The Indesit refrigerator does not cool well: reasons and what to do yourself

Has your refrigerator Indesit no longer cope with cooling, and is food spoiling faster than usual? The problem can lie either in a banal operating error or in a serious breakdown. In this article we will examine 12 most common reasonswhy the refrigerator Indesit (models C 132 G, BIAA 13, TN 118 and others) freezes poorly or does not cool at all. You will learn how to diagnose a malfunction yourselfwhen you can get by with a simple setup, and when it’s time to call a technician.

Important: if the refrigerator Indesit works, but does not cool, it does not hurry to turn it off! In some cases (for example, a freon leak), this can make the problem worse. First, identify the symptoms and follow the instructions below.

1. Wrong temperature or operating mode

Most often the refrigerator Indesit cools poorly due to incorrect settings. Check whether the parameters have been lost due to a power surge or accidental pressing of buttons. Optimal values for the main chamber: +4…+5°C, for the freezer: -18°C.

How to check:

• 🔹 On models with electronic control (Indesit BIA 18, DF 4180) press Menu → Temperature and compare the current values with the recommended ones.
• 🔹 On mechanical thermostats (for example, in Indesit ST 167), turn the knob to the position between 2 and 3.
• 🔹 Make sure that the mode is not activated Eco or Holiday (on some models it reduces the cooling power).

If after adjustment the temperature has not returned to normal within 6-8 hours, the problem is deeper. Indesit refrigerators with the No Frost system can “deceive” the sensors due to icing of the fan - read about this in the section 4.

2. Clogged capillary tube or filter-drier

The capillary tube is the “artery” of the refrigerator through which freon circulates. If it becomes clogged oil deposits or with moisture, the refrigerant cannot move normally and the compressor runs “idle”. Typical signs:

• 🔸 The compressor hums without stopping, but there is no cold.
• 🔸 The condenser (grid at the back) remains cold.
• 🔸 The freezer cools poorly, and the main chamber - almost does not cool.

What to do:

1. Unplug the refrigerator and move it away from the wall.
2. Inspect the capillary tube (a thin copper tube running from the compressor to the evaporator). If it is it is only hot at the compressorand then cold, this is a sign of blockage.
3. Check the filter drier (metal cylinder on the tube). If it darkened or swollenit needs to be replaced.

What does a clogged capillary tube look like?

The photo below shows a comparison of a normal tube (on the left) and a clogged one (on the right). In a clogged one, darkening and local thickening are visible due to accumulated oil.

⚠️ Attention: Cleaning the capillary tube requires full refilling of freon evacuating the system. It is impossible to do this without special equipment - contact the service.

3. Freon leak: how to recognize and what to do

Freon is a refrigerant that “removes” heat from the chamber. If it leaks through microcracks in the tubes or evaporator, the refrigerator Indesit stops cooling, even if the compressor runs without stopping. Signs of a leak:

• 🔹 The compressor turns on for 5-10 seconds and turns off (overheating protection is activated).
• 🔹 The condenser (rear grill) remains at room temperature.
• 🔹 On the tubes or evaporator visible oil stains (freon leaves along with the oil).

Where the leak most often occurs:

⚠️ Attention: If you suspect a freon leak, do not turn on the refrigerator for a long time - this can burn the compressor. Immediately call a technician to pressure test the system and refill the refrigerant.

4. Problems with the No Frost fan

Refrigerators Indesit with system No Frost (BIAA 13, DF 5200 etc.) cool due to air circulation. If the fan stops working, the cold will not flow into the main compartment and the freezer may continue to freeze. Reasons:

• 🍃 Icing of the blades (due to a faulty defrost heater).
• 🔌 Breakdown of the fan motor.
• 🧊 Freezing of the drainage hole (water does not drain, ice blocks the fan).

How to diagnose:

1. Turn off the refrigerator and defrost it for 10-12 hours.
2. After defrosting, turn it on and listen: if the fan not makes noise in the first 5 minutes, it is broken.
3. Check whether the fan spins when the door is open (on some models it turns on only when the door is closed).

If the fan is blocked by ice, try clean the drainage hole (it is located under the freezer evaporator). Use warm water and soft wire. If the motor is burnt out, a replacement will be required.

5. Malfunction of the thermostat or temperature sensor

The thermostat (or electronic sensor) is responsible for turn on/off the compressor. If it breaks down, the refrigerator Indesit can:

• 🥶 Freeze food (the thermostat “sticks” in cooling mode).
• 🔥 Do not cool at all (the thermostat does not give a signal to compressor).
• 🔄 Work jerkily (the compressor turns on for 1-2 minutes and turns off).

