The situation when your favorite refrigerator LG suddenly stops performing its main function always takes you by surprise. You open the door, and there is melting ice in the freezer and warm food in the main chamber. For equipment with a system No Frost this behavior is uncharacteristic, since it is designed for stable operation without the formation of ice.
There is no need to panic at such a moment, although you should not hesitate to diagnose. Modern refrigeration units are complex electromechanical devices, where the failure of one element can lead to the shutdown of the entire cooling system. Owners are often faced with the fact that the indicators are on, the fan is humming, but no cold is generated.
In this article we will look in detail at why the refrigerator LG stopped freezing, which components fail most often and whether it is possible to fix the problem yourself. Understanding the principles of operation of the system No Frost will help you quickly identify a malfunction and avoid damage to products.
The first thing you need to do is listen to the operation of the unit. If the compressor is silent or, conversely, works without stopping, and the temperature inside the chambers remains positive, it means that the cooling cycle is broken. The reasons can be either trivial or require calling a technician.
Primary diagnostics: what to check before calling a technician
Before looking for complex technical breakdowns, eliminate simple operating errors. Users often forget that for the system to function correctly No Frost free air circulation is required. If food is placed close to the back wall or the ventilation holes are clogged, the cold simply does not reach the sensors.
The second important point is the tightness of the door. The rubber seal dries out over time, becomes dirty or deformed. If the door does not close tightly, warm air constantly enters the chamber, and the system does not have time to cool it. Check if there are any crumbs or sticky marks on the seal.
You should also pay attention to the operating mode. If you have just loaded a large amount of warm food, the compressor may work hard for several hours. In this case, it’s too early to panic - give the equipment time to reach the set temperature.
Make sure that the equipment is installed level. Misalignment of the housing can lead to improper operation of the sensors or even disruption of refrigerant circulation in some models. Use a building level to check the horizontal installation.
⚠️ Attention: If you notice that the back wall of the refrigerator is swollen or has mechanical damage, under no circumstances try to break through it to “check”. This can lead to an instant release of freon and poisoning.
Malfunctions of the defrost system in LG refrigerators
One of the most common reasons why LG No Frost does not freeze is a failure in the automatic defrosting system. The operating principle of this technology involves periodically turning on the heating element (heating element) to melt the ice on the evaporator. If this process is disrupted, the evaporator becomes overgrown with a “fur coat” that blocks the flow of cold air.
As a result, you can hear the fan working, but no air enters the chamber. The ice plug completely blocks the air ducts. In such cases, the refrigerator may hum, but not cool. After some time, the compressor turns off due to overheating or a timer, but the products are already beginning to deteriorate.
The main elements that fail in the defrost circuit:
- 🔥 Heating element defrost - heating element, which could burn out due to a power surge or natural wear.
- 🌡️ Defrost sensor —a thermostat that should record the temperature of the evaporator and turn off the heating element when the required values are reached.
- ⏱️ Timer defrost —a mechanical or electronic device that regulates the operating cycles of the compressor and heater.
How to check the defrost heating element?
To check the heating element, you need to “get” to the evaporator by removing the back panel in the freezer. The heating element is “ringed” by a multimeter in resistance measurement mode. If the device shows infinity (break), the element requires replacement. Be careful: before checking, be sure to unplug the refrigerator!
Diagnostics of the defrost system requires partial disassembly of the freezer. You will have to remove the plastic panel that hides the evaporator. If you see a massive layer of ice there, but the tray below is dry, the problem is in this unit.
Often owners simply try to defrost the refrigerator manually by turning it off for a day. This helps temporarily, but if the sensor or heating element is faulty, the situation will repeat itself in 1-2 weeks. Therefore, if ice is detected on the evaporator, it is better to immediately check the electrical defrost circuit.
Problems with the compressor and start relay
The heart of any refrigerator is the compressor. If it does not start or works intermittently, there will be no cold anywhere. Refrigerators LG often use reliable compressors, but they are not immune to breakdowns, especially during power surges.
Pay attention to the sounds made by the unit. If you hear a quiet hum that ends abruptly with a click, and this repeats several times, most likely the problem is in the start relay or the motor itself. The relay tries to start the engine, but cannot, and the protection turns off the power.
Possible fault scenarios:
- 🔌 The starting relay has burned out - an inexpensive part that can be replaced yourself if you have the skills.
- ⚡ Interturn short circuit in the compressor winding - requires replacement of the entire motor, since it cannot be repaired.
- 🔥 Overheating of the compressor - if the equipment is close to the wall and there is no ventilation, the motor may go into protection.
☑️ Diagnostics compressor
If the compressor is hot to the touch but does not start, allow it to cool for 2-3 hours. Sometimes the thermal relay opens the circuit, and after cooling the equipment will start working again. However, this is a signal that the resource of the unit is coming to an end or the operating conditions are violated.
In modern models LG with inverter compressors, diagnostics are more difficult. They do not emit characteristic clicks when starting, but smoothly gain momentum. If the inverter control unit is burned out, the compressor simply will not receive a signal to start. In this case, error codes may appear on the display, for example Er FF or Er CF.
