The situation when a refrigerator suddenly stops working always takes you by surprise, especially if there are perishable foods inside. If you find that the cold has disappeared in a two-chamber refrigerator, and the compressor is humming or, conversely, silent, it is too early to panic. In most cases, the reason lies in violations of operating rules or electronic failures, which can be fixed independently without calling a technician. Atlant the cold has disappeared, but the compressor is humming or, conversely, silent, it’s too early to panic. In most cases, the reason lies in violations of operating rules or electronic failures, which can be fixed independently without calling a technician.
The first thing that needs to be done is to carry out an initial diagnosis. Check if the light in the chamber is on, if you can hear the sound of a running motor, if there are any puddles on the floor. These details will help narrow down your troubleshooting. Often, users overlook simple things, such as improper installation or clogged ventilation, which leads to overheating of the unit.
In this article we will look in detail at the main reasons why a refrigerator Atlant may stop freezing. We will look at both mechanical malfunctions and problems with electronics, and also tell you when it’s really time to call a service center, and when a simple adjustment is enough.
Checking the temperature conditions and settings
The most commonplace, but common reason for the lack of cold is broken thermostat settings. If there were power surges in the house or one of the household members accidentally touched the regulator knob, the temperature could shift towards the minimum. In two-chamber models Atlant one circuit is often responsible for cooling the freezer and refrigerator compartments, so an error in the settings affects the entire unit.
Make sure that the thermostat is not turned to the minimum. In mechanical models this is a rotary knob, in electronic models it is a digital control panel. The optimal position for mechanics is the average value or slightly higher (usually a division of 3 or 4 out of 5). If you have an electronically controlled model, check to see if the Vacation or Eco mode is activated, which may reduce the intensity of operation.
⚠️ Attention: A sudden change in the thermostat position from maximum to minimum (and vice versa) can lead to a pressure surge in the system. Adjust the settings smoothly, pausing between changes.
It is also worth checking if the quick freezing function is enabled, if your model has it. Prolonged operation in this mode depletes the compressor's resources and may lead to a temporary cessation of cooling in the main chamber. Disable all additional functions and let the refrigerator operate in normal mode for several hours.
If after adjusting the settings the situation has not changed within 4-6 hours, the problem lies deeper. Perhaps the thermostat itself or the temperature sensor has failed, which sends incorrect signals to the control board.
Problems with the No Frost defrosting system
In two-chamber refrigerators Atlant with the system No Frost the lack of cold is often associated with ice freezing on the evaporator, which becomes invisible to the eye, as it is hidden behind the back wall. If the automatic defrosting system fails, the ice coat blocks the circulation of cold air.
The main culprits here are three elements: the evaporator heating element, the defrost sensor and the timer (or electronic defrost control module). When one of these components fails, the ice does not melt, the fans stop moving air, and the chambers become warm. A characteristic sign of such a breakdown is a loud hum or crackling sound that the refrigerator makes when trying to blow air through the ice blockage.
☑️ Diagnostics of the No Frost system
For diagnostics, you need to defrost the refrigerator completely, for at least 24 hours, disconnecting it from the network. If, after complete defrosting, the unit began to freeze normally, but after 1-2 weeks the problem recurred, the defrosting system is faulty and requires replacement of components.
| Component | Fault symptom | Check method |
|---|---|---|
| Heating element evaporator | Ice does not melt during defrosting | Resistance test (should be 200-400 Ohms) |
| Defrost sensor | The heating element does not turn on or works constantly | Resistance measurement at different temperatures |
| Defrost timer | The refrigerator does not go into defrost mode | Forced switching to defrost mode |
| Fan | There is cold, but it does not circulate | Visual check of the rotation of the blades |
It is important to understand that operating a refrigerator with a faulty defrost system leads to increased load on the compressor. This can shorten the life of the motor, so the problem cannot be ignored.
Faults in the compressor and start relay
The compressor is the heart of the refrigerator Atlant. If it does not start, hums, clicks and immediately turns off, or works constantly without turning off, but does not cool, the problem may be in the motor itself or in the starting relay.
The starting relay is responsible for starting the engine. In older models it may “stick” or burn out. If, when you turn on the refrigerator, you hear a click, then a hum, and after a few seconds click again and turn off, most likely the relay needs to be replaced. This is an inexpensive part that you can replace yourself by selecting an analogue based on the brand of compressor.
⚠️ Attention: If the compressor is hot to the touch (temperature exceeds 60-70°C) and does not start, further attempts to turn it on may lead to its combustion. Let it cool before diagnostics.
A more serious problem is the failure of the compressor itself. This can happen due to an interturn short circuit of the windings or a mechanical wedge of the piston group. In the case of a wedge, the engine hums, but cannot start. Repair in this case requires replacing the compressor, which is a complex procedure that requires evacuation of the system and charging with freon.
