The refrigerator has stopped freezing, but the light inside is on: what to do?

You open the refrigerator door, and inside, instead of the usual cold, there is warm air and melting food. In this case, the light is on, the compressor does not hum, and the indicators on the panel may flash or show an error. Is the situation familiar? This problem occurs in 30% of refrigerators older than 5 years, but it can also occur in new models. In this article we will analyze Samsung, LG, Indesit or Atlant.

In 80% of cases the malfunction is related to cooling system, but small parts can also be to blame - from the seal to the electronic module. In this article we will look at all possible reasonswhy the refrigerator does not freeze when the light is on, and also give step-by-step instructions for diagnosis and repair. You will know when you can handle it yourself, and when it’s time to call a specialist.

Important: if the refrigerator stopped cooling completely (both the freezer and the main compartment), but there is light, this is one scenario. If only one chamber does not work (for example, the freezer freezes, but the refrigerator does not), the reasons will be different. We will consider both options.

1. Checking for obvious reasons: 5 steps before repair

Before disassembling the refrigerator or calling a service center, rule out simple problems that do not require special skills. In 15% of cases, the problem is solved in 5 minutes.

• 🔌 Power and socket: Make sure that the plug is firmly inserted into the socket. Try connecting another device (for example, a phone charger) - if it does not work, the problem is in the socket or circuit breaker in the panel.
• 📉 Cooling mode: It is possible that the Vacation or Ecomode is accidentally turned on, in which the compressor is turned off. Check the settings on the panel (in models Bosch and Siemens this is the button Holiday).
• 🚪 Door closure tightness: Shine a flashlight into the seal - if visible light, the door is not closed tightly. Try pressing it harder or check if something is in the way (for example, a bottle).
• ❄️ Icing of the evaporator: In models with NoFrost sometimes the fan freezes Turn off the refrigerator for 10-12 hours so that the ice melts, then turn it on. again.
• 🔄 Failure electronics: Unplug the plug from the socket for 1-2 minutes, then plug it back in. This will reset the settings and can restore functionality (relevant for LG with a system Smart Inverter).

If after these steps the refrigerator does not work, proceed to diagnosing the internal systems. At this stage, you will already need tools: a multimeter, a screwdriver and, possibly, a pressure gauge to check the freon pressure.

2. Compressor failures: why it does not start or does not work correctly

The compressor is the “heart” of the refrigerator, which pumps freon through the air. system. If it does not work, there will be no cooling, but the light will continue to light. The causes of compressor malfunction are divided into two groups: electrical (no power) and mechanical (wear, jamming).

How to check the compressor:

1. Unplug the refrigerator.
2. Remove the back cover (in most models it is secured with 4-6 screws).
3. Find the compressor - this is a black “barrel” with tubes, usually at the bottom.
4. Test the windings with a multimeter:
   • The resistance between the contacts C (common) and S (starting winding) should be ~20–40 Ohm.
   • Between C and R (working winding) - ~10–15 Ohm.
   • Between S and R —the sum of the two previous values (~30–55 Ohm).

If the resistance is 0 or ∞, the windings are burned out or torn.

Critical point: if the compressor overheats and turns off after 1-2 minutes of operation, this is a sign of an interturn short circuit. In this case, repairing the windings is impossible - only replacing the unit.

3. Freon leak: how to detect and what to do

Freon is a refrigerant that circulates through the system and provides cooling. If it leaks, the refrigerator stops freezing, but the lights and fans (in models). data-i="122">) may work. Causes of leakage: NoFrost) can work. Reasons for leakage:

• 🛠️ Mechanical damage: tube puncture when moving the refrigerator or careless repairs.
• 🔥 Corrosion: over time, aluminum tubes oxidize, especially in solder areas.
• 🧊 Cracks in the evaporator: most often in the freezer (visible by rusty spots or oil traces).

Signs of a freon leak:

• The compressor is running without stopping or turns off after 5–10 seconds.
• The condenser (grid at the back) remains cold.
• There is no frost in the freezer, although the compressor is humming.
• Oil stains are visible on the tubes or evaporator (freon circulates with oil).