Refrigerant leak and capillary system blockage
The most unpleasant reason for the lack of cold is a freon leak. The refrigerant circulates in a closed circuit, and if a microcrack forms in the tubes, the gas gradually evaporates. Without freon, heat exchange does not occur, and the refrigerator turns into an ordinary cabinet.
Leaks often occur in places where tubes are soldered or in the foamed part of the body, where the metal corrodes due to moisture. It is difficult to determine a leak visually, but there are indirect signs: the compressor works almost non-stop, trying to catch up with the temperature, but there is no cold. The condenser (grid at the back) remains only partially cold or warm.
The second option is clogged capillary tube. An ice or oil blockage may have formed in the system, blocking the flow of freon. The symptoms are similar to a leak, but the compressor may be even louder than usual because it has to overcome high pressure.
Comparison of symptoms of a leak and a blockage:
Not freezing at all or slightly
Not freezing, local cold possible
| Symptom | Freon leakage | System clogged |
|---|---|---|
| Compressor operation | Almost non-stop | No stops, overheating is possible |
| Condenser temperature | Cold or barely warm | Hot to the point of blockage |
| Sounds | There may be hissing (rarely) | Gurgling, periodic clicks |
| Freezer |
⚠️ Attention: Filling the refrigerator with freon and searching Leaks are a job for a specialist with a vacuum pump and leak detector. You won’t be able to add gas “from a can” yourself - you need to completely evacuate the system.
If you suspect a leak, do not try to turn the device on and off frequently. Operating a compressor without a sufficient amount of freon and oil can quickly cause it to fail completely.
Failures in the electronic control module
Modern refrigerators LG are controlled by complex electronics. The control board receives signals from temperature sensors and decides whether to turn on the compressor, fan or heating element. If the “brains” of the equipment malfunction, commands may not be sent to the actuators.
Power surges in the electrical network are a common cause of module failure. Even a short burst can damage the sensitive elements of the board. Visually, this can be manifested by blinking indicators, chaotic turning on of the backlight, or a complete lack of response to buttons.
What you can do yourself:
- 🔌 Reboot — unplug the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes. This will reset the errors in the controller's memory.
- 🔍 Inspect the contacts —check to see if the connectors of the wires going to the board are oxidized (disassembly required).
- 🌡️ Checking the sensors —often the module is working, but receives incorrect data from the sensors.
If the problem persists after a reboot, and diagnostics of other components did not reveal faults, most likely the control module will need to be replaced or repaired in a service workshop. Independent soldering of the board is possible only if you have the appropriate experience and circuit diagram.
In some models LG with the function Smart Diagnosis you can try to conduct self-diagnosis via a smartphone, if such an option is supported by the application. This will help read the error code, which will indicate a specific faulty unit.
Fan and air damper malfunctions
In the system No Frost the fan is responsible for the distribution of cold. It blows cooled air from the freezer into the refrigerator compartment through special channels. If the fan stops, the cold remains in the freezer (where it may even be too cold), and the main chamber becomes warm.
The reasons for the fan stopping can be different: from freezing of the blades due to a malfunction of the defrost system to failure of the electric motor. It is also worth checking the air damper, which regulates air flow. If it is stuck in the closed position, cold air physically cannot enter the upper chamber.
How to check the operation of the fan:
- Open the freezer door.
- Press the door sensor (so that the refrigerator “thinks” the door is closed).
- Listen: the characteristic noise of the fan should appear.
If there is no sound, the motor may be burned out or iced up. In the latter case, complete defrosting within 24 hours will help. If the motor is faulty, it will have to be replaced with a new one, choosing an analogue according to the marking.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why does the LG refrigerator work non-stop, but does not freeze?
This is a classic sign of a freon leak or a clogged capillary system. The compressor tries to compensate for the lack of cold by operating continuously, but the refrigerant does not circulate or there is not enough refrigerant for heat exchange. It is also possible that the thermostat may become stuck.
Is it possible to operate the refrigerator if it has stopped freezing?
For a short time - yes, if you are waiting for a technician. But it is impossible to keep a unit with a malfunction on for a long time (especially with a leak or compressor problems). This will lead to the engine burning out, and repairs will become economically unfeasible. It is better to move the products to another place.
What does the flashing “No Frost” or “Ice Plus” indicator mean?
Flashing indicators on panels LG usually indicate a malfunction. The number of flashes or combination of lights is an error code. The decoding must be found in the instructions for the specific model. Often this indicates problems with sensors or the defrost system.
How long should defrost last to remove the ice jam?
To completely melt the ice in the hidden channels and on the evaporator, it is recommended to turn off the refrigerator for at least 12 hours, and preferably 24 hours. The doors must be open. Turning on before this time may not produce results, since the internal ice will not have time to melt.
Why did the refrigerator work after defrosting, but after a week it stopped again?
This confirms that defrosting was a temporary solution. Most likely, one of the elements of the automatic defrosting system (heating element, sensor, timer) is faulty. Ice accumulated again and blocked the channels. Diagnosis and replacement of the faulty part is required.