How to distinguish a faulty relay from a burnt-out compressor?
If after replacing the start relay the situation has not changed (clicking-buzzing-off), there is a high probability of a malfunction of the compressor windings. You can also gently shake the removed relay: if you hear the ringing of ceramic parts inside or see carbon deposits, it is definitely faulty.
Continuous operation of the compressor without shutting down (the refrigerator hums 24/7) is also an alarming signal. This may indicate a loss of tightness of the circuit or a refrigerant leak, which will be discussed in the next section.
Freon leak and loss of tightness
If the compressor runs continuously, trying to gain temperature, but there is no cold in the chambers or it is very weak, most likely there is a refrigerant (freon) leak. In refrigerators Atlant this is one of the most common technical problems.
Leakage can occur in several places: in a foamed circuit (evaporator in the wall), in aluminum condenser tubes (often rot from moisture) or in soldering areas. A sign of a leak can also be swelling of the side walls of the refrigerator or the appearance of oily spots near the unit, although the latter does not always occur.
It is impossible to independently find the location of the leak and fill the refrigerator with freon. This requires special equipment: a leak detector, a vacuum pump and a pressure gauge station. Attempts to “top up” gas without eliminating the cause will only give a temporary effect.
Models where the evaporator is foamed in the housing wall are dangerous. If a leak occurs there, the repair becomes economically unfeasible, since it requires opening the housing and installing a mounted evaporator, which spoils the appearance and reduces the useful volume.
Clogging of the capillary system
Another technical reason why a two-chamber Atlant stops freezing - capillary tube clogged. Freon circulates through the system under pressure, and if a plug of debris, oxides or ice (moisture) forms in a bottleneck in the capillary, the circulation stops.
Symptoms of a blockage are similar to a leak: the compressor runs for a long time, the condenser (grid at the back) may be only partially hot or cold, and the chambers are warm. The difference is that when there is a blockage, the pressure in the system may be normal in one area and absent in another.
There are two types of blockages:
- 🧊 Ice plug: occurs due to moisture entering the system. It is often eliminated by completely defrosting the refrigerator for 24-30 hours.
- 🛢️ Oil-debris plug: formed from oil breakdown products or manufacturing defects. Requires purging the system with nitrogen and replacing the filter-drier.
Only a specialist can diagnose the type of blockage. If after a long defrosting (more than a day) the refrigerator does not begin to freeze better, it means that the oil plug is oily and professional repairs are required.
The influence of external factors and operating rules
The cause of the breakdown does not always lie inside the unit. Often, users themselves create conditions under which the refrigerator Atlant cannot operate effectively. Check the following parameters before calling a technician.
First of all, pay attention to the location of the refrigerator. If it stands close to a wall or in a niche where air circulation around the condenser is disrupted, the motor will overheat and shut down due to thermal protection. The gap to the wall should be at least 5-7 cm.
The temperature in the room is also critical. Most models Atlant are designed to operate at ambient temperatures from +10 to +32°C. If the room is colder than +10°C (for example, in an unheated country house in winter), the oil in the compressor thickens and it cannot start. If it is hotter than +32°C, the system does not have time to release heat.
⚠️ Attention: Installing the refrigerator next to heating radiators, ovens or in direct sunlight significantly reduces operating efficiency and can lead to compressor breakdown.
Check the tightness of the door. If the rubber seal is worn out, dirty, or the door is skewed, warm air constantly enters the chamber. The compressor cannot cope with cooling and wears out. A simple test with a sheet of paper clamped by the door will help determine the tightness.
Frequently asked questions and answers (FAQ)
Why does the Atlant refrigerator hum, but does not freeze?
This may indicate a faulty start relay, a compressor wedge, or a blockage in the system. If the humming changes to a clicking sound and then switches off, there is most likely a problem with the relay or the motor windings. If the buzzing is constant, there may be a freon leak.
How long does it take to defrost the Atlant refrigerator?
To fully diagnose the system No Frost or eliminate the ice plug, it is recommended to defrost the unit for at least 24 hours with the doors open. A shorter defrosting may not produce results.
Is it possible to operate a refrigerator if it does not freeze well?
Short-term - yes, but this is harmful for the compressor, which operates in increased mode. Long-term operation in this condition will lead to expensive repairs or failure of the motor.
What does a flashing indicator on the control panel mean?
In models with electronics, a flashing indicator usually indicates that the temperature in the chamber has been exceeded. If, after setting the temperature and checking the load, it continues to flash, the temperature sensor may be faulty.
Why is it warm in the refrigerator compartment, but cold in the freezer?
In two-chamber models, this often indicates problems with air circulation (malfunction of the damper or fan) or a freon leak when there is only enough gas for a small circuit freezer.