The situation when in a two-chamber refrigerator Indesit the lower chamber (freezer) continues to freeze, and in the upper fridge compartment the temperature rises above normal, is a classic symptom of a malfunction of the No Frost or drip defrosting system. Owners often face panic when they discover defrosted meat or sour milk, while the ice in the freezer remains hard. This indicates that the compressor is working and the refrigerant is circulating, but the heat exchange in the upper compartment is disrupted.
Modern models Indesit are built on the principle of a single cooling circuit or a system with one compressor, where cold air is forced or naturally moved between chambers. If the freezer is working, it means that the compressor motor starts and there is gas in the system. The problem lies either in a violation of air circulation, or in a failure to control the dampers, or in a partial leak of refrigerant, when there is only enough refrigerant for the first section of the evaporator.
Before calling a specialist with this equipment, it is necessary to carry out an initial diagnosis. Often the reason lies in simple frosting of the air ducts or sticking of the damper, which you can try to fix yourself after completely defrosting the unit. However, ignoring the problem can lead to compressor failure due to idling or overheating.
The principle of operation of the Indesit cooling system and the role of the fan
Most models Indesit with No Frost technology use a fan that drives cold air from the evaporator located in the rear wall of the freezer chambers, into the refrigerator compartment. If this fan stops, the cold stops flowing upward, remaining below. As a result, food in the freezer freezes even more, and the refrigerator becomes warmer. This is the most common cause of the described symptom.
The fan may not work for several reasons: the motor winding has burned out, the blades are jammed due to frozen ice, or the sensor that sends the signal to turn on has failed. In models with a drip system in the refrigerator and No Frost in the freezer, the fan is also responsible for uniform temperature distribution. Stopping it disrupts the entire balance of heat exchange inside the unit.
Diagnostics of the fan requires disassembling the rear panel of the freezer. It is necessary to check whether the blades rotate by hand (with the device turned off) and whether voltage is supplied to them. Often, owners hear a humming sound, but do not feel the air flow - this is a sure sign of jamming or malfunction of the impeller.
If the fan is working, but there is no air flow, you should check air ducts They can be blocked by food or an ice plug. In normal operation, cold air should circulate freely between the chambers, ensuring the desired temperature.
Problems with defrosting and ice freezing on the evaporator
One of the most likely reasons why Indesit refrigerator does not keep cold in the upper compartment is a violation of the defrost cycle. In the No Frost system, frost constantly forms on the evaporator, which must periodically thaw thanks to the heating element (heating element). If the heating element has burned out, the thermal fuse or defrost sensor has burned out, the ice does not melt, but grows in layers.
Over time, the ice coat becomes so thick that it completely blocks the air supply channels to the refrigerator compartment. The fan continues to hum, but the air simply cannot pass through the icy shell. At this time, the temperature in the freezer is maintained due to direct contact with the evaporator, so the food there does not spoil.
⚠️ Attention: Attempting to break off the ice with a knife or sharp objects is strictly prohibited. Damage to the evaporator tubes will lead to an immediate leak of freon and expensive repairs, which are often not economically feasible.
To solve the problem, you need to completely defrost the refrigerator for at least 24 hours (better than 10 hours). If after turning on the refrigerator worked normally, but after 1-2 weeks the situation repeated itself, it means that the defrosting system is faulty and requires replacement of components.
Symptoms of a malfunction of the defrosting heating element
The heating element burns out less often than the sensors, but it is easy to check it with a multimeter. The resistance of a working heating element is usually from 200 to 600 Ohms. If the device shows a break (one on the screen), the element requires replacement. Also, the thermal fuse, which is in series with the heating element, often fails and burns out when overheated.
Failure of the air damper (Damper)
In modern models Indesit with electronic control, the flow of cold air is regulated by a special damper (damper). It opens and closes at the command of the electronic module, depending on the readings of the temperature sensor in the refrigerator compartment. If the damper is stuck in the closed position, cold air cannot physically enter the upper chamber.
Mechanical jamming often occurs due to pieces of ice or food debris getting into the mechanism. It is also possible that the damper itself may freeze if the seals are not sealed or the defrosting system is not functioning properly. In this case, the damper motor may hum, trying to open the shutter, but the ice prevents it from turning.
An electronic malfunction suggests that the damper motor has burned out or lost contact in the wiring. In some models, the damper is controlled directly from the board, and if there is a firmware failure or a power surge, it may become stuck in one position. Diagnostics requires removing the top decorative panel inside the refrigerator compartment.
You can check the operation of the damper visually by opening the air duct panel. When changing temperature settings or turning on Super Cool mode, the damper should respond by moving. If there is no reaction, but there is voltage at the terminals, the part must be replaced.
