The freezer compartment of the LG refrigerator does not work: reasons and what to do

If the freezer compartment of your refrigerator LG stops freezing, and in the main section the temperature remains normal - or vice versa, both compartments have defrosted - the problem requires an urgent solution. There can be a dozen reasons for the malfunction: from a banal failure in the settings to a serious breakdown of the compressor. In this article we will look at all possible scenarioshow to diagnose them yourself and when exactly you need a technician.

It is important to understand: LG uses unique technologies in its refrigerators, such as Linear Inverter Compressor (in models DoorCooling+, Instaview) and system Smart Diagnosis. This means that some malfunctions manifest themselves in a specific way - for example, the camera may “thaw” cyclically or make uncharacteristic sounds. Do not ignore such signals: delay is fraught with failure of the entire unit.

We will not advise “reboot the refrigerator” or “check the plug in the socket” - you have already tried these obvious steps. Instead, let's focus on deep diagnostics taking into account the characteristics of the equipment LG, including models with No Frost, Total No Frost and hybrid cooling systems.

1. Typical signs of a malfunction in the LG freezer

Before disassembling the refrigerator, determine exactly how the problem manifests itself. The symptoms will tell you where to look for the root of the evil:

• 🔴 The camera does not freeze at all —the temperature inside is above 0°C, the food is defrosted, but the light is on.
• ❄️ Weak freezing —the ice is melting, but not completely; there is little or no frost on the walls.
• 🔄 Cyclic operation —the chamber either freezes or thaws (typical of sensor failures).
• 🔊 Extraneous sounds —the compressor hums, but does not start; you can hear relay clicks or freon gurgling.
• ⚡ Electronic failures —indicators flash, errors on the display (Er IF, Er CF, Er FF).

Pay special attention to models with a display (LG GC-B247JLVL, GA-B489YVQZ etc.). If an error code is displayed on the screen, this is already 50% of the diagnosis. For example, Er FF almost always indicates a freon leak, and Er dH a problem with the defrost sensor.

Critical moment: if the freezer LG with the system No Frost stops freezing, but the fan in the main chamber is working - with an 85% probability the evaporator or defrosting heating element is to blame. In this case, independent repairs can damage the cooling circuit.

2. Checking settings and simple reasons

Start by eliminating “software” reasons. Even in modern refrigerators LG failures occur due to incorrect settings or external factors.

Step 1. Check the operating mode. In models with a display (LG InstaView Door-in-Door, Smart ThinQ), go to the menu Temperature → Freezer and make sure that the temperature is set -18°C or lower. Sometimes users accidentally set the camera to Vacation (vacation) mode, which turns off the freezer.

Step 2. Inspect the sealing rubber. If the freezer door does not close tightly, warm air gets in and the compressor cannot cope. Do a test with a piece of paper: press it between the door and the body. If the sheet falls out, the seal is worn or deformed.

Step 3. Check the ventilation. Refrigerators LG s No Frost require a gap of at least 5 cm at the back and sides. If the equipment is close to the wall or furniture, the condenser overheats and the freezer turns off.

3. Compressor breakdowns: how to recognize and what to do

The compressor is the “heart” of the refrigerator. The models LG use two types: regular and inverter (Linear Compressor). The latter are found in series DoorCooling+ and Instaview and are characterized by increased reliability, but their service life is not endless.

Signs of a compressor malfunction:

• 🔇 The compressor does not start at all (no hum, no relay clicks).
• 🔁 It works for 1-2 minutes and turns off (thermal protection is triggered).
• 🔥 The compressor housing is hot (over 70°C during operation).
• ⚡ There is an error on the display Er CF or Er IF.

To diagnose, unplug the refrigerator, remove the back cover and inspect the compressor. If traces of oil or rust are visible on it, this is a sign of depressurization. In inverter models (LG GC-X247CLAV), it is often the compressor control boardthat fails, and not the motor itself.

What to do:

1. If the compressor does not start, check starting relay (the part next to the motor). Often it “sticks” or burns out.
2. During cyclic shutdowns, measure the resistance of the windings with a multimeter (norm: 15–40 Ohms).
3. If the compressor hums, but does not pump freon, replacement is required.

⚠️ Attention: In refrigerators LG with an inverter compressor (Linear Compressor), it is strictly forbidden to connect it directly, bypassing the control board! This will lead to instant failure of the motor.

4. Freon leak: how to detect and eliminate it

Freon is a refrigerant circulating through the refrigerator circuit. When it leaks, the freezer stops cooling, and the compressor works non-stop, trying to compensate for the lack of pressure. In models LG leakage often occurs in places where tubes are soldered or in the evaporator (especially in systems No Frost).

Signs of a freon leak:

• ❄️ The freezer does not freeze, but the compressor runs constantly.
• 🔧 Oily stains are visible on the back wall of the refrigerator (freon carries oil with it).
• 📉 The temperature in the main chamber also increases (if there is a leak in the general circuit).
• 🚨 There is an error on the display Er FF (Freon Fault).

Independently It is impossible to eliminate the leak - it requires special equipment (vacuum pump, pressure gauges, soldering torch). However, you can confirm the diagnosis:

1. Turn off the refrigerator and defrost it for 12 hours.
2. Turn it on again and listen: if the compressor starts, but turns off after 5-10 minutes (without cooling), there is no freon.

In 90% of cases, freon leaks in refrigerators LG occurs in a “crying” evaporator (models without No Frost) or in aluminum tubes of the circuit. Repairs cost 5–12 thousand rubles, depending on the model.

5. Malfunctions of the No Frost system

If your refrigerator LG is equipped with a system No Frost (or Total No Frost), the problem may lie in its components: fan, defrosting heating element or sensor. These elements are responsible for the uniform distribution of cold and automatic defrosting of frost.

How to check the system No Frost:

1. Fan: open the freezer and listen. If the fan does not make noise, it is broken or frozen. In models LG DoorCooling+ the fan is located behind the rear panel.
2. Defrost heating element: if there is a malfunction, ice builds up on the evaporator, blocking air circulation. Check the resistance of the heating element with a multimeter (norm: 20–50 Ohms).
3. Defrost sensor: if it is faulty, the heating element does not turn on and the evaporator freezes. Error on the display: Er dH.