The situation when the light is on inside the refrigerator compartment, but the temperature does not drop below room temperature, is a classic sign of a malfunction of the cooling system. This means that the electrical circuit responsible for lighting is intact, but the unit does not perform its main function - freezing. Owners often panic, but in most cases the problem lies in one of several key components that can be diagnosed.
Modern models Samsung, be they classic two-chamber devices or complex systems No Frost, have a similar operating logic of the compressor and sensors. If you hear the engine running, but there is no cold, or there is absolute silence, the algorithm of actions will be different. It is important not to try to immediately disassemble the equipment, but to carry out initial visual and auditory diagnostics.
In this article we will analyze the main causes of failure, from simple operating errors to serious technical failures. We'll look at how to check thermostatwhy it might fail compressor and what to do if it's clogged capillary. Understanding these processes will help you make the right decision: call a technician or fix the problem yourself.
Primary diagnostics: analysis of sounds and indications
First thing What you need to pay attention to is the sounds coming from the rear of the unit. If you hear a humming noise that ends abruptly after a few seconds, or, conversely, the engine hums constantly but does not start, this indicates various problems. In normal operation, the compressor turns on, cools the chambers and turns off according to a sensor signal. Lack of cyclicity is an alarming sign.
Pay attention to the control panel if your model Samsung is equipped with a display. Often the equipment itself reports the problem with error codes, such as 22E, 24C or 88C. These symbols are not just a set of numbers, but a direct path to understanding which particular node has failed. For example, series errors E often indicate problems with the evaporator, and C with the capacitor or communication.
If there are no sounds at all and the indicators do not light up (except for the light bulb), check whether the circuit breaker in the panel has tripped or whether the power cable is damaged. Sometimes the problem is trivial: a bad contact in the socket can provide power to the lamp (since it consumes a minimum of energy), but insufficient voltage will not allow the powerful compressor to start. Attention! If you hear a loud clicking and humming noise that lasts less than a minute, do not try to restart the refrigerator right away. Allow the motor to cool for 2-3 hours, otherwise there is a risk of completely burning the windings. compressor.
⚠️ Attention! If you hear a loud clicking and humming noise that lasts less than a minute, do not try to restart the refrigerator right away. Allow the motor to cool for 2-3 hours, otherwise there is a risk of completely burning the windings.
Malfunctions of the thermostat and temperature sensors
One of the most common reasons why the refrigerator Samsung stops freezing is the failure of the thermostat (thermostat) or electronic sensors. In mechanical models, the thermostat is a device with a capillary tube that responds to changes in temperature. If it is “stuck” in the “off” position, the compressor simply will not receive a command to start.
In more modern systems with electronic control, the role of a mechanical regulator is performed temperature sensors. There may be several of them: in the refrigerator, in the freezer and on the evaporator. If one of them transmits incorrect data (for example, it shows that it is -20°C inside, although it is +20°C there), the “brain” of the refrigerator will not turn on the cooling. You can check them with a multimeter by measuring the resistance.
To replace the sensor, it is often not necessary to completely disassemble the unit. In models Samsung No Frost the sensors are often located in a plastic casing inside the camera. However, if you have a mechanical adjustment, the thermostat is usually located under a plastic cover inside the refrigerator compartment or at the back of the unit.
How to check the sensor with a multimeter?
To check, set the multimeter to resistance (Ohms) measurement mode. Disconnect the sensor and connect the probes to its contacts. At room temperature, the resistance should be within a certain range (usually a few kOhms). If the device shows a break (one on the left) or zero, the sensor is faulty. It is better to find the exact resistance values for your model in Samsung technical documentation.
Problems with starting the compressor and the start relay
The compressor is the “heart” of the refrigerator. If it does not start, the refrigerant does not circulate through the system and no cooling occurs. Often the culprit is start relay a small block that is mounted on the side of the motor. Inside it there is a mechanism that should briefly supply increased current to the starting winding of the motor. Over time, the relay contacts oxidize or burn, and it ceases to perform its function.
The diagnosis is simple: if when you turn on the refrigerator you hear a click, the hum of the motor lasts 3-5 seconds, then another click follows and silence - this is a classic symptom of a faulty start relay or, in the worst case, the wedge of the compressor itself. The relay can be carefully removed and shaken: if the ringing of a broken part is heard inside, replacement is required.
Replacing a relay is a simple procedure, but requires caution. It is important to buy a part with exactly the same parameters as the original (indicated on the relay body). An incorrectly selected relay may not start the motor or, conversely, not disconnect the starting winding, which will lead to the compressor burning out.
