem returns, it means that the defrosting system is not working.
- ❄️ The defrosting heating element is faulty: requires replacing the heating element.
- ❄️ The defrosting sensor is burned out: it does not give the command to turn on the heating when needed.
- ❄️ The drainage hole is clogged: water from melting ice does not drain away, but freezes in the channel, creating an ice plug.
Replacing elements of the defrosting system is a procedure that can be done with your own hands if you have a multimeter and basic skills. However, in models LG sometimes you have to get to the heating element through the entire body, which requires care.
☑️ Diagnostics of the No Frost system
Electronic diagnostics: error codes on the display
Modern refrigerators LG equipped with a self-diagnosis system. If the unit stops freezing, look at the control panel. Often the "E" indicator lights up there or a certain combination of lights blinks. Models without a display can indicate a problem by flashing the “Ice Plus” indicator or sounding a sound.
Deciphering error codes helps to accurately identify the breakdown unit. For example, error Er FF indicates a malfunction of the freezer fan, and Er FS indicates problems with the freezer sensor. Knowing the code, you can avoid buying unnecessary spare parts.
| Error code | Malfunction | Probable cause | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
Er FF |
Fan error freezers | Freeze, broken wires, motor failure | Defrost, circuit check |
Er FS |
Freezer sensor error | Thermistor malfunction | Replacing the sensor |
Er RS |
Error in the fridge compartment sensor | Failure in the sensor circuit | Checking contacts, replacing |
Er CO |
Communication error | Problem between display and board | Checking the loops |
To reset the error, sometimes it is enough to unplug the refrigerator from the outlet for 10-15 minutes. However, if the physical malfunction (for example, a burnt sensor) is not eliminated, the error will appear again after a self-diagnosis cycle.
Freon leakage and system blockage
If the compressor runs continuously, hums, the condenser is hot, but the inside of the refrigerator is warm, and there are no errors on the display, there is a high probability of a refrigerant leak. Freon can escape through a factory soldering defect, corrosion of tubes (a “crying” evaporator) or mechanical damage when defrosting with a knife.
The second option is blockage of the capillary tube. An ice or oil blockage could form in the system, or moisture could get in and freeze in a bottleneck. In this case, the pressure in the system is disrupted and the circulation of freon stops. It is impossible to eliminate a leak or blockage on your own impossible.
You need to call a specialist with equipment: a leak detector, a vacuum pump and a filling station. The technician will determine the location of the leak, seal it, replace the filter drier and refill the system with the required amount of freon. Attempts to “top up” freon without eliminating the leak give a temporary effect for a couple of weeks.
⚠️ Attention: Freon is a gas under pressure. An independent attempt to solder the tubes without bleeding the gas and subsequent evacuation of the system will lead to an explosive situation and guaranteed failure of the compressor.
Mechanical damage and wear of seals
Do not forget about the physical condition of the unit. If the refrigerator door LG does not fit tightly, warm, moist air constantly flows inside. The compressor tries to compensate for the heat, working hard, but cannot reach the set temperature. Over time, this leads to overheating and breakdown.
Check the magnetic tape around the perimeter of the door. It should adhere tightly to the body along the entire contour. If in some place there is a gap through which a sheet of paper can be passed without resistance, the seal requires replacement or restoration. Sometimes heating the rubber with a hairdryer helps so that it straightens, but this is a temporary measure.
Also check the door hinges. If they are loose, the door warps and the seal is broken in the upper or lower corner. Tightening the hinges or replacing them will solve the problem of loss of cold.
Frequently asked questions and answers (FAQ)
Why does the LG refrigerator hum, but does not freeze?
Most likely, there is a freon leak or blockage capillary system. The compressor is trying to pump gas, but there is no circulation. It is also possible that the compressor itself breaks down (an interturn short circuit), when it hums, but the shaft does not rotate.
What to do if there is ice in the freezer and heat in the refrigerator?
This is a classic sign of a system malfunction. No Frost. The defrost heating element or sensor is probably burned out, or the drain hole is clogged. Air does not circulate due to ice blockage. Defrosting for a day and diagnostics of the defrosting elements are required.
Is it possible to operate a refrigerator with a non-working fan?
For a short time - yes, but the cooling efficiency will drop. If the fan stops due to ice, its operation may cause the fan motor windings to burn out. It is better to eliminate the cause of the stop.
How long should an LG refrigerator freeze after turning it on?
Getting the first temperature takes from 2 to 6 hours, depending on the volume of the chamber and the ambient temperature. Complete stabilization of the mode and freezing of food occurs within 12-24 hours.
Why is the back wall of the refrigerator hot?
This is normal for models where the condenser (heat exchanger) is built into the side walls or back panel. During operation, the compressor heats freon, which releases heat through the walls to the outside. If the walls are hot and the inside is cold, the system is working correctly.