The situation when LG refrigerator stops freezing food in the lower compartment can take you by surprise. You open the door, and instead of hard ice briquettes there is soft porridge or completely defrosted meat. This is not just inconvenience, it is a risk of spoilage of a significant food supply. Modern units, such as LG No Frost, are more complex than older models, and a failure in one system often imitates a breakdown of another.
There is no need to panic right away, since in 30% of cases the problem is solved without calling a technician. Often the reason lies in a simple electronics failure or violation of operating rules that the user might have forgotten about. However, you cannot ignore the symptoms: if compressor is idling or the system No Frost is blocked by ice, the situation will worsen every hour.
In this article we will look in detail at why freezer compartment could fail, how to conduct a primary diagnosis and when specialist intervention is really necessary. We will look at the mechanical, electrical and software aspects of the operation of your refrigeration equipment.
Primary diagnostics: analysis of sounds and indications
Before you grab the tools, it is necessary to conduct a thorough visual and auditory inspection. Diagnostics starts with assessment of the operation of the main unit. If you do not hear the usual hum of the engine or, on the contrary, you hear a continuous hum without rest periods, these are the first signs of alarm. In models with inverter compressor the sound may be quiet, but it should be stable.
Pay attention to the control panel. Modern refrigerators LG equipped with a self-diagnosis system that displays error codes on the display. The blinking of temperature indicators or the appearance of symbols like “Er FF” or “Er IF” is a direct indication of a malfunction of a particular unit. Do not ignore these signals, as they significantly narrow down the search for the problem.
Check the tightness of the sealing rubber bands. If the door does not close tightly, warm, moist air constantly enters the chamber. Evaporator it cannot cope with drying, becomes covered with a coat of ice, and the cold stops circulating. This is a common reason that is easy to overlook when focusing on complex electronics.
⚠️ Attention: If you notice that the back wall of the freezer is covered with an uneven layer of ice or icicles, under no circumstances try to pick out the ice with a knife. Damage to the evaporator tubes will lead to freon leakage and costly repairs.
Problems with the No Frost defrosting system
The most common reason for the lack of cold in freezers LG with the system No Frost is a failure in the defrosting cycle. Unlike older models, here moisture should not freeze anywhere except in special channels. If The defrost heating element burns out or does not receive a signal from the controller, the ice blocks the air dampers.
The air simply stops circulating between the freezer and refrigerator compartments. As a result, the freezer may be a little cold at the sides, but the food in the center will not freeze. Often the culprit is defrost sensorwhich incorrectly reads the temperature and does not start the heating element at the right moment.
To test this hypothesis, there is a method of complete defrosting. If after 24 hours of waiting with the doors open, the refrigerator worked fine, but after a week the problem returned, the problem is guaranteed in the defrost system. This confirms that the mechanical part (compressor, freon) is working properly.
Hidden defrosting mechanism
In normal mode, the heating element turns on every 8-12 hours of compressor operation for 15-20 minutes. If the sensor is stuck in the 'cold' position, the controller 'thinks' there is no ice and does not heat the evaporator.
It is also worth checking the drainage hole. If it is clogged with crumbs or mold, the melt water does not go into the pan, but freezes below, forming an ice plug. This disrupts the operation of the entire air circulation system inside the unit.
Faulty compressor and start relay
Compressor is the heart of the refrigerator, and if it does not beat, there will be no cold anywhere. Refrigerators LG often use reliable linear or inverter compressors, but they are also subject to wear. If the motor tries to start, makes a clicking sound and stalls, the problem is most likely in the starting relay or capacitor.
In inverter models the situation is more complicated: there is no classic relay, and the start is controlled by an electronic board. If the compressor hums, but does not develop the required pressure, or operates silently, but does not cool, this may indicate an interturn short circuit in the windings or a loss of performance of the piston group.
It is important to measure the temperature of the compressor housing. If it is hot (burns your hand), but there is no cold, the valves may have broken down. If it is cold and silent when the power is turned on, check for voltage at the terminals. The absence of voltage when the fan is running indicates a problem with the control board.