How to check the leak yourself:

1. Turn off the refrigerator and defrost it for 12 hours.
2. Turn on and listen: if the compressor starts, but turns off after a few seconds, this is a sign zero pressure in the system (freon leaked).
3. Inspect the tubes for oil traces or rust. Pay special attention to soldering points and bends.

⚠️ Attention: Refilling freon requires special equipment and certification. Doing this yourself is prohibited - freon. toxic and explosive if handled incorrectly. Contact a service center.

4. Malfunctions of the NoFrost system: fan, heating element, sensors

If you have a refrigerator with the system NoFrost (Samsung, LG, Beko etc.), the problem may lie in additional components:

• 🌀 Fan: if it does not spin, the cold does not enter the chambers. Check whether it is clogged with ice (a common problem with a faulty defrosting heating element).
• 🔥 Defrost heating element: is responsible for removing frost from the evaporator. If it burns out, the ice blocks the fan and the refrigerator stops working. freeze.
• 📡 Defrost sensor (defroster): if the heating element breaks down, it does not turn on and the evaporator freezes.
• 🌡️ Temperature sensors: if they lie, the compressor may not start or work incorrect.

How to diagnose:

1. Turn off the refrigerator and defrost it for 10–12 hours.
2. After turning on, listen: if the fan does not make noise, check it with a multimeter (winding resistance ~200–500 Ohms).
3. If the fan works, but after 1–2 days the problem returns, check the defrost heating element (resistance ~20–50 Ohms).
4. Sensors are checked by replacing them with known good ones or measuring the resistance at different temperatures.

Disconnect the refrigerator and defrost|Ring the fan with a multimeter|Check the defrost heating element for a break|Inspect the evaporator for ice|Turn the fan manually (should rotate freely)-->

In models Samsung with a system Twin Cooling Plus (two compressors), a malfunction of one circuit does not always block the second. For example, if the fan in the freezer breaks down, the refrigerator compartment may continue to work, but cool worse.

5. Problems with the thermostat and electronic module

The thermostat (or thermostat) is the “brain” that turns the compressor on and off depending on the temperature. In modern refrigerators it has been replaced electronic control unit, but the principle is the same: if the sensor is lying or the module is burned out, the compressor will not receive a command to start.

Signs of a malfunctioning thermostat:

• The compressor does not turn on at all (light yes).
• The compressor works without stopping (the thermostat is "stuck" in the "on" position).
• The temperature in the chambers does not correspond to the set temperature (for example, +10° instead of +5°).

How to check the thermostat:

1. Find the thermostat - usually it is located next to the lamp or on the back wall (in old models Atlant, Stinol).
2. Remove the terminals and short them together (a jumper made of wire). If the compressor starts, the thermostat is faulty.
3. Ring with a multimeter: at room temperature the contacts should be closed, when cooling (for example, ice from the freezer) they should be open.

In electronically controlled refrigerators (LG, Samsung, Liebert) the problem may be:

• 🔌 Control board: burnt tracks, capacitors are swollen.
• 📶 Temperature sensors: they transmit incorrect data to the module.
• 🔄 Firmware: after a voltage surge, the software may crash (relevant for models with a display).

⚠️ Attention: If after a power surge the refrigerator stops freezing, but the display shows an error (for example, Er IF y Indesit or E1 y Beko), do not try to reset the settings with the buttons. This may lead to blocking the module. It is better to turn off the power for 5 minutes.

6. Clogged capillary tube or filter drier

The capillary tube is a thin channel through which freon enters the evaporator. due to the ingress of moisture or oil), the refrigerant does not circulate, and the refrigerator stops cooling. A similar problem occurs when the filter is clogged: it is installed in front of the capillary and traps debris. data-i="193">The compressor works without stopping, but does not freeze. filter drier — it is installed in front of the capillary and traps debris.

Signs of a blockage:

• The compressor runs non-stop, but does not freeze.
• The condenser (grid at the back) is hot only at the beginning, then it cools down.
• After turning off the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes, the compressor starts with difficulty (you can hear it humming “strainedly”).

How to remove a blockage:

1. Turn off the refrigerator and defrost it.
2. Use a pressure gauge to check the pressure in the system. If there is a blockage, it will be higher than normal at the outlet of the compressor and lower at the inlet.
3. Replace the filter drier and blow out the capillary system. tube with nitrogen (this is done at the service station).
4. Fill the system with freon.

