The situation when a loved one LG refrigerator suddenly stops cooling always takes you by surprise. You open the door, and it’s warm, food begins to spoil, and panic grips the household. However, before calling a technician, it is worth carrying out an initial diagnosis, since in many cases the problem is solved without complex intervention.
Modern models, whether LG DoorCooling+ or classic two-chamber units, are more complex than their predecessors. Temperature violation can be caused by either a banal network overload or a serious freon leak. In this material, we will analyze the main reasons why LG equipment failed and tell you what you can do yourself.
The first thing you should pay attention to is the nature of the unit’s operation. It hums, but doesn't freeze? Or is there complete silence? If the compressor runs non-stop and there is no cold, this almost always indicates a refrigerant leak or blockage of the capillary system. If the motor is silent, the problem may lie in the electrics or the start relay.
Primary diagnosis: external factors and settings
Before you grab the tools, you need to eliminate the human factor. Often, users accidentally change settings or overload equipment. Make sure that the plug is firmly seated in the socket and that the power supply voltage is stable. Electricity surges could activate the protection.
Check the temperature conditions. Perhaps someone at home accidentally switched the regulator to the “Vacation” mode or simply reduced the power. For electronically controlled models, it is worth checking to see if the malfunction indicator is illuminated. Sometimes it is quite simple to restart the device by unplugging it from the network for 10-15 minutes.
⚠️ Attention: If you notice that the back wall of the refrigerator is swollen or deformed, under no circumstances try to level it yourself. This may indicate critical damage to the cooling circuit.
Particular attention should be paid to the location of the unit. If the refrigerator is placed close to a wall or furniture, air circulation is disrupted. The compressor overheats and goes into protection. There should be at least 5-7 cm of free space between the rear grille and the wall for heat dissipation.
Problems with the No Frost system and freezing
Technology No Frost in LG refrigerators greatly simplifies life, eliminating manual defrosting. However, it is this system that often becomes the reason why the camera stops freezing. The essence of the problem lies in the evaporator, which is hidden behind a plastic panel.
If the defrosting system fails, the ice does not melt, but grows. Sooner or later ice coat blocks the cold air supply channels into the chamber. As a result, the compressor hums, the fan may even hum or crackle, trying to expel the air, but there is no cold in the chamber.
Symptoms of a faulty defrost system usually appear cyclically: the refrigerator works normally for several days, then stops cooling, and after complete defrosting (24 hours with the doors open) it starts working properly again for a short time time.
In such cases, the culprits are often:
- ❄️ Defrost heating element —a heating element that could have burned out.
- 🌡️ Defrost sensor—the “brain” of the system, which does not give the command to turn on heating.
- 💨 Fan - if it is frozen or broken, the cold does not circulate.
Faults of the compressor and start relay
The heart of any LG refrigerator is compressor. Modern models are often equipped with inverter motors Linear Inverter Compressor, which are characterized by quiet operation and efficiency. However, if you hear clicks, but the start does not occur, or the engine hums for several seconds and turns off, the problem is in the starting equipment.
The starting relay is a small part that provides an impulse to start the engine. Over time, the contacts oxidize or burn. Replacing a relay is a simple procedure and can often be done with your own hands. It is enough to remove the back cover, disconnect the old relay and connect a new one, observing the polarity and position.
If the compressor is hot, hums constantly, but does not start, or makes a metallic knock, the situation is more serious. This may indicate an interturn short circuit of the windings or a wedge of the piston group. In the case of LG inverter models, it is often not the motor itself that fails, but the control board (inverter module) located at the bottom of the unit.
Is it possible to replace a conventional compressor with an inverter one?
Replacing a conventional compressor with a an inverter in an LG refrigerator is technically possible, but economically impractical. The entire control system will need to be replaced, tubes will be re-soldered, and complex settings will be required. It’s easier and cheaper to find an original or high-quality analogue of a standard motor.
