Situation, when LG refrigerator stops freezing in the freezer, it often takes you by surprise, threatening food spoilage. This is a common problem that equipment owners face with both the system No Frostand classic drip defrosting. Before calling a technician, it is necessary to carry out an initial diagnosis in order to understand the scale of the malfunction.
Often the cause is a banal violation of operating rules or a power surge in the network. However, ignoring the problem can lead to the failure of expensive inverter compressor. In this article we will look at the main reasons why the LG freezer stopped cooling and methods for eliminating them.
It is important to understand that modern models are equipped with complex electronics that can block the operation of the unit at the slightest failure. Self-diagnosis will help save time and money if breakdown does not require professional intervention.
Checking the operating mode and settings
The first thing to do if the freezer is LG does not freezeis to check the settings. You may have accidentally activated the Holiday or Eco mode, which reduces energy consumption but significantly increases the temperature in the freezer. It is also worth making sure that the mode quick freezing is not turned on excessively, which sometimes leads to failure of the cycles.
In some models with electronic control, a failure in the controller can simulate a breakdown. Try performing a full reset: unplug the device for 10–15 minutes. This action will reboot microprocessor and may eliminate a software error.
⚠️ Attention: If error indicators (for example, flashing numbers or symbols) appear on the display after a reboot, write down their code. This will significantly speed up the diagnosis by the technician.
Make sure that the temperature mode is set correctly. For the freezer, the optimal value is -18°C. If you set the value higher, the food may begin to thaw. Check to see if the child lock button is pressed, which may interfere with changing settings.
How to reset settings correctly?
To perform a reset, find the power button or a combination of buttons (often “Freezer” and “Ice Plus” at the same time) and hold them for 3-5 seconds until a beep sounds. If the panel does not respond, simply unplug it from the socket.
Problems with the door and seal
One of the most common reasons why LG refrigerator it does not freeze well is a loose door fit. If the sealing rubber (cuff) is worn out, dirty or deformed, warm air constantly enters the chamber. The compressor tries to compensate for the heat, working without stopping, but the temperature does not drop to the desired values.
Check the integrity seal along the entire perimeter. Carry out a test with a sheet of paper: close the door on the sheet, if it is pulled out without resistance, the seal is broken. Also inspect the hinges: if the door is skewed, it will not be able to close tightly.
- 🧼 Wash the seal thoroughly with warm water and soap, removing grease and crumbs.
- 🔥 If the rubber band is deformed, try gently warming it up with a hairdryer and straighten it.
- 🚪 Check whether food or dishes are preventing the door from closing tightly.
How to check the magnetic strength of the seal?
Take a regular refrigerator magnet and run it along the joint of the door. If in some place the magnet “falls through” or holds very weakly, it means that the seal is broken or the internal magnetic cord is weakened.
Sometimes the problem lies in the overload of the freezer. If you put too much food in at once, the air circulation is disrupted. In systems No Frost this is critical, since cold air must circulate freely through special channels.
Malfunctions of the defrost system (No Frost)
If your LG refrigerator is equipped with a system No Frost, but has stopped freezing, rather Basically, the problem is in the defrost system. During operation, ice forms on the evaporator. It turns on periodically Defrost heating elementwhich melts this ice. If one of the elements of this chain breaks, the evaporator becomes overgrown with a “fur coat” that blocks the flow of cold air.
As a result, the fan circulates air, but it does not cool, since it is covered with an ice shell. It becomes warm in the freezer compartment, but in the refrigerator compartment, on the contrary, it may be too cold or the temperature will also rise over time.
The main elements that fail in the defrost system:
- ❄️ defrost heating element - heating element that could burn out.
- 🌡️ Defrost sensor - does not give a signal to turn the heating on or off.
- 🕰️ The defrost timer or control module is the “brain” of the system, which could have failed.
Diagnostics often require partial disassembly of the freezer compartment and removal of the back panel. If you find a thick layer of ice on the evaporator after defrosting the refrigerator for a day, the problem is almost certainly in this unit.
⚠️ Attention: Do not try to chip off the ice with a knife or sharp objects! You may damage the evaporator tubes and allow refrigerant to escape. Repairs in this case will be very expensive.
Fan malfunction
In models with No Frost the fan is responsible for circulating cold air. If the LG refrigerator hums, the compressor is running, but the freezer is not freezing, the fan may have stopped. Without forced circulation, the cold remains at the evaporator and does not enter the chamber.
The reasons for stopping can be different: freezing of the blades due to a malfunction of the defrost system, wear of the fan motor bearings or broken wiring. Sometimes the fan begins to make extraneous noise or crackle before stopping completely.
You can check the operation of the fan by opening the freezer door and holding the door open sensor (so that the refrigerator “thinks” the door is closed). If the fan does not start within a minute, it needs to be replaced or lubricated.
| Symptom | Possible cause | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Noises, but does not blow | Freezing blades | Defrost 24 hours |
| Silence during compressor operation | Fan motor burnt out | Fan replacement |
| Whistling or crackling | Wear of bearings | Lubrication or replacement |
Freon leak or compressor malfunction
The most serious reasons why LG refrigerator stopped freezing are related to the refrigerant circulation circuit. If a leak occurs freon, the compressor has nothing to pump and no cold is produced. Signs of a leak: the compressor runs constantly or turns on for a short time, the condenser (grid at the back) is only partially warm or cold.
It can also fail itself compressor. Modern LG models often use inverter compressors Linear Inverter. They are quieter and more economical, but are sensitive to voltage surges. If the compressor hums, clicks, but does not start, or starts and immediately turns off, this is a sign of a malfunction or a problem with the start relay (in conventional models).
Can I replace the freon myself?
No, filling a refrigerator with freon requires special equipment (vacuum pump, pressure gauge station) and skills. In addition, it is necessary to know exactly the type and amount of refrigerant. An independent attempt may lead to an explosion or permanent breakdown of the unit.
Diagnostics of a leak often requires the use of a leak detector or visual inspection of solder joints for oil stains. Repair in this case is complex and requires calling a specialist.
Faulty sensors and control module
Electronics controls all processes in the refrigerator. If control module (the board) burns out due to a power surge, it may not send commands to turn on the compressor or fan. Also often fail thermal sensorsthat incorrectly read the temperature and give false commands.
For example, if the sensor “thinks” that there is already -25°Cin the chamber, it will not turn on the cooling, although it’s actually there -5°C. In LG models with a display, this is often accompanied by error codes such as Er FF (fan error) or Er SF (sensor error).
☑️ Electronics diagnostics
Replacing sensors is a relatively simple procedure, but requires access to internal components. It is better to change the entire control board or send it to a specialized service to resolder the elements.
⚠️ Attention: Before carrying out any work on electrical components, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the network. Residual voltage on capacitors can be dangerous.
It is worth noting that in some regions the quality of electrical networks leaves much to be desired. If your light flickers frequently, it is recommended to use a voltage stabilizer to protect expensive electronics LG.
When you need to call a technician
Independent repair is possible only in cases that do not require opening the freon circuit or complex electronics. If you checked the settings, seal and defrost, but LG refrigerator it still doesn’t freeze, most likely the problem is deeper.