The situation when a two-chamber refrigerator Samsung continues to freeze food in the lower compartment, but stops cooling the upper chamber, this is a classic malfunction that owners of No Frost equipment encounter. This does not mean that the device is completely out of order, since the compressor, judging by the operation of the freezer, is functioning. However, a disruption in the circulation of the refrigerant or a malfunction in the temperature control system leads to spoilage of food in the refrigerator compartment.
In modern models, such as Samsung RL33ECSW or RB30, cooling of the top occurs due to cold air, which is forced from the freezer through special channels. If this process is disrupted, the temperature in the upper compartment rises to room temperature. The cause may be either a banal blockage of the channel with ice, or a serious breakdown of the compressor or a freon leak. It is important not to panic, but to consistently carry out diagnostics in order to understand the scale of the problem.
Before calling a specialist, it is necessary to exclude simple factors that are often ignored. Check that the ventilation duct is not blocked by food, that the temperature is set correctly, and that the chamber is not too tightly packed. Sometimes it is enough to defrost the unit for a day to eliminate the ice plug blocking the flow of cold.
The principle of operation of the No Frost system and the distribution of cold
To understand why the cold in the upper chamber has disappeared, you need to understand the physics of the process. In two-chamber refrigerators Samsung with system No Frost one compressor and one evaporator are used, usually located in the freezer compartment. The fan drives air through the evaporator, cools it and directs it into the fridge compartment through the air ducts.
The key element here is damper (damper), which regulates the volume of cold air supplied. If the damper jams in the closed position, the cold simply does not enter the upper compartment, remaining in the freezer. That is why the lower chamber can work even with excess power while the upper one “gets warm.”
Air circulation should be unhindered. Any obstacle, be it a piece of polyethylene stuck to the outlet, or a frozen layer of snow, blocks the flow. In normal operation, temperature sensors detect heating in the upper compartment and open the damper, starting the fan.
Fault diagnosis: the owner's first steps
The first thing to do when a problem is detected is to conduct a visual and auditory inspection. Listen to see if the fan inside the refrigerator is running. A characteristic noise or hum may indicate that the motor is trying to work, but is (blocked) by ice or is mechanically faulty. If there is absolute silence, the fan motor may have burned out or there is no voltage supplied to it.
The second step is to check the temperature settings. Make sure that the Eco Vacation mode is not activated in the menu, which often turns off the cooling of the refrigerator compartment, leaving only the freezer to operate to save energy. On the display or control panel Samsung this mode is usually indicated by a suitcase icon or inscription Eco.
It is also worth checking the tightness of the sealing rubber of the upper compartment door. If the rubber has dried out or crumbs have gotten into it, warm air is constantly sucked in. The compressor may not be able to cope with the heat influx, and the cold will leave first from the less insulated upper chamber.
Freezing of the air supply channel and defrosting defects
One of the most common reasons why the upper chamber does not freeze in two-chamber refrigerator Samsung, is the formation of an ice plug in the channel between the freezer and the refrigerator compartment. This occurs due to a malfunction of the evaporator defrost system. If the defrost heating element, defrost sensor or timer (or electronic control module) do not work correctly, a “fur coat” grows on the evaporator.
Ice gradually blocks the circulation channels. The fan continues to circulate air, but it cannot pass through the ice jam into the upper chamber. As a result, the freezer may be cold, but the top may be warm. A characteristic sign of such a malfunction is that after the refrigerator is completely defrosted (for 24 hours with the doors open), it begins to work normally, but after 1-2 weeks the problem returns.
To eliminate this cause you need:
- ❄️ Completely defrost the unit for at least 24 hours (preferably 30-36 hours) to melt the ice inside body.
- 🔧 Check the serviceability of the defrost heating element and the evaporator temperature sensor with a multimeter.
- 💨 Blow out the air supply channels, making sure they are clean.
⚠️ Attention: Do not try to break through the ice plug with sharp objects (knife, screwdriver). You risk damaging the aluminum evaporator or plastic air ducts, which will lead to expensive repairs or freon leakage.
How to check the defrost heating element?
To check the heating element, you need to get to the evaporator (by removing the back panel in the freezer). Test the heating element with a multimeter in resistance measurement mode. If the device shows a break (infinity), the heating element has burned out and requires replacement. Also check the integrity of the wires going to the heating element, as they often rot due to temperature changes.
Faults of the damper (damper) and fan
The damper (damper) is a mechanical curtain with an electric drive that dispenses the supply of cold air. If it is stuck in the closed position, the upper chamber will remain without cooling. In models Samsung with electronic control, a malfunction of the damper is often accompanied by an error code on the display, for example 22C or 23C (depending on the model), which indicates an error in the sensor or damper actuator.
The evaporator fan also plays a critical role. If its blades are covered with ice or the bearing fails, air circulation will stop. Sometimes the fan hums but does not rotate due to a mechanical obstruction. In such cases, a characteristic crack or whistle is heard.
