The situation when two-chamber refrigerator suddenly ceases to perform its main function always takes you by surprise. You open the door, and there is melting ice in the freezer and food that is already starting to spoil at room temperature. Owners of equipment LG face this problem no less often than users of other brands, and often the reason lies not in a breakdown of the compressor, but in more banal things.
Before calling a technician or panicking, it is necessary to carry out an initial inspection diagnosis unit state. Modern models are equipped with complex electronics that can block the engine from starting due to system failures or external factors. Understanding the principles of the system No Frost and knowledge of the main symptoms will help you save time and money.
In this article we will look in detail at why your unit might have failed, how to decipher the error codes on the display and what steps to take to restore the cold. We will consider both simple cases, such as incorrect installation, and complex technical malfunctions that require specialist intervention.
Checking settings and operating modes
Often the problem of lack of cold in the chamber or freezer compartment lies in accidentally changed parameters. If you or children touch the control panel, the operating mode may switch to “Eco” or “Vacation”, where the temperature is kept as low as possible or the compressor runs intermittently. Carefully inspect display on the front panel or inside the refrigerator compartment.
Make sure that the fast freeze function is not activated for a long time, as in some models this may lead to uneven distribution of cooling resources. It is also worth checking whether the temperature values have not been reduced to the maximum. Normal operation involves setting in the range from +3 to +5 degrees Celsius for the refrigerator compartment and -18 for freezer.
⚠️ Attention: If the temperature indicator flashes on the display or an exclamation mark is on, this is a direct signal that the current parameters have not been achieved, and the system is working hard, trying to cool the volume.
Sometimes electronics LG require a simple reboot. Disconnect the device from the network for 10-15 minutes to microprocessor reset the accumulated errors. After switching on, set the required values again. If after a few hours the temperature has not begun to decrease, proceed to a more in-depth analysis.
Violation of the rules of operation and placement
Improper placement of equipment is one of the most common reasons why the refrigerator does not freeze properly. The unit requires free air circulation around the condenser (grills at the back or sides). If the device is placed close to the wall or in a niche without gaps, heat is not removed and the compressor overheats.
Check the tightness of the seals door. Over time, the rubber contour dries out, cracks, or simply becomes dirty, causing warm air to get inside. This forces the motor to work non-stop, but it cannot effectively cool the food. A simple test with a sheet of paper will help identify leaks: clamp the sheet with the door and try to pull it out; if it comes out easily, the seal requires replacement or cleaning.
It is also important to consider the temperature in the room. If the refrigerator is installed next to a radiator, stove, or in direct sunlight, the system cooling may not cope with the heat load. In winter, if the equipment is placed on an unheated balcony, the oil in the compressor may thicken, which will also lead to startup failure.
Loading the cameras with products also plays a role. If you put a lot of warm food into the refrigerator when it was just turned on, or you filled the shelves to capacity, blocking the air ducts, the circulation of cold air will be disrupted. In models with No Frost this is especially critical, since the cold is pumped by a fan.
Malfunctions of the No Frost defrosting system
If you hear that the compressor is humming, but there is no cold, or the unit operates cyclically with long pauses, the problem may lie in the defrosting system. In two-chamber models LG the evaporator is often hidden behind the back wall of the freezer. If the defrosting heating element, timer or thermostat fails, a “coat” of ice grows on the evaporator.
This ice blocks the air channels, and the cold simply does not enter the main chamber. Visually, you may not see the ice, as it is hidden by plastic. A symptom of such a malfunction is often swelling of the back wall in the freezer or the characteristic cracking of ice during operation.
How to defrost a refrigerator correctly?
Disconnect the device from the power supply for at least 24 hours. Keep doors open. Do not use a hair dryer or knife to crush ice as this may damage the evaporator. After complete defrosting, turn it on and check operation.
