The situation when your favorite Indesit refrigerator stops starting, always catches you by surprise, threatening food damage. Unlike some other breakdowns, a complete lack of response to turning on the network or attempts to start followed by a shutdown can indicate a wide range of problems - from a banal power surge to a serious malfunction compressor. Understanding the nature of the failure is the first and most important step to successfully restoring the unit's functionality.
Owners often panic when they see that the indicators are not lit, or hear only a quiet click, followed by silence. However, you should not immediately call a specialist, since in many cases diagnostics you can do it yourself, saving time and money. It is important to consistently eliminate simple causes before sinning on complex components, such as thermostat or a starting relay.
In this article we will look in detail at why it does not turn on Indesit refrigerator, which nodes are failing failure most often and how to determine whether you can repair the device yourself or whether professional intervention is required. If after defrosting for 24 hours the refrigerator still does not start to cool, there is likely a freon leak or blockage of the capillary system. Let's look at the algorithm of actions when a malfunction is detected.
Primary diagnostics and checking the power supply
Before opening the technical compartment or looking for spare parts, you need to make sure that the problem lies in the refrigerator, and not in the apartment’s power supply system. It often happens that socketin which the device is plugged in fails, or the circuit breaker in the panel trips. Check for voltage in the socket by connecting another working electrical appliance there, for example, a lamp or hair dryer.
If the socket is working, carefully inspect the power cord of the refrigerator itself. Indesit. It should not have visible damage, kinks or traces of melting. Pay special attention to the place where the cable enters the equipment body - this is where core bends most often occur. Also check that the plug is firmly inserted into the socket; sometimes contact is broken due to weakening of the spring petals of the socket.
⚠️ Attention! If you smell something burning or see sparks when you turn it on, immediately unplug the refrigerator. Further operation may lead to a short circuit or fire.
Modern models may have built-in protection against voltage surges. If your power supply fluctuates frequently, your refrigerator may have gone into standby mode to protect the electronics. In this case, it needs time to stabilize or completely reset the settings by disconnecting from the network for 15–20 minutes.
To systematize the check, use the following list:
- ✅ Check for voltage in the outlet using another device.
- ✅ Inspect the power cord and plug for physical damage.
- ✅ Make sure that the circuit breaker in the electrical panel has not been knocked out.
- ✅ Try plugging the refrigerator into another, known working outlet.
Problems with the thermostat and temperature sensors
One of the most common reasons why refrigerator does not start is a malfunction of the thermostat. This element is responsible for maintaining the set temperature inside the chambers. If its contacts are oxidized or burned out, the electrical circuit does not close and the compressor does not receive a start signal. In models with electronic control, the role of a thermostat is performed by temperature sensor (thermistor).
Mechanical thermostats are characterized by failure of the bellows tube, which is filled with freon. If there is a gas leak from the tube or its mechanical damage, the device does not “feel” the heat in the chamber and does not give a command to turn on. You can check this by closing the contacts of the thermostat directly (if you have electrical skills), but it is safer to replace the entire assembly.
In electronic control module a breakdown of the temperature sensor is often accompanied by blinking indicators on the front panel. The refrigerator "thinks" the temperature is normal and does not start the cooling cycle. Replacing the thermistor is a simple procedure, but requires accurate diagnostics, since there can be several sensors: in the refrigerator compartment, in the freezer and on the evaporator.
How to check the thermostat with a multimeter?
To check, remove the thermostat and install a multimeter into dialing mode. At room temperature the contacts should ring. If you place the sensitive tube in the cold (for example, in the freezer), the contacts should open (the sound will disappear). If there is no call in any case, the part is faulty.
It is important to consider that in some models Indesit No Frost sensors are located in hard-to-reach places, hidden behind plastic panels. Careless disassembly can lead to breakage of the plastic latches, so proceed with caution.
Malfunctions of the start relay and compressor
If the refrigerator hums, clicks, but does not start, or starts for a couple of seconds and stalls, the problem lies in the connection. compressor-start relay. The relay is responsible for supplying a starting pulse to the motor winding. Inside it there is a coil and contacts that burn or stick over time. This is the most common and easily repairable breakdown.
The compressor is the “heart” of the refrigerator. If it burns out, you will hear a characteristic burning smell or see that the windings have turned black. However, a more common situation is when the compressor is working properly, but the mechanical part is jammed, or it cannot start due to low voltage in the network. In such cases, the motor tries to hum, but does not take off.
| Symptom | Probable cause | Nature of sound | Necessary actions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silence, no reactions | Open circuit, thermostat | Absent | Checking contacts |
| Clicking and buzzing | Start relay | Humming for 3-5 seconds, click | Replacing the relay |
| Humming and shutting down | Compressor jamming | Strained humming | Replacing the compressor |
| Squeak and shutdown | Electronics malfunction | Electronic squeak | Board diagnostics |
To replace the relay it is necessary remove the back cover at the bottom of the refrigerator, remove the old part and install a new one, strictly observing the markings. Starting device is selected specifically for the compressor model, so it is better to take the original or a complete analogue.
