The situation when the refrigerator Hotpoint Ariston stops freezing always takes you by surprise, threatening the safety of food. Owners of Italian equipment often encounter the fact that the compressor is running, but the temperature in the chambers remains at room temperature or rises above normal. This can be caused either by a simple failure in the electronics or by a serious refrigerant leak.
The first thing that needs to be done is to carry out an initial diagnosis to rule out external factors. The absence of cold does not always indicate a fatal breakdown of the unit. Sometimes the problem lies in improper operation or failure of the operating mode. In this article we will analyze in detail the main causes of malfunctions and ways to eliminate them.
It is important to understand that modern models Ariston Hotpoint equipped with a complex self-diagnosis system. If the device has stopped freezing, it often signals this by flashing indicators or displaying an error code on the display. Ignoring these signals can lead to damage to expensive components, such as a compressor or an electronic control unit.
Primary diagnostics and simple causes
Before disassembling the unit or calling a technician, it is worth checking basic things. Often users panic ahead of time, not noticing that the door was not tightly closed or the “Vacation” mode was activated. Make sure that the equipment is connected to the network properly and the voltage is stable.
One of the common reasons for the lack of cold is incorrect operation thermostat or temperature sensors. If the sensor is stuck or shows incorrect values, the compressor may simply not start at the electronics command. Also check whether the ventilation holes inside the chamber are not blocked by food.
⚠️ Attention: If you notice that the back wall of the refrigerator is covered with a thick layer of ice or, conversely, is completely dry and warm when the compressor is running, this indicates different types of malfunctions. In the first case, the problem may be in the defrost system, in the second - in a freon leak.
Check the tightness rubber seal along the perimeter of the door. Even a small gap leads to a constant influx of warm air, which the unit cannot cope with. This causes the motor to run continuously without reaching the desired temperature.
Problems with the No Frost system and defrosting
Models Ariston with the system No Frost are subject to specific breakdowns associated with air circulation and defrosting of the evaporator. If a “fur coat” has formed in the freezer compartment, and there is heat in the refrigerator compartment, most likely the cold air supply channel is clogged or the defrost heating element has failed.
The defrosting system consists of several key elements: a heater (heating element), a defrost timer (or electronic module) and a defrost sensor. If any of these components fail, ice builds up on the evaporator, blocking the fan. As a result, cold air simply does not enter the chambers.
For diagnostics, it is necessary to defrost the refrigerator manually for 10–12 hours. If after switching on the equipment worked normally, but a week later the situation repeated itself, the problem is in the defrosting system components. Most often, the heating element burns out or the sensor “glitches.”
How to check the defrosting heating element with a multimeter?
To check, you need to remove the back panel in the freezer, find the heating element and ring it. The resistance of a working heating element is usually from 200 to 400 Ohms. If the device shows a break (infinity), the element requires replacement.
It is also worth paying attention to fan the evaporator. If its blades are frozen or the motor burns out, air circulation stops completely. In Hotpoint models, this is a common reason why the upper chamber does not freeze when the bottom is working properly.
Faults in the compressor and start relay
The heart of the refrigerator is compressor. If it does not start, hums but does not pump, or runs continuously without cooling, the reason may lie in the mechanical or electrical part of the start. Refrigerators Hotpoint often use inverter or linear compressors that require specific diagnostics.
A frequent problem is failure start-up protection relay. This small block is responsible for starting the engine. If the relay clicks but does not start, or is visibly melted, it must be replaced. This is one of the simplest and cheapest breakdowns that you can fix yourself.
A more serious situation is a “wedge” of the compressor piston group or a winding break. In this case, the engine may hum for a few seconds, then the thermal protection is triggered and it stops. Repairing such a unit is usually unprofitable; a complete replacement of the compressor is required, evacuation of the system and refilling with freon.
☑️ Compressor diagnostics
It is important to note that if the compressor is hot and the outlet tubes are cold or barely warm, this is a sure sign that freon is not circulating through the system. This can be caused by both a leak and clogging of the capillary tube.
Refrigerant leak and system blockage
If you hear the refrigerator working, but there is no cold anywhere, and there is no characteristic heating on the rear grille (condenser), most likely there was a leak freon. In modern Ariston models, leaks often occur in the foamed parts of the body or in the soldering areas of the evaporator.
