Why the refrigerator only freezes on one side: reasons and solutions

Have you noticed that in the refrigerator food freezes only on one shelf, while on the rest, food spoils? Or does the freezer become covered in ice on one side while the other remains almost dry? This is a common problem that indicates a malfunction in the cooling system. Uneven freezing not only shortens the shelf life of products, but also increases the load on the compressor, which can lead to serious damage.

In this article we will look into 7 main reasons, why the refrigerator freezes on one side, and we will give step-by-step diagnostic instructions. You will learn when you can handle it yourself, and in which cases you need to call a specialist. We will pay special attention to the nuances for refrigerators with system No Frost, inverter compressors and models with two evaporators.

———

1. Capillary tube clogged: why the refrigerator “chooses” side

The capillary tube is a thin channel through which the refrigerant (freon) enters the evaporator. If it gets clogged Freon circulation is disrupted, and the cold is distributed unevenly. Most often, blockage occurs due to moisture entering the system or decomposition of the compressor oil.

How does this manifest itself?

• 🔹 The left or right wall of the freezer is covered a thick layer of ice, and the opposite remains almost dry.
• 🔹 The compressor works non-stop, but the refrigerator does not freeze well.
• 🔹 In the refrigerator compartment the temperature is higher than normal (for example, +8...+10°C instead of +4°C).

It is difficult to diagnose a clogged capillary tube at home - You will need pressure gauge experience working with refrigeration equipment. However, there is an indirect sign: if after defrosting the problem returns after 1-2 days, the blockage is probably to blame.

⚠️ Attention: Do not try to clean the capillary tube yourself using wire or chemical solutions. This can damage the system and lead to a freon leak. Contact a specialist with nitrogen purging equipment.

2. Freon leak: when the refrigerator “loses its cold”

Freon is the “blood” of the refrigeration system. If a microcrack appears somewhere in the circuit, the gas gradually evaporates, and the compressor begins to “drive” the cold in only one directionwhere there is enough refrigerant left. Leaks most often occur:

• 🔧 In places where tubes are soldered (especially in old refrigerators).
• 🔧 In the evaporator due to corrosion (relevant for models with aluminum parts).
• 🔧 In the condenser (grid on the back wall) after mechanical damage.

Signs of a freon leak:

• 📉 The compressor works constantly, but does not turn off.
• 🧊 One side of the freezer is covered with ice, the other - no.
• 🔊 Hissing or gurgling appears in the system (audible when the back cover is open).

For an accurate diagnosis, technicians use leak detector or a soap solution (bubbles appear in places of leakage). If the leak is confirmed, you will need:

1. Find and seal the damaged area.
2. Evacuate the system (remove air and moisture).
3. Fill in new freon.

⚠️ Attention: Freon is toxic and explosive when heated. Self-refueling without equipment and experience is strictly prohibited!

3. Malfunction of the thermostat or temperature sensor

The thermostat (in mechanical models) or temperature sensor (in electronic models) is responsible for turning the compressor on/off. If it breaks, the compressor may operate in the wrong mode.cooling only part of the chamber.

How to check the thermostat:

1. Disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply.
2. Remove the protective casing from the thermostat (usually located next to the lighting lamp).
3. Check the contacts with a multimeter in dial mode. At room temperature they should be closed.

Electronic models (Samsung, LG, Bosch) are characterized by malfunctions of the sensors. For example, if it fails evaporator sensor, the compressor will only cool the zone where data is still being received. In this case, an error may appear on the display (for example, ER IF y Samsung or E1 y Indesit).

Check the display for errors

Turn off the refrigerator for 10 minutes and turn it on again (error reset)

Test the sensor with a multimeter (the resistance should change as it cools)

Inspect the contacts for oxidation-->

4. Problems with the fan in No Frost systems

Refrigerators with the system No Frost equipped with a fan that evenly distributes cold air throughout the chamber. If it is broken, only the zone that is closer to the evaporator will freeze..

Signs of a fan malfunction:

• 🌀 In the freezer compartment, on one side, ice, and on the other hand, the food is melting.
• 🔇 The refrigerator is quieter than usual (there is no sound of rotating blades).
• 🧊 A “coat” of ice appears on the back wall of the freezer (the fan does not thaw the evaporator).