Freon leak and system blockage
One of the most common reasons why an LG refrigerator has stopped freezing is a banal refrigerant leak. Freon is a substance that circulates through the tubes, picking up heat. If a microcrack appears in the circuit (often due to corrosion of the foamed evaporator or mechanical damage during cleaning), the gas escapes.
The symptoms of a leak are quite typical: the condenser (grid at the back) is only partially warm or completely cold, the compressor works non-stop, trying to increase the temperature, but to no avail. In the freezer, only a small “fur coat” can form at the entrance, and the main part remains warm.
The second option is clogged capillary tube. An ice or mud plug may have formed in the system. Diagnosis of this condition requires a pressure gauge and experience. It is impossible to “blow out” the system on your own without a vacuum pump and special equipment.
The table below will help you navigate the symptoms:
| Symptom | Probable cause | Difficulty of repair |
|---|---|---|
| The compressor is silent, there is light | The starting relay or thermostat is faulty | Low |
| Humming, but not freezing, the capacitor is cold | Freon leak | High (needs a technician) |
| Works cyclically, there is ice inside | System failure No Frost | Medium |
| Humming and turns off after 5-10 seconds | Compressor wedge or winding short circuit | High (motor replacement) |
Failure of electronics and sensors
LG refrigerators are crammed with electronics. Thermistors (temperature sensors) are responsible for temperature. If one of them is “lying,” the control board receives incorrect data and does not turn on the compressor or, conversely, does not allow it to turn off.
The sensor in the freezer compartment or the defrost sensor often fails. You can check them with a multimeter by measuring the resistance at different temperatures. If the readings differ greatly from the table values for your model, the element requires replacement.
☑️ Electronics diagnostics
It is also worth paying attention to the control board. If there are visible traces of burning, oxidation, or swollen capacitors, DIY repairs are only possible if you have soldering skills. Otherwise, the entire module will need to be replaced.
⚠️ Attention: Specifications and sensor locations may vary depending on the specific model and year of manufacture of the LG refrigerator. Always check the diagram in the technical documentation or on the sticker inside the case before replacing parts.
When you need to call a technician
Despite the desire to save money, there are situations when getting inside the refrigerator yourself means finishing off the equipment. If the diagnosis indicates a freon leak, professional equipment is required: a vacuum pump, a pressure gauge station, scales for refilling and, of course, the refrigerant itself.
In addition, searching for a leak in a foamed circuit (when the tubes are mounted into the walls of the housing) requires special tools and skills. Unprofessional soldering of tubes can lead to a repeated leak in a month or to moisture entering the system, which will disable the compressor.
If you have a model with inverter compressor, and the problem is in the electronics, it is better to entrust the diagnosis to a specialist. A connection error can be costly, since inverter boards and motors are expensive components.
So, if your LG refrigerator has stopped cooling, do not panic. Start by checking your settings and defrosting. If this does not help, listen to the motor and look at the capacitor. These simple steps will help you understand the scale of the problem and make the right decision on further actions.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why does the LG refrigerator hum a lot after being idle?
Humming after a long period of inactivity or defrosting may be due to the fact that the oil in the compressor has flowed into the tubes. Let the unit run for several hours. If the noise does not subside and is accompanied by vibration, the shock absorbers may need to be replaced or the compressor needs to be repaired.
Is it possible to operate a refrigerator if it does not completely freeze?
For a short period of time - yes, but you cannot store perishable food. Long-term operation in this mode (especially if the compressor does not turn off) will lead to its overheating and eventual failure. It is better to find the reason or defrost the unit.
How long should defrosting last to check the No Frost system?
To completely thaw the ice on the hidden evaporator, the refrigerator must stand with the doors open for at least 24 hours. A shorter defrosting may not eliminate the ice plug in the channels.
Why is it warm in the refrigerator compartment, but everything is frozen in the freezer?
This is a classic sign of a malfunction of the air supply damper (damper) or freezing of the channel between the chambers in No Frost systems. The cold simply does not pass from the freezer to the upper compartment.