The refrigerator does not work ⭐What to do if the refrigerator does not turn on, does not light, does not freeze? Repair instructions

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Every home kitchen has a refrigerator. Thanks to it, food and ready-made dishes remain fresh. Therefore, when it stops working in its normal mode, we try to find the problem and fix it as quickly as possible. It is important to understand that you can carry out diagnostics at home yourself. But it is better to entrust the repair of the device to a specialist. These household appliances are not so simple and repairing any part without a specialist may result in the purchase of a new refrigerator.

In this article we will tell you what signs may indicate that the refrigerator is broken and how to correctly understand what the reason is.

Doesn't turn on: causes and troubleshooting
Does not turn off: troubleshooting
What to do if the light doesn't work?
Loud noise in the refrigerator
Why does water flow?
The refrigerator does not freeze: reasons
Doesn't freeze well
What to do about icing?
The refrigerator does not work: tips and tricks

What to do if the refrigerator does not turn on?

The refrigerator does not turn on
If your refrigerator does not turn on, the first thing to do is open the door and see if the light comes on:

You see that the light has turned on, but it is warm inside the chamber - check how the device is positioned. Perhaps it is skewed, so the door does not close and room air enters the chamber. If you have one of the latest models, then a protection mechanism is activated that blocks the motor from starting. Some refrigerators will have an error code on the display.
If the light is on, you need to check the cord, plug and socket for damage.

Is the device level and is everything ok with the network connection? Then the reason why the refrigerator does not turn on is inside it. You need to unplug the appliance, take out the groceries and call service.

If you want to carry out diagnostics yourself, and only then call a technician, here is a list of the most common breakdowns, why the refrigerator does not turn on.

Serious problems - how to avoid them?

More serious breakdowns are associated with freon leakage, failure of sensors and relays, and compressor failure. These problems can be avoided by ensuring normal operating conditions of the refrigeration unit. Do not forget about the requirements written in the instruction manual for your purchase.

You should also follow a number of important tips:

turn off the device if you hear any unusual sounds or obvious changes in the operation of the equipment;
call a technician as soon as you encounter a problem; early diagnosis can reduce the cost of restoration;
do not carry out repairs yourself - this can lead to even greater damage to the system;
monitor the frequency of switching on the compressor - it is important to pay attention to the operating conditions of the equipment;
notice certain features of the refrigerator’s behavior so as not to miss a signal of a problem;
Do not close your eyes to signals from diagnostic modules and error codes in modern models.

If you follow these recommendations, you will not have to constantly struggle with problems and spend your budget on complex repairs of refrigeration equipment. If the equipment begins to freeze poorly, it’s time to call a technician and carry out preventive maintenance.

What to do if the refrigerator does not turn off?

The refrigerator does not turn off.
This is why the refrigerator can work constantly and not turn off:

The door is not fully closed because the appliance is not level or, for example, a large saucepan is in the way.
Freezing or cooling mode has started. If this is a “smart” refrigerator, then the motor turns off itself. And in older models you need to disable the mode manually.
It’s hot in the kitchen or the appliances are standing near the radiator or stove.

If none of the reasons apply, the refrigerator continues to work without turning off, you need to call a technician.

What to do if the light does not turn on?

The light in the refrigerator does not work.
Of course, if only the light bulb has burned out, we cannot say that the two-chamber refrigerator does not work completely. But without light, using the device is at least inconvenient. You can replace the light bulb yourself or call a technician.

Before the specialist arrives, you can also check whether the contacts between the cartridge and the base are broken, and make sure that the wiring is not damaged. It happens that the contact has come loose, so the light bulb in the refrigerator does not work. It would be a good idea to diagnose the door limit switch and control board. Again, if this is a task with an asterisk, trust the master on all issues.

There are three types of light bulbs used in refrigerators:

LED.
Incandescent.
Halogen.

It is best to change the light bulb to a “original” one when the light in the refrigerator does not work. And also use products from companies that specialize in the manufacture of components for refrigerators. LED lamps save on electricity, but, nevertheless, many owners are satisfied with an incandescent lamp.

Simple repair

In some cases, you can return household appliances to working condition after carrying out simple repairs yourself.

Changing light bulbs

Replacing a burnt out light bulb with a similar new one is not a difficult job for a professional. You can read the instructions in the article; it describes in detail the procedure for removing the lampshade, how to correctly unscrew the remains of the base and other nuances.

Cleaning the drainage system

During operation, contaminants appear in the drainage system of the refrigerator - small pieces of food, grease, dust. To ensure that there is no moisture under the vegetable compartment or under the bottom, it is worth cleaning the drainage tube regularly.

Replace the rubber seal

Wear of the seal occurs due to careless operation and leads to a change in the temperature regime inside the compartments. You can learn about replacing this component from the article.