In 90% of cases, the blockage occurs due to improper filling of freon or moisture entering the system. If the refrigerator was repaired recently, the cause may be poor-quality soldering or lack of evacuation before refilling.

What will happen, if you do not clean the blockage?

If you ignore the problem, the compressor will wear out, which will lead to its overheating and failure. On average, the service life of the compressor with constant blockage is reduced by 2-3 times (from 10-15 years to 3-5 years).

7. refrigerators

If you have a two-compressor refrigerator (LG GR-B207, Samsung RB-30 J3200 etc.), and only one chamber (for example, a freezer) has stopped freezing, and the second one is working normally, the reasons may be the following:

• 🔧 The compressor of a specific chamber is faulty: it is checked in the same way as in single-compressor models.
• 🧊 Freon leak in one circuit: inspect the tubes going to the inoperative chamber.
• 🌡️ Failure of the thermostat or sensor: in two-compressor models they are duplicated for each chamber.
• ⚡ Problems with the control board: it may not send a signal to turn on the second compressor.

Diagnostics of two-compressor refrigerators is more difficult, since you need to check each circuit separately. For example, if the freezer does not freeze, but the refrigeration compartment works:

1. Check whether the freezer compressor turns on (put your hand on it - it should vibrate).
2. If the compressor does not start, ring its windings and check the start relay.
3. If the compressor hums, but does not freeze, look for freon leak or blockage in the freezer circuit.

In models with Full NoFrost (for example, LG GA-B489) the problem may lie in damper, which distributes the cold between the chambers. If it gets stuck, one of the chambers will stop working. cool.

8. When to call a technician: 5 signs of serious damage

Some problems can be fixed yourself (for example, replacing the thermostat or cleaning the fan), but there are problems that require professional repair. Contact the service center if:

• 🔧 Freon refilling is required: This cannot be done without special equipment.
• 🔥 The control board has burned out: soldering or replacement of microcircuits is required.
• 🛠️ The compressor needs to be replaced: this is a labor-intensive process involving soldering of tubes and evacuation.
• ⚡ Electrical problems: short circuit, broken wiring inside the walls.
• 🧊 Crack in the evaporator: requires replacement of the unit or soldering, followed by checking for tightness.

The cost of repair depends on the type of breakdown:

⚠️ Attention: Details and prices may vary depending on the refrigerator model and region. Check current prices at local service centers.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

The refrigerator does not freeze, but the light is on and the compressor is humming - what is it?

Most likely, the problem is leakage. freon or clogged capillary tube. The compressor is running, but the refrigerant is not circulating. Another option is a malfunction fan in NoFrost systems (cold is not flowing into the chambers).

Is it possible to refill freon yourself?

No. For refilling you need pressure manifold, vacuum pump a certificate for working with it. With freon. In addition, before refueling, the system must be evacuated, otherwise moisture will remain inside and quickly damage the compressor. Contact a specialist.

The refrigerator stopped freezing after the power was turned off.

Probably happened voltage surgethat damaged the control board or compressor. Try:

1. Turn off the refrigerator for 5-10 minutes, then turn it on again.
2. If that doesn’t help - check fuse on the board (may be burnt out).
3. If the compressor does not start, ring its windings (the starting winding may have burned out).

If after these steps the refrigerator does not work, call a technician for diagnostics electronics.

Why does the refrigerator not freeze, but the freezer works?

In single-compressor models, this is a sign:

• Faults dampers (in NoFrost systems, cold does not enter the refrigeration compartment).
• Freon leaks in the circuit of the refrigeration chamber.
• Failures fan or Defrost heating element (if the freezer is NoFrost, and drip refrigeration compartment).

In two-compressor refrigerators (LG, Samsung), a separate compressor or refrigerator thermostat is to blame.

How long can food be stored if the refrigerator does not freeze?

The time depends on the temperature in the room and the type of food:

• Meat, fish, milk: up to 2 hours at +20° in the room, up to 4 hours at +10°.
• Vegetables, fruits, eggs: up to 6–8 hours.
• Frozen foods: if the door is not open, will last up to 24 hours (in a well-insulated freezer).

To extend the period, put the food in a cooler bag with ice or wrap it in newspaper (this will slow down thawing).