The situation when a refrigerator Ariston suddenly stops freezing can take any home cook by surprise. Food begins to deteriorate, and the temperature inside the chamber rises, which requires immediate intervention. Most often, the problem lies not in a complete breakdown of the unit, but in a malfunction of one of the components of the cooling system.
Before calling a technician or looking for a service center, it is worth conducting an initial diagnosis yourself. Many faults, such as a clogged drain or lost settings, can be fixed without special tools in a matter of minutes. In this article we will look at the main reasons why The Ariston refrigerator does not freezeand ways to solve them.
It is important to understand that modern models, whether classic Indesit-Ariston or more advanced systems with No Frosthave their own design features. Ignoring the symptoms can lead to failure of an expensive compressor, so you need to act quickly and consistently.
Primary diagnostics and checking settings
The most commonplace, but common reason for the lack of cold is an accidental change in the thermostat settings. If there are children in the house or the house has been wet cleaned, someone may have accidentally moved a lever or pressed buttons on the control panel. In models with mechanical controls, the regulator is usually located inside the chamber, and in electronic ones - on the external panel.
Check whether the fast freezing mode or, conversely, the holiday mode is turned on. In the first case, the equipment wears out, but freezes; in the second, the compressor may turn off for long periods of time. Make sure that the set temperature corresponds to the manufacturer's recommendations, usually this is +3...+5°C for the main chamber.
⚠️ Attention: If you notice that after defrosting the Ariston refrigerator has stopped freezing, let it stand turned off for 15-20 minutes before restarting. A sudden start of the compressor can lead to it jamming.
It is also worth paying attention to the tightness of the door. If seal is worn out or dirty, cold air will escape and the unit will not be able to reach the desired temperature. Simply wiping the rubber or replacing the cuff often solves the problem.
Problems with the No Frost defrost system
In refrigerators with the system No Frost the most common reason for stopping cooling is a malfunction of the evaporator defrost system. Ice builds up on the radiator inside the case, blocking the air circulation channels. As a result, the fan drives warm air through the chamber, and the products melt.
The main elements that fail in this chain include the defrost heating element, the defrost sensor and the timer (or electronic control module). If the heating element burns out, the ice does not melt. If the sensor is faulty, it does not give a command to turn on the heating or, conversely, does not turn it off in time.
- ❄️ Defrost heating element - a heating element that melts ice on the evaporator.
- 🌡️ Defrost sensor - monitors the temperature of the evaporator and turns it off Heating element.
- ⏱️ Timer or module - switches cooling and defrosting modes.
Diagnostics often require ring the heating element with a multimeter resistance. If the device shows a break, the part must be replaced. It is also worth checking the drainage hole: if it is clogged with dirt, the water does not drain, freezes and blocks the operation of the system.
How to get to the evaporator?
To access the evaporator in Ariston refrigerators, you need to remove the back plastic panel inside the freezer. It is usually attached with self-tapping screws or plastic latches. Be careful not to damage the fragile plastic at low temperatures.
Faults of the compressor and start relay
The compressor is the "heart" of the refrigerator, providing circulation coolant through the system. If the unit hums, but there is no cold, or, on the contrary, is silent, the problem may be in the start-up relay or the motor itself. The relay is responsible for starting the engine and protecting it from overloads.
A situation often occurs when the relay sticks or burns out. In this case, the compressor tries to start, makes a clicking and humming noise, but turns off after a few seconds. Replacing a relay is a simple and inexpensive procedure that you can do yourself if you have basic skills.
| Symptom | Possible cause | Difficulty of repair |
|---|---|---|
| Buzzes, clicks, does not start | Faulty starting relay | Low |
| Silent, light is on | Thermostat or module burned out | Medium |
| Works without stopping | Freon leak or clogged capillary | High |
| The housing gets very hot | Problems with the condenser | Medium |
If the problem is in the compressor itself (interturn short circuit, jamming of pistons), then you can’t do it yourself. Professional soldering of pipes is required, which is only possible in a workshop using special equipment. Freon charging refilling with freon and soldering of pipes, which is only possible in a workshop using special equipment.