Eliminating compressor rattling

Noise that occurs during operation of the refrigerator may be due to improper operation of the compressor. The technician needs to inspect the equipment and determine whether the engine is in contact with pipes and other mechanisms.

We rehang and align doors

For ease of use, modern kitchen appliances are equipped with the ability to hang the door. Such repairs will be carried out by professionals; details can be found in this article.

Checking the correct installation

The refrigerator must be placed on a hard and level surface. To ensure that the requirement is met, you can use a building level. The equipment should not wobble or be skewed to one side. In modern models, the legs are distinguished by the ability to adjust in height, so unevenness can be eliminated. More details here.

If there is a lot of ice in the freezer

Ice in the freezer may indicate that it is necessary to temporarily turn off the equipment, defrost it, and then thoroughly wash the unit. You can learn how such simple repairs are performed from this article.

What to do if the refrigerator makes a lot of noise?

The refrigerator is loud
When the refrigerator starts to work louder than usual, we first get annoyed, and then we think about what to do if it breaks down.

Permissible noise from the device is 55 dB. If the number is higher, it is necessary to carry out diagnostics:

Check that all shipping fasteners have been removed.
Some new refrigerators adapt and start working normally after only seven days.
Make sure the device is positioned correctly. It should not rest against a wall or other furniture. We recommend leaving about 5 cm of free space on either side.
Check the contents of the refrigerator. Perhaps the pan is placed next to a glass bottle, which causes additional noise.
If you hear loud sounds as soon as the engine starts, this is not a sign of a breakdown. First, the starting current needed to start appears.

The diagnostics did not give any results, do you still think that the refrigerator is not working and how to fix it? Noise appears due to internal breakdowns:

The refrigerator compressor does not work . Then, however, the technology begins to grumble. Pistons or rings may wear out. The solution is to install a new compressor.
Weakening of shock absorbers . If the most unpleasant sounds occur during the beginning and end of engine operation, then most likely this is precisely this malfunction. The solution is to adjust the compressor shock absorbers.
The fan in the refrigerator is not working properly . The blades touch the ice, causing noise. The solution is defrosting.

Tips and tricks

In order for household appliances to work without failures, you should follow the recommendations:

Drip-type refrigerators must be defrosted regularly.
The device must be placed on a flat and solid surface.
The upper and lower compartments should not be overloaded with products.
It is prohibited to install household appliances of this type near heat sources.
The evaporator (radiator on the rear wall) must be protected from the possibility of mechanical damage.
The device must be transported carefully.

If your household appliances are not equipped with a No Frost system and you need to defrost, you need to wait until the ice melts on its own. You cannot pick at it with sharp objects - there is a risk of damaging the refrigerant pipes.

It is prohibited to place hot food - violation of the temperature regime and the formation of a large amount of moisture will lead to serious damage. If malfunctions occur, you should immediately contact a specialist: independent repairs can only worsen the situation.

It is not recommended to ignore minor defects: over time, a serious problem may develop that requires expensive repairs.

What to do if there is water leaking in the refrigerator?

Water in the refrigerator
A puddle on the floor or inside the appliance is unpleasant, but this does not mean that the upper or lower chamber of the refrigerator is not working. For example, a “flood” often occurs if the evaporator drain system is clogged.

First of all, check:

Is there water inside the refrigerator? If it is not there, then the drain tube may have moved, so the liquid is flowing past. All you need to do is fix the tube.
Is the tank where the water collects damaged? When equipment is delivered or moved at home, a crack may appear in the tank and then a leak will form.
Freezer walls. If you see a lot of ice, then the problem may be with the heater. The No Frost refrigerator does not work correctly, that is, it works like a regular appliance, but when the freezer door opens, the fur coat begins to melt from the warm air. The heater needs to be replaced.

Internal faults that cause water to leak:

The freezer drain is clogged . You will see a lot of ice on the walls of the chamber, which melts and flows into a special compartment. But it’s better to leave the drainage cleaning to a professional.
The refrigerator drain is clogged . Water collects at the bottom due to food trapped in the tube. You can clean the drainage by douching. If this does not help, blow the path with a cocktail straw.
The door seal is worn out . There is a puddle near the appliance, and the food defrosts quickly. The refrigerator door needs to be repaired and the rubber band replaced.
The refrigerator is not positioned correctly . If the device is positioned crookedly, the door does not close well, then room air enters the chamber and the temperature does not remain at the proper level. The motor wears out, the food gets frozen, and a lot of water flows into the tank. Place the device level.

Reasons for failure of the refrigeration chamber when the freezer is running

A refrigerator malfunction may be due to the failure of individual elements or the entire operating mechanism. The causes of cooling problems in refrigerator compartments can be various factors.

