The situation when equipment suddenly stops performing its main function always causes panic, especially when it comes to preserving food. If you find that your LG refrigerator has stopped freezing, the first thing you need to do is keep cool and carry out an initial visual diagnosis.
Often the cause is not a breakdown, but a banal violation of operating rules or a failure in the control system. In this article, we will analyze in detail why the unit may work, but not cool, and what steps the owner needs to take.
Do not rush to call a technician until you have ruled out simple faults that you can fix yourself in a matter of minutes. Understanding the operating principles of your model LG No Frost or a classic system will help save time and money.
Primary diagnostics: sounds, lights and indicators
Before disassembling the unit, listen to its operation. Compressor it may hum, but not start, or it may work idle. If you do not hear the characteristic hum of the motor and clicks of the relay, the problem may lie in a lack of power or a burnt-out starting element.
Pay attention to the control panel. Are the indicators lit? Is the light Smart Diagnosis or temperature indicator flashing? Modern models LG often themselves report the nature of the malfunction through flashing codes or sound signals.
Check whether the light inside the cameras is on when the doors are opened. If there is no lighting at all, you should check the socket and plug. If there is light, but there is no cold, then electricity is supplied, and the problem is deeper.
⚠️ Attention: If you hear a loud crackling or clicking noise when you try to start the motor, immediately unplug the device. Continuing to operate in this mode can lead to complete combustion of the compressor.
Problems with door seals and tightness
One of the most common reasons why a refrigerator LG stops freezing is depressurization of the chambers. Warm air from the room constantly gets inside, and the unit simply does not have time to cool it, working for wear.
Carefully inspect the rubber seal around the perimeter of the door. There should be no cracks, creases or areas where the rubber has moved away from the body. Even a microscopic gap upsets the thermodynamic balance.
Perform a simple test with a sheet of paper. Clamp the sheet with the door in different places around the perimeter. If the paper is pulled out too easily without resistance, it means tightness it is broken in this particular place.
- 🧹 Contamination: Crumbs and sticky spots prevent the door from closing tightly. Wipe the seal with a soft cloth and soapy water.
- 🔥 Deformation: If the rubber has become stiff or lost elasticity, try heating it with a hairdryer (carefully!) or replacing it with a new one.
- 🚪 Door skew: Check that it is level the door is hanging. If it is skewed, the seal will not fit evenly.
Do not ignore the condition of the hinges. If the door is sagging, no seal will save the situation. In models LG Side-by-Side this is especially critical due to the large weight of the valves.
Failure of the electronics and control module
Modern refrigerators LG are stuffed with electronics that control all processes. If control module"is buggy", it may not send a command to start the compressor or incorrectly read sensor readings.
A simple restart of the system often helps. Electronics, like a computer, can accumulate errors in RAM. Try disconnecting the unit from the network for 15–20 minutes, and then turning it on again.
If after rebooting the refrigerator started working, but after a while the problem recurred, some board element or sensor has probably failed. In models with a display, error codes may appear, for example rF (defrosting problem) or dS (door sensor malfunction).
How to enter the LG diagnostic mode?
To enter the service mode on many LG models you need to simultaneously hold down the "Freezer" buttons and "Ice Plus" (or "Eco") for 3-5 seconds. The display will show the current temperatures or error codes. Be careful: changing parameters in this mode without knowledge may reset the factory settings.
Pay attention to voltage surges in your network. Electronic module very sensitive to current surges. If the lights in the house flicker frequently, a voltage stabilizer is a must-purchase.
Faults in the defrost system (for No Frost models)
If you have a model with the system No Frost, and you see what is on the back wall of the freezer “fur coat” or ice builds up, and heat in the refrigerator compartment is a classic sign of problems with defrosting.
The defrosting system consists of three main elements: Heating element (heater), defrost sensor and timer (or relay). If at least one of them is faulty, the ice does not melt, blocks the air circulation channels, and the cold stops flowing into the main chamber.
It is better to start diagnostics with a visual inspection evaporator. To do this, you will have to remove the back panel of the freezer. If there is a huge piece of ice and the heating element is cold, check the heater circuit.
☑️ Checking the defrost system
| Element | Fault symptom | Checking method |
|---|---|---|
| Defrost heating element | The ice does not melt, the refrigerator hums, but does not get cold | Ring with a multimeter (there must be resistance) |
| Defrost sensor | Irregular defrosting operation | Measuring resistance at different temperatures |
| Timer/Relay | The refrigerator does not go into defrost mode | Checking contacts and clicks when switching |
| Drainage | Water flows under the drawers or onto the floor | Visual inspection and cleaning with a brush |
Refrigerant leaks and problems with the compressor
The most unpleasant reason why LG refrigerator stopped freezing is a freon leak. The refrigerant circulates in a closed circuit, and if a microcrack forms in the tubes, the gas evaporates.
Signs of a leak: the compressor works constantly, without turning off, but there is no cold. In this case, the motor itself may be hot, and the condenser (grid at the back) may be barely warm or cold.
The second option - compressor (started), made a couple of clicks and went silent. This may indicate an interturn short circuit in the winding or jamming of the mechanism. In inverter models LG Linear Inverter diagnosis is more complicated and requires special equipment.
⚠️ Attention: Self-filling the refrigerator with freon is prohibited by law and is technically difficult. To do this, you need a vacuum pump, a pressure gauge station and precise knowledge of the type and weight of the refrigerant. If a leak is detected, a technician must be called.
If the compressor gets very hot and smells of burnt insulation, it will have to be replaced. Repairing windings at home is impossible and impractical.
Clogged capillary tube
Sometimes the freon circulation system is intact, but the permeability capillary tube is impaired. An ice plug may form inside it (due to moisture in the system) or a blockage from oil oxidation products.
The symptoms are similar to a leak: the compressor works, but there is no cold. However, if you listen closely, you can hear gurgling or hissing, which should not normally be present.
Often, when the capillary is clogged, the condenser (tubes on the rear wall) only partially warms up, and the rest remains cold. This is a clear sign that freon does not circulate in a full circle.
Removing the blockage requires purging the system with nitrogen under pressure and replacing the filter-drier. This is a job for the service center.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why an LG refrigerator freezes, but does not turn off?
This may indicate a freon leak, door seal wear, a clogged capillary tube, or a thermostat malfunction. The unit tries to gain temperature, but cannot due to loss of cold or circulation problems.
What does the flashing "Eco" indicator on an LG refrigerator mean?
A flashing indicator often indicates a malfunction in the system. On different models, this may indicate a problem with the temperature sensor, fan, or No Frost system. The exact error code can be found out by the number of flashes or through the service mode.
Is it possible to use an LG refrigerator if it has stopped freezing?
For a short time - yes, to unload food. But you can’t leave it on if there’s a malfunction (especially if the compressor is running non-stop). This will lead to overheating and burning out of the motor, which will make repairs economically unfeasible.
How to defrost an LG No Frost refrigerator?
Despite the name "No Frost", defrosting is necessary. Unplug the appliance, open the doors and leave for at least 12–24 hours. The water will flow into the drain. This will help eliminate ice jams in the defrost system if they were the problem.
Where is the serial number for ordering LG spare parts?
Usually a sticker with the model and serial number (S/N) is located inside the refrigerator compartment on the side wall or on the back wall of the case. This data is necessary for selecting original spare parts.