The situation when the refrigerator Samsung continues to work, but the freezer stops freezing food, often takes you by surprise. In the upper compartment the temperature may remain normal, while in the lower compartment the ice begins to melt and the meat begins to spoil. This is a common problem that can be caused by either a simple electronics failure or a serious refrigerant leak.
The first thing to do if you find that Samsung refrigerator does not freeze the freezeris to carry out initial diagnostics without disassembling the unit. Often, equipment owners immediately panic and call a technician, although in 30% of cases the problem can be solved on their own in 10-15 minutes. It is important not to ignore the first signs: the appearance of ice on the back wall, unusually loud operation of the compressor or, conversely, its silence.
In this article we will analyze in detail the main causes of the malfunction, action algorithms for models with the system No Frost and static type of cooling. You will learn how to check the thermostat, defrost sensors and compressor condition, and also understand in which cases independent repair is dangerous and requires the intervention of licensed professionals.
Primary diagnosis and simple causes
Before you grab the tools, you need to eliminate external factors that often simulate a breakdown. If Samsung refrigerator stops freezing, perhaps the problem lies in a violation of the operating rules or a minor failure of the control electronics. Carefully inspect the chamber: if the products are lying close to the back wall, they could block the air circulation channels.
One of the common reasons is a loose door fit. Check the sealing rubber around the entire perimeter: it should be clean, elastic and fit snugly to the body. If warm air enters the chamber, the system No Frost cannot cope with the removal of moisture, and the evaporator becomes overgrown with a “fur coat,” blocking cooling.
⚠️ Attention: If you have recently changed the location of the refrigerator or carried out cleaning, make sure that the gap between the back wall of the device and the wall is at least 5-7 cm. Lack of condenser ventilation leads to to overheating and cooling stops.
It is also worth checking the temperature settings. Accidentally pressing buttons on the control panel (especially on models with a display) could switch the refrigerator to Holiday mode or simply change the temperature set point. Make sure that the freezer is set to no higher than -18°C.
No Frost system: problems with defrosting
Modern models Samsung equipped with an automatic defrosting system No Frost. If this system fails, the evaporator, located behind the plastic panel in the freezer, becomes covered in ice. The fan stops driving cold air, and the temperature in the chamber rises, although the compressor continues to hum.
The main culprits in this situation are often the defrost heater (TEN), defrost sensor or timer. If the heating element burns out, the ice does not melt and gradually blocks the operation of the fan. The sensor, in turn, may incorrectly read the temperature and not give a command to turn on the heating.
To confirm the diagnosis, partial disassembly of the freezer is often required. However, there is a simple test: if you defrost the refrigerator for 24 hours (turning it off completely), and then it works fine for 1-2 weeks and stops freezing again, the problem is definitely in the defrosting system.
In models with digital control, a defrost system error is often displayed by a code on the display, for example 22E, 21E or 12E. The decoding of the code depends on the specific series of the refrigerator, but they all indicate problems in the defrosting circuit.
Malfunctions of the compressor and start relay
If Samsung refrigerator does not freeze freezer and at the same time the compressor either does not turn on at all, or makes clicking and buzzing sounds, the problem may lie in the start protection relay or itself motor. The starting relay is a small plastic block that is placed on the contact group of the compressor.
If the relay fails, the contacts do not close and the motor winding does not receive an impulse to start. As a result, you hear a click, an attempt to start, and a click again. This is a protective reaction: if the engine does not start within a few seconds, the relay opens the circuit to prevent the winding from burning out.
⚠️ Attention: Before checking the electrical components, be sure to unplug the refrigerator! Working with live wiring is deadly.
A more serious situation is a breakdown of the compressor itself. If the motor hums but does not start, and replacing the relay does not help, there may be an interturn short circuit or the piston group is jammed. In this case, the compressor needs to be replaced, which is a complex procedure that requires evacuation of the system and charging with freon.
☑️ Compressor diagnostics
Freon leakage and clogged capillary tube
If the compressor runs continuously without turning off, but there is no cold either in the freezer or in the main compartment (or the freezer is working poorly), there is a high probability of a refrigerant leak. Freon circulates in a closed circuit, and if the tubes are damaged (for example, due to corrosion or mechanical shock when defrosting with a knife), the gas escapes.