Simple failure to comply with operating requirements

Often, due to simple negligence of the user, heat may enter the refrigerator compartment. For example, when the door is systematically not tightly closed, warm air from the room enters the chamber. Therefore, the device does not have enough power for proper cooling.

An open door can damage not only the compressor, but also other important parts.

With densely packed products, the compressor cannot evenly distribute the refrigerant throughout the chamber. Therefore, it is recommended to fill the chambers so that there is some free space between the products. Irregular defrosting can also cause poor refrigerator performance.

To restore the normal flow of cold, it is necessary to completely defrost the chambers, remove melt water from the compartments, then allow the unit to stand for a day. After this period, the device can be started. In the future, the work process should improve. It is better to defrost the refrigerator in stages, without using mechanical force. Refrigerators are often installed near heating devices (heating systems, artificial heaters, gas and electric stoves). Such an installation is also one of the factors in the formation of excess warm air inside the chamber.

GOOD TO KNOW!

The presence of dampness on the sealing rubber bands leads to their aging, as a result of which they lose their tightness and let warm air into the chamber.

Minor and major faults

The reasons for the failure may be hardware in nature. This is considered the most serious problem. Even the most trivial malfunctions affect the unit’s ability to cool food. Let's look at what breakdowns exist at this level:

Plug in the capillary system. The formation of plaque, sediment and debris often causes congestion inside, which prevents the passage of freon. In the case of the freezer, the situation is different. On the contrary, ice forms in it.
Drainage system problems. Refrigerators equipped with a weeping wall often become clogged. Such systems must be cleaned regularly. If this does not happen, plugs form, which prevent the flow of melt water. If the system is not cleaned in time, rust will form.
Malfunction of automation or electronics. Modern refrigerators use temperature sensors that can be damaged by food residue or liquids. In this case, the sensor takes the high temperature as optimal. Other automation components can also become clogged, which affects the operation of the equipment.
Refrigerant leak. This phenomenon occurs when a breakdown of the tubes occurs. They can wear out not only during long-term use, but also due to mechanical damage. For example, when trying to knock off ice with hard and sharp objects.
Compressor problem. If your refrigerator has two compressors, one of them may fail. In this case, only one freezer will work.
Mechanical and chemical effects. If used incorrectly, holes in the walls allow warm air from the room to penetrate into the refrigerator compartment. This overloads the compressor, which is unable to normalize the temperature inside the refrigerator.
Presence of rust and oxides. A similar problem often occurs when there is condensation on the back wall of the refrigerator. Due to bacteria actively multiplying in this environment, a green coating appears, after which corrosion appears. These bacteria gradually eat away at the walls of the tubes. And it is prohibited to clean off such formations.

Repairing the technical equipment of a refrigerator requires a professional approach.

GOOD TO KNOW!

If there are a large number of rusty spots on the capillary tubes, it is recommended to treat them with a special converter. It can be purchased at stores that sell household and radio equipment. Damage to the metal on the doors may subsequently affect the operation and cooling of the internal chambers

What to do if the device does not freeze?

The refrigerator does not freeze
Most often, the refrigerator works, but does not freeze due to loss of refrigerant. If this is your case, call a specialist.

Agent leakage occurs due to cracks, they are visible, it is worth checking with special equipment. The technician will remove the damage and fill in new freon. But if many new cracks have formed, then the entire system will have to be replaced.

The reason is that the refrigerator works, but does not freeze, or perhaps the thermostat is broken. The motor and unit do not turn on the compressor, the device does not freeze or, conversely, does it more than necessary.

Another reason why the freezer in the refrigerator does not work is that the relay does not work. And then the whole system does not function correctly. It is better to entrust the replacement of the relay to a specialist.

If you see that the door does not close well, which is why warm air constantly gets into the chamber, replace the seal.

Other reasons why the refrigerator works but the chamber does not freeze:

The refrigerant system is clogged . Use a hydraulic tool to clean the tube. The technician will also determine whether there is a need to change the filter.
No pressure coming in . Usually you can hear the relay clicking, the device is very loud and the motor is burnt out. The reason is power surges, overheating due to prolonged operation, and the thermostat at the lowest temperature.
Defrosting heating element failure.

The structure of a typical refrigerator

The compressor uses its pressure to pump freon (coolant) into the condenser unit. 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 takes on a gaseous state, and once in the evaporation unit, it boils. The evaporator generates cold. Freon completes its circuit, returning to the compressor.

The resulting cold first of all goes to the freezer, and from there it is already supplied to the refrigeration room - forcibly or naturally. This gives the freezer the opportunity to maintain a cold temperature even if some elements of the unit break down.

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

As soon as you notice a lack of cold in the cooling compartment while the freezer is working properly, you need to try to analyze the situation yourself.

