The situation when you open the door of your favorite refrigerator, and there is room temperature inside, always causes panic. It’s especially disappointing when spoiled products appear on the shelves that seemed fresh just yesterday. If your LG refrigerator does not freeze is neither in the freezer nor in the refrigerator, this is a signal of a serious malfunction in the cooling system, which cannot be ignored.
Modern models of the Korean brand, be it classic No Frost or older modifications, equipped with sophisticated electronics and reliable compressors. However, even the highest quality equipment can fail due to power surges, natural wear and tear of parts, or manufacturing defects. Understanding the first signs of a breakdown will help you react faster and, perhaps, save some of the products before the technician arrives.
In this article we will look in detail at why the unit stopped cooling, how to carry out initial diagnostics yourself, and in which cases do-it-yourself repair is strictly prohibited. Lack of cold in both chambers most often indicates a problem with the refrigerant or compressor, and not a simple blockage. Let's look at the main scenarios.
Primary diagnostics: settings and external factors
Before sounding the alarm and calling service, it is necessary to eliminate trivial human errors. Often, users accidentally touch the control panel when changing operating modes, or forget that the fast freezing function is turned on, which overloads the system. Check whether the indicator is lit Ice Plus or Smart Saving on the display.
Make sure that the equipment is not standing close to the wall or furniture. For normal operation of the condenser (grid at the back), a constant flow of air is required. If the gap is less than 5-7 centimeters, heat is not removed, and LG refrigerator simply stops freezing, going into overheating protection mode.
It is also worth checking the tightness of the door. The rubber seal dries out or gets dirty over time, causing warm air to get inside. The compressor tries to compensate for the heat, working hard, but cannot cope with the volume. A simple test with a sheet of paper will help identify weak points in the seal.
Malfunctions of the defrost system in No Frost models
If you have a modern model with the system No Frost, and it has stopped freezing, but you can hear the motor humming, the problem may lie in the defrost system. Unlike older models, a visible “fur coat” does not form inside, since ice freezes on the hidden evaporator behind the rear wall. Over time, this ice blocks the cold air supply channels.
The defrost system involves three main elements: a heating element (heater), a defrost sensor and a timer (or electronic module). If any of them fails, the ice does not melt, the fan stops moving air, and the temperature in the chambers rises. You may notice that the back wall in the refrigerator compartment is covered with frost or, on the contrary, has become warm.
- ❄️ The evaporator heating element: the spiral burns out, the ice does not melt, an ice plug forms.
- 🌡️ Defrost sensor: does not give a signal to turn on the heating or, conversely, does not turn it off on time.
- ⏱️ Defrost timer: gets stuck in cooling or defrosting mode, disrupting the entire work cycle.
To accurately diagnose these elements, you will need a multimeter. It is necessary to “ring” the circuits for breaks. If you do not have experience working with electrical appliances, it is better not to take risks, since partial disassembly of the case and removal of plastic panels will be required.
Symptoms of a faulty defrost sensor
If the sensor is “stuck” in the “frozen” position, the system will think that there is no ice and will not turn on the heating. As a result, in 2-3 days the evaporator will be completely covered with ice, and the cold will stop flowing into the chamber.
Problems with the compressor and start relay
The heart of any refrigerator is the compressor. If LG refrigerator turns on, hums for several seconds or minutes, and then a click is heard and it turns off - this is a classic symptom of a malfunction of the start-up relay or the motor itself.
The start relay is a small plastic block that fits onto the contacts of the compressor. Inside it there is a coil and contacts that can burn or stick. Replacing this part is inexpensive and often solves the problem if the compressor itself is intact. However, if the motor hums smoothly, but does not start, or is completely silent when plugged in, the situation is more serious.
| Symptom | Probable cause | Sound character |
|---|---|---|
| Buzzing for 5-10 seconds, clicking, silence | Start relay or jamming of the compressor | Smooth hum, then click |
| Works constantly, does not turn off | Freon leakage or wear of the piston group | Monotonous hum without pauses |
| Complete silence, there is light in the chamber | Electronics malfunction or open circuit | Absent |
It is important to understand that if the compressor fails (for example, interturn winding short circuit), its replacement is a complex and expensive process that requires evacuation of the system and charging with freon.
☑️ Compressor diagnostics
Refrigerant leak and capillary tube blockage
One of the most unpleasant reasons, why the refrigerator does not freezeis a freon leak. The refrigerant circulates in a closed circuit, and if a microcrack forms in the tubes or condenser, the gas escapes. Without freon, the heat exchange process is impossible, and the chamber simply does not cool.
