The situation when your LG refrigerator suddenly stops freezing always takes you by surprise. You open the door in the hope of getting food, but instead of the usual cold you feel room warmth or, at best, a slight draft. This is a signal that a failure has occurred in the cooling system, and it cannot be ignored, since food can spoil in a matter of hours.
The first thing to do is not to panic and carry out an initial diagnosis. Often the problem lies not in a complex breakdown of electronics or a freon leak, but in trivial things that are easy to fix on your own. However, if simple methods do not help, you will have to deal with the technical components of the unit.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the possible reasons why LG it stopped maintaining the temperature, and we will draw up a step-by-step action plan. We will look at both software failures and mechanical failures so that you can make an informed decision about calling a technician or doing the repair yourself.
Initial diagnostics and power testing
Before opening the back panel or checking the compressor, make sure that the refrigerator is receiving electricity at all. Sometimes voltage surges the automation goes into protection and the unit simply does not start. Check whether the indicator light inside the camera is lit, if provided by the model.
Pay attention to the power cord and socket. The fork should fit tightly, without play. If you are using an extension cord or surge protector, try connecting the refrigerator directly to the wall. It is also worth checking whether the plugs on the panel in the entire apartment have not been knocked out.
⚠️ Attention: If you smell burning or see melted wire insulation, immediately disconnect the device from the network and do not try to turn it on again until you replace the cord.
After checking the power, listen to the operation of the motor. If the compressor hums, but there is no cold, or it is silent, although it should be working, this narrows the scope of troubleshooting. Silence when the refrigerator is plugged in is an alarming sign indicating problems with the start relay or the motor itself.
Checking settings and operating modes
Modern models LG are equipped with complex electronics, and sometimes the reason for the lack of cold lies in accidentally changed settings. The user could touch the control panel while wiping dust, or children could play with the buttons. Check if the “Vacation” or “Eco” mode is activated, which minimize the operation of the refrigerator compartment.
Make sure that the temperature mode is set correctly. For the main camera, the optimal value is the range from +3 to +5 degrees Celsius. If the regulator is set to maximum or set to the “No Frost” mode with errors, the system may not start the cooling cycle.
In some models with the function Smart Diagnosis you can run self-diagnosis through an application on your smartphone or a combination of buttons on the panel. This will help identify sensor errors that block the operation of the compressor.
Mechanical damage and circuit integrity
If everything is in order with the electricity and settings, we move on to the physical state of the unit. Carefully inspect the interior of the chambers and the rear wall from the outside. Look for traces of oil, swelling of metal, or strange noises that were not there before. One of the common reasons why a refrigerator stops freezing is freon. This can happen due to corrosion of the evaporator tubes, mechanical damage during transportation, or poor quality factory welding. Without freon, the compressor runs idle, driving air but not creating cold.
One of the common reasons why a refrigerator LG stopped freezing, is refrigerant leak (freon). This can happen due to corrosion of the evaporator tubes, mechanical damage during transportation, or poor quality factory welding. Without freon, the compressor runs idle, driving air but not creating cold.
It is also worth checking the condition of the rubber seals on the doors. If they are dry, cracked, or simply do not fit tightly, cold air will evaporate, and warm air will constantly flow inside. The compressor will work hard, trying to compensate for heat loss, but eventually it may not be able to cope or shut down due to overheating.
| Symptom of malfunction | Probable cause | Difficulty of repair |
|---|---|---|
| The compressor is silent, there is no light | Problems with the wiring or socket | Low |
| Humming, but not freezing, the tubes are warm | Freon leak or clogged capillary | High (needs a technician) |
| Buzzes, clicks and turns off | Malfunction of the start relay | Medium |
| It freezes slightly, there is ice on the walls | Faulty defrost sensor | Average |
Problems with the No Frost defrosting system
Technology No Frost, widely used in refrigerators LG, involves automatic defrosting of the evaporator. If this system fails, a layer of ice builds up on the radiator, blocking air circulation. As a result, the fan cannot drive cold air into the chamber, and the temperature there rises.
