Why the upper chamber in the Indesit refrigerator does not work

The situation when the refrigerator Indesit continues to hum and freeze in the lower compartment, but stops cooling food in the upper chamber, is one of the most common problems of users of this equipment. The owner often does not notice a malfunction immediately, since the indicators may not light up, but the sound of the compressor remains familiar. However, the lack of cold from above leads to rapid spoilage of products, which requires an immediate response and initial diagnostics.

Before calling a technician or panicking, you need to understand the operating principle of your model. In two-chamber refrigerators No Frost system and drip defrosting systems have fundamentally different patterns of air circulation and heat removal. If you have a classic model with a weeping wall, then the upper chamber is actually a freezer, and its failure indicates serious problems with the refrigerant or compression.

In most cases, the cause is not one specific part, but a combination of factors: from a simple drainage blockage to the failure of complex electronics. A critical first step is to accurately determine the model of your device and the type of defrosting system, since the troubleshooting algorithms for Indesit DF 520 and Indesit C 130 will be radically different.

Primary diagnosis and external factors

Often the problem lies not in the breakdown of units, but in improper operation or external conditions. A refrigerator Indesit is a complex mechanism that is sensitive to voltage changes and room temperature. If the room is too cold (below +10°C) or, conversely, hot, the control system may block the compressor from starting or work incorrectly.

Check the door for tight fit. If the rubber seal is worn out, dirty or deformed, warm air constantly enters the chamber. The compressor is working hard, trying to compensate for the heat influx, but the upper chamber may not have time to cool due to a disruption in the circulation of flows.

• 🔍 Visually inspect the sealing rubber around the entire perimeter of the door for cracks, tears or adhesion of crumbs.
• ❄️ Check if the ice has frozen to the door, that may interfere with the tight closure of the chamber.
• 🔌 Make sure that the power cord is not pinched and the socket is working - sometimes the problem is trivial.

⚠️ Attention: If you notice that the compressor turns on, runs for several minutes and turns off with a characteristic click, and then remains silent for a long time, this is a sign that the thermal protection relay has tripped. Do not try to start the refrigerator repeatedly, this may cause the motor windings to burn out.

Malfunctions of the thermostat and temperature sensors

One ​​of the most common reasons why the upper chamber does not work is the failure of thermostat or the electronic temperature sensor. In older models Indesit with mechanical control, the thermostat is responsible for turning the compressor on and off. If its contacts are stuck or the sensitive element has lost its properties, the compressor may not start at all or work without stopping, not reaching the desired temperature.

In modern models with a system No Frost and electronic control, the control function is performed by sensors. Their readings are read by the control module, which makes the decision to start the compressor. If the sensor in the upper chamber “lies” and shows that it is already cold there, the system simply will not give the command to cool.

Diagnostics of the thermostat often requires disassembling the internal panel. It is necessary to remove the plastic casing where the light bulb and regulator are located and check the integrity of the contacts. For electronic diagnostics, you need a multimeter to test the resistance of the sensor at different temperatures.

Replacing the thermostat is a procedure accessible to a home handyman, but requires care. It is important to install a similar part with the same marking parameters, otherwise the operating modes of the refrigerator will be disrupted.

Problems with the defrosting system in No Frost refrigerators

If your Indesit is equipped with a system No Frostthen the lack of cold in the upper chamber when the compressor is running is often indicates problems with evaporator defrost. The essence of the system is that cold is generated in one place (usually behind the back wall of the freezer) and is dispersed through the chambers by a fan. If the evaporator is overgrown with a “coat” of ice, the air simply cannot circulate.

Ice blocks the fan or blocks the air supply channels. As a result, the lower chamber may be cold (as cold air is heavier and sinks), while the upper chamber remains warm. The reasons for the accumulation of ice lie in the malfunction of one of the elements of the defrost system.

• 💡 The defrost heating element could burn out and stop heating the evaporator to melt the ice.
• 🕰️ The defrost timer or the electronic control module is “stuck” and does not switch the refrigerator to defrost mode.
• 🌡️ The defrost sensor is out of order and does not give a signal about the need for heating.

⚠️ Attention: When working with the defrost heating element, make sure that it is not shorted to the housing. A breakdown of the heating element to the ground can lead to failure of the main control module, which will significantly increase the cost of repairs.

To confirm the diagnosis, you need to defrost the refrigerator manually for 10-12 hours (by completely unplugging it from the network). If after turning it on it worked normally, but after 1-2 weeks the situation repeated itself, the problem is guaranteed to be in the defrosting system.

Refrigerant leak and compression problems

The most unpleasant and expensive reason for the lack of cold is freon leak or loss of compressor performance. The refrigerant circulates in a closed circuit, and if a microcrack appears in the system, the gas gradually evaporates. First, the cold becomes less, then it disappears completely, starting from the upper chamber.

Signs of a leak are often visible visually: swelling of the rear metal grille (condenser), the appearance of oily spots under the refrigerator or at the junction of the tubes. In this case, the compressor can work continuously, trying to gain temperature, but to no avail.

If the compressor hums, but does not start (you can only hear a hum and clicks), it may be “jammed” or the start-protection relay has failed. In this case, a professional replacement of the unit and recharging of the system is required.

Clogged capillary tube and filter-drier

Another technical reason why the upper chamber Indesit stopped freezing is clogged capillary tube. Freon is supplied to the evaporator through this thin copper tube. Over time, oil oxidation products may form in the system or moisture may enter, which freezes in a narrow place, creating an ice plug.

Modern refrigerators Indesit are controlled electronically. If all mechanical parts are in good working order, the sensors are intact, the freon is in place, but the unit behaves inappropriately, perhaps the control module is glitching. Voltage surges in the network, moisture ingress or manufacturing defects can lead to burnout of tracks or microcircuits on the board. control module. Voltage surges in the network, moisture or manufacturing defects can lead to burnout of tracks or microcircuits on the board.