Why the refrigerator works, but does not freeze: causes of problems

Diagnostics and troubleshooting

First, they check the voltage in the network, whether the door leaf is closed, whether there is a connection to the network, and only after that they begin a detailed search for the breakdown.

The reasons often lie in the following.

Defrost button enabled

Sometimes it is located inside the case; when loading the refrigerator with food, owners can accidentally press it. To fix the problem, turn it off and wait until the chamber’s cooling generation is restored.

Seal wear

In older household models, the problem is that the rubber seal wears out; it does not fit tightly to the door, and it also wears out or cracks in some places. First check the weak points of its fit; you may need to buy a new one.

Temperature sensor faulty

If it breaks, the information about the temperature inside the operating chamber will be distorted. It is enough to simply replace the device with a new one and check the functionality of the unit. In this case, the regulator should be set to maximum.

Engine overheating

If the unit works, but does not freeze well, you should check the engine. To do this, gently touch it with your hand; if it is hot, it is quite possible that the thermal protection has triggered. To eliminate this malfunction, simply disconnect the unit from the network for two to three hours, during which time it will have time to completely cool down.

If, thanks to such manipulations, the refrigerator began to operate normally, it means that air has stopped flowing to the motor. To eliminate such a problem in the future, you need to move it away from the wall and furniture, thus the circulation of air masses will be restored.

Many models of refrigerators, such as "", "Nord", "Atlant", "Biryusa", "Beco" are equipped with special clamps-limiters that are attached to the rear panel. The unit stands at the required distance from the wall.

It is important! Frequent overheating of the engine leads to its breakdown, therefore, repairs will be expensive.

The thermostat is broken

To diagnose this malfunction you will need a voltmeter. With its help, first check the voltage on the motor with the equipment turned on. If it is absent, you can determine that the problem lies in the thermostat.

The solution to this problem is to replace the motor; the new thermostat will supply voltage to ensure uninterrupted operation of the unit.

The refrigerator does not work after defrosting: what is the reason

In 95% of cases, the fact that the refrigerator stops working after defrosting is not a breakdown. Don’t panic and put aside the technician’s phone number; first observe the equipment. It works to reach the required temperature: if you decide to fill the shelves to the top right away, a similar situation cannot be avoided. What to do? Give the refrigerator time - up to 24 hours - for it to get into working rhythm.

If, after a day, the equipment notifies about the high temperature inside the housing, and the motor-compressor works for a long time, then there is a high probability of breakdown.

How to turn off the sound

If you decide to wait until the temperature is restored to the set mode, the sound signal provided by the manufacturer can ruin your nerves. Therefore, many models provide for turning off the signal. The shutdown button is located on the user panel, or you need to select the function on the electronic display.

If you don't find how to disable it, look in the technical documentation or user manual.

What to do if the refrigerator does not freeze well after defrosting

A refrigerator, even with the No Frost option, is periodically emptied of frozen food and defrosted; older models will have to be cleaned much more often. Sometimes a disconnected unit cannot fully function after being connected. The reason here is as follows: when defrosting the chamber, the ice was removed from the walls with a knife, therefore, cracks could appear on the evaporator or tubes. Freon leaks through them.

It is not possible to determine the breakdown and repair the elements on your own; you need to invite a professional. He will determine the specific location of the damage, seal it and charge the system with refrigerant.

Possible malfunctions and ways to eliminate them

If a refrigerator breaks down, it is always unexpected and unpleasant, because the safety of perishable food depends on the operating condition of a large unit. In a situation where it is not possible to urgently call a specialist, you can try to cope on your own. First of all, you need to turn on the refrigerator and inspect it for visible problems:

Over time, rubber seals could crack or lose flexibility, and as a result, they began to not completely adhere to the metal and allow warm air to pass through;
The defrost button is stuck pressed and the compressor is not working correctly;
Adjusting the temperature using a thermostat does not lead to the desired result, the air is poorly cooled;
The refrigerator turns on for a few seconds and stops functioning, in this case you can suspect a breakdown of the relay or electronic control unit.

If the engine heats up too much, it indicates that there is not enough space for air circulation. You should turn off the refrigerator, move it away from the wall and wait until the engine cools down. If after this the temperature comes into line with the set one, then the problem was precisely overheating and the thermal protection was triggered.

Refrigerator placement option

An initial inspection allows you to cope with obvious shortcomings, but some problems cannot be eliminated immediately; a thorough intervention in the operation of large equipment will be required.