Often a leak occurs in the foamed part of the body or at the place where the tubes are welded. It is difficult to notice this visually, but you can pay attention to the swelling of the wall inside the chamber or the appearance of yellowish oil stains near the unit. Another sign may be a hot condenser (grid at the back) only at the beginning of the cycle or its complete coldness.
⚠️ Attention: Freon itself is not consumed during operation. If it goes away, it means that the tightness of the system is broken. Simply “adding gas” without finding and fixing the leak is a waste of money, the problem will return in a week.
The second option for a mechanical problem is a clogged capillary tube. An ice plug may form inside the system or debris (corrosion products) may get in, which blocks the circulation of the refrigerant. The pressure in the system drops and the cold ceases to be produced. To eliminate the blockage, professional nitrogen purging and replacement of the filter-drier are required.
Failures in the operation of the electronic control module
Modern refrigerators LG are controlled by complex electronics. The control board receives signals from temperature sensors and makes a decision to turn on the compressor, fan or heating element. If moisture gets on the board (for example, when washing the floor around equipment) or a voltage surge occurs in the network, the electronics may “glitch.”
Symptoms of module failure may be chaotic turning on and off of indicators, incorrect temperature display on the display, or complete inoperability of buttons. Sometimes the system enters a self-diagnosis mode and blocks the compressor from starting to prevent a fire or flood.
In some cases, a reboot helps: unplug the device for 15-20 minutes. This will allow the capacitors on the board to discharge and the microcontroller will reset the error. If after switching on the problem recurs, most likely the module needs to be replaced or the burnt elements need to be resoldered.
When an urgent call to a technician is necessary
There are a number of situations where attempts at self-repair can lead to permanent equipment failure or be life-threatening. If you hear a burning smell, see sparking or feel strong heating of the wires, immediately unplug the plug from the socket.
Also, do not climb inside the system if you are not confident in your abilities when working with live electricity. Remember that opening a sealed circuit without a license and equipment is prohibited, since refrigerants can be harmful to the environment and health.
- 🛑 Smell of burnt wiring: risk of fire, replacement of wiring or module is required.
- 💧 Oily stains: a sign of freon leakage along with oil compressor.
- 🔊 Knock and vibration: possible destruction of the compressor suspension.
A professional technician will arrive with the necessary equipment: a leak detector, a pressure gauge station and a spare spare parts This will allow you to carry out diagnostics and repairs in one visit, which will save your time and products.
⚠️ Attention: If your refrigerator is under warranty, any independent repairs or even an attempt to open the seals will lead to loss of warranty obligations. In this case, immediately call an authorized service.
Prevention and care of the LG refrigerator
In order for your LG refrigerator to serve for a long time and not stop freezing at the wrong moment, it is important to follow the operating rules. Defrost regularly, at least once every six months, even if you have a system No Frost. This will help cleanse the system of accumulated salts and bacteria.
Keep the condenser clean. Dust, animal hair and fluff, settling on the rear grille, create a “thermal insulating” layer, causing the compressor to work overload. Vacuuming the back wall is a good habit that will prolong the life of the motor.
Do not load the cameras to capacity with products. Air circulation must be free. If you jam the freezer full, the fan will not be able to push cold air into the refrigerator compartment, and the sensors will show the wrong temperature.
The myth of a full load
There is an opinion that a full refrigerator works more economically. This is only true for the freezer in storage mode. Circulation is important for the refrigerator compartment. If there are a lot of products, leave gaps at the back wall.
Following these simple recommendations will avoid most breakdowns. However, if the equipment does break down, correct diagnosis is the first step to successful repair.
Why does the refrigerator hum but not freeze?
If you hear a hum, it means the compressor is trying to start. If there is no cold, there may be a freon leak, the capillary tube is clogged, or the compressor itself is broken (it does not create the required pressure). The start relay may also be faulty.
How long does it take for an LG refrigerator to restore the temperature after defrosting?
Usually the process of returning to operating mode takes from 2 to 8 hours, depending on the model and room temperature. It may take up to a day for food temperatures to completely stabilize. Do not load the chamber with food immediately.
Is it possible to use a refrigerator if it does not freeze well?
You can use it, but it is not recommended to store perishable food. Constant operation in abnormal mode wears out the compressor. It is better to find the reason: perhaps you just need to change the settings or clean the capacitor.
What does the flashing indicator on the LG panel mean?
A flashing indicator often indicates an error. For example, flashing may indicate a sensor malfunction, defrosting problems, or a malfunction of the inverter compressor. The error code can be found in the instructions for your model.
How often should the filter drier be changed?
The filter drier is changed every time the refrigerant circuit is opened (when repairing leaks or replacing the compressor). It does not require scheduled replacement, since it is part of a sealed system.