Another malfunction with similar symptoms is a clogged capillary tube. A plug forms in the system from oil or moisture breakdown products, which blocks the movement of freon. The pressure in the system drops and cooling stops. Visually, this can be seen by swelling of the rear wall of the refrigerator or local freezing of the filter-drier.
| Symptom | Probable cause | Nature of compressor operation | Difficulty of repair |
|---|---|---|---|
| The evaporator is clean, there is no cold | Freon leakage | Works constantly or turns on frequently | High (needs soldering) |
| Ice only at the entrance of the tubes | Capillary tube clogged | Operates with overheating | High (needs purge) |
| There is cold, but weak | Lack of freon | Works in enhanced mode | Medium (refueling) |
| The compressor is hot | Motor malfunction | Humming, clicking or silent | High (replacement) |
It is almost impossible to repair a leak or blockage on your own without special equipment: a vacuum pump, a pressure gauge station and refrigerant reserves. Attempts to simply “add gas” without eliminating the cause of the leak will only give a short-term effect.
Why can’t you ignore a freon leak?
Modern Samsung refrigerators use mixtures of refrigerants (for example, R600a), which are flammable. In addition, operating the compressor without a sufficient amount of freon (which also serves as a lubricant and coolant for the motor) will lead to rapid combustion of the windings and expensive repairs.
Problems with electronic controls and sensors
In refrigerators Samsung with digital control, the electronic module is responsible for the distribution of cold. It receives signals from temperature sensors in the freezer and refrigerator compartments. If one of the sensors “lies” or breaks, the module may not give a command to turn on the compressor or fan.
Failure of the evaporator temperature sensor often occurs. If it shows that the temperature has already reached normal (for example, -25°C), although in reality it is warm there, the compressor simply will not start. Diagnostics is carried out with a multimeter: the resistance of the sensor is measured at different temperatures and compared with a reference table.
It is also worth mentioning malfunctions in the operation of the inverter compressor. Unlike conventional ones, they are controlled by a complex board. During voltage surges in the network, the inverter control board may burn out. In this case, the refrigerator may make a characteristic squeak or blink indicators, but will not start.
When you need to call a technician
There are a number of situations when self-repair is not only ineffective, but can also lead to permanent equipment failure. If you have checked all the simple reasons (defrosting, settings, door closure tightness), and Samsung refrigerator does not freeze freezermost likely, professional diagnostics are required.
This is especially true for work related to a sealed circuit. Opening the system, soldering pipes and refilling with freon requires a license and special equipment. Unprofessional soldering can lead to repeated leakage after a short time or moisture entering the system, which will cause corrosion from the inside.
⚠️ Attention: If you smell burning wiring, see sparking or hear a strong cracking sound inside the case, immediately unplug the device from the network and call a specialist. The operation of such a device is dangerous due to fire.
Also, the help of a specialist is necessary if the compressor needs to be replaced or complex re-soldering of copper tubes is required. These jobs are labor-intensive and require high qualifications. In the case of inverter models, it is often necessary to replace not only the motor, but also the control board, which is more economically feasible to entrust to a service center.
Prevention and care of the freezer
To avoid situations when refrigerator stops freezing, it is important to follow the operating rules. Regularly, at least once a year, it is recommended to completely defrost and wash the chambers. This allows you to remove dirt from the seals and check the condition of the plastic.
Do not fill the freezer with food to capacity. Free space is required for air circulation. In addition, do not put hot foods directly into the refrigerator - this creates excess humidity and stress on the system.
How to properly clean a refrigerator?
Use only mild detergents without abrasives. After washing, thoroughly wipe all surfaces with a dry cloth and leave the doors open for 1-2 hours to completely dry and ventilate.
Keep the condenser clean (grids at the back or bottom). Dust and animal hair, accumulating on the tubes, impair heat transfer, causing the compressor to wear out. You should vacuum the condenser carefully so as not to crush the thin tubes.
Why did an ice crust form in the Samsung freezer?
An ice crust most often indicates a broken door seal or a malfunction of the defrost system. If the seal is worn out, moist air from the room constantly enters and freezes. This may also be a sign that the drainage hole is clogged and the water does not have time to drain.
Is it possible to use a refrigerator if it does not freeze?
You can use a refrigerator as a storage cabinet, but only for a short time. Constantly running the compressor on empty (if it turns on) will cause it to overheat and burn out. If the compressor does not turn on, the food will simply go bad. It is better to turn off the device before repair.
How long should defrosting last to check?
To completely defrost the evaporator, which is located deep inside the case, the refrigerator must be turned off with the doors open for at least 24 hours. A shorter defrosting may not melt the ice plug in the channels.
What does a flashing temperature indicator mean?
A flashing indicator (often with an exclamation mark or the letter F) indicates that the temperature in the chamber has risen above the permissible level. This can be either a temporary phenomenon after loading products or an indication of a malfunction. If the blinking does not stop after several hours of operation, diagnostics are needed.