☑️ Compressor diagnostics
Refrigerant leak and system blockage
If the refrigerator is running constantly, the compressor is hot, but there is no cold anywhere (or it freezes only near the evaporator), most likely it happened freon leak. Freon is a gaseous substance that circulates in a closed circuit. If the seal is broken (microcrack in the tubes, corrosion), the gas evaporates and the pressure in the system drops.
The second option is clogged capillary tube. A clot may have formed in the system from wear products of oil or moisture, which blocks the flow of refrigerant. In both cases, the intervention of a specialist is required: searching for leaks, soldering, evacuating the system and filling with new refrigerant.
⚠️ Attention: Self-charging of the refrigerator is impossible without professional equipment. Attempts to add freon “by eye” or through household cans will lead to final breakdown of the compressor.
Sometimes the leak can be noticed visually: oily spots appear on the inner wall of the freezer (oil comes out along with the freon) or swelling of the housing wall. In such cases, operation of the device is dangerous and requires immediate shutdown.
Failure of the electronic control module
In modern models Ariston with electronic control, control moduleis responsible for all processes. This is the “brain” of the refrigerator, which reads sensor readings and commands the compressor, fans and heating elements. Power surges in the network often cause board failure.
Symptoms of module failure can be different: the refrigerator does not turn on, changes temperature chaotically, does not respond to buttons, or shows error codes on the display. Sometimes a simple help resetting errors (disconnect from the network for 15-20 minutes), but more often a flashing or replacement of the board is required.
Module diagnostics require special knowledge in electronics. You can visually check the fuses or the presence of traces of burning on the board, but only a specialist with an oscilloscope will make an accurate diagnosis.
The influence of external factors and operating conditions
The cause of a breakdown does not always lie inside the unit. Incorrect operating conditions can cause the Ariston refrigerator to stop freezing. For example, installation close to the wall disrupts the air circulation around the condenser (the grille at the back), which causes overheating.
It is also important to consider the room temperature. If the refrigerator is located in an unheated garage or on a balcony, where the temperature drops lower +10°C or rises higher +32°C, it may not work correctly. The oils in the compressor thicken in the cold, and in the heat the system cannot keep up.
- 🌡️ The temperature in the room should be from +10 to +32 degrees.
- 💨 The distance to the wall should be at least 5-7 cm for ventilation.
- ☀️ Direct sunlight should not hit the housing.
Regular defrosting (for drip systems) and cleaning the drainage hole are also mandatory procedures. Ignoring maintenance leads to accelerated wear of parts and reduced cooling efficiency.
Is it possible to place a refrigerator on a heated floor?
It is not recommended to place a refrigerator on a heated floor. Heating from below can disrupt the operation of the heat removal system and lead to overheating of the compressor, especially in the summer.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why does the Ariston refrigerator freeze but does not turn off?
This may indicate a freon leak, wear on the door seal or thermostat malfunction. The unit tries to gain temperature, but due to loss of cold or lack of signal from the sensor, it does not go into standby mode.
What to do if there is ice in the freezer and heat in the refrigerator?
Most likely, the cold air supply channel between the chambers is clogged or the fan is faulty (in the No Frost system). The drainage may also be clogged, causing ice to block the air flow.
How often do you need to defrost an Ariston refrigerator?
Models with the No Frost system do not require manual defrosting; it is enough to wash them 1-2 times a year. Drip systems need to be defrosted completely when a layer of ice 3-5 mm thick has formed, usually once every 4-6 months.
Is it possible to repair an Ariston refrigerator with your own hands?
Minor repairs, such as replacing a lamp, seal, start relay or cleaning the drainage, are available to beginners. It is better to entrust replacing the compressor, searching for leaks and repairing electronics to professionals.