The user's actions if a unit malfunction is suspected should be as follows:

establish by observation which particular chamber the cold does not enter;
check whether there are any heat sources near the refrigerator, for example, radiators, heaters, stoves, etc.;
determine whether the rubber door seal is intact and whether there are any objects (pieces of food, crumbs, etc.) that prevent the door from closing tightly.

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

What to do if the refrigerator does not freeze well?

Doesn't freeze well
The refrigerator can freeze slightly or, conversely, strongly. This is also a problem that needs to be solved in time before the camera fails completely.

Why the refrigerator does not freeze, but the freezer works:

The thermostat is broken . To be replaced.
There is not enough freon . If this is the case, then the condenser at the back of the device will be cold. It is necessary to determine how the leak occurred, replace or repair the part, and charge the device with refrigerant.
The compressor does not work . Only a master can solve this problem.
Depressurization . If the door does not close as it should, then there is always warm air in the chamber. The refrigerator door needs to be fixed.
The seal is worn out . The rubber band needs to be replaced.

The best refrigerators, according to buyers 2021-2022

There is a wide range of refrigeration equipment on the market. To make the choice easier, consumers are offered a list of popular models.

Atlant MXM 2835-90

Two-chamber refrigerator made in Belarus with electromechanical control. Equipped with a modern compressor, which is not only reliable in operation, but also operates relatively quietly. And the refrigerator compartment is equipped with shelves made of impact-resistant glass and two containers for storing vegetables and fruits. Such a problem as the upper chamber of the Atlant refrigerator not freezing occurs in rare cases. That is why it is so popular among consumers.

Hitachi R-E5000UXK

The premium refrigerator consists of five chambers. Despite its overall dimensions, it consumes minimal electricity. Equipped with an inverter compressor, which is reliable and has a long service life. The liquid crystal touch display simplifies setting up the equipment and adjusting its operation. The model is equipped with various functions, which makes using the refrigerator more comfortable. The only drawback is the high cost. Although, having bought a high-quality model, you may never have to deal with why the refrigerator stopped freezing.

Liebherr CTel 2931

The German-made two-chamber refrigerator is small in size, which allows it to be used even in a small kitchen. The refrigerator compartment has a volume of 218 liters, and the freezer compartment has a volume of 52 liters. The advantages of the model include silent operation, high efficiency, stylish appearance and compactness. As for the disadvantages, they include rapid wear of the door thermal insulation gaskets, as well as the low strength of the freezer drawers.

Beko RCSK 310M20

The equipment is equipped with a modern compressor that consumes little electricity and does not create noise during operation. The main advantages include the presence of dry freezing, ease of operation, fairly good capacity, low cost and reliability in operation. But, like any other equipment, the refrigerator has some disadvantages, such as the lack of automatic defrosting and the appearance of clicks due to wear and tear on the motor. Sometimes after defrosting the refrigerator does not cool. The compressor may be broken and not working.

Siemens KI39FP60

Despite its small size, the device has a spacious freshness zone and freezer compartment. There are also compartments for fruits and vegetables that have sufficient volume. It is also worth noting the low electricity consumption and reliable thermal insulation. To prevent unpleasant odors from occurring inside the equipment, filters must be cleaned regularly.

Icing

What to do if icing appears?
Ice may appear on the walls of the device for various reasons:

Refrigerator defrosting does not work . It is necessary to diagnose the operation of the sensor, repair it or install a new one. If you have a device with one compressor, then it is normal for it to remain for about 40 minutes and then melt. In models with two compressors, this lasts about 25 minutes and disappears in the same amount of time.
High load . This problem usually occurs when cooked dishes that have not cooled down are placed in the chamber. Conclusion - you can’t do this.
The rubber band is worn out . Therefore, ice may appear on the sides. Replace the seal.
The refrigerator motor does not work . If it does not turn off, freon leaks, hail grows inside, and ice appears. The part needs to be replaced.

The refrigerator stopped working after defrosting.

The usual procedure can have serious consequences. Defrosting is no exception. Do not break the ice with sharp objects, as this may damage the internal appliances and the refrigerant circulation system. But even after full compliance with the requirements (the appliance was unplugged, thoroughly washed, wiped and dried), a snag may arise - the freezer does not turn on:

The cause may be mechanical damage to the freon distillation system through tubes. Methane liquid is called freon; it is thanks to it that food freezes. With this outcome, the liquid flows out, and instead of it, ordinary air passes through the pipes, which causes overheating.
Freon circulation is disrupted due to clogged tubes. The reason may be inaccurate cleaning, washing, and spontaneous formation of blockages as a result of defrosting should not be ruled out. To eliminate this, a compressor pump is required. It’s better not to take on the problem yourself. We contact the service to get help from a specialist.