The situation when The refrigerator is turned on, the lights are on, and the food begins to spoilcauses panic in any home cook. It seems that the equipment makes the usual engine sounds, but there is no expected cold inside the chambers. This is a classic symptom that indicates that the cooling circuit is not working correctly or has stopped completely, despite the consumption of electricity.
The first thing to do is not to panic and carry out an initial diagnosis. Often the reason for the lack of cold the result is a simple overload or incorrect installation of the unit, rather than a complex breakdown. However, ignoring the problem can lead to failure of an expensive compressor.
In this article we will look in detail at why refrigerator it stops freezing, which components most often fail and whether it is possible to fix the problem on your own. Understanding the principles of operation of the system will help you make the right decision: call a technician or try to fix the situation yourself.
Checking simple reasons: why the cold disappeared
Before suspecting a serious breakdown, it is worth eliminating basic operating errors. Often the refrigerator does not freeze due to the fact that heat transfer is disrupted or settings are lost. Check whether the door fits tightly to the body. If the sealing rubber is worn out, dirty, or simply not completely closed, warm air constantly enters the chamber.
Another common case is overloading the freezer compartment. If you put a large amount of warm food there, temperature regime it may get confused for a long time. It is also worth checking that the ventilation holes inside the chamber are not blocked by food. Air circulation should be free.
Pay special attention to the temperature indoors. If refrigerator stands near a battery or in direct sunlight, it may overheat. In such conditions, the compressor works hard, but does not have time to cool the chambers to the required values. Make sure that the gap between the back wall and the wall is at least 5-10 cm.
⚠️ Attention: Never place the refrigerator close to the wall or in a niche without side gaps. This leads to overheating of the condenser and failure of the cooling system.
Malfunctions of the thermostat and sensors
One of the most common reasons why the refrigerator does not freezeis the failure of the thermostat (thermostat). This element is responsible for turning the compressor on and off depending on the temperature inside the chamber. If the thermostat is broken, it may “think” that the cold is sufficient and does not give a command to start the motor.
In models with electronic control, instead of a mechanical thermostat, air dampers are used instead of a mechanical thermostat. If the sensor is lying or the damper is stuck in the closed position, cold air simply does not enter the main chamber, although everything may be fine in the freezer. Replacing these elements requires disassembling the internal panel. temperature sensors and air dampers. If the sensor is lying or the damper is stuck in the closed position, cold air simply does not enter the main chamber, although everything may be fine in the freezer. Replacing these elements requires disassembling the interior panel.
How to check the thermostat yourself?
To check a mechanical thermostat, you can close its contacts directly. If after this the compressor starts and cold appears, then the problem is in the regulator. However, this method requires skills in working with electricians and removing the back cover.
Symptoms of a malfunctioning thermostat often manifest themselves in the fact that refrigerator either does not turn on at all, or works without interruptions without turning off. In the second case, the products in the upper chamber may freeze, and in the lower chamber, on the contrary, warm up, if we are talking about two-compressor models.
Refrigerant leak: signs and consequences
If the refrigerator works, but does not freeze, and at the same time you hear a quiet hissing or gurgling, there is a high probability of a freon leak. The refrigerant circulates in a closed circuit, and any leakage leads to its gradual or rapid release to the outside. Without freon, heat is not removed from the chambers.
A leak can occur anywhere: in the evaporator, sealed tubes, or even in the condenser if it is damaged by corrosion or mechanical stress. Often the cause is poor-quality factory soldering or vibration during transportation. It is difficult to visually notice a leak, since freon is a colorless and odorless gas.
Diagnostics of a leak requires special equipment - a leak detector. The technician pumps in nitrogen under pressure and looks for the gas outlet. After detecting a defect, the system is soldered and recharged. It is almost impossible to fix the leak yourself without a vacuum pump and a cylinder with freon.
Problems with the compressor: the heart of the refrigerator
Compressor is the main unit that creates pressure for the circulation of the refrigerant. If it fails, the cold disappears completely. Signs of a compressor breakdown can be different: the motor hums, but does not start, makes clicks, or turns on for a couple of seconds and immediately stalls.