Clogged capillary tube is another reason for the refrigerant circulation problems. An ice or mud plug forms in the system, preventing the passage of gas. Signs of a blockage may include strange sounds (gurgling, hissing) and uneven heating of the condenser.
Diagnostics of a leak requires special equipment - a leak detector and a pressure gauge station. It is almost impossible to find a microcrack on your own. The technician pumps the system with nitrogen under pressure and looks for a leak by a drop in pressure or using a soap solution (if access is open).
| Symptom | Probable cause | Necessary actions |
|---|---|---|
| The compressor does not turn on | Malfunction of the thermostat or relay | Replacing the sensor or starter |
| Humming, but not freezing | The compressor is stuck or leaking | Call a technician, replace motor |
| Ice in the freezer, heat below | No Frost system problem | Checking the heating element and fan |
| The refrigerator works constantly | Freon leakage or wear seal | Find leaks, replace rubber |
⚠️ Attention: Freon is a gas that can be dangerous under certain conditions. Self-refueling of the refrigerator without evacuation of the system will lead to rapid breakdown of the compressor due to moisture and air inside the circuit.
Electronic control module and sensors
Modern refrigerators Ariston Hotpoint are controlled by an electronic unit. If the “brain” of the device fails, it may not command the compressor or fan to start. This often happens after power surges in the network.
Error codes may light up on the display. For example, a flashing temperature light may indicate a problem with a specific sensor. Replacing the sensor NTC is a simple procedure, but requires disassembling the internal panel.
If the electronic module is completely burned out, the refrigerator may behave chaotically: turn on and off spontaneously, not respond to buttons, or show the wrong temperature. Repairing the board requires the qualifications of an electronics engineer and the circuit diagram of a specific device.
It is also worth checking the integrity of the wiring. In places of bends or near door hinges, wires may fray, which leads to an open circuit of the sensors or fans. A visual inspection of wiring harnesses often helps to find a banal break.
Specifics of two-compressor models
In two-compressor models Ariston separate motors are responsible for the refrigerating and freezing chambers. If only one chamber does not freeze, and the other works perfectly, this greatly simplifies diagnostics. The problem is localized in the circuit of the non-working chamber.
If the refrigerator compartment does not freeze, but the freezer is working, first of all check the fridge compartment thermostat and the solenoid valve (if it is in the circuit). It is also possible that the capillary tube of this particular circuit becomes clogged.
The advantage of a two-compressor system is that if one unit breaks down, the second continues to function. This allows you to keep food in the freezer while you wait for repairs. However, the energy consumption of such models is higher, and the probability of breakdown doubles.
When a call to the technician is necessary
Not all breakdowns you can fix it yourself. If you have checked the seal, defrosted the unit, made sure there is voltage, but the refrigerator Hotpoint still does not freeze, it’s time to call the specialists. Especially when it comes to a sealed circuit.
Complicated repairs require professional tools: a vacuum pump, a gas station, a burner and a pipe cutter. Attempts to “fix” a leak on your own often lead to the fact that the technician then has to rebuild the entire system again, which increases the cost of the work.
A technician is also needed if the compressor needs to be replaced. This is a labor-intensive process that includes removing the old motor, installing a new filter-drier, evacuating the system for 30–40 minutes and accurately filling the refrigerant by weight.
Is it possible to operate a refrigerator if it has stopped freezing?
Short-term operation without cold is acceptable for diagnostics, but long-term use in This mode is dangerous for the compressor. It can overheat and burn due to lack of oil cooling or running “idle.”
Why does the Ariston refrigerator freeze but does not turn off?
This is a sign of a freon leak, compressor wear, or thermal insulation failure. The unit tries to compensate for the lack of cold by constant operation, which leads to increased electricity consumption.
How long should defrosting last to check?
To completely defrost the No Frost system and evaporator, it takes from 10 to 24 hours with the doors open. A shorter defrosting may not eliminate the ice blockage in the channels.
What does the flashing temperature indicator on the Ariston refrigerator mean?
Flashing usually indicates an increase in the temperature in the chamber above the permissible norm or a malfunction of the sensor. If the flashing does not stop after defrosting and rebooting, electronics diagnostics are required.