The situation when Biryusa refrigerator works properly in the lower part, but stops cooling the upper chamber, is a classic symptom of a refrigerant circulation problem or a malfunction in the temperature control system. Owners often notice that the food in the freezer begins to thaw, and the characteristic “snow” coating disappears on the back wall of the main compartment or, conversely, an ice crust appears. Understanding the physics of the cooling process will help you quickly localize the malfunction without resorting to an expensive call to a technician for simple problems.
The bulk of modern models Biryusa equipped with a No Frost system or drip defrosting, where cold air from the evaporator, usually located in freezer, forcibly or naturally distributed throughout the entire volume. If this flow is disrupted, the top, which is often either the top of the freezer or the top shelves of the refrigerator, is the first to suffer. Ignoring the first signs of a malfunction can lead to damage to a large supply of products and failure of the compressor due to operation in overload mode.
In this article we will analyze the most likely technical reasons, from elementary icing of channels to a serious freon leak. You will learn how to carry out initial diagnostics yourself, what tools you will need and in which cases independent repair is impossible. It is important to act consistently and follow safety precautions when working with electrical appliances.
Violation of the defrosting mode and the formation of an ice plug
The most common reason why upper chamber stops receiving cold is simple icing of the air ducts or evaporator. In refrigerators with a No Frost system, a fan drives cold air through special channels. Over time, a layer of ice builds up on the evaporator, which must be removed regularly by the defrost system. If this mechanism fails, the ice blocks the movement of air masses, and the cold simply does not reach the upper shelves.
Often owners notice that the refrigerator hums louder than usual or, conversely, works silently, although the indicators show active operation. This indicates that the fan is either blocked by ice or is unable to force air through the clogged duct. In models Biryusa with a drip system, the problem may lie in the drainage hole, which is clogged with debris or frozen, which is why the water does not drain away, but freezes, blocking the access of cold.
⚠️ Attention: Trying to pick out the ice with a knife or other sharp objects is strictly prohibited. Damage to the evaporator circuit will lead to an immediate release of freon and expensive repairs, which are often not economically feasible.
To solve this problem, a complete defrost of the unit is required. It is necessary to turn off the device from the network, empty the chambers of food and leave the doors open for at least 12-24 hours. Only during this time will the ice plug in the depths of the system have time to completely melt. After defrosting, you should thoroughly wipe the internal surfaces and drainage channels.
☑️ Correct defrosting of the refrigerator
If after complete defrosting Biryusa refrigerator the top stops freezing again after a few days or weeks, then the problem lies deeper - in the malfunction of the defrosting system components. This could be a burnt-out evaporator heating element, a failed defrost timer, or a faulty temperature sensor. In such cases, diagnostics with a multimeter and replacement of defective parts are required.
Malfunction of the thermostat (thermostat)
The thermostat is the “brain” that commands the compressor when to turn on and when to rest. If thermostat fails, it can prematurely turn off the compressor, “thinking” that the desired temperature has already been reached. As a result, the freezer compartment (where the sensor is usually located) can still retain cold by inertia, and in the upper part of the refrigerator compartment the temperature manages to rise to critical values.
In older models Biryusa mechanical thermostats with a bellows tube are often used. Over time, the gas inside the tube evaporates or the membrane loses its elasticity. You can check its functionality by closing the contacts directly: if after this procedure the refrigerator begins to freeze normally, then the thermostat requires replacement. In modern electronically controlled models, the role of a thermostat is played by a temperature sensor, which can also transmit incorrect data to the control board.
Symptoms of a thermostat failure can also be:
- ❄️ The compressor operates in very short cycles or does not turn on at all.
- ❄️ The refrigerator compartment is too warm, although the freezer is still cold.
- ❄️ There is no condensation or ice on the back wall of the refrigerator compartment (with a drip system).
Replacing the thermostat is a procedure that can be done with your own hands if you have basic skills. However, it is important to choose an analogue with exactly the same characteristics, otherwise the temperature regime will be disrupted. For models Biryusa it is important to consider the length of the capillary tube and the method of fastening.
How to check the thermostat with a multimeter?
To check, remove the thermostat and place its sensitive tube in a container with ice for 2-3 minutes. Then test the contacts with a multimeter. If the device shows a break (one on the screen), then the thermostat is faulty and does not close the circuit to cold. If it shows zero or a value close to it, there is contact, but this does not guarantee complete serviceability when operating under load.
Refrigerant (freon) leak
The most serious and unpleasant reason why top of the refrigerator stopped freezing is a freon leak. The refrigerant circulates in a closed circuit, and if a microcrack appears in the system, the gas gradually escapes. The pressure drops and there is no longer enough refrigerant for a full cooling cycle. The first sign is often that the freezer is still working, but weakly, and the top of the refrigerator is simply cool or at room temperature.