Refrigerator makes gurgling noises but doesn't get cold

In some older models, including Saratov, Daewoo or Orsk, gurgling sounds are heard when the refrigerator is operating. This is a normal phenomenon, as freon passes through the cooling system. But if at the same time the unit stops cooling, there is warm air inside the chamber with the compressor constantly running, then a problem has arisen.

The cooling system may malfunction if the oil filter is clogged. In addition, the capillaries through which the refrigerant is distributed may become clogged. You won’t be able to diagnose and fix the problem yourself; a professional will come to the rescue. The technician will immediately determine the cause and use special equipment to blow out the system.

How to recognize and fix the problem?

When washing, the refrigerator usually moves out of place, the wire can be pinched or broken. The fact that power is not supplied to the device is indicated by the sensor lamp not lighting up and the absence of lighting on the shelves of the device. However, the most common reason for a refrigerator not to turn on after defrosting is a breakdown of the thermostat. By turning off the thermostat and connecting the wires directly, you can make sure that it is the one that is broken. To restore the operation of the device, the thermostat will have to be replaced.

If after washing the refrigerator the contacts have oxidized, you need to clean them to restore full connection. You can do this yourself, taking the necessary precautions. On old refrigerators, protective relays often break after washing. If the device is old, this is the most likely cause of the breakdown. However, replacing the relay is not difficult - if you have the right part, of course.

The control unit (or module) may be damaged by moisture that has entered the board as a result of defrosting. Signs of such a breakdown are varied:

temperature “jumps”;
complete refusal to include;
operation for a few seconds and shutdown;
sound and light signals, system messages on the display.

If the control module is broken, it can either be repaired or replaced.

Advice: power surges in the household electrical network are a fairly common cause of failure of household equipment, including refrigerators. The problem can be minimized if you connect the refrigeration unit to the network not directly, but through a voltage stabilizer.

The refrigerator does not freeze when the compressor is running

The uniform hum of the unit is not always an indicator of good performance. The engine should idle up to 4 times per hour. If it makes noise constantly, it means that the refrigerator cannot reach the set mode. This happens in the following cases:

the kitchen is too hot;
the freezing mode is set to maximum temperature;
there is a freon leak;
the starting relay is faulty;
improper operation of refrigeration equipment. For example, hot foods are placed inside, the doors are poorly closed, and the sealing rubber does not fit tightly.

This is not a breakdown - the refrigerator is gaining temperature

If you find that your refrigerator is not cooling after defrosting, do not rush to panic and call the service center. It is very likely that the unit reaches the desired temperature in the chambers (especially if you immediately loaded it with food). What to do? Wait about a day until the refrigerator returns to operating mode.

If, even after 24 hours, the unit still signals an increased temperature in the chambers, and its compressor runs almost without turning off, most likely the refrigerator is broken.

The upper chamber stopped freezing

In the new two-chamber units “Bosch”, “Indesit”, “Beko”, equipped with two compressors, the problem is not always immediately visible. The unit works, the light is on, but when you open one of the freezers, you may find that it has defrosted.

The malfunction in this case may be a breakdown of the thermostat. It is enough to measure the voltage on the motor; if there is no voltage, you will have to replace the motor.

Possible faults

If turning off the refrigerator did not produce any results, and the refrigerator still does not freeze, although there is light, we can talk about a breakdown. According to the experience of RemBytTech specialists, the reason lies in the failure of the following components.

The thermostat is faulty (in models with electromechanical control) - from 1600 rubles.

It is responsible for determining the temperature in the refrigerator and turning on/off the compressor based on this data. Most often, the thermostat fails due to long service life, moisture ingress or loss of tightness of the bellows (the thermostat tube located at the evaporator).

Thermostat failure is the most common failure in which the refrigerator does not work, but the light is on.

Signs

The light is on, but the refrigerator does not turn on.

How to fix

The thermostat needs to be replaced with a new one.

The temperature sensor in the evaporator is faulty (electronically controlled models) - from 1,400 rubles.

The sensor detects the temperature and, based on its data, the motor-compressor is turned on for cooling. When it fails, the refrigerator does not turn on.

Signs

The refrigerator does not work, although there is light in the refrigerator compartment.

How to fix

The faulty temperature sensor is replaced with a new one.

Breakdown of the motor-compressor - from 1900 rubles.

