Why the refrigerator does not freeze: common malfunctions and solutions

#5 - No Power

If your refrigerator is more than 5 years old, there may be power problems. Wiring is not eternal, it wears out over time. The main elements that provide a normal temperature in the main chamber:

1. Compressor;
2. Temperature sensor;
3. Temperature controller.

Checking the power to the temperature sensor is easy. First determine where it is (look at the instructions). After that, remove the case and check the power supply with an indicator screwdriver.

To check the power to the compressor, you do not need to disassemble anything. It is located at the bottom of the refrigerator at the back.Locate the power terminals and check the voltage with an indicator screwdriver. How to do it - watch the video:

Checking the power on the thermostat is more difficult. It is located in front of the refrigerator, usually behind the temperature control. But if you do not want to look for a refrigerator, you can try to do it yourself. You need to check the power supply using the same indicator screwdriver.

Minor malfunctions

Defrost button

Check the activation of the "Defrost" button.
In some models, it is inside and it can be accidentally turned on by loading the refrigerator with food. Check if the unit has started to freeze properly after that.

Rubber compressor

The next small reason why the refrigerator stopped freezing is a worthless rubber seal on the door. It is most likely worn or cracked and does not hold the cold. It is necessary to check why it does not fit well to the door by carefully examining it from all sides. If necessary, a replacement is required.

temperature sensor

The temperature sensor has stopped working. For some reason, it feeds not quite correct information to the processor. Replace temperature sensor. Check how the unit began to freeze.

Engine overheating

If the light is on, but the refrigerator does not freeze well, touch the engine with your hand. If the motor is hot, then it is quite possible that the thermal protection worked and turned off the engine. Unplug it from the mains, wait a while until the motor cools down completely and try to turn it on again. If it works, there is light and it freezes, then the air access to the engine was blocked. Move away from the wall and nearby furniture to improve the ventilation of the side and rear walls.

Faulty thermostat

Check the thermostat with the refrigerator on.First, use a tester to make sure that there is voltage on the engine. If not, then it is quite possible that it is the thermostat that does not supply voltage. It needs to be taken out and replaced with a new one. After that, you need to check how the unit freezes.

Below we will look at the causes of freezer breakdowns and the “symptoms” of these malfunctions.

If your refrigerator breaks down for the first time or repeatedly, is out of order, the freezer stops freezing - this is not a reason for despair. You do not have to buy a new refrigerator if you take appropriate and timely measures to repair the problem that has arisen in the systems and units of the unit.

If you have installed fridge
freezes too much or badly, this is a reason to be wary, because any temperature anomalies can make the freshest products spoiled.

The thermostat has failed

This is a device responsible for the temperature in the chambers. If the food in the refrigerator has stopped freezing, the usual ice drops do not appear on the walls, and the compressor is working, then the problem is in the thermostat. You can't change it at home. Buy refrigerator thermostat you can do it yourself, but only a qualified specialist should carry out work on its replacement.

This is an inexpensive part, but installing it requires special knowledge to properly connect the wires, otherwise the new device may fail immediately. In addition, the thermostat for the refrigerator must be selected not only by type, but also by the brand of the unit, so if you are not sure of the right choice, it is better to entrust this to the master.

In two-compressor appliances, it also happens that the freezer does not freeze, and the refrigerator compartment works properly, the reason for this may also be a breakdown of the thermostat.

Complex trouble options

If the recommendations set out in the previous paragraph are followed, but the refrigerator does not freeze, the breakdown may be more serious than originally thought.In this case, you need to call the wizard.

Complex malfunctions may be accompanied by the following symptoms:

• the temperature sensor is not working properly;
• there is no refrigerant in the system;
• the engine has overheated;
• the compressor motor works with pauses, although the temperature in the chamber is too high;
• the compressor runs continuously unnecessarily;
• the refrigerator does not turn on at all;
• the heater of the appliance with the No Frost system is broken.

Thermal sensor failure. If the mode is selected correctly, and the products are not cooled well, then the temperature sensor transmits erroneous signals to the control system. In this case, the compressor works with normal pauses. After checking the part, the master decides whether it is necessary to replace it.

This is what a thermostat looks like

Overheating of the electric motor. This is one of the common reasons why the refrigerator does not freeze. If the unit is installed at a distance of at least 10 cm from the wall and other objects, it is necessary to carry out diagnostics.

The compressor has overheated and needs to be replaced.