Often the problem lies not in the motor itself, but in the start-protection relay. This is a small part that fits onto the compressor contacts. If the relay is burned out, it cannot start the motor winding. Replacing a relay is a simple procedure that you can perform yourself by selecting an analogue according to the marking.
If the winding of the compressor itself burns out or mechanical wear of the piston group occurs, serious repairs are required. In some cases, it is cheaper to buy a new refrigerator than to replace the compressor, since the cost of labor and spare parts is high. In addition, after replacing the motor, high-quality evacuation of the system is required.
⚠️ Attention: If the compressor gets very hot (more than 90 degrees) and smells of burnt insulation, immediately disconnect the device from the network. Further work may lead to a fire.
Clogged capillary tube and filter drier
There is a bottleneck in the freon circulation system - the capillary tube. Its diameter is very small, so it is sensitive to dirt. If there is moisture or oil breakdown in the system, an ice blockage or particulate blockage may form. As a result, freon does not circulate. the evaporator does not cool.
A symptom of a blockage is often a situation when refrigerator turns on, works for a while, then a click is heard and it turns off without reaching the temperature. In this case, the condenser (grid at the back) can be hot only at the beginning, and then cool down, since the circulation is stopped.
☑️ Symptoms of a clogged system
To remove the blockage, the system must be purged with nitrogen under high pressure and replacing the filter drier. The filter retains moisture and dirt, and over time its resource is exhausted. Neglecting to replace the filter during repairs will lead to re-clogging in the near future.
Specific problems in No Frost refrigerators
In units with a system No Frost (without frost), the reasons for the lack of cold may differ from classic models. Here the cold is forced by a fan through the air ducts. If the fan has stopped or frozen, air does not enter the chamber, although the evaporator may be cold.
A common problem is a malfunction of the defrost system. The heater heating element, defrost sensor or timer may fail. As a result, a huge lump of ice (“fur coat”) grows on the evaporator, which blocks the air channels. Visually, there may be no ice in the chamber, but there is a block of ice inside the technical compartment.
This can be diagnosed by disassembling the back panel in the freezer. If you see ice on the evaporator and the fan is stuck in the ice, the defrost system is not working. In this case refrigerator may freeze slightly or not freeze at all until you carry out a complete defrost (for 24 hours) and replace defective parts.
Comparative table of faults
To make it easier to navigate the symptoms, we have compiled a table of the main signs of breakdowns. This will help you first understand the scale of the problem before calling a technician.
| Symptom | Probable cause | Difficulty of repair | Do you need a technician |
|---|---|---|---|
| There is light, there is a motor silent | Thermostat, start relay | Low | You can do it yourself |
| The motor hums, clicks, does not start | Start relay, compressor | Average | Desirable |
| Works, but does not freeze | Freon leak, blockage | High | Required |
| Ice in the freezer, warm in the chamber | Defrost system (No Frost) | Medium | Desirable |
| Strong heating of the sides, no cold | Fan malfunction | Low | You can do it yourself |
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Is it possible to operate the refrigerator if it has stopped freezing?
Strongly not recommended. If the cause is a leak, running the compressor dry will cause it to burn out in a short time. If the problem is in the thermostat, the food will spoil. It is better to turn off the device and find the reason.
How long should the No Frost equipment defrost?
It takes at least 24 hours for the ice in the hidden channels and on the evaporator to completely thaw. Defrosting for 2-3 hours is often insufficient, and after turning it on, the problem with airflow returns after a few days.
Why does the refrigerator still not freeze after defrosting?
If complete defrosting did not help, then the problem is not in the ice jam. Most likely, one of the components has failed: a fan, a defrost heating element, a thermostat, or a freon leak has occurred. Diagnostics are required.
Is it dangerous to fill the refrigerator with freon yourself?
Yes, it is dangerous and ineffective without equipment. A vacuum pump is needed to remove moisture and air from the system. Residual moisture will lead to corrosion and blockage of the capillary. The type and amount of freon indicated on the tag is also important.
⚠️ Attention: The information in the article is for informational purposes only. The design of refrigerators of different brands (Indesit, Bosch, Samsung, LG) may differ. Before starting work, be sure to disconnect the device from the power supply.