How to check fan:

1. Turn off the refrigerator and defrost it.
2. Remove the back panel of the freezer (in most models it is secured with latches).
3. Try turning the fan blades by hand. If they do not rotate or squeak, replacement is required.
4. Check the fan power supply with a multimeter (should be 12–24 V depending on the model).

A common cause of fan failure is icing of the bladesThis happens if:

• 🔌 The freezer door does not close tightly (the seal is worn out).
• 💧 Warm air gets into the chamber (for example, due to frequent opening).
• 🛠️ The defrost heater is broken (in models with Full No Frost).

5. Incorrect installation of the refrigerator

Sometimes the problem of uneven freezing does not lie. in a breakdown, and if it is not level, the door may not fit tightly, allowing warm air to pass through. As a result, the compressor operates in increased mode, but the cold is distributed unevenly. the refrigerator is in the wrong position.. If it is not level, the door may not fit tightly, allowing warm air to pass through. As a result, the compressor operates in increased mode, but the cold is distributed unevenly.

How to check:

• 📏 Use a building level to measure the tilt of the refrigerator vertically and horizontally.
• 🔍 Check for gaps between the door and the body (you can use a sheet of paper - if it pulls out easily, the seal is worn out).
• 🌡️ Measure the temperature in different zones of the refrigerator compartment (a difference of more than 3-4°C indicates a problem).

Optimal installation parameters:

• 🔹 The refrigerator should stand level or with a slight tilt back (1-2°) so that the door closes under its own weight.
• 🔹 The gap between the wall and the back wall of the refrigerator - at least 5 cm (for air circulation).
• 🔹 The distance to the stove, radiator or other heat source is at least 50 cm.

If the refrigerator is not level, adjust the height of the legs. In most models (Atlant, Biryusa, Stinol), to do this, it is enough to turn them clockwise (to increase the height) or counterclockwise (to decrease the height).

What will happen if the skew is not corrected?

If the refrigerator stands unevenly for a long time, this leads to:

- Wear of the door seal (due to uneven fit).

- Increased load on the compressor (an attempt to compensate for cold losses).

- Formation of condensation on the back wall and corrosion of metal parts.

Ultimately, this can damage the motor-compressor, the repair of which will cost 50–70% of the cost of a new refrigerator.

6. Clogged drainage system

In refrigerators with a drip defrosting system (not No Frost), condensation forms on the back wall, which flows into the drainage hole. If it is clogged, water accumulates at the bottom of the chamber and then freezes, forming an ice “cushion”. This leads to the fact that the lower shelves freeze more than the upper ones..

Signs of clogged drainage:

• 💧 A puddle under the boxes for vegetables and fruits.
• 🧊 Ice at the bottom of the refrigerator camera.
• 🌬️ Unpleasant odor due to the growth of bacteria in stagnant water.

How to clean the drainage:

1. Turn off the refrigerator and remove all food.
2. Locate the drainage hole (usually in the center of the back wall above the food tray collecting water).
3. Clean it using:
   • 🔹 A cotton swab (for minor blockages).
   • 🔹 Wire or a special brush (if the blockage is deep).
   • 🔹 A syringe with warm water (for rinsing).

Rinse the system with a soda solution (1 tablespoon per 1 liter of water) to eliminate the smell.

If the drainage hole gets clogged regularly, check:

• 🔍 The integrity of the door seal (if it is worn out, it gets into the chamber warm air, and there is more condensation).
• 🍎 Correct storage of food (do not place hot dishes or open containers with liquid).

7. Failure of the magnetic valve (in two-compressor refrigerators)

In refrigerators with two compressors (for example, Liehherr, Samsung Family Hub) it is responsible for the distribution of cold between the chambers. magnetic valve. If it jams, cold can only enter one of the chambers, and the second will not cool enough.

Signs of a malfunctioning valve:

• 🔄 The refrigerator compartment does not freeze, but the freezer works normally (or vice versa).
• 🔊 When switching modes, a click is heard, but the temperature does not change.
• 📊 The display shows an error (for example, ER CF y Samsung).

