A situation where a refrigerator suddenly stops cooling can unsettle anyone. Ice begins to melt in the chamber, food quickly loses its freshness, and condensation appears on the shelves. This is not just discomfort, it is a direct threat to the safety of the food supply and the risk of an unpleasant odor in the future.
Before you panic and call the service center, it is necessary to conduct an initial diagnosis. Often the reason lies in little things that you can fix yourself in a matter of minutes without calling a technician. However, ignoring serious symptoms can lead to expensive compressor repairs or complete replacement of the unit.
In this article we will analyze the main reasons why The refrigerator has stopped freezingand draw up a clear action plan. You will learn how to distinguish a software failure from a mechanical failure, and when independent intervention is really justified.
Primary diagnosis: checking the obvious causes
The first step is to exclude external factors that often go unnoticed. Check that the refrigerator door is tightly closed. Even a small gap caused by crumbs or a crooked can will disrupt the tightness of the circuit, and the unit will not be able to reach the desired temperature.
Make sure that the device is connected to the power supply properly. Sometimes the problem lies in the socket or a broken circuit breaker in the panel. It is also worth checking whether the refrigerator is located too close to the wall or radiator. For normal operation, the system requires free heat dissipation, and if condenser (the radiator at the rear) overheats, the cooling efficiency drops to zero.
⚠️ Attention: If you notice that the back wall of the refrigerator is hot, but the inside is warm, this may indicate a clogged capillary tubes or thermostat malfunction. Do not attempt to disassemble the back panel until the unit is completely defrosted.
Pay attention to the position of the temperature regulator. In a hurry, someone in the household could accidentally move the knob to the “Off” or “Minimum” position. Also check if the chamber is loaded to capacity with food - cold air needs circulation to be evenly distributed throughout the volume.
Mode defrosting and features of the No Frost system
If you have a modern model with the system No Frostthe lack of cold may be a consequence of normal or emergency defrosting. In such refrigerators, the evaporator is located behind the back wall, and the air is pumped by a fan. If the system is stuck in defrost mode, the compressor may not start.
Try to completely defrost the refrigerator. To do this, unplug the appliance, open the doors and leave it for at least 12, and preferably 24, hours. This is necessary to ensure that any ice that may be blocking the air ducts or the fan is completely melted. After this, turn on the refrigerator and let it run empty for 5-7 hours.
Often after such a procedure The refrigerator starts to freeze again. If after a day of operation the problem returns, it means that one of the elements of the defrost system has failed: the evaporator heating element, the defrost sensor or the timer. In models with electronic control, the control module may have burned out and stopped sending a signal to start the compressor.
Problems with the thermostat and temperature sensors
The thermostat (thermostat) is the “brain” that decides when to turn on the compressor and when to turn it off. In older models this is a mechanical device with a capillary tube, in new ones it is an electronic sensor. If the refrigerator has stopped cooling, but is constantly running without stopping, most likely the thermostat is faulty.
It simply “does not see” that the temperature in the chamber is not low enough and does not give the command to start the motor. In mechanical models, you can try to temporarily close the thermostat contacts (after unplugging the refrigerator from the mains!). If after turning on the compressor starts working and cold appears, then the part needs to be changed.
In electronic models the situation is more complicated. Here, air sensors are responsible for the temperature. If one of them fails and shows incorrect data (for example, that it is -30°C in the chamber, although it is +10°C), the control module will not start cooling. Diagnosis of such faults requires electrical knowledge. a multimeter and electrical knowledge.
⚠️ Attention: When replacing the thermostat in mechanical refrigerators, it is important to correctly install and secure the capillary tube. Incorrect installation will lead to incorrect operation or rapid failure of the new part.
Symptoms of a sensor malfunction are often accompanied by blinking indicators on the control panel or the appearance of an error code. The decoding of the code can be found in the instructions for your model Liebherr, Bosch or Indesit.
Faults of the compressor and start relay
The compressor is the heart of the refrigeration unit. If he is silent, there will be no cold anywhere. However, sometimes you may hear a low hum, a click followed by silence, or short attempts to start. These are classic signs of problems with the starting relay or the motor itself.