Control module. If this part fails refrigerator does not turn on. Often, an audible signal sounds or a red indicator lights up. You can try to temporarily turn off the device and then turn it on again or partially unload the camera, but in many cases the module will have to be replaced.

refrigerator control module

TEN. The reason why the refrigerator with the No Frost system does not freeze may be a malfunction of the heating elements. If they fail, the fan and radiator freeze. Such a malfunction is eliminated by replacing the heating elements.

Heating element - heating element

The formation of blockage in the cooling system and leakage of freon.With such breakdowns, the freezing will be of poor quality or completely stop. Only a specialist can name the exact cause of the failure.

Clogged capillary tube

The device of a typical refrigerator

The compressor pumps freon (cooling agent) into the condenser unit with its pressure. There, the gaseous refrigerant condenses into a liquid fraction. This process is accompanied by the release of heat, which is removed through the rear panel of the refrigerator.

Liquefied freon is fed into a system of thin tubes, after which it again assumes a gaseous state, and once in the evaporation unit, it boils. Evaporator and generates cold. Freon completes its circuit, returning to the compressor.

The resulting cold first of all goes to the freezer, and from it it is already fed to the refrigerator - by force or naturally. This gives the freezer the ability to maintain a cold temperature even if some elements of the unit break down.

In two-compressor refrigerators, one compressor serves the freezer, and the second - the refrigeration. This is convenient because, if desired, you can turn off one of the cameras and use only one

As soon as the absence of cold in the cooling compartment is noticed with a properly functioning freezer, you should try to analyze the situation yourself.

The actions of the user in case of suspected malfunction of the unit should be as follows:

• establish by observation which of the chambers does not get cold;
• check if there are any heat sources near the refrigerator, for example, radiators, heaters, stoves, etc.;
• determine if the rubber door seal is intact, if there are any objects (pieces of food, crumbs, etc.) preventing the door from closing tightly.

It would also be useful to inspect the back surface of the refrigerator for mechanical damage, and all components and systems for the presence of rye, oxide.

Why the refrigerator does not freeze, but the freezer freezes

the reasons may be different. One of them is the wrong place. For example, it is installed next to heating appliances or stands in a very warm room. It is necessary to move away from the battery, set the regulator to a lower value. The reason may lie in the loose closing of the chamber door. It happens that it sags, or the sealing gum becomes leaky. Then the cold air comes out of the chamber all the time.

Sometimes, in order to remove the remnants of the accumulated ice, people use sharp objects. They accidentally damage the elements of the cooling system. This is absolutely impossible to do. The tightness of the circuit or wall is broken, freon comes out, and the amount of cooling gas becomes insufficient. Needs repairs and refueling.

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The main reasons why the refrigerator works, but does not freeze

Regardless of the type of refrigerator, the type of breakdown in most cases can be determined by typical signs.Knowing the features of malfunctions, you can decide whether to repair the equipment yourself or seek help from a master.

Breakdowns that you can repair yourself

It takes a few minutes to eliminate simple malfunctions, so you don’t have to think about where to shift the products.

Malfunctions that require minimal intervention make themselves felt by such signs:

• damage to products due to insufficient cooling;
• the refrigerator has stopped freezing, but there are no signs of breakage;
• the compressor runs without interruption;
• the fan is not working;
• the temperature mode is selected incorrectly;
• the indicator prompting which of the modes is selected is not lit;
• the unit is located in an unsuitable location.

Door closing tightness. If the Atlant refrigerator does not freeze, you need to check whether the door closes tightly (a common problem with this manufacturer of refrigerators is the seals on the doors that become unusable). It happens that the handle of the dish or other object prevents the seal from adhering. In this case, it is enough to rearrange by removing or pushing everything that touches the door.

Check if the refrigerator door fits snugly to its body

Temperature regime. Check if the defrost or quick freeze programs are switched off. Their accidental activation may raise doubts about the health of the equipment. Adjustment of the device will be facilitated by the instruction. If it is lost, the necessary information must be found on the website of the manufacturer or its official representatives.

Check if the Super Freeze option is turned off.

Sealant wear. It is required to measure the parameters of the door and buy a suitable elastic band in the economic department.For the first time, a non-specialized sealant is also suitable. Having solved the problem, it will be possible to start looking for a suitable part.

Seals wear out, replace them in time

Fan. If there are no signs of malfunction, but the chamber is too warm, the problem may be in the fan that distributes cold air throughout the interior of the equipment. The problem is easy to recognize by the absence of the hum that accompanies the operation of the device.

Listen - is your refrigerator purring?