⚠️ Attention! Before any manipulations with the start relay or compressor, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply. Residual voltage or accidental contact with exposed wires is dangerous.
Failures in the electronic control module
Modern refrigerators Indesit are equipped with complex electronics that control all processes. If control module fails, the refrigerator may behave unpredictably: not turn on, blink indicators randomly, or display error codes. The causes of board failures are varied: voltage surges, moisture, manufacturing defects or natural wear and tear of components.
Often the tracks on the board burn out or capacitors swell. Visual inspection may reveal blackening or signs of corrosion. However, even if the board is visually intact, the problem may be in the “brains” of the controller, which has stopped correctly processing signals from the sensors. In this case, flashing or replacing the module is required.
Sometimes the system simply “freezes” due to a power surge. In this case, the procedure helps Hard Reset (hard reset):
- 🔌 Unplug the refrigerator.
- ⏳ Leave it turned off for 30-60 minutes.
- 🔌 Turn it on again and check the operation.
If the reset did not help, and the diagnostics show an electronics malfunction, self-repair is only possible if you have a soldering iron, a circuit, and knowledge of radio electronics. In most cases, it is easier and more reliable to replace the entire control module.
Freon leakage and problems with the cooling system
If the refrigerator hums and runs continuously, but the temperature does not drop, or it does not start at all due to protection (in models with an inverter compressor), this may have occurred refrigerant leak. Freon circulates in a closed circuit, and if a microcrack forms in the tubes or evaporator, the gas evaporates and cooling becomes impossible.
Signs of a leak are often visible visually: swelling of the back wall of the refrigerator, the appearance of rust in the area where the tubes are damaged or oily spots around compressor. Sometimes the location of the leak is in a foamed casing, which makes finding it difficult and requiring special equipment.
Filling a refrigerator with freon is not just “adding gas.” The procedure includes:
- Searching for and eliminating the leak (soldering).
- Evacuating the system to remove moisture and air.
- Filling with a strictly dosed amount of refrigerant.
Perform these operations yourself without a vacuum pump, pressure gauge station and scales is impossible. Moreover, incorrect refueling can permanently damage the compressor. If you suspect a leak, it is better not to experiment.
☑️ Signs of a freon leak
Restart protection and timers
Many users do not know that after shutdown from the mains, the refrigerator needs time to restore pressure in the system. If you turn off the device and immediately turn it on again, protective relay may block the start of the compressor to prevent its breakdown. This is a normal situation that just requires you to wait 5–10 minutes.
Also in refrigerators with a system No Frost the defrost timer plays an important role. If it gets stuck in defrost mode, the compressor will not start until the time runs out or the emergency thermostat trips. A faulty defrost timer or heating element can create the illusion of a compressor failure, although the problem lies in the defrost cycle.
Check whether the "Vacation" or "Super Freeze" mode is turned on, which in some models can behave specifically when the logic fails. Resetting the settings to factory settings often solves the problem of software glitches.
⚠️ Attention! Do not try to turn the refrigerator on and off frequently in search of a problem. Frequent starts of the compressor without a break to equalize the pressure can lead to its wedge and expensive repairs.
When you need to call a specialist
Despite the possibility of self-diagnosis, there are situations when you cannot do without a professional. If you've checked the outlet, relay, and thermostat, and the refrigerator Indesit is still silent or making strange noises, there's likely a deeper problem. Replacing the compressor, searching for freon leaks and repairing the electronic board require special tools and skills.
In addition, interfering with the cooling system without a license can break the seal and completely “kill” the unit. The technician has the necessary equipment for accurate diagnostics, including leak detectors, testers and evacuation kits.
Contacting the service center also guarantees that original spare parts will be used during repairs, and a guarantee will be given for the work performed. This is especially important for complex components, such as inverter compressor or an electronic unit.
Why the refrigerator turns on, hums for 5 seconds and turns off?
Most likely, the starting relay is faulty or the compressor itself cannot overcome the starting torque (jammed). Also, the reason may be an interturn short circuit of the motor windings.
Is it possible to operate a refrigerator if it rarely turns on?
If the temperature inside is normal, and rare turns on are associated with good thermal insulation and rare opening of the door, this is normal. But if the pauses are too long and the food spoils, check the thermostat.
How long should the refrigerator stand after transportation before turning it on?
If the refrigerator was transported lying down, it needs to stand upright for at least 4-8 hours (or better yet, a day) for the oil to drain into the compressor. Otherwise, the valves can be damaged.
What to do if the alarm indicator is on, but there is cold?
This may indicate that the door is not tightly closed or the indicator/sensor itself is faulty. Check the seal and make sure that nothing interferes with the door's tight fit.