The motor in the refrigerator is responsible for pumping the freon through the system. Most likely what happened:

break in the starting or operating winding of the engine;
short circuit in the starting or operating winding;
Compressor jamming due to overheating.

Signs

The refrigerator does not freeze, you cannot hear the motor turning on, but the light in the refrigerator is on.

How to fix

The mechanic replaces the motor with a new one. A complete diagnosis of the refrigerator is also carried out: often the failure of the compressor is associated with a clogged capillary pipeline or a freon leak, which also need to be eliminated.

Freon leak - from 2000 rubles.

Cooling in the refrigerator occurs due to the circulation of freon through a system of tubes. If in some place the tubes lose their tightness, the freon evaporates, the cooling capacity of the refrigerator drops, and at some point it stops working altogether.

The most common leaks occur in locking connections, a “crying” evaporator, or the freezer perimeter heating circuit.

Signs

The refrigerator worked for some time without stopping or with rare motor shutdowns, and then stopped turning on altogether. There is a light inside the refrigerator.

How to fix

The technician diagnoses the refrigerator, looks for the leak and fixes it. Once the system is sealed again, it is necessary to evacuate and recharge the refrigerator with refrigerant. At the same time, the filter drier is changed.

The defrost timer is faulty (in models with No Frost) - from 1,700 rubles.

This unit is responsible for turning on and off the defrost of the No Frost evaporator. Sometimes the timer gets stuck in the defrost position. Therefore, the motor-compressor does not turn on and the refrigerator does not work.

If you remove the plug from the socket and then insert it again, the refrigerator turns on and operates normally until the next defrost of the evaporator.

Signs

The No Frost refrigerator has stopped working, although the light is on. If you unplug the plug from the socket and then turn it on again, the refrigerator works normally for a while, and then stops turning on again.

How to fix

The timer cannot be repaired; it must be replaced with a new one. Since the timer often fails along with other elements of the defrost system (defrost sensor, fuse, heating element), the technician also diagnoses them and, if necessary, replaces the faulty components.

Faulty control board (models with electronic control) - from 1900 rubles.

The control board is the “brain” of the refrigerator; it contains the entire operating algorithm of the equipment. Sometimes, due to voltage surges, individual radio elements or tracks/contacts burn out on it. If there is light in the refrigerator compartment, but the refrigerator does not turn on, most likely the breakdown is related to the motor or temperature sensor circuits on the board.

Signs

The refrigerator has stopped working and won't even turn on, but there is light.

The refrigerator has stopped freezing, but there is light

What to do if the unit stops humming and everything inside the freezer is defrosted. In new models with electronic control, for example, in Bosch, Samsung, Indesit, this can happen in the following cases:

if the door is not closed tightly, or if the rubber seal is damaged. The engine will stop working with a constant supply of warm air masses;
The temperature sensor has failed.

In mechanical models such as Sviyaga, Dnepr, Nord, Zil, Deo, the problem may arise due to a malfunction of the thermostat.

If the compressor takes a long time to start, but only makes clicking noises, then there is a fault in the start relay. Check the voltage on the capacitor; you may have to replace the motor.

What to check

What are the reasons why the refrigerator works, but does not freeze at all or only cools the food a little? A problem does not necessarily indicate a problem. First you need to check a few things:

Check to see if the unit is connected to the mains and if the electricity indicator is working. Perhaps the cord will be pulled out of the outlet. You just need to connect it to power
Check how tightly the door is closed. Even a small gap between the housing and the seal negatively affects the operation of the equipment.
Adjust settings. Perhaps you accidentally turned on the defrost mode and forgot. Switch the equipment to normal mode. In addition, a high temperature can be set. Please note that in summer the temperature in the chamber rises, so it is adjusted depending on external factors. But it is not recommended to set the thermostat to maximum - the compressor may break.

If during the inspection none of the above were found, it means that the refrigerator is not freezing due to breakdowns of various components and mechanisms. Let's talk about them further.

Why doesn't the refrigerator freeze, but the freezer works?

If the refrigerator stops freezing, but the freezer freezes, the reason may be a malfunction of the components. Let's look at the most common breakdowns:

The fan motor failed, so the refrigerator compartment stopped cooling. The unit must be turned off and defrosted. After complete thawing and drying, plug it into the network, everything should work, if not, you will have to change the motor;
the problem is in the compressor, the engine needs to be repaired or replaced;
the capillary tube or drainage outlet is clogged;
there is a freon leak;
modern models, such as Daevoo or Stinol, are equipped with sensors that transmit information to the module. If one device fails, it must be replaced.