Several key elements are responsible for the defrosting process: a heating element (heater), a defrost sensor and a timer (or electronic module). If the heating element burns out, the ice does not melt. If the sensor “lies” and shows that there is no ice, the command to turn on the heating will not be received. If the timer is jammed, the defrosting cycle simply will not start.
You can diagnose this problem visually by getting to the evaporator. If you see a thick layer of ice or snow that completely blocks the air ducts, then the defrost system is not working. In such cases, the refrigerator can freeze only in the immediate vicinity of the back wall, and there will be heat in the center of the chamber.
☑️ Diagnostics of the No Frost system
Faults of the compressor and start relay
The heart of the refrigerator - this compressor. If it fails, there will be no cold anywhere. Symptoms of a motor failure can be different: it may not turn on at all, it may hum and immediately click (try to start and stall), or it may work continuously without turning off, but without creating the required pressure.
Often the culprit of starting problems is the starting relay. This is a small mechanism that provides an impulse to start the motor windings. Over time, the relay contacts oxidize or burn out, and it ceases to perform its function. Replacing the relay is one of the simplest and cheapest repair procedures.
⚠️ Attention: If the compressor is hot to the touch (more than 90 degrees) and does not start, do not try to knock on it or cool it with water. This can lead to a short circuit or fire.
In more complex cases, when the compressor hums but does not pump freon, they speak of an interturn short circuit of the windings or mechanical jamming of the piston group. In such a situation, the entire unit must be replaced, which is an expensive repair.
Clogged capillary tube and other hidden defects
Sometimes the refrigerator LG stops freezing due to a clog in the capillary tube. This is the thinnest channel through which the refrigerant moves. If moisture, oxidation products or debris get there, it blocks the circulation of freon. The pressure in the system drops and cooling stops.
It is extremely difficult to diagnose a blockage at home, since special equipment is required to measure the pressure in the circuit. An indirect sign may be that the condenser grille at the back is only partially heated or does not heat up at all, although the compressor is running.
Is it possible to break through the blockage yourself?
There are traditional methods of “pumping” the system with high pressure, but they are extremely risky. Without a vacuum pump and pressure gauges, there is a high chance of damaging the compressor or completely breaking the tightness of the circuit.
Other hidden defects include a thermostat malfunction. If it does not open the circuit when the desired temperature is reached, the compressor runs without stopping. If it does not close the circuit when the temperature rises, the compressor will not turn on at all.
When you need to call a technician
Independent repair is possible only in cases of replacing the seal, defrosting or replacing the start relay (if you have the skills). In all other situations, especially those related to a sealed circuit, it is better to turn to professionals.
A specialist is needed if:
- 🔧 The compressor needs to be replaced or pipes sealed.
- ❄️ A freon leak has occurred (you need to find the leak location, solder, vacuum and charge).
- 📟 The electronic control module is faulty (requires re-soldering of components or replacement of the board).
- 🌡️ The temperature sensor built into the case has failed.
Professional repair guarantees the use of the correct refrigerants and compliance with the technology soldering, which is critical for the long service life of the refrigerator LG in the future.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why does the LG refrigerator hum but does not freeze?
Most likely, there was an open circuit in the start relay, or the compressor lost performance (compression). A freon leak is also possible, causing the motor to run idle.
How long does it take for the refrigerator to reach temperature after defrosting?
Usually the process takes from 2 to 4 hours. If in 6-8 hours the temperature has not dropped to the set values, then there is a technical malfunction.
Is it possible to use a refrigerator if it does not freeze well?
Short-term - yes, but this harms the compressor, which wears out. In addition, in the zone of bacterial growth (+4...+8°C), products can deteriorate faster.
What does the flashing temperature indicator on the LG panel mean?
Flashing usually indicates an increase in the temperature in the chamber above normal. If, after loading the products and closing the door, the indicator does not stop flashing after a few hours, diagnostics are required.