Symptoms of problems with the air tract:
- 🌬️ The refrigerator works constantly, without turning off, but the upper chamber is warm.
- 🔊 The appearance of extraneous sounds (grinding, humming) from the area rear wall.
- 🌡️ Sudden changes in temperature in the refrigerator compartment.
Replacing a damper or fan requires partial disassembly of the interior panel of the refrigerator or freezer. It is important to use original spare parts or high-quality analogues, since the geometry of the seat in Samsung is often specific.
☑️ Diagnostics of the air tract
Refrigerant leak and problems with the compressor
If defrosting did not help, but the fan and damper are in good working order, the reason may lie in a decrease in the amount of refrigerant (freon) in the system. Leakage can occur through microcracks in the evaporator (often hidden in the foamed part of the housing) or in the solder joints of the circuit. When freon leaks, the pressure in the system drops and the cooling capacity decreases. First of all, the cold ceases to reach the area remote from the evaporator - the upper chamber.
Another option is a loss of compressor performance. The motor may hum and start, but not create the necessary pressure to pump freon through the entire circuit. In this case, the condenser (grid at the back) may be lukewarm or cold, and not hot, as it should be during normal operation.
Comparative table of symptoms:
| Symptom | Probable cause | Actions |
|---|---|---|
| The freezer freezes, the top is warm, it works after defrosting | Ice plug, defrosting defect | Replacing the heating element/sensor/timer |
| The compressor is hot, runs non-stop, there is no cold anywhere or weak | Freon leakage | Searching for leaks, refilling |
| The compressor hums, clicks, but does not start | Faulty start relay or compressor | Replacing the relay or motor |
| Error code on the display (e.g. 22C) | Faulty sensor or damper | Electronics diagnostics |
⚠️ Attention: Self-filling the refrigerator with freon is impossible without special equipment (vacuum pump, pressure gauge station, scales). An attempt to “just add gas” will lead to mixing of refrigerants with air and moisture, which will completely damage the compressor.
Failures in the electronic control module
Electronic "brain" of the refrigerator Samsung manages all processes. If the control board is faulty, it may not send a signal to open the damper or turn on the fan, even if the sensors indicate high temperature in the upper chamber. Often such failures occur after power surges in the network.
In some cases, resetting errors (Reset) helps. To do this, press and hold the temperature setting buttons (usually “Fridge” and “Freezer” at the same time) for 10-15 seconds until a beep sounds. This reboots the controller.
If the reset does not help, professional diagnostics of the board is required. The technicians check the output voltages on the compressor, fan and heating element relays. Sometimes it is enough to replace a burnt-out fuse or relay, but if the tracks or microcircuits are damaged, the entire module will need to be replaced.
Prevention and proper operation
To extend the life of a two-chamber refrigerator Samsung and to avoid problems with cooling the upper chamber, it is important to follow the operating rules. Do not place hot food in the chamber - this causes sudden steam formation and the formation of ice jams. Keep the drainage hole clean, if your model has one, so that condensation can drain freely.
Carry out preventive defrosting regularly, at least once a year, even if you have a No Frost system. This will help remove micro-ice build-ups that have not yet melted. Also check the integrity of the seals and do not overload the chamber with products, blocking the air flow.
Compliance with temperature conditions is the key to long service. The optimal setting for the refrigerator compartment is +3...+4 °C, for the freezer - -18...-20 °C. Lower temperatures will not improve storage, but will increase the load on the compressor and the risk of freezing.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why does the top of the Samsung No Frost refrigerator not freeze, but the bottom works?
Most often this indicates a violation of the circulation of cold air. Either an ice plug has formed in the channel between the chambers due to a defrosting failure, or the damper is jammed, or the fan is not working. Less commonly, the cause is a freon leak, when the pressure is only enough for the freezer.
How long does it take to defrost a Samsung refrigerator when icing?
To properly remove the ice plug inside the case (which is not visible to the eye), defrosting is required for at least 24 hours, and preferably 36 hours with the doors open. A short defrosting of 3-5 hours often does not produce results, since the ice deep in the channels does not have time to melt.
What does error code 22C or 23C mean on a Samsung refrigerator?
These codes indicate an error in the temperature sensor or the refrigerator door. The code 22C is usually associated with a temperature sensor error, and 23C with a damper (damper) error. Diagnostics of the electrical circuit of these elements is required.
Is it possible to temporarily use the refrigerator if the upper chamber does not work?
It can be used, but with caution. Food in the upper chamber will quickly spoil. Additionally, if the cause is a faulty defrost system, the compressor will work harder to try to cool the top, which can cause it to overheat and fail. It is better to turn off the device before repair.
Why did the refrigerator work after defrosting, but a week later it stopped again?
This is a classic sign of a malfunction of the automatic defrosting system. Defrosting removed the ice temporarily, but since the heating element, sensor or timer does not turn on at the right time for scheduled defrosting, the ice builds up again and blocks the channels. It is necessary to replace the defective part of the defrost system.