How to properly defrost a refrigerator

In order to ensure normal operation of the refrigerator for a long time, it is important to defrost it regularly and correctly. Here are a few simple rules that, if followed, will help you reduce the risk of a malfunction.

Remove all food from the refrigerator. The process of defrosting the refrigerator will take some time (from several hours to a day), so to prevent spoilage, food should, if possible, be placed in a cool place.
Prepare containers to collect liquid. Place them inside the refrigerator and place a rag on the floor to absorb water.
Do a wet cleaning. Wipe all interior and exterior surfaces of the refrigerator using a non-aggressive detergent.
Let the refrigerator dry . Leave the refrigerator door open for a while to ventilate the compartments and evaporate any moisture remaining after defrosting. After this, the refrigerator can be plugged in.
Turn on the refrigerator and let it run empty for a few hours. Do not fill the refrigerator with food immediately after turning it on. Let the unit run empty for 1-2 hours to reach the desired temperature.

What not to do when defrosting!
Place containers of warm water on shelves (to speed up thawing). This can cause overheating of the refrigeration equipment and damage the unit.
Chip off ice with sharp objects. There is a high risk of breaking through the freezer, which can lead to a freon leak and the need for repairs.

The refrigerator has been left unplugged for a long time and does not freeze after being turned on.

Refrigerator manufacturers do not recommend leaving them unplugged for long periods of time. It is necessary to connect the unit at least once every six months. During downtime, freon will evaporate from the system, and blockages often occur in the capillaries.

Only a professional technician can help with this problem; he will bring equipment with him, diagnose the cooling system, remove the blockage and fill the pipes with freon.

Important! There is sometimes advice on forums that if you put the refrigerator on its side for 10 minutes, the freon will be evenly distributed in the system. This fact has not been confirmed by professionals; in this way, the remaining refrigerant can leak.

What to do if your new refrigerator doesn’t freeze?

Sellers are required to inspect the new unit. If, after installing the house, when turned on, it turns out that the refrigerator does not freeze, this can happen for a number of the following reasons:

the compressor does not work when the unit is turned on; the start relay may be faulty and needs to be replaced. Another reason is that it was damaged during transportation; therefore, it needs to be replaced and refilled with freon;
If the refrigerator does not freeze when the compressor is running, it means that either the cooling system is clogged or there is a freon leak. Only a professional technician can fix this problem;
check the thermostat adjustment and factory settings.

These cases are covered by warranty; first of all, you need to contact either the service department or directly to the store.

Signs of damage

If the refrigerator does not work after defrosting, the following accompanying symptoms may be observed:

In a two-compressor refrigerator, the engine starts and immediately turns off, the temperature in the main compartment increases. The symptom indicates a malfunction of one of the compressors. This happens when the main elements of the working unit wear out or the load on the motor increases, for example, when the cooling mode is incorrectly selected.
The compressor runs but stops frequently. The problem is typical for equipment equipped with an electronic module. The unit does not receive information about the temperature increase and does not start the motor. In this case, the sensor needs to be replaced.
The motor functions, but stops for a long time. The symptom occurs when the refrigerator thermostat fails. The device does not send a command to start the motor. The temperature in the chamber is steadily rising. The faulty element must be replaced.
The temperature in the refrigerator compartment does not drop to the required values. In refrigerators with a semi-automatic system, the solenoid valve often fails. It gets stuck in one position. There is not enough energy to cool the second chamber, which causes the air in it to heat up.
The appearance of traces of corrosion on the body, incorrect operation of the main compartment. The sign indicates a refrigerant leak through the tubes of the capillary system. The problem is typical for appliances with a top freezer and a drip defrosting system. Water accumulates at the bottom of the refrigerator compartment and gets on metal parts. Due to the appearance of holes, freon is released into the environment.
Both branches are not working. The problem occurs when the cooling housing is damaged as a result of ice chipping from sharp objects. The same malfunction may appear when defrosting the unit using hot water. In this case, you need to restore the tightness of the cooling system and refill with new freon.
The refrigerator compartment does not work, there are no other signs. The problem indicates a breakdown of the control unit. The device does not give the compressor a command to turn on and does not perceive information coming from the temperature sensor.