The situation when the refrigerator LG works continuously without going into standby mode often causes panic among owners. It seems that the equipment is about to burn out or ruin all the products. However, constant operation of the compressor is not always a sign of a critical breakdown; sometimes it is a protective reaction of the system to external factors.
If you notice that your The refrigerator does not turn off, the first thing you should do is analyze the operating conditions. Often the reason lies in simple overheating or incorrect installation, and not in complex electronics. Understanding the principle of operation of the unit will help save time and money when calling a technician.
In this article we will look in detail at the mechanical and electrical causes of the failure, and also analyze the algorithm of actions when a problem is detected. It is important not to ignore this symptom, since long-term operation without interruptions leads to rapid compressor wear, replacement of which is the most expensive type of repair.
The influence of external factors and operating conditions
Before climbing inside the housing with tools, it is necessary to exclude external reasons. Often users themselves create conditions under which LG refrigerator they are forced to work non-stop. This is not a breakdown, but physics: the unit simply cannot reach the set temperature.
One of the most common reasons is high room temperature. If the kitchen is located on the sunny side or next to the stove, heat exchange is disrupted. In such cases, the compressor tries to compensate for heat inflows, working for wear.
It is also worth paying attention to the tightness of the door. If seal polluted or damaged, warm air constantly flows inside. Sensors detect an increase in temperature and give the command to the motor not to stop.
- 🔥 High ambient temperature: work in a room hotter than +30°C.
- 🚪 Loose closure: food interferes with the door or is skewed housing.
- ☀️ Direct sunlight: heating of the housing from the outside.
- ❄️ Loading warm products: sharp increase in temperature inside the chambers.
Check whether the refrigerator is too close to the wall. For normal air circulation around the condenser (radiator on the rear wall), a gap of at least 5-7 centimeters is required. If the radiator is closed, heat is not removed and the cooling system works in vain.
Malfunctions of the thermostat and sensors temperature
If external conditions are normal, the problem may lie in the “brains” of the temperature control system. In older models LG a mechanical thermostat is responsible for this, in new ones - an electronic sensor (thermistor). Their task is to send a signal to turn off the compressor when the desired degree is reached.
When the thermostat fails, it “sticks” in the “on” position. The compressor receives continuous current and hums without stopping, even if ice has already formed inside. In electronic models, it may fail itself control module, incorrectly reading sensor readings.
⚠️ Attention: Diagnostics of the electronic control unit requires special equipment. Independently replacing sensors in models with No Frost can lead to a violation of the evaporator seal.
Symptoms of a sensor malfunction are often accompanied by erroneous readings on the display or their complete absence. If the refrigerator LG stops responding to changes in temperature settings, most likely there is a problem in the signal transmission circuit.
How to check the thermostat with a multimeter?
To check a mechanical thermostat, you need to remove it and “ring” the contacts with a multimeter in ohmmeter mode. At room temperature the circuit should be closed. If you place the sensor in the cold (for example, in the freezer for 15 minutes), the circuit should open. Lack of response indicates the need for replacement.
Refrigerant problems: freon leak
A refrigerant leak is a serious technical malfunction that often goes undetected in the early stages. Freon circulates in a closed circuit, and in a working refrigerator its amount does not change for years. If a microcrack occurs in the evaporator or the foamed part of the housing, the gas begins to evaporate.
When the freon level is low, the system loses efficiency. The compressor works, but cannot create the required pressure and temperature. The sensors see that the target temperature has not been reached and do not give a command to stop. As a result the refrigerator is humming days, trying to “catch up” with the cold.
Indirect signs of a leak are:
- 📉 Weak cooling: food spoils faster than usual.
- 🧊 Ice build-up: in single-compressor models, ice may appear only near the rear wall.
- 🔊 Sound change: the compressor may operate quieter or louder than usual.
- 🌡️ Hot condenser: rear grille may be barely warm or unevenly hot.
It is impossible to fix the leak yourself. It requires searching for the location of the damage, soldering and filling the system with new gas. Attempts to simply “refuel” the refrigerator without eliminating the hole will only give a temporary effect.
Wear of the compressor and start relay
The heart of the refrigerator is the compressor. Over time, its mechanical parts wear out and compression (pressure) is lost. The motor may hum when trying to start, or work continuously, but not create the required pressure in the system.
Often the culprit is continuous operation. starting relay. This small element is responsible for starting the engine. If the relay contacts are stuck in the closed state, current will flow to the compressor windings constantly, preventing it from stopping.
| Symptom | Probable cause | Nature of noise |
|---|---|---|
| Humming, but not cooling | Freon leak / Loss of compression | Uniform hum |
| Clicks and hums | Malfunction of the starting relay | Cyclic clicks |
| Strong vibration | Wear of compressor pads | Rattling of the housing |
| Works without interruption | Sticking contacts relay | Constant operating sound |
If the compressor is hot to the touch (temperature above 60-70°C) and does not turn off for hours, this may indicate an interturn short circuit of the windings. In this case, operation is dangerous and requires immediate disconnection from the network.
Failure of the No Frost system
In models with the system No Frost continuous operation of the compressor may be caused by a malfunction of the defrost system. If the defrost heating element, timer or defrost sensor fails, the evaporator becomes coated with ice.
Ice blocks the circulation of cold air. The fan hums, but no air flows into the chamber. The temperature sensor in the chamber shows “warm” and the compressor continues to operate. Visually, the chamber may be clean, but a block of ice is hidden behind the plastic panel.
Diagnostics often require completely defrosting the refrigerator within 24 hours. If, after defrosting, the unit begins to operate in a normal cycle (turning on and off), then the problem is definitely in the defrosting system.
⚠️ Attention: Do not try to break off the ice with a knife or sharp objects! Damage to the evaporator channel will lead to an immediate leak of freon and costly repairs. Use only a hairdryer to speed up the process.
Self-diagnosis algorithm
If you decide to carry out the initial diagnosis on your own, proceed consistently. This will help the technician quickly understand the essence of the problem or, perhaps, resolve the issue without calling a specialist.
Listen to the sounds first. Is the buzzing uniform or intermittent? Are there any clicks? Then check the temperature in the chambers using a regular thermometer. Place it in a glass of water in the center of the refrigerator and leave for a couple of hours.
☑️ Primary diagnostics of the refrigerator
If the refrigerator LG is equipped with a self-diagnosis function, pay attention to the flashing indicators. Flashing combinations may indicate a specific component: sensor, fan or motor.
Checking the door for tightness is simple: hold a piece of paper between the seal and the body. If the sheet is pulled out without effort, it means that the seal does not fit and requires replacement or cleaning.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
How long can an LG refrigerator operate without stopping normally?
In normal mode, the operating cycle is about 20-40 minutes of operation and 40-60 minutes of rest. When first turned on, after defrosting or loading a large volume of warm food, the refrigerator can operate for up to 12-24 hours without interruption. If the mode does not return to normal after a day, this is a malfunction.
Is it possible to operate the refrigerator if it does not turn off?
For a short time - yes, to preserve food. But long-term operation in this mode will lead to overheating of the compressor windings and its combustion. It is better to temporarily move the food to another cold place and do the repairs.
Why did the refrigerator start working without stopping after defrosting?
Perhaps during defrosting you damaged the temperature sensor or did not allow the system to dry completely, which caused a short circuit in the electronics. An air lock could also form in the system if defrosting was carried out incorrectly.
How to reset errors on an LG refrigerator?
A full reset often helps: unplug the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes. Turn it on again. If the problem is a software glitch in the control module, this may help. If the error remains, repair is required.