☑️ Checking the starting relay
Freon leakage and blockage capillary system
If the motor runs without stopping, hums smoothly, but there is no cold anywhere, there is a high probability refrigerant leaks (of freon). Freon is a working fluid that transfers heat. Without it, the compressor simply runs empty. Leaks often occur in places where pipes are soldered or due to corrosion of the evaporator, especially if you used sharp objects to defrost the ice.
Another similar problem is clogged capillary tube. There is a very narrow section in the freon circulation system where throttling occurs. If moisture or oil breakdown products get there, an ice or dirt plug forms. Freon cannot pass further, circulation stops. Outwardly, it looks the same as with a leak: the condenser (grid at the back) is cold or warm only at the entrance, and the evaporator inside is not covered with frost.
It is almost impossible to eliminate these faults on your own. Special equipment is required: a vacuum pump, a pressure gauge station, a supply of freon and soldering tools. The technician must find the leak, seal it, replace the filter-drier and refill the system.
⚠️ Attention! An attempt to pierce the tubes yourself or add freon “by eye” without evacuating the system will lead to the fact that the remaining moisture will freeze in the capillary in a few days, and the repair will have to start all over again.
Failure of the No Frost system and defrost heating element
In refrigerators Samsung No Frost a popular problem, when the freezer is running and the refrigerator compartment is warm, or vice versa. This is often due to a lack of air circulation due to freezing of the evaporator. If Defrost heating element, the defrost sensor or timer (in mechanics) / board (in electronics) does not work correctly, the ice does not melt, but grows. eventually, the ice coat blocks the channels through which cold air should enter the chamber.
The symptoms are obvious: the back wall inside the refrigerator is swollen or covered with a thick layer of ice, and the noise of bursting blades can be heard from the fan. In this case, the refrigerator requires complete defrosting (at least 24 hours with the doors open) and subsequent replacement of the burnt heating element or sensor.
It is also worth checking the serviceability of the fan. If it does not spin, cold will not be pumped into the chamber, even if the evaporator is ice-cold. The fan may jam due to ice or fail electrically.
Comparative table of symptoms and causes
For ease of diagnosis, we will summarize the main symptoms in a table. This will help you quickly navigate the nature of the malfunction of your device Samsung.
| Symptom | Probable cause | Difficulty of repair |
|---|---|---|
| There is light, silence, no cold | Faulty thermostat or sensor | Low (replace the sensor) |
| Buzz for 5 seconds, click, silence | Start relay or compressor wedge | Medium (replace the relay) |
| Humming constantly, no cold | Freon leak or clogged capillary | High (needs a technician) |
| The chamber is warm, there is a block of ice behind | Failure of the defrost system (No Frost) | Medium (replacement of the heating element/sensor) |
When you need to call a professional technician
Despite the desire to save money, there are situations where the intervention of an unqualified user can lead to a significant increase in the cost of repairs. If diagnostics indicate problems with the sealed circuit (leakage, blockage), sealed soldering and pressurized gas operation are required. This is not a case where you can get by with electrical tape.
It is also worth contacting specialists if you yourself fail compressor. Replacing it requires not only physical strength (it is heavy), but also skills in installing a new starting pair, evacuating the system and accurately charging with refrigerant. Incorrect refueling will lead to rapid breakdown of the new motor.
In addition, modern refrigerators Samsung with inverter compressors have a complex electronic control board. If this is the problem, you will need professional resoldering of the microcircuits or replacement of the entire unit with subsequent adjustment.
Why does a Samsung refrigerator work, but does not freeze after defrosting?
If you defrosted the refrigerator in less than 8-10 hours, moisture could remain in the system, which, when turned on, froze in the capillary tube, creating an ice plug. The defrost heating element that you tried to check could also burn out, and the system would again go into a deep freezing cycle.
Is it possible to use a refrigerator if it does not freeze, but lights up?
You can use it as a cabinet for storing food at room temperature, but not for long. However, if the compressor hums and does not turn off, this will lead to overheating and eventual combustion. It is better to keep it turned off until repaired.
How much does it cost to replace a thermostat in a Samsung refrigerator?
The cost consists of the price of the part and the work of the technician. The thermostat itself is inexpensive, but replacing it in some models requires partial disassembly of the housing. It is better to check the exact price in the service centers of your city, as tariffs change.
What to do if, after replacing the freon, the refrigerator stopped freezing again after a month?
This is a sure sign that the technician did not find and eliminate the leak, but simply added gas. Freon left through the same hole. A repeated call to the technician is required with the requirement to find the fistula (often using nitrogen under pressure) and seal it.