Diagnostics and repair:

• 🔧 Check that is power supplied to the valve (should be 220 V in active mode).
• 🔧 Test the valve winding with a multimeter (resistance should be in the range of 500–1500 Ohms).
• 🔧 If the valve does not click when voltage is applied, it must be replaced.

In refrigerators with one compressor and the No Frost system, the magnetic valve is responsible for switching between cooling the refrigerator and freezer compartments. Its failure leads to the fact that only one zone freezes, and the second overheats.

———

What to do if the refrigerator freezes on one side: step-by-step plan

To avoid wasting time and money on unnecessary repairs, follow this algorithm:

1. Check the installation of the refrigerator:
   • 📏 Make sure it is level (use a level).
   • 🔍 Check the door seal (for cracks or deformations).
2. Defrost the refrigerator for 12-24 hours:
   • ❄️ This will help eliminate ice jams in drainage or fan.
   • 🔄 After defrosting, turn on the refrigerator and check if the problem is still there.
3. Listen to the operation of the compressor and fan:
   • 🔊 If the compressor works without stopping, there may be a freon leak or a clogged capillary tube.
   • 🌀 If you can’t hear the fan rotating, the problem is in the No Frost system.
4. Check the display for errors:
   • 📛 Codes ER IF, E1, ER DH indicate a sensor malfunction.
   • 📛 Error ER CF - problem with the magnetic valve.
5. Contact a technician if:
   • 🛠️ After defrosting, the problem returned.
   • 💨 The compressor has been running non-stop for more than a day.
   • 🔧 There is an error on the display that cannot be reset.

———

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about uneven freezing

❓ Why in the refrigerator Atlant only the top shelf freezes, and the bottom warm?

In models Atlant with a drip system, this is most often due to:

• 🔹 Clogged capillary tube (cold does not reach the bottom zones).
• 🔹 Malfunction of the thermostat (it may be located in the upper part of the chamber).
• 🔹 Misalignment of the refrigerator (the door does not close tightly from the bottom).

Try to defrost the refrigerator for a day and check the seal. If the problem persists, call a technician to diagnose the system. cooling.

❓ Is it possible to refill freon into the refrigerator yourself?

No. To refill freon you need:

• 🔧 Vacuum pump (to remove moisture from the system).
• 🔧 Manometric manifold (for control pressure).
• 🔧 Leak detector (to find the leak).
• 🔧 Knowledge of the type of freon (for example, R134a, R600a - they are not interchangeable!).

An error during refueling can lead to compressor explosion or gas poisoning. Contact the service center.

❓ Why in the refrigerator No Frost one side of the freezer is covered with ice, but the other is not?

B systems No Frost this happens due to:

• 🌀 Fan breakdown (cold is not distributed evenly).
• 🔥 Defrost heater malfunction (ice does not melt during the defrost cycle).
• 📛 Failure in the operation of the evaporator sensor (the compressor freezes only the zone where data is still being received).

Defrost the refrigerator for 24 hours. If, after turning on, ice appears again on only one side, the fan or sensor needs to be replaced.

❓ How much does it cost to repair if the refrigerator freezes on one side?

The cost depends on the reason:

Problem	Repair cost (RUB)
Replacing the door seal	1 500–3 000
Cleaning the drainage system	1 000–2 500
Replacing the temperature sensor	2 000–4 500
Repairing the No Frost fan	2 500–5 000
Refilling freon + eliminating leaks	4 000–8 000

Prices are relevant for Moscow and the Moscow region. In the regions, the cost may differ by 20–30%.

❓ Can uneven freezing be dangerous for the refrigerator?

Yes. If you ignore the problem:

• 🔥 The compressor will wear out, which will lead to its overheating and breakdown (replacement cost - from 7,000 rubles).
• ❄️ Ice build-up forms in the freezer, which can damage the evaporator.
• 🦠 Due to the temperature difference, condensation will accumulate on the walls, which will lead to corrosion and an unpleasant odor.

The longer you delay repairs, the more expensive they are. It will work out.