The situation when water stops freezing in a two-chamber refrigerator or ice cream softens always causes panic. Users are accustomed to the reliability of Korean technology, but even this is subject to component wear and external factors. The problem can lie either in a banal violation of operating rules or in a complex breakdown of units. LG No Frost water stops freezing or ice cream softens always causes panic. Users are accustomed to the reliability of Korean technology, but even this is subject to component wear and external factors. The problem may lie either in a banal violation of operating rules or in a complex breakdown of units.
The first thing the owner needs to do is assess the scale of the disaster. If the temperature in the main chamber is normal and the freezer is warm, this narrows down the search. Often the reason lies in the disruption of cold air circulation or failures in the automatic defrosting system. It is important not to ignore the first symptoms in order to avoid spoilage of a large volume of products.
In this article we will analyze in detail the mechanical and electrical faults characteristic of models LG with the system No Frost. You will learn how to carry out initial diagnostics yourself and in which cases calling a specialist becomes the only solution. Understanding the principles of operation will help save time and money.
Violation of operating rules and overload
Before looking for a breakdown in the “insides” of the unit, it is worth eliminating the human factor. Often the reason why the freezer LG stops freezing is trivial. The door could remain ajar due to a poorly washed seal or a foreign object stuck in the opening. Warm air continuously flowing inside does not have time to cool.
Another common mistake is loading warm products. If you put a pot of hot soup or freshly cooked meat in the freezer, the compressor may have gone into protection or simply not been able to cope with the sudden temperature rise. In systems No Frost this also leads to intensive formation of an ice coat on the evaporator, which blocks the channels.
Check the tightness of the products against the back wall. In refrigerators LG the air duct outlets are often located there. If the drawers are filled to capacity and rest against the wall, air circulation is disrupted. The cold simply does not enter the main volume of the chamber, remaining localized around the evaporator.
- ❄️ Check if anything is preventing the door from closing tightly.
- 🌡️ Make sure that warm products have not been placed in the chamber.
- 📦 Free up space at the back walls for free air circulation.
⚠️ Attention: If you notice that the rubber door seal has lost elasticity or is torn, the cold will disappear constantly. In this case, no temperature adjustment will help until you replace the sealing rubber.
It is also worth paying attention to the position of the thermostat or electronic control panel. An occasional power failure could reset the settings and cause the temperature to not be set low enough. For normal operation of the freezer LG it is recommended to set the mode -18°C or lower.
Icing of the evaporator and malfunction of the defrost system
The most common technical reason why the lower chamber does not freeze LG No Frost —this is the “fur coat” on the evaporator. Unlike older models, here the ice is not visible to the eye, as it builds up on a hidden heat exchanger. When the ice layer becomes too thick, it blocks the channels through which the fan should drive cold air into the chamber.
The defrost system is responsible for the ice removal process. It consists of a heating element (heating element), a defrost sensor and a timer (or electronic module). If at least one of these elements fails, the ice does not melt, but accumulates with each compressor operating cycle. As a result, the fan either stops, pinched by ice, or drives air through an ice plug that does not allow the cold to pass through.
You can diagnose this problem by listening to the operation of the refrigerator. If the compressor is humming, but you don't hear the characteristic fan noise inside the freezer, it is most likely blocked by ice. Another sign may be that the back wall of the chamber is covered with frost, although normally it should be dry.
To eliminate the problem, you need to completely defrost the refrigerator within 24 hours. If after this the unit works normally, but after 1-2 weeks the problem repeats, it means that one of the elements of the defrost system is faulty and requires replacement.
- 🔥 The defrost heating element could burn out and stop heating.
- 📉 The defrost sensor is “stuck” and does not give a command to turn on the heating.
- ⏱️ The defrost timer is stuck in cooling mode.
- 🌀 The fan is frozen and physically cannot rotate.
⚠️ Attention: Do not try to pick out the ice from the evaporator with a knife or sharp objects! You risk breaking the aluminum evaporator tubes, which will lead to freon leakage and expensive repairs.
Problems with the air circulation fan
In two-chamber refrigerators LG with a system No Frost the fan is responsible for the distribution of cold. It is located in the freezer and drives air through the evaporator into the freezer and then, through special channels, into the refrigerator compartment. If this unit fails, the cold stops flowing into the chambers, although the compressor may work properly.
The reasons for fan failure may be different. As mentioned above, this is often icing of the hub or blades. However, electrical breakdown of the motor winding, bearing wear, or contact failure in the power circuit is also possible. In some models LG the fan does not turn on if the freezer door is not closed (the limit switch is triggered).
You can check the operation of the fan by opening the freezer door and holding the light switch button with your finger (or a special pin that simulates closing the door). If the system is working properly, you should hear the fan motor start. If there is silence or a cracking noise is heard, the unit requires attention.
How to get to the fan in LG No Frost?
To access the fan, you usually need to remove the back panel inside the freezer. It is secured with several screws. Be careful: plastic becomes brittle in the cold and may crack. It is recommended to defrost the refrigerator first.