Refrigerant leak or clogged capillary system
A more serious technical problem is a partial leak of freon or clogged capillary tube. In the refrigerant circulation system, the freezer is located “closer” to the compressor or the evaporator is located first in the direction of gas movement. Therefore, when the amount of freon decreases or its passage becomes difficult, there is enough cold only for the first section of the circuit - the freezer.
If freon leaks, the compressor works almost without interruption, trying to gain temperature, but cannot do this. The condenser (grid at the back) may be barely warm or cold at the bottom. If there is a blockage (moisture or oxides get into a narrow tube), the compressor may run jerkily or become very hot, and the back wall of the refrigerator will only be hot near the motor.
It is difficult to diagnose a leak or blockage at home. A pressure gauge station is required to check the pressure in the system. If the pressure is below normal or the vacuum does not hold, it means there is a microcrack somewhere. Freon often escapes through a foamed evaporator (inside the housing), which is a “death sentence” for budget models due to the high cost of recovery.
| Symptom | Probable cause | Nature of compressor operation | Temperature condenser (rear) |
|---|---|---|---|
| The freezer is freezing, the refrigerator is warm | Fan malfunction | Cyclic (on/off) | Heats up evenly |
| The chamber is warm, there is ice on rear wall | Defrost system failure | Works longer than usual | Hot |
| The temperature does not rise anywhere (or only at the bottom) | Freon leak | Works constantly | Barely warm or cold |
| The refrigerator is turned off, but warm | Capillary tube clogged | Buzzes and turns off (protection) | Only the compressor is hot |
Failures in the electronic control module
The "brain" of the refrigerator Indesit is an electronic module that reads temperature sensors and controls the compressor, fan, heating element and damper. If the control board is “glitchy” or one of the triacs has burned out, it may not send a command to turn on the fan or open the damper, although the compressor will work properly.
A frequent cause of electronics failures are power surges in the network. Even if there are visually no burnt elements on the board, the microprocessor may go into error. In some cases, a reboot helps (long-term disconnection from the network), but if the problem is in the other part (burnt-out sensor or relay), repair or replacement of the board is required.
It is also worth checking the temperature sensor (thermistor) in the refrigerator compartment. If it gives incorrect readings (for example, it “thinks” that the chamber is -5°C, although it is +15°C), the control module will not turn on the cooling or will close the damper. Replacing the sensor is an inexpensive procedure and can often be solved independently.
☑️ Do-it-yourself primary diagnostics
Mechanical damage and seals
Sometimes the problem lies not in the technology, but in the violation tightness. If the rubber seal on the door of the refrigerator compartment is torn, dirty, or simply lost its elasticity, warm air from the room constantly enters the chamber. The cooling system cannot cope with the heat influx, although the freezer, the door of which closes more tightly, works normally.
You can check the seal with a simple test with a sheet of paper. Clamp the sheet with the door around the perimeter: if it is pulled out without resistance, the seal is broken. It is also worth checking whether the door has warped due to improper installation or overhang.
Another mechanical factor is the blocking of the ventilation holes inside the chamber. If you place a pan or bag directly next to the cold air outlet, circulation will be disrupted. In the refrigerator compartment Indesit air should freely wash all the products.
⚠️ Attention: If you notice that the compressor is running around the clock without stopping, and the temperature in the refrigerator compartment does not drop below +10...+15°C, do not leave the refrigerator in this state for a long time. This will lead to overheating and burning of the motor windings.
Frequently asked questions and answers (FAQ)
How long does it take to defrost the Indesit to remove the ice plug?
For the ice in the hidden air ducts of the No Frost system to completely melt, the refrigerator must be left turned off with the doors open for a minimum 24 hours. Defrosting for 5-10 hours is often insufficient, since the ice in the depths of the channels does not have time to melt, and after a couple of days the problem returns.
Is it possible to operate a refrigerator if only the freezer is working?
Short-term - yes, if you need to preserve frozen foods. However, prolonged use in this mode is harmful to the compressor, which wears out trying to cool the upper chamber. In addition, bacteria and mold will begin to multiply in the warm compartment.
Why did the refrigerator work after defrosting, but after a week it stopped again?
This is a classic sign of a malfunction of the defrost system (the heating element, sensor or fuse burned out). Defrosting removed the consequences (ice), but did not eliminate the cause. A call to a technician is required to replace burnt-out elements of the No Frost system.
Where is the fan located in Indesit refrigerators?
In No Frost models, the fan is usually located in the freezer compartment behind the rear plastic panel. In some models it may be located at the top of the refrigerator compartment if the design provides a separate air supply channel. Access to it requires partial disassembly of the internal space.
What does the flashing temperature indicator on the Indesit panel mean?
A flashing indicator (often with a sound signal) indicates an increase in the temperature in the chamber above the permissible norm. This can be either a consequence of a breakdown or a reaction to a recent loading of warm products or a prolonged opening of the door. If the blinking does not stop after several hours of operation, this is a signal of a malfunction.