To diagnose this problem, it is often necessary to remove the back panel in the freezer and inspect evaporator. If it is completely clogged with ice and the fan does not spin or spins with difficulty, then the defrosting cycle is broken. In this case, it is necessary to replace one of the circuit elements: heater, defrost sensor or fuse.
| Symptom | Probable cause | Required actions |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator hums, but does not freeze | The evaporator is frozen, the channels are blocked | Full defrosting (24 hours) |
| The motor turns on for 1-2 minutes and stalls | Malfunction of the starting relay or compressor | Measure the current, check the relay |
| There is ice in the freezer, heat in the refrigerator | No Frost system failure | Checking the heating element and sensors |
| Continuous operation without shutdowns | Freon leak or loss of tightness | Call a technician to find a leak |
Problems with the compressor and start relay
The heart of any refrigerator is compressor. If it does not start at all, or turns on for a couple of seconds and clicks when it turns off, the problem lies in the starting electrical circuit. Most often in models LG the starting relay or capacitor fails.
The relay is a small plastic block that fits onto the contacts of the compressor. Inside it there is a mechanism that should close the circuit of the motor winding. Over time, the contacts burn out or the mechanism jams. You can replace it yourself by selecting an analogue according to the marking, but this will require access to the rear of the unit.
☑️ Compressor diagnostics
A more serious situation - wedge the compressor itself. If the motor hums, but the shaft does not turn, and at the same time it gets very hot, this may indicate a mechanical failure inside. In such cases, independent repair is impossible; the unit must be replaced. It is also worth checking the integrity of the supply wires, since rodents or vibration could damage the insulation.
Refrigerant leak and system blockage
If the compressor runs continuously, it hums, but there is no cold anywhere, and the condenser (grid at the back) remains cold or warm only partially, probably freon leak. The refrigerant circulates in a closed circuit, and if a microcrack has formed in the tubes (often due to corrosion or mechanical damage during transportation), the gas escapes.
Another common cause is clogging capillary tube. Oil breakdown products or moisture entering the system clog the thin channel, and freon cannot circulate. Visually, this manifests itself in the same way as with a leak: the motor is running, but there is no cold.
⚠️ Attention: Self-filling the refrigerator with freon is prohibited without special equipment and a license. This requires evacuation of the system and precise dosage of gas.
To eliminate these faults, the technician uses a leak detector, finds the location of the damage, seals it and refills the system. If clogged, the system is purged with nitrogen and the filter-drier is replaced filter drier.
Faults in electronics and sensors
Modern two-chamber refrigerators LG are controlled by complex electronic modules. If error codes (for example, Er FF, Er SF, Er DH) appear on the display, this makes diagnosis easier. Each code indicates a specific component: fan, defrost sensor, temperature sensor.
However, sometimes the control module itself fails or “glitches” due to power surges. In this case, it may not send a signal to start the compressor or fan, even if they are physically working. Checking the board requires skills in working with a multimeter and knowledge of circuit design.
They often suffer temperature sensors. If the sensor “lies” and shows that it is already -20 degrees in the chamber, the controller simply will not turn on the cooling. Replacing the sensor is an inexpensive and quick procedure, but requires access to the inside of the chamber or the evaporator.
Frequently asked questions and answers (FAQ)
Why does the LG refrigerator only freeze in the freezer, but is it warm in the refrigerator?
This is a classic sign of poor air circulation in the No Frost system. Most likely, the evaporator in the freezer is frozen, and cold air does not pass into the upper chamber. It is also possible that the damper that regulates the air flow fails or the fan malfunctions.
How long does it take to defrost the refrigerator after a breakdown?
To completely melt the ice in the hidden cavities of the evaporator and restore the functionality of the defrosting system, it is recommended to keep the refrigerator unplugged from the mains with the doors open for at least 24 hours. A shorter defrosting may not solve the problem.
Can the refrigerator be used if it starts making loud clicks?
Operating the unit with loud clicks when starting is dangerous. This is a sign of a faulty start relay or compressor. Continued operation may result in burnout of the motor winding or fire due to overheating of the wiring. It is better to turn off the device before repair.
What does the flashing temperature indicator on the LG panel mean?
A flashing indicator indicates that the temperature inside the chambers is above the established norm. This may be due to recent defrosting, warm food loading, or a faulty cooling system. If the blinking does not stop after 3-4 hours of operation, diagnostics are required.
Why did the refrigerator stop freezing after defrosting?
If after defrosting the cold did not appear, there may be an ice jam in the capillary tube that did not have time to melt, or the defrosting heating element has burned out, which now cannot heat even when turned on. The compressor, which worked in emergency mode for a long time, could also fail.