The situation when in the refrigerator Indesit the lower chamber is working properly, and in the upper one the cold suddenly disappears, is one of the most common complaints of the owners of this technology. Users often notice that food in the freezer is frozen solid, while on the shelves in the main compartment the milk quickly turns sour and the meat becomes covered in mucus. This is a classic symptom of a refrigerant circulation problem or a malfunction in the temperature control system.
The reasons for such an imbalance can vary from simple icing of the evaporator to serious freon leaks or compressor failure. It is important to understand that modern models No Frost and simpler systems with a weeping wall have different cooling mechanics, but the principle of “top-down” (in two-compressor models) or “bottom-up” (in single-compressor models) remains key to understanding the problem. In two-chamber Indesit models with one compressor, the cold first enters the freezer, and only then, through the channels, into the refrigeration compartment.
Before calling a technician or trying to disassemble the unit, it is necessary to carry out initial diagnostics. Often the problem lies not in a breakdown of the unit, but in a violation of operating rules or a simple blockage. In this article, we will analyze in detail all possible scenarios why Indesit it stopped freezing in the upper compartment, and we will help you determine the course of action.
The main reasons for temperature violations
If you find that the upper chamber of the refrigerator Indesit does not cool, the first step is to exclude external factors. Often, equipment owners panic ahead of time without checking the thermostat settings. In models with electronic control, a failure could occur due to a power surge in the network, and the controller went into emergency mode or simply went astray.
The second important aspect is the tightness of the seals. If the rubber on the door of the main chamber is dry or dirty, warm air constantly flows inside. The compressor tries to compensate for the heat, working for wear, but due to design features (especially in No Frost models), the main flow of cold can “get stuck” in the freezer, not reaching the upper compartment in the required volume.
It is also worth paying attention to the loading of the chambers. If you put a large pot of hot soup or just defrosted room-temperature food in the refrigerator, the thermostat may not have time to respond and air circulation may be disrupted. In this case, refrigerator simply cannot cope with the thermal shock, and the upper part remains warm.
⚠️ Attention: If you hear that the compressor is running continuously without turning off, but there is no cold in the upper compartment, this is a sure sign that the cooling system is ineffective. Further operation in this mode will lead to overheating of the motor and its combustion.
One of the technical reasons may be improper operation of the air supply damper. In models with the system No Frost cold air is pumped by a fan and distributed through the channels. If the damper that regulates the flow into the refrigerator compartment is stuck in the closed position, the top will remain warm, even if everything below is frozen.
Diagnostics of the No Frost and defrost system
The most common reason why the refrigerator Indesit stops freezing in the upper chamber is a malfunction of the evaporator defrost system. In units with the No Frost function, an evaporator is located on the back wall inside the housing (usually behind a plastic panel). Over time, ice accumulates on it, which must be periodically melted by the heating element.
If the defrosting system fails, the ice does not melt, but grows more and more. Ultimately, the ice coat completely blocks the channels through which the fan should drive cold air into the upper chamber. As a result, there is ice in the freezer (and often there is even too much of it), and there is heat in the refrigerator compartment.
The main elements of the defrost system that fail:
- ❄️ Defrost heating element - heating element, which could burn out and stop heating.
- ❄️ Defrost sensor —a thermostat that can “stick” and not give a command to turn on the heating.
- ❄️ Defrost timer (or electronic module)—a device that does not switch the refrigerator to defrost mode.
To To test this hypothesis, you need to completely defrost the refrigerator. Unplug it, open the doors and leave it for at least 24 hours (preferably a day). If, after switching on Indesit it began to freeze normally in both chambers again, but after 5-7 days the problem recurred, the diagnosis is confirmed: the defrosting system does not work.
☑️ Checking the defrosting system
It is important to note that some models Indesit use a capillary tube that passes through evaporator zone. If the ice builds up too much, it can mechanically compress or damage this tube, which will lead to more serious consequences, including a freon leak.
Refrigerant problems: freon leak
Refrigerant (freon) leak is the second most popular reason why the upper chamber does not freeze. Unlike a defrost system, defrosting will not help here. Freon circulates in a closed circuit: first it passes through the freezer, giving off part of the cold there, and then enters the main compartment.
When the amount of gas in the system decreases due to a microcrack, it is only enough to cool the first section of the circuit - the freezer. The refrigerant simply does not reach the upper chamber in the required volume or condition. This phenomenon is often called “underfilling” or “airing” of the system.
Symptoms of a freon leak:
- 💨 The compressor works almost non-stop, trying to gain temperature.
- 💨 The condenser (grid at the back) is only partially warm or cold completely.
- 💨 In the freezer, food has thawed or is frozen unevenly, and in the top there is heat.
It is difficult to find the leak on your own. Often it occurs in the foamed part of the housing (internal evaporators), which requires complex repairs with the installation of an external evaporator (“crying” grille at the back). Also, freon can escape through soldering joints of pipes or through a filter drier.
⚠️ Attention: Freon is a gas that in high concentrations can be hazardous to health, and upon contact with an open flame forms toxic compounds. Do not try to pierce the tubes yourself or solder them without special equipment and skills.
Faults of the compressor and start relay
The heart of the refrigerator is the compressor. If it does not work correctly, the pressure in the system drops and the circulation of refrigerant is disrupted. In refrigerators Indesit there are often problems with the start relay, especially in older models. The relay is responsible for starting the engine and protecting it from overloads.
