The situation when the refrigerator Samsung works without interruptions, without disconnecting, often it does not become noticeable right away. The owner may hear an unusually loud hum of the motor or notice that electricity bills have increased, and the inside of the chamber has become too cold or, conversely, not cool enough. Constant operation of the compressor - this is an alarming signal indicating that the cooling system cannot reach the set temperature parameters.
Modern two-chamber models, especially those with the No Frostsystem, are more complex than the old Soviet units. In them, electronic sensors, air dampers and a complex refrigerant circulation system are responsible for the temperature regime. If one of the elements of this circuit fails, the brain of the refrigerator the motor continues to drive, trying to compensate for the loss of cold, which ultimately leads to overload of the equipment.
Ignoring the problem can lead to serious consequences. A motor-compressor operating non-stop quickly overheats and can burn out, and replacing this unit is one of the most expensive procedures in repairing household appliances. Therefore, it is important to promptly identify the cause, be it a simple blockage or a serious freon leak.
Faults of the thermostat and temperature sensors
One of the most common reasons why the refrigerator Samsung does not turn off is the failure of the thermostat (thermostat) or electronic temperature sensors. Older models use a mechanical thermostat that physically opens the circuit when the desired degree is reached. If its sensitive element is deformed or the tightness of the bellows is lost, the contacts simply do not open, and the compressor continues to hum.
In modern electronically controlled units (Digital Inverter), thermistors are responsible for control. These small resistors change their resistance depending on temperature. If the sensor “lies” and sends a signal to the circuit board that the chamber is warm, the system will keep the compressor on until the bitter end. Often such failures occur due to oxidation of contacts or moisture ingress.
⚠️ Attention: Trying to replace an electronic sensor without first diagnosing it with a multimeter may not solve the problem. Often the error lies not in the sensor itself, but in a broken wiring or malfunction of the control board.
To check a mechanical thermostat, it is usually removed and placed in a cold environment, checking the click of the contacts. Electronic sensors are checked by measuring resistance at different temperatures and comparing the readings with a table of ratings for a specific model Samsung.
Refrigerant leak and problems with the compressor
If the refrigerator Samsung hums, but does not cool or cools very weakly, while working around the clock, there is a high probability of a freon leak. Refrigerant is the lifeblood of the system, and without enough gas, the compressor cannot create the necessary pressure for cooling. The motor is working hard, trying to gain temperature, but physically cannot do this.
Leaks often occur in places where tubes are soldered, in the evaporator (especially if it was damaged with a knife during defrosting) or in the foamed part of the housing. Determining the location of a leak visually is difficult; the use of a leak detector and a pressure gauge station is required. After eliminating the hole, the system must be evacuated and filled with new freon strictly by weight.
Another serious reason is the loss of performance of the compressor itself. Over time, the valves inside the motor wear out, and it stops pumping freon with the required force. Even when fully charged with gas, such a compressor will not ensure normal operation, and the unit will thresh without stopping.
- 🔧 Signs of a leak: hot sides of the housing, lack of cold, oily spots at the site of damage.
- 🔧 Signs of a weak compressor: quiet hum, low outlet pressure, overheating of the housing motor.
- 🔧 Consequences: complete defrosting of food and failure of the compressor due to overheating.
Is it possible to refuel the refrigerator yourself?
Theoretically, it is possible if you have the equipment. But for high-quality refueling, you need to vacuum the system (remove air and moisture) with a special pump. Without a vacuum, the moisture in the system will freeze in the capillary tube, and the refrigerator will stop working after a couple of days or weeks.
Clogged capillary tube and defrost system
The third most popular reason for continuous operation is a clogged capillary tube. This is a narrow channel through which freon enters the evaporator. If there is moisture in the system, it turns into an ice plug, blocking the flow of gas. The compressor tries to push through this plug while running idle, but the circulation of the refrigerant is disrupted.
In models with No Frost another problem often occurs - a malfunction of the defrost system. If the heating element, defrost timer or defrost sensor (defrost) do not work, the evaporator becomes covered with ice. Ice blocks air circulation, and although the freezer may be freezing, the temperature in the refrigerator compartment does not drop. The temperature sensor requires cooling, and the motor does not turn off.