Replacing the fan is not a complicated procedure, but it requires care. The new unit must have exactly the same voltage and size characteristics, otherwise it will not fit into place or will burn out.
Faults of the compressor and start relay
The compressor is the “heart” of the refrigerator LG. It is he who pumps the refrigerant through the system. If the compressor does not turn on, there will be no cold anywhere. However, there is an intermediate option: the compressor works, but does not develop the required pressure, or it turns on for a few seconds and turns off.
A frequent problem is the failure of the start-up relay. This is a small device that fits onto the compressor contacts. It gives a starting impulse to the engine. If the relay is “stuck” or burned out, the compressor will hum, click, but will not start, or will immediately go into overheating protection.
A more serious situation is an interturn short circuit of the compressor windings or mechanical wear of the piston group. In this case, the unit can work indefinitely, trying to gain temperature, but it will freeze very weakly or stop altogether. This can be determined by the temperature of the compressor housing: if it is barely warm during long operation, most likely it is not pumping freon.
| Symptom | Possible cause | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| The compressor hums for 5-10 seconds and clicks | Faulty start relay | High |
| The compressor is hot, but there is no cold | Compressor wear / freon leak | Average |
| The compressor does not turn on, silence | Problems with the control module | Average |
| Strong vibration and noise | Destruction Compressor suspension | Low |
Replacing a compressor is a complex process that requires evacuation of the system and charging with freon. It is almost impossible to do this on your own without special equipment.
Leakage of refrigerant (freon)
Freon is a working fluid that transfers heat. In the closed circuit of the refrigerator LG its quantity is constant. If the system is sealed, freon is not consumed and does not require replacement for years. However, if a leak occurs, operating efficiency drops in proportion to the amount of gas lost.
Leaks in No Frost models often occur in the foamed part of the housing (internal circuit) or in the soldering areas of the evaporator tubes. The cause may be metal corrosion (especially if the refrigerator is in a damp room) or a manufacturing defect. The symptom of a leak is a gradual decrease in performance. First, the freezer begins to freeze worse, then it stops completely, and the compressor works without stopping.
Another sign is swelling of the side walls of the refrigerator or the appearance of oily spots under the unit (oil comes out along with freon). Also, uneven frosting may be observed on the tubes inside the freezer: some of the tubes are covered with frost, and some are dry and warm.
- 📉 The temperature drops very slowly or does not drop at all.
- 🔊 The compressor works continuously without turning off.
- 💧 The appearance of oil stains near the refrigerator.
- ❄️ Uneven freezing of the evaporator.
Finding and eliminating leaks is a task for professionals. The technician uses a leak detector, finds the location of the damage, seals it, evacuates the system and fills in new freon strictly according to the weight indicated on the sticker.
Failures in the operation of the electronic control module
Modern two-chamber refrigerators LG are controlled electronically. The control board receives signals from temperature sensors and makes a decision: turn on the compressor, start defrosting or stop the fan. If the module is “glitchy”, it may not send a command for cooling, even if all mechanical parts are working properly.
The reasons for module failures are varied: power surges in the network, moisture ingress, oxidation of contacts, or simply aging of elements. In some cases, the module can be reflashed or the burnt parts can be re-soldered, but more often it requires a complete replacement.
It is difficult to diagnose a board failure without special knowledge. However, if there are errors on the display (if there is one), or if the refrigerator behaves inappropriately (it turns on and off on its own, does not respond to buttons), the problem is most likely in the “brains.”
⚠️ Attention: The refrigerator electronics are sensitive to voltage changes. To extend the life of the control module, it is recommended to use a voltage stabilizer or surge protector.
Frequently asked questions and answers (FAQ)
Why did the LG freezer stop freezing after defrosting?
If after complete defrosting (more than 24 hours) the refrigerator does not start to freeze, then the reason is not ice Most likely, during the defrosting process you discovered a real breakdown: the defrost heating element burned out, the sensor failed, there was a freon leak or a problem with the compressor. Diagnostics required.
How long should an LG refrigerator freeze after turning it on?
Usually, it takes 2 to 5 hours to reach operating temperature in the freezer compartment No Frost . It may take up to 24 hours for food to completely freeze and stabilize the temperature throughout. If after 5-6 hours of operation of the compressor it is warm inside, this is a cause for concern.
Is it possible to use a refrigerator if it does not freeze well?
It is not recommended to use such a unit. Products may begin to deteriorate, and the compressor, working non-stop, will quickly overheat and fail. In addition, this leads to excessive energy consumption. It is better to find and eliminate the cause.
What does the ER FF error mean on an LG refrigerator?
The error code ER FF (or ER FF) indicates a malfunction of the freezer fan motor. This is directly related to the problem of air circulation. Often the fan is simply frozen, but it may need to be replaced or the wiring repaired.
Do you need to call a technician if the refrigerator has stopped freezing?
If defrosting within 24 hours did not help, calling a technician is necessary. Independent repair of components related to freon or complex electronics, without experience and tools, can lead to final breakdown of the unit.