If the relay is “stuck” or burned out, the compressor may hum, click, but not start, or start for a few seconds and immediately stall. In this mode, there is not enough pressure to pump freon through the entire circuit (to the upper chamber). Sometimes the compressor works, but its performance has dropped due to wear on the valve group.
Signs of problems with the compressor group:
- 🔊 Strong knocking, clanging or buzzing when trying to start.
- 🔊 The compressor is hot to the touch, but there is no cold anywhere or only in the freezer.
- 🔊 Frequent clicks of the relay every few minutes.
Replacing the start relay is a relatively simple and inexpensive procedure that can be done independently if you have basic skills. However, if the problem is in the compressor itself (turn-to-turn short circuit, piston wedge), the entire unit will need to be replaced and the system professionally refilled.
How to check the start relay?
Unplug the refrigerator. Remove the back cover and get to the compressor. Carefully remove the plastic box (relay) from the compressor contact group. Shake it near your ear: if you hear a ringing sound (like a coin inside), then the relay is faulty and needs to be replaced. If there is no sound, perhaps the relay is intact, but the problem is deeper.
Clogged capillary tube
Another technical malfunction typical of refrigerators that have been in use for a long time is a clogged capillary tube. There is a very narrow section in the freon circulation system - the capillary, where a sharp drop in pressure and temperature occurs. This is where oil oxidation products, moisture or solder microparticles most often accumulate.
When a blockage occurs, freon cannot circulate freely. The pressure rises before the blockage, and then drops after it. As a result, the freezer may be cold (because it is located before or at the beginning of the problem area, or due to residual pressure), but the upper chamber remains warm. Often, the compressor operates with overload.
Symptoms of blockage:
- 🛑 The compressor is hotter than usual, it works without stopping.
- 🛑 The condenser at the back heats up unevenly: before the blockage it is hot, after it is cold.
- 🛑 When the refrigerator is turned off, a characteristic sound of flowing liquid or hissing is heard, but there is no cold.
Removing the blockage requires purging the system with nitrogen under high pressure and replacing the filter-drier. This is a job for a handyman with a vacuum pump and a filling station. It is impossible to “break through” the blockage on your own without equipment, and attempts to heat the pipe with a hairdryer can lead to depressurization of the solder.
Comparison of faults: table of symptoms
To make it easier for you to navigate the diagnosis, we have compiled a summary table of the main symptoms. Compare the behavior of your Indesit with the data below.
| Symptom | Probable cause | Nature of compressor operation | Difficulty of repair |
|---|---|---|---|
| There is ice in the freezer, warmth at the top. After defrosting, it works for a week. | Malfunction of the defrosting system (heating element, sensor) | Works cyclically | Average |
| In the freezer, food melts, it’s warm at the top. The back is dry. | Freon leak | Works without stopping | High |
| Clicks, buzzing, starts for 5-10 seconds and shuts down. | Faulty start relay or compressor | Trying to start | Low/High |
| The freezer freezes a lot, the top does not freeze. The compressor is hot. | Clogged capillary tube | Works without stopping | High |
The table shows that by indirect signs you can quite accurately determine the direction of troubleshooting. However, the final diagnosis, especially regarding the pressure in the system, can only be made by a specialist with a manometric manifold.
When you need to call a specialist
Despite the desire to save money, there are situations when DIY repairs are impractical or dangerous. If diagnostics indicate a freon leak, capillary blockage or compressor failure, you will need professional intervention. These works require special tools: a vacuum pump, refueling scales, burners and pressure gauges.
In addition, modern refrigerators Indesit often use mixtures of gases (for example, R600a - isobutane), which are explosive at a certain concentration. Unprofessional soldering or improper vacuuming of the system can lead to an explosion or rapid failure of the equipment.
It is also worth considering calling a specialist if:
- 🔧 You do not have experience working with live electrical circuits.
- 🔧 The refrigerator has expired warranty period, but you want to keep it in working order for several more years (professional repairs extend life).
- 🔧 The foamed evaporator (internal) needs to be replaced, which is often not economically feasible, and the technician will be able to offer an alternative.
⚠️ Attention: If your refrigerator is more than 10-12 years old and there is a leak freon in the foamed part of the housing (internal circuit), the cost of repairs can reach 70-80% of the price of a new unit. In such cases, it is often more profitable to buy new equipment than to restore the old one.
Remember that timely contact with a specialist can save the compressor. If the refrigerator worked for a long time with a freon leak or a blockage, the oil in the compressor could overheat and lose its properties, which would lead to its imminent demise even after the main problem is eliminated.
Prevention and operating rules
So that the problem “the upper chamber does not freeze” does not take you by surprise, it is important to follow the rules for operating refrigerators Indesit. Regularly check the condition of the rubber seals: wipe them with a soft cloth and check the tightness of the seal. Once a year, it is advisable to lubricate them with silicone grease to maintain elasticity.
Do not overload the chambers with products. Cold air should circulate freely inside. If you use the Super Freeze (super freeze) mode, do not forget to turn it off in time, otherwise the system may not return to normal operation and the upper chamber will stop receiving cold.
It is also important to keep the condenser at the back of the refrigerator clean. Dust and animal hair adhering to the black grille impair heat transfer. The compressor begins to work harder, which increases the risk of overheating and breakdown. Wipe the grille with a vacuum cleaner or a dry brush at least