Sometimes you may notice that the refrigerator does not turn off for a long time and is constantly running. After some time, no changes have occurred, the engine continues to run without stopping. This indicates the occurrence of a certain breakdown that caused an unnatural operating mode. What factors exist that lead to such malfunctions will be described below.
Even those who do not understand this technology have noticed that the engine runs intermittently. How long does it take for the refrigerator to turn off? The duration of the operating and disabled states varies. This is influenced by the set temperature of the internal chambers and the ambient air temperature. However, if the refrigerator does not turn off for about seven or eight hours, you should pay attention to the operating mode of the refrigerator compartment. When intense cooling or freezing is set, the engine may not turn off and run without stopping for a long time, and this will be the norm for it. Please remember: later models equipped with electronic displays will stop on their own after a specified period of time, returning to normal operation. As for old refrigerators, they must be removed from freezing mode with their own hands. Otherwise, the motor will run for a long time without stopping.
Probable causes of breakdowns
There are many different reasons why the unit does not turn off. However, you should focus on the main factors why the engine is constantly running.
- the relay does not work;
- thermostat malfunction;
- the board or thermal control circuit does not work;
- The rubber seal on the door is badly worn;
- the tightness of the tubes was broken, which led to a freon leak;
- the thin capillary tube leading to the filter is clogged;
- The refrigerator operates in a stuffy room or very close to a heat source.
See also -
Why does the refrigerator not turn on and how to fix it?
What to check first if the freezer does not turn off
Before you sound the alarm and shout “it’s broken,” check all the refrigerator settings.
- The “super freeze” mode may have turned on. This could happen after defrosting the refrigerator or you yourself turned on the mode to quickly cool the food. Modern models automatically turn off the “super freezing” after 2–4 hours, but older models require manual shutdown. If you have just such a unit in your kitchen, simply turn off the mode using a special button.
- The temperature may be set incorrectly. The ideal temperature for mechanical models is 2.5−3.5. If you select a higher value, the freezer will thresh constantly, and some models can turn on the “super freeze” mode themselves. For electronically controlled refrigerators, select −18−19 °C. We kindly ask: even if you yourself are hot, because the temperature in the room is too high, do not change the settings in the refrigerator: a normally operating unit will cope with the task even at elevated ambient temperatures!
If the temperature mode is selected correctly, it means that some kind of breakdown has occurred and this causes the refrigerator to become “heroic.” At this stage, we strongly recommend contacting a specialist who can determine exactly what the problem is.
The door seal is damaged
The door seal located along its perimeter often wears out, which is why the engine does not shut down. Consequently, the hermetic closure of the door is broken, and warm air penetrates into the cooled compartment. The engine constantly pumps cooled freon to remove heat and cool the incoming air. What to do in this case? A worn refrigerator seal needs to be replaced. A new seal can be purchased in specialized stores or on the market. To avoid mistakes and buy the necessary seal for the refrigerator, take a piece of the old seal with you.
Common mistakes
Often the reason that the refrigerator constantly turns on, works for a long time and rarely turns off is improper operation. Owners make mistakes due to their own negligence. If your refrigerator freezes but does not turn off for a long time, then:
- Check if the Super Frost function is turned on. On some models, it is turned off manually rather than automatically.
- Provide cooling for the radiator on the rear wall. Do not move the refrigerator close to the wall, do not place it near heat sources (heaters, stove, radiators).
- Do not set the temperature in the cells low in summer. The greater the temperature difference between the room and inside the refrigerator, the more often it will turn on.
- Do not put hot food in the refrigerator. Heated dishes and products increase the temperature inside the chambers and force the compressor to work with greater intensity.
- Set the temperature in the main chamber to no lower than +4 degrees, in the freezer -18°C or higher. In summer, increase it by 2-5 degrees.
Separately, it is worth mentioning about inverter compressors. They always work, but with different intensity. Sometimes noise appears and it may seem that the compressor has started to work constantly at high power. The reason is usually loose fastenings and slight vibration.
Very cold and constantly buzzing
If, after turning off the freeze mode, the engine still runs without stopping, there is a possibility that the thermostat or motor is faulty.
Why does the engine run continuously? In this case, the cause may be a stuck relay that regulates the open circuit. When, after defrosting, the refrigerator starts to work, after a while it reaches the required temperature and turns off due to the opening of the electrical circuit. If it does not turn off for a long time, it is likely that the contact relays are stuck one to one, and the engine is constantly running.
When a temperature sensor fails, there is simply no signal about the set temperature. The compressor operates continuously, since the relay does not receive a signal to open the circuit and stop the engine. Modern models are equipped with electronic control units that can cause software failure. The signal from the temperature sensor is blocked again and the relay does not break the compressor power supply circuit.
Results
The freezer allows you to maintain the freshness of food for as long as possible. Inside this low-temperature compartment, temperatures below zero are maintained, so that food remains frozen and does not spoil for several months.
The low-temperature compartment is a much-needed compartment in a home refrigerator that allows you to prolong the freshness of loaded food items. But, over time, it may begin to function incorrectly - freezing excessively or not cooling food sufficiently. First of all, they check whether there really is a problem or whether the reason for the change in the working rhythm of the freezer lies in erroneous settings or enabled additional options, for example, “Super Freezing” was activated. But, when all the settings remain the same, it means that some kind of breakdown has occurred.