Leaks can occur in different places: in the foam circuit (inside the walls of the case), in places where pipes are soldered, or in the evaporator. If you notice oily spots on the back wall of the unit or near the compressor, this is a sure sign of depressurization. This may also be indicated by swelling of the side walls of the refrigerator. In models Biryusa with a foamed evaporator (located inside polyurethane foam insulation), a leak often makes repairs unprofitable.
| Symptom | Probable cause | Difficulty of repair |
|---|---|---|
| It hums, but does not freeze anywhere | Complete leak or compressor wedge | High |
| Freezes only at the rear wall | Partial Freon leak | High |
| The refrigerator turns off quickly | Thermostat is faulty | Low |
| Ice in only one corner | Problem with air distribution | Average |
It is almost impossible to diagnose a leak yourself without special equipment (leak detector, pressure gauges). The technician first finds the location of the leak, eliminates it, evacuates the system, and only then fills in a new volume of freon. Self-refilling without eliminating the cause of the leak will only give a temporary effect for a few weeks.
Problems with the compressor and start relay
The compressor is the heart of the refrigerator. If it does not work efficiently, the pressure in the system drops and the refrigerant cannot rise to the upper sections of the evaporator. As a result upper chamber it does not receive the necessary cold. Often the problem lies not in the motor itself, but in the starting relay, which is responsible for starting the engine. If the relay is “stuck” or burnt out, the compressor may hum, but not start, or start and immediately stall.
Signs of a malfunction of the compressor or its piping are:
- 🔊 A characteristic click before the engine stops.
- 🔊 Strong heating of the compressor housing (more than 90 degrees).
- 🔊 Continuous operation without shutdowns, but with low cooling efficiency.
In some cases, the compressor loses its performance (“compression”) due to wear of the piston group. It hums, consumes current, but does not pump freon with the required force. Only a master can determine this by connecting a pressure gauge station. If low compression is confirmed, the unit must be replaced with a new one, since rebuilding old compressors at home is impossible.
Fan malfunction and clogged channels
In refrigerators Biryusa with the No Frost system, the fan located in the freezer is responsible for air circulation. If it stops rotating, cold air remains at the bottom of the freezer and does not flow into the upper chamber and refrigerator compartment. The fan can fail electrically (the winding is burned out) or mechanically (the bearings are jammed).
Often the fan is blocked by accumulated ice. This happens if the defrost system works intermittently and the ice builds up faster than it can melt. The fan blades begin to touch the ice crust, producing a characteristic crackling or buzzing sound, and then the motor burns out or stops. As a result, top of the refrigerator stops freezing, since air convection is stopped.
To check the fan, you need to get to it by removing the back panel in the freezer. With the refrigerator turned on (being careful) or in diagnostic mode, you can check whether voltage is supplied to it and whether the shaft is spinning. Sometimes it is enough just to clean the channels and lubricate the bearing, but more often the unit needs to be replaced.
Errors in operation and loading of products
The reason is not always a breakdown. Sometimes users themselves create conditions under which Biryusa refrigerator the top cannot freeze properly. For example, a dense load of food blocks the ventilation openings. If you place a pot of hot soup or simply too many foods close to the back wall, air circulation is disrupted.
It is also worth checking the position of the temperature regulator. Perhaps one of the household members accidentally moved the thermostat knob to the “minimum” or “0” position. In this case, the compressor simply will not turn on often enough. Check the tightness of the door: if the seal (elastic band) is worn out or dirty, warm air is constantly sucked in, and the refrigerator does not have time to compensate for heat loss, especially in the upper zones.
⚠️ Attention: Do not put hot foods in the refrigerator. This causes a sharp increase in humidity and temperature, which leads to increased ice formation on the evaporator and overload of the compressor.
Check whether food products are blocking the air ducts. In models with No Frost, openings for air intake and supply are often located on the back wall or on top. A clogged input channel means that the fan is running idle, and the cold is not distributed among the chambers.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why, after defrosting, did the Biryusa refrigerator stop freezing again after 2 days?
This indicates that the reason is not simple icing, but a malfunction defrosting systems (heating element, timer or sensor burned out). Ice accumulated again and blocked the channels. Diagnostics of the electrical defrost circuit is required.
Is it possible to operate the refrigerator if the top does not freeze?
Short-term - yes, but you won’t be able to store food for a long time. However, continued operation with a malfunction (especially if the problem is in the compressor or leakage) can lead to its complete failure. It is better to eliminate the cause.
How much does the repair cost if you need to change the compressor?
The cost consists of the price of a new compressor, soldering, vacuuming and refilling with freon. This often makes up a significant part of the cost of a new refrigerator, so the economic feasibility of repairing old models should be assessed individually.
How to understand that freon has leaked?
Only a technician with a leak detector will give an accurate answer. Indirect signs: the refrigerator works constantly without turning off; the freezer freezes weakly, and the top does not freeze at all; There is no characteristic frost on the compressor tubes or it is only in the suction section.