The situation when the refrigerator Ariston stops freezing always takes you by surprise. Food in the chamber quickly deteriorates, and condensation or, conversely, an ice crust appears on the shelves. The equipment of this brand is famous for its reliability, but even time-tested units can fail due to power surges, wear of parts, or a simple violation of operating rules.
Before calling a technician or panicking, it is necessary to conduct an initial diagnosis. Often the problem lies not in a breakdown compressor, but in incorrect installation or incorrect thermostat settings. A careful inspection will help save time and money, allowing you to eliminate simple malfunctions yourself.
In this article we will analyze the main reasons why the refrigerator Hotpoint-Ariston may not gain temperature, and we will describe the algorithm of actions step by step. You will learn how to distinguish a serious technical defect from a minor failure and when specialist intervention is really required.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any manipulations with electrical wiring or internal components, be sure to disconnect the device from the network. Working with electricity requires compliance with safety measures.
Primary diagnosis and simple causes
If you find that it is warm in the refrigerator compartment, do not rush to disassemble the back wall. In 30% of cases, the reason lies in basic things that can be easily fixed in a couple of minutes. First of all, check whether it fits snugly door to the body. Even a small gap leads to a constant influx of warm air, and the unit simply does not have time to cool the volume.
The second important point is the position of the thermostat. Accidental turning of the handle by children or during cleaning could shift the mode to minimum cooling. It is also worth assessing whether the chamber is overloaded with products. If you have just loaded a large amount of warm products, compressor may work hard, but cannot cope with the amount of heat.
Pay attention to the location of the unit. If it stands close to a wall or furniture, the air circulation around condenseris disrupted. This is a critical element of the cooling system, which must effectively transfer heat to the environment.
- 🔌 Check the tightness of the rubber seal around the entire perimeter of the door.
- ❄️ Make sure the thermostat is set to the correct position (usually the middle value).
- 🌡️ Assess the temperature in the room: if the room is hotter than +30°C, the refrigerator may work less efficiently.
Often users forget about the fast freezing mode, which could remain turned on. In models Ariston with electronic control, this can be checked by the indicators on the panel. Long-term operation in extreme mode sometimes leads to a temporary failure of the controller logic.
Problems with the No Frost system and defrosting
Refrigerators Ariston No Frost are more complex than models with a drip system. Here, cold air is forced by a fan through special channels. If you hear a buzzing noise, but there is no cold, there may be a problem with the defrost system. The evaporator could have acquired a “fur coat” that blocks the circulation of air flow. motor It hums, but there is no cold, perhaps the problem is in the defrost system. The evaporator may have acquired a “fur coat” that blocks the circulation of air flow.
In such cases, Defrost heating element or the temperature sensor often fails. The system “thinks” that there is no ice on the evaporator and does not turn on the heating element to melt it. As a result, the ice cocoon grows and blocks the access of cold air to the chamber.
⚠️ Attention: Do not try to break off the ice with a knife or sharp objects. You can damage the aluminum evaporator tubes, which will lead to freon leakage and expensive repairs.
You can diagnose a system malfunction No Frost by a characteristic sign: it may be colder in the freezer than in the refrigerator compartment, or there may be no cold everywhere, despite to a running compressor. It is also worth checking the serviceability of the blower fan. If its blades are frozen or the motor is burned out, air simply will not flow to the shelves.
How to defrost a refrigerator correctly?
To completely defrost the No Frost system, you need to unplug the refrigerator for at least 12-24 hours. The doors must be open. This is the only way to melt the ice in hidden channels that are invisible to the eye.
It is important to check the drainage hole. If it is clogged with debris or ice, the water from the melted snow does not go into the pan, but freezes, forming an ice plug. This disrupts the operation of the entire moisture removal and cooling system.
Faults in the compressor and start relay
Compressor are the heart of the refrigerator. If it doesn't start, buzzes, clicks, or shuts down immediately, the problem may be with the start protection relay. This small element is responsible for starting the engine and protecting against overloads. In refrigerators Ariston relays often fail due to power surges in the network.
If you hear a characteristic click, followed by a hum, and then silence, this is a classic symptom of stuck contacts or a burnt-out winding in the starter. Replacing this part is a simple procedure and is often done with your own hands if you have basic skills.