How to check the thermostat:

1. Find the thermostat (in mechanical models it is hidden under a plastic cover inside the chamber, in electronic models the sensor may be on the evaporator).
2. Remove the terminals and short them together jumper. If the compressor starts working, the thermostat is faulty.
3. For electronic sensors (Indesit BIAA 18, DFE 4200), check the resistance with a multimeter: at room temperature it should be 5–7 kOhm.

⚠️ Attention: If you are not confident in your skills in working with electricity, do not close the contacts at random - this can lead to a short closure. It’s better to call a specialist for an accurate diagnosis.

6. Compressor failure: symptoms and solutions

The compressor is the “heart” of the refrigerator. If it fails, the refrigerator Indesit can:

• 🔊 Humming, but not cooling (the winding is burned out, the compressor is stuck).
• 🔇 Not turning on at all (no power or the start relay is burned out).
• 🔥 Overheat and turn off after 5-10 minutes (valve malfunction).

How to check the compressor:

1. Turn off the refrigerator and touch the compressor (black “barrel” on the back). If it scalding hot is a sign of an interturn short circuit.
2. Listen to the sound when you turn it on: click and hum - normal, silence or crackling - breakdown.
3. Check the start relay (box on the compressor). If it is melted or smells like burningit needs to be replaced.

If the compressor is burnt out, replacing it will cost 50–70% of the cost of a new refrigerator. In this case, it is more advisable to consider purchasing new equipment, especially if your model Indesit is more than 8–10 years old.

7. Problems with the door seal

A worn or dirty seal leaks warm air, causing the refrigerator to wear out. Signs:

• 🚪 The door does not close tightly (a gap is visible).
• 💧 Condensation accumulates on the walls of the chamber.
• ❄️ Ice forms only about doors.

How to check and restore the seal:

1. Check the tightness a sheet of paper: close the door by clamping the sheet. If it easily pulled out the seal is faulty.
2. Clean the elastic band soap solution from grease and dirt.
3. If the seal is deformed, heat it with a hairdryer (temperature 60–70°C) and shape it.
4. For cracks or ruptures - only replacement.

⚠️ Attention: Do not use to clean the seal abrasive agents (for example, soda) - they destroy the rubber. Optimally suited liquid soap or special cleaner for seals.

8. Other possible reasons

If none of the above problems apply, check:

• 🔌 Network voltage: refrigerators Indesit are sensitive to surges. Optimal voltage: 220–230 V. At low voltage, the compressor does not develop the required power.
• 🧊 Overload freezers: if the products are stacked too tightly, air circulation is disrupted (relevant for models with No Frost).
• ☀️ External temperature: if the refrigerator is located next to the battery or in the sun, it may not cope with cooling. Normal temperature around: 16–32°C.
• 🔧 Control board fault (in electronic models: indicators blink, the refrigerator spontaneously reboots.

To diagnose the control board you will need testing with a multimeter or flashing. This is a task for a professional.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about refrigerators Indesit

My Indesit refrigerator is humming, but it’s not cooling. What’s the matter?

Most likely the problem is compressor (the winding is burned out or the piston is jammed) or freon leakCheck whether the condenser (grid) is hot. at the back). data-i="257">In 90% of cases, this is

The Indesit No Frost refrigerator does not cool, but the freezer works. What to do?

In 90% of cases this is icing of the fan or a breakdown of the defrost heater. Defrost the refrigerator for 12 hours, then check if the fan is spinning. If the problem persists, change the heater or defrost sensor.

Is it possible to refill it yourself? freon in the Indesit refrigerator?

No. Refilling requires vacuum pump. data-i="265">gauge manifold, gauge manifold experience in working with refrigerants. Incorrect charging can lead to system rupture or freon poisoning.

How much does it cost to repair an Indesit refrigerator if it does not cool?

The cost depends on the breakdown:

• Thermostat replacement: 1 500–3 000 ₽.
• Freon leak repair: 3 500–6 000 ₽.
• Compressor replacement: 5 000–10 000 ₽.
• Control board repair: 2 000–4 500 ₽.

For an accurate price, diagnostics are needed.

How to extend the life of an Indesit refrigerator?

Follow these rules:

• 🧹 Defrost the refrigerator every 6 months (even if it has No Frost).
• 🔌 Use voltage stabilizer (especially in rural areas).
• 🚪 Do not keep the door open longer than 30 seconds.
• 🧊 Do not put hot foods in the refrigerator hot products.