Door tilt. If the food is not cooling properly, it is worth checking the position of the door. During operation, it can shift under the weight of its own weight, due to which the tightness of the chamber is broken. With minimal skills, you can adjust the door without outside help. But even if you still have to call the master, his visit will cost quite inexpensively.

A gap has formed due to the skewed door

Bad smell. The stench in the chamber is not the result of a breakdown, contrary to the opinion of many users. This is the result of the vital activity of bacteria, the number of which usually increases after defrosting or a period when the unit has not been used.

Location of equipment. The refrigerator must not be placed in direct sunlight or near heating appliances. Between its rear wall and the wall there must be a distance of at least 10 cm, allowing air to circulate freely. If these rules are neglected, the unit will experience an increased load, which will inevitably lead to wear of its parts.

Owners of equipment often ask the question: “Refrigerators have stopped freezing, but there is light, what can be?” The cause of the malfunction can be either low voltage or more serious failures. You should try plugging another appliance into this outlet to see if it works.

When there is no cooling, but there is consecration - what is the cause of this malfunction

Basically, if there is no cooling in the refrigerating chamber, then this can be traced by noticeable signs on different parts of the device. The main, so to speak, "symptoms" of problems are:

1. The temperature in the refrigerator section is too high.
2. Infinite operation of the compressor or its strong heating.

Such problems can occur for a variety of reasons, such as incorrect installation of the device or a compressor failure. Often there is no cooling at the very top of the refrigerator compartment. Since in modern refrigerators the freezer is most often located at the bottom, and the upper part is the main one, in other words, a refrigerator with a temperature of 2 to 8 degrees Celsius.

Breakdowns due to which there is no cooling of a certain chamber are quite serious, since it is almost impossible to deal with them yourself and without the right tools. If you are lucky, it will be enough to simply defrost the refrigerator and then restart it, but such luck is very rare, so you often have to call for help from a master in this matter.

What the experts advise

1. If it is impossible to fix the breakdown yourself, contact only an experienced craftsman who has the necessary tools and parts.
2. Do not install appliances near windows, radiators, ovens.
3. Once every six months, carry out preventive cleaning of the capillary system, defrost the refrigerator, rinse the misfires, sealing gum. This will protect against the development of bacteria and fungi, eliminate the wear of components.
4. Do not overload equipment with products.
5. Do not pick the ice with sharp objects, as this will cause mechanical damage to the compartments.
6. Keep all products covered and sealed.
7. Use the settings recommended by the manufacturer in the settings.
8. Even in extreme heat, do not set the maximum cooling settings.
9. Set the relay cycle: 30 minutes of activity after 30 minutes of stop.

Watch a video on what to do if the refrigerator is very cold

Faulty temperature sensor

The thermostat periodically breaks.

If the control is electronic, then you can see what the temperature is in the refrigerator compartment, but this cannot be done with mechanical control. It is recommended to install one or more thermometers in the refrigerator for 10 - 12 hours in order to understand what temperature it is.

You can also try changing the temperature setting several times to make sure that the problem is with the temperature sensor. When there is confidence in this, you need to call a specialist to replace this part.

It is possible that the user himself set the wrong temperature. Then you need to change it. With an electronic display, it is clear what the temperature is in the refrigerator. But in its absence, you need to change the mode mechanically and wait. If the sensor works, then the problem will be solved by itself.

Filter drier and water: connection with the correct operation of the refrigerator

Idealizing, there is no water or air inside the freon circuit. They get there randomly.Mostly during installation, they seep through microcracks. As a result, the regime is violated. If no big trouble happens from the ingress of air, efficiency drops, water will become a real disaster. That's what a filter drier is for inside. Catches from a passing jet of a couple.

What happens when free water appears inside? The refrigerator works, does not freeze, the compressor may howl slightly. After the condenser, freon passes through a capillary tube, which the refrigerator needs to implement the expansion phase. At the outlet of the evaporator, the temperature is relatively low. The capillary tube is made of copper, but, firstly, it is long, so it is difficult to freeze evenly, and secondly, the flow comes, sorry for the populism, from the warm edges where the compressor and condenser are. Water freezes, blocking the outlet, forming an ice plug. Liquid freon evaporates easily; ice, in the current state of affairs, will not be inclined to sublimation. And because the path is gradually clogged, the refrigerator works, it does not produce frost.

A typical sign that water has entered the freon circuit. If the refrigerator is turned off, then turned on again, the problem disappears until a new plug freezes. There is only one way out - to call the master. Freon will have to be replaced, along with a filter drier. How to do it is described above.