In more serious cases, the problem lies in the compressor itself. Interturn short circuit of the winding or jamming of the piston group requires replacement of the entire unit. This can be determined by measuring the resistance of the windings with a tester, but for an accurate diagnosis it is better to contact a specialist.
☑️ Compressor diagnostics
It is worth noting that modern inverter compressors, which are found in new models Ariston, work quieter and smoother power control. They are less likely to fail, but their diagnosis requires special equipment to read error codes from the control board.
Refrigerant leakage and capillary blockage
If the compressor works almost non-stop, hums continuously, but there is no cold in the chambers, there is a high probability of a leak. freon. The refrigerant circulates in a closed circuit, and if the seal is broken (for example, due to corrosion of the tubes or mechanical damage), the gas escapes. Without freon, heat transfer is impossible.
The second option is clogging of the capillary tube. An ice plug or blockage with wear products (oil, dirt) may form in the system. This prevents normal refrigerant circulation. The pressure in the system drops and the refrigerator stops freezing, although the motor continues to work.
It is impossible to eliminate these faults on your own. You need to call a technician with equipment to find leaks, evacuate the system and charge it with new refrigerant. Attempts to simply “add freon” without eliminating the cause of the leak will only give a temporary effect.
| Symptom | Probable cause | Necessary actions |
|---|---|---|
| The compressor is silent | Malfunction of the thermostat or relay | Replacing the sensor or relay |
| Humming and turning off | Stuck compressor | Replacing the compressor |
| Works without stopping | Freon leakage | Looking for leaks and refilling |
| There is cold, but weak | Capillary clogged | Purge the system |
Failures in the electronic control module
Modern refrigerators Ariston equipped with sophisticated electronics. The control board coordinates the operation of all nodes. If there was a power surge in the network, one of the board elements could burn out or a software failure could occur. In this case, the unit may behave inappropriately: turn on chaotically, not respond to buttons, or show errors on the display.
A simple reboot often helps. Unplug the refrigerator from the outlet for 15–20 minutes. This will clear errors in the controller memory. If after turning on the problem recurs, most likely the module needs to be repaired or replaced.
On models with a display, error codes may be displayed. For example, flashing temperature lights may indicate a problem with a specific sensor. It is better to look for decoding codes for your model in technical documentation or on specialized forums. Ariston It’s better to look in technical documentation or on specialized forums.
⚠️ Attention: The electronic module is sensitive to humidity. If you notice traces of corrosion on the board or oxidized contacts, repairs at home can be dangerous.
When you need to call a technician
Not all faults can be fixed with your own hands. If you have checked the seals, defrosted the unit, checked the socket, but the refrigerator Ariston still does not freeze, it’s time to call a specialist. Especially if you do not have the skills to work with a multimeter or a soldering iron.
Complicated cases, such as replacing a compressor, searching for micro-leaks of freon, or re-soldering a control board, require professional tools and knowledge. Self-repair in such situations can lead to permanent breakdown of the equipment.
You also need the help of a professional if you hear extraneous knocking, grinding or smell burning. Ignoring these signs can lead to a fire or complete failure of the unit without the possibility of recovery.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why does the Ariston refrigerator freeze in only one compartment?
Most often this indicates a problem with the system No Frost. Either the air supply channel is clogged, or the fan is not working, or the capillary is clogged. It is also possible that the damper that regulates the flow of cold air between the chambers may fail.
How long should it take to defrost a refrigerator?
For models with the system No Frost the minimum disconnection time from the network is 12 hours, optimally 24 hours. This is necessary to completely melt the ice in the hidden evaporators, which is not visible from the outside.
Is it possible to replace the thermostat yourself?
Yes, if you have access to the back panel and basic tools. A thermostat is a mechanical or electronic part that is changed by disconnecting the wires and installing a new one. The main thing is to choose an analogue with exactly the same characteristics.
What does the flashing temperature indicator on the display mean?
Blinking usually signals an increase in the temperature in the chamber above the permissible norm. This could be due to recent defrosting, warm food loading, or a serious problem with the cooling system. If the indicator does not go off after several hours of operation, diagnostics are required.