Diagnosis of a blockage requires professional intervention. The technician must purge the system with high pressure nitrogen, replace the filter drier and evacuate the circuit. It is almost impossible to clean the capillary on your own without equipment.
Violation of the tightness of the chamber and seals
Often equipment owners Samsung forget about simple things. If the refrigerator door does not close tightly due to a worn seal, warm air constantly enters the chamber. Sensors detect an increase in temperature and command the compressor to work continuously to compensate for the heat gain.
Over time, the sealing rubber becomes dull, cracks, or moves away from the body. Also, the cause of a loose fit may be a misalignment of the door due to improper installation or overloading of the shelves. You can check the tightness with a simple test with a sheet of paper: hold the sheet with the door and try to pull it out. If it is pulled out without resistance, the seal is broken.
In addition, heat gain can occur due to frequent opening of the door or placing hot food inside. In such cases, the system simply does not have time to cool the volume, and the operation cycle is not interrupted.
☑️ Checking the tightness
The influence of external factors and settings
Do not discount external factors. If the refrigerator Samsung is located next to the radiator, in direct sunlight or in a very hot room, it is physically difficult for it to give off heat through the condenser. Under such conditions, the compressor operating time increases, and rest pauses are shortened or disappear altogether.
It is also important to check the settings. Enabling the mode Super Cool (Super-cooling) or Fast Freeze (Quick freezing) causes the compressor to work continuously for a certain time (usually several hours), ignoring standard temperature thresholds. If the user forgets to disable this function, the refrigerator will hum until the timer expires or the mode is reset manually.
⚠️ Attention: Do not install the refrigerator close to the wall. For normal operation of the condenser (grid at the back), a gap of at least 5-10 cm is required for free air circulation.
The table below shows the main operating modes and their effect on the cycle:
| Mode / State | Effect on the compressor | Is this normal? |
|---|---|---|
| Super Cool / Fast Freeze | Works without stopping | Yes, temporarily |
| Loading warm products | Long operation | Yes, until cooling |
| Summer, high temperature in the room | Increasing operating time | Yes, if there are pauses |
| Sensor malfunction | Non-stop work | No, repair required |
| Freon leak | Non-stop work without cold | No, urgently contact a technician |
Diagnostics of Samsung inverter compressors
Refrigerators Samsung often equipped with inverter compressors. Their peculiarity is that they do not turn off completely, but only reduce the speed to a minimum, maintaining the temperature. Therefore, a quiet, even hum even in “standby mode” may be the norm for such models.
However, if you hear the motor running at high speeds (humming loudly) for a long time, this indicates a problem. The inverter control board may generate an error, which can be read by blinking indicators on the control panel or by an error code on the display (for example, 22C, 24C and similar combinations).
Diagnostics of the inverter requires special equipment. It is difficult to check the operation of a frequency converter with a regular tester. If the control board sends incorrect signals to the compressor windings, it may operate chaotically or with overload.
Why does a Samsung refrigerator turn on immediately after being turned off?
This may indicate a short circuit in the control circuit, a stuck start relay (in older models) or a malfunction of the control board, which gives a false signal to start. It is also possible for the compressor to overheat when the thermal relay opens the circuit, but after cooling (which takes minutes) it immediately closes it again if the cause of overheating (for example, lack of freon) is not eliminated.
How long should the compressor rest normally?
Under normal conditions, the refrigerator operating cycle looks something like this: 10-20 minutes of work and 20-40 minutes of rest. The ratio of work time to rest time (working time ratio) is ideally about 0.4-0.6. If the refrigerator works for 40 minutes and rests for 5 minutes, this is a sign of a malfunction.
Can a dirty condenser cause constant operation?
Yes, if the condenser grille at the back of the refrigerator is clogged with dust and animal hair, heat transfer deteriorates. The compressor overheats, the pressure in the system increases, and the cooling efficiency decreases. Regular cleaning of the condenser with a vacuum cleaner or brush is a mandatory preventive procedure.