The starting relay is a small part that fits onto the contacts of the compressor. It is responsible for starting the engine. If the relay is burned out, the compressor hums, but cannot start, and after a few seconds the thermal protector turns it off to prevent the windings from burning out. Replacing the relay is a simple procedure, accessible even to a beginner.
It’s worse if the compressor itself is faulty. This may be an interturn short circuit of the windings or mechanical wear. In such cases, the engine either does not hum at all, or hums very loudly and unevenly. Repairing the compressor is usually impractical; it requires a complete replacement with evacuation of the system and refilling with freon.
☑️ Compressor diagnostics
It is worth noting that in two-compressor refrigerators (where one motor is for the freezer, the other to the fridge compartment), failure of one of them leads to a lack of cold in only one of the sections. This is an important diagnostic sign.
Freon leak and capillary system blockage
Freon is a refrigerant that circulates through the tubes, taking heat from the chambers. If a microcrack has formed in the system (often due to corrosion or mechanical damage during cleaning), the gas gradually evaporates. The symptoms of a leak are obvious: the refrigerator works without interruption, trying to gain temperature, but there is no cold or it is very weak.
A sign of a freon leak is swelling of the side walls of the refrigerator or the appearance of rust in welded areas seams. Also, frost may appear on the tubes only at the beginning of the circuit, and then the tube remains warm.
Clogged capillary tube is the second common reason. Oil circulates in the system, which over time can thicken or mix with breakdown products, forming a plug. Freon cannot pass through the narrow section of the tube, circulation stops. Outwardly, it looks the same as with a leak: the motor is running, there is no cold.
To eliminate these problems, you need to call a technician. It is necessary to find the leak, seal it, replace the filter drier, pump out the air with a vacuum pump and fill the system with a new portion of refrigerant strictly by weight. It is impossible to do this on your own without equipment.
| Symptom | Probable cause | Difficulty of repair |
|---|---|---|
| The motor hums, but does not start | Start relay or compressor | Low / High |
| The refrigerator runs non-stop | Freon leak or thermostat | High / Medium |
| Ice only on the back wall | System malfunction No Frost | Medium |
| One chamber freezes, the other does not | Clogging or problem with the damper | Medium / High |
When you need to call a professional technician
Not all breakdowns can be fixed with your own hands. If you have checked the thermostat, done the defrosting, checked the relay, and the refrigerator still does not work, it is dangerous to continue to climb on your own. Working with refrigerants requires a license and special equipment.
In addition, modern refrigerators are equipped with sophisticated electronics. An attempt to “ring” the control module without experience can lead to a short circuit and permanent failure of the equipment. The technician will arrive with the necessary tools, diagnose the pressure in the system and name the exact reason.
It is worth thinking about the feasibility of repairs if the refrigerator is more than 10-12 years old. The cost of replacing a compressor and refilling with freon can be up to 70% of the cost of a new device. In such cases, it is often more profitable to buy new equipment with a guarantee and a modern energy consumption class.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why is the refrigerator humming, but not freezing?
Most often this indicates that the compressor is trying to start, but cannot. Reasons: faulty start relay, jammed compressor or lack of freon (although in the absence of freon, the motor can run quietly and without stopping). Diagnostics is required.
How long should the refrigerator take to get cold after defrosting?
Usually the process takes from 2 to 6 hours, depending on the volume of the chamber and the temperature in the room. If after 8-10 hours of empty operation the temperature does not drop below +10°C, then there is a technical malfunction.
Can a refrigerator stop freezing due to a power surge?
Yes, a power surge could damage the control module or burn the compressor winding. In some models, there is protection, and the device simply went into blocking mode - try disconnecting it from the network for 15-20 minutes.
What to do if the wall of the refrigerator is swollen?
Swelling of the side walls (the thermal insulation has foamed) often indicates corrosion of the internal circuit and freon leakage in the foamed part. Repair in this case is complex and expensive, often requiring the installation of an external evaporator (“crying evaporator”).
How to extend the life of a refrigerator?
Defrost it regularly (if it is not No Frost), wash the condenser from behind from dust, do not put hot foods inside and make sure that the door closes tightly. It is also important to observe the temperature conditions in the room.