Replacing a compressor is a labor-intensive process that requires evacuation of the system and refueling refrigerant. It is impossible to perform this operation on your own without special tools, so when confirming the diagnosis, you need to call a specialist.
Refrigerant leak and capillary system clogged
If the compressor works almost non-stop, trying to catch up the temperature, and there is no cold in the freezer or it is very weak, there is a high probability of leakage freon. Modern models LG use environmentally friendly gas R600a, but less efficient at low pressures. Even a microscopic crack in the foam circuit or evaporator will lead to the gradual disappearance of cold.
The second option is clogged capillary tube. Oil oxidation products or moisture entering the system can clog the thinnest channel. The symptoms are similar to a leak: the compressor is hot, the condenser (grid at the back) is only partially cold or warm, there is no cold.
A leak can be diagnosed visually only if there is a clear oil stain on the back wall or in the compressor area. Hidden leaks in the foam layer require the use of special detection equipment. Attempts to simply “refuel” the refrigerator without finding and eliminating the leak will only give a temporary effect.
| Symptom | Probable cause | Characteristic sound | Difficulty of repair |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ice coat on the back wall | Faulty defrost system | Quiet hum, rare clicks | Medium (replacement of heating element/sensor) |
| Compressor clicks and stalls | The starting relay has burned out | Loud click, silence | Low (relay replacement) |
| The engine hums, but does not cool | Freon leak or blockage | Continuous humming | High (needs a technician) |
| Complete lack of response | Problem with the board or wiring | Silence | High (electronics) |
Failures in the operation of the electronics and control board
Modern refrigerators LG are stuffed with electronics. Control board may fail due to power surges in the network or natural aging of components. If the board is “buggy”, it may not send a signal to start the compressor or blower fan, even if they are physically working.
Often the problem is solved by resetting the errors. To do this, you need to unplug the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes. This allows the capacitors to discharge and the microprocessor to reset. If after switching on the system works normally, but after a few days the failures recur, the board will most likely have to be reflashed or replaced.
It is also worth checking the integrity of the wires going from the door to the case. Where the cable is bent, the wires often break, which is why temperature sensors stop transmitting correct data. The controller, receiving incorrect readings, can block the operation of the compressor.
⚠️ Attention: Before any check of electrical circuits, be sure to unplug the refrigerator from the outlet. A short circuit during diagnostics under voltage is guaranteed to disable the control board.
☑️ Actions in case of electronics failure
The influence of external factors and operating rules
Sometimes the reason lies not in the breakdown, but in the operating conditions. If the refrigerator is placed close to a wall or furniture, the heat exchange of the condenser is disrupted. Overheating causes the compressor to go into thermal protection and turn off before it has time to freeze the food.
Loading warm foods or too much food blocking the air ducts also disrupts circulation. In freezers No Frost cold air should freely wash the food. If you plug all the cracks with bags, the temperature sensor will not detect cooling, and the motor will wear out.
The temperature in the room also matters. If the room is colder than +10°C (for example, on an unheated loggia), the refrigerator may not turn on at all. The oils in the compressor thicken, and the thermostat “thinks” it’s already cold. Most models LG are not designed to operate at temperatures below +5°C.
Frequently asked questions and answers (FAQ)
Why does the LG freezer not freeze, although the compressor is working?
Most likely, there is a freon leak or an ice jam has formed in the No Frost system. The capillary tube may also be clogged. Diagnostics by a specialist is required.
What does the flashing temperature indicator mean?
This is a signal that the temperature in the chamber is higher than normal. If the blinking is accompanied by an error code (for example, Er FF), this indicates a malfunction of the fan or defrost system.
Is it possible to operate the refrigerator if it does not freeze?
For a short time - yes, to defrost. But prolonged operation without cold with the compressor turned on will lead to its overheating and burning of the windings. It is better to turn off the device before repair.
How often do you need to defrost the LG No Frost refrigerator?
The No Frost system does not require manual defrosting to remove ice. However, once every 6-12 months it is recommended to turn off the refrigerator for sanitization and washing.