There are several types of malfunctions that lead to changes in temperature in the freezer. Some of them lead to excessive cooling of food products, while others lead to insufficient cooling. Some problems, such as compressor failure, are serious. Other faults can be easily resolved on your own - replacing the rubber seal or leveling the refrigerator. However, in the vast majority of cases, it is possible to prevent incorrect operation of the low-temperature compartment by following the rules for using the unit.
Video: The compressor on the refrigerator does not turn off
The compressor on the refrigerator does not turn off
Watch this video on YouTube
Video: Refrigerator courses 24. Why doesn’t the refrigerator turn off?
Refrigerator courses 24. Why doesn’t the refrigerator turn off?
Watch this video on YouTube
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How to defrost correctly to avoid problems
In order for the refrigerator to last beyond its service life or to work out the years allotted to it, you need to defrost it regularly, following the rules. No Frost systems also need defrosting, although less frequently than drip systems.
- Disconnect the equipment from the network.
- Clear food compartments.
- Place containers to collect water (for models with a drip system). You need to wait from several hours to a day.
- After thawing, wash the chambers and let them dry.
- Connect the refrigerator to the network, leave the shelves empty until the temperature rises.
- Download products.
Remember not to chip ice with foreign objects. This leads to damage to the walls of the chamber and it loses its tightness. Also, do not place vessels with warm water or use a hair dryer. How to do it right? Just wait for the ice to thaw on its own.
If there are suspicious malfunctions in the operation of the refrigerator, look at the instructions or report them to the service center.
Conclusion: what measures to take
You can repair equipment if it breaks down only if you have the operating instructions, the necessary tools and knowledge.
If the refrigerator does not turn off, you can:
- Replace the door seal. Worn material is removed according to the instructions and replaced with identical material.
- Change the temperature sensor. The new sensor is selected for the existing model, and before replacement, the entire connection diagram is checked with a multimeter.
- Reconfigure the control module. If the motor does not turn off, this may be due to incorrect computer settings, which can be changed according to the instructions.
It is recommended to entrust other repair operations to specialists. They will carry out diagnostics, determine the exact cause of the breakdown, replace spare parts and give a guarantee - so it’s better to contact a branded service center.
Why does the refrigerator not turn off for a long time in summer?
During the warm season, the temperature in the house or apartment rises. The operating principle of any refrigerator is based on cycles of evaporation and condensation of freon. The efficiency of the process depends on the temperature difference between the condenser and evaporator.
The higher it is, the lower the COP conversion factor of the refrigeration equipment. Accordingly, in the summer the compressor will turn on and off more often. If the switching frequency has increased in the warm season compared to winter, this is in order. But if the compressor runs constantly without turning off, this is not normal.
To reduce compressor wear and prolong the life of your refrigerator, set the main compartment temperature 2-4 degrees higher and the freezer temperature 3-5 degrees higher. Determine the exact value experimentally so as not to experience inconvenience.
Recommendations for setting the operating temperature of an LG refrigerator depending on the season.
How to understand that the device is faulty
The first signal of a malfunction will be non-stop operation of the motor. Working equipment automatically turns off the compressor for 20 minutes, and in case of extreme heat, the modes are adjusted once every 60 minutes.
Interesting to know! Under normal conditions, the average operating cycle of a refrigerator is 12-20 minutes.
When the device breaks down, users note that the refrigerator does not always turn off and is constantly running, and the sound of the compressor becomes very loud. If measures are not taken in a timely manner, the motor may completely fail.
What to pay attention to
The constant functioning of the refrigerator motor does not always have anything to do with problems. The reason for the lack of equipment stopping may be:
- improper operation - location near heat sources;
- violation of installation conditions - there is no gap for ventilation of 10-15 cm, without which the compressor heats up;
- access to sunlight on the back of the device;
- natural wear and tear of the thermostat of outdated models.
Important! Under conditions of non-stop operation, the service life of the compressor will be about 6 months.
How to understand that the device is faulty
The first signal of a malfunction will be non-stop operation of the motor. Working equipment automatically turns off the compressor for 20 minutes, and in case of extreme heat, the modes are adjusted once every 60 minutes.
Interesting to know! Under normal conditions, the average operating cycle of a refrigerator is 12-20 minutes.
When the device breaks down, users note that the refrigerator does not always turn off and is constantly running, and the sound of the compressor becomes very loud. If measures are not taken in a timely manner, the motor may completely fail.
What to pay attention to
The constant functioning of the refrigerator motor does not always have anything to do with problems. The reason for the lack of equipment stopping may be:
- improper operation - location near heat sources;
- violation of installation conditions - there is no gap for ventilation of 10-15 cm, without which the compressor heats up;
- access to sunlight on the back of the device;
- natural wear and tear of the thermostat of outdated models.
Important! Under conditions of non-stop operation, the service life of the compressor will be about 6 months.
Two-chamber Atlant
Are you the owner of an Atlant two-chamber refrigerator? Great. Have you noticed any problems with his work before? Fabulous. But today your single-compressor or double-compressor refrigerator began to work incorrectly? Doesn't turn off, ice freezes inside? Let's figure out what the reason is. But first, let's look at the correct mode of operation.
Correct operating mode The refrigerator motor should run intermittently. This is necessary to provide it with time to cool down. The duration of the working period and the time in the off state varies depending on the selected temperature of the internal chambers of the refrigerator. For an Atlant refrigerator, the norm may be long-term engine operation with intensive cooling and freezing. Try changing the mode. If after this the refrigerator continues to work continuously and does not turn off, it is worth considering other reasons.
