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

1. Refrigerator repair
2. Note to the hostess

It happens that during the operation of the equipment, the refrigerator stops freezing, but the freezer still works. You can suspect something is wrong by sour milk in the refrigerator or other spoiled foods. Super-curious users measure the temperature in the refrigerator compartment and find out that it is warm there.

In this article, we will look at the possible reasons why the refrigerator does not work, but the freezer does, for two-compartment refrigerators of different devices. Here are the types of refrigerators where problems of this nature occur:

• No Frost in both chambers (Full No Frost);
• single-compressor models with drip defrost in the refrigerator compartment, a freezer that needs to be defrosted manually, and separate temperature control in the chambers (two thermostats, one for each compartment);
• two-compressor refrigerators.

Why is a refrigerator full of No Frost not freezing, but the freezer is freezing?

In refrigerators with No Frost, there is one evaporator in both chambers. It is in the freezer. Cooling of the refrigerator compartment occurs due to a fan, which drives cold air through special channels from the evaporator in the freezer. The air flow is regulated by a damper. It shuts off the supply when the refrigerator compartment has cooled down sufficiently. The evaporator contains a heating element, which periodically turns on and thaws the formed ice. Therefore, No Frost refrigerators do not require defrosting.

Possible breakdowns

Based on many years of experience in repairing No Frost refrigerators in the RemBytTech workshop, we have compiled a list of popular breakdowns when the freezer works but the refrigerator compartment does not cool.

*Prices for the work of the master, parts, if any are required for repairs, are paid separately.

Diagnostics and repair

When the refrigerator does not turn on after defrosting, there is no need to immediately contact the service center. If you study the problem a little, you can find ways out of the current situation.

Freon leak

The most common cause of breakdown is a coolant leak. It appears due to a contour defect resulting from wear or damage.

Signs of a refrigerant leak:

• the motor operates at maximum power, but the temperature in the chamber remains high;
• the refrigerator stopped freezing, but the light in the housing did not stop shining;
• The device began to cool, but after a while it turned off.

If such symptoms are detected, you need to fix the problem as quickly as possible. Otherwise, leaking freon may harm human health.

Repair method:

1. They inspect the contour and find the damaged area.
2. Localize the location of the leak.
3. Replace the dryer.
4. Charge the system with freon. To perform this work, special devices are required, so it is recommended to contact specialists for refueling.

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Compressor failure

Equipment manufacturers produce units with 1 or 2 compressors. In the first case, the failure of this structural part is determined by characteristic signs. These include the following:

• the refrigerator has stopped freezing, but the light is on inside;
• during operation, the compressor clicks and makes suspicious sounds;
• the motor runs for a couple of seconds and then turns off;
• The device functions, but does not freeze.

Dual compressor units show other signs of a problem.
They are more pronounced and much easier to notice. Main symptoms:

• blinking indicators on the display;
• after defrosting, one of the compartments does not freeze;
• an extraneous sound is heard when the compressor is operating;
• The motor runs for a long time without pause.

Most often, compressors break down due to the expiration of their service life. It is quite difficult to repair this structural part, so replacement would be the right solution.

Control block

The main cause of failure of this part of the structure is moisture. When defrosting, it accumulates on the control unit, gradually disabling it. The presence of a problem can be determined by the following signs:

• a working device can be turned off and on again at random;
• the temperature in the chambers drops or rises sharply;
• after starting, the equipment remains in working condition for only 2-3 seconds;
• the unit makes strange sounds;
• the fault indicators light up or an error message appears on the display.

Flashing the device or replacing the system board will help correct the situation. It is problematic to carry out both operations at home, so you will need to send the unit to a repair shop.

Possible breakdowns

This type of two-chamber refrigerator is quite common. We repair thousands of them a month. These are the components that fail when the refrigerator compartment does not freeze, but the freezer freezes.

*Prices for the work of the master, parts, if any are required for repairs, are paid separately.

How to diagnose a breakdown yourself

Before calling a service center and calling a specialist to your home, you can try to diagnose it yourself and find the cause. If the problem is electrical and other systems, it will be easy to fix the problem yourself. If the repair involves a complex replacement of original elements, then you cannot do without the help of a specialist.

First of all, you need to pay attention to the following nuances:

1. The freezing system may malfunction if the unit breaks down. Most often, damage occurs when operating rules are violated.
2. The device may stop cooling if ice forms on the walls and doors of the chamber. This prevents the door from closing tightly and allowing warm air to enter. In this case, the ice block decreases in volume, and melt water begins to flow out of the refrigerator. To solve the problem, you need to defrost the equipment and take care of the door seal.
3. You need to see if the defrost button in the refrigerator has been accidentally pressed. This situation often occurs when using some models.
4. If there are problems with the temperature sensor, the system will not be able to record signals about increased values. In some cases, a part may need to be replaced (this work should be left to a professional).
5. If the food does not freeze in the chamber, drops of ice do not appear on the walls, and the compressor is running, the problem lies in the thermostat. This device is responsible for the temperature in the system. It is impossible to replace the part yourself; the work must be performed by a specialist. The thermostat for the refrigerator should be selected not only by type, but also by the brand of the device (this should also be entrusted to a specialist).
6. Often the reason for camera failure lies in the breakdown of the heating elements that regulate the cooling process. In this case, you need to defrost the refrigerator and check the operation of the heating elements.

Does not freeze well or slightly

The main reason why the refrigerator began to freeze poorly is damage to the thermostat. The device is checked using a tester. If there is no voltage when the refrigerator is turned on, then the part will need to be replaced.

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Other reasons why the system began to cool poorly: refrigerant leak, compressor breakdown, incorrect thermostat setting, minor problems.

The compressor hums, but the refrigerator does not freeze

If the engine stops pumping up the required pressure, you can hear the device humming and making strange sounds - hums and clicks that are not typical for a refrigerator. The compressor needs to be replaced; this procedure cannot be done on your own; you need to call a specialist. The cause of failure may also be overheating of the system due to prolonged use.

Lighting works but no cooling

A situation often arises in which the refrigerator functions externally (the light is on, the compressor is running), but there is no freezing. Such a breakdown can happen to any device (of various brands). Often the problem occurs after defrosting the refrigerator. The reason may lie in freon leaks, as a result of which the compressor does not cool down, but heats up. In this case, you need to check the operation of the element.

Why doesn't the freezer work?

The equipment may function properly in the specified mode, but the lower chamber stops cooling.

The main reasons why the refrigerator does not freeze:

1. The unit is not closed tightly, which is why the freezing system does not work (found in some models).
2. Compressor failure.
3. Malfunctions in the air freeze sensor.
4. The switch valve is not working.
5. Problems with the control module.
6. Freon leak.
7. Often malfunctions occur after a power outage or during transportation of the device.

You need to know what could be signs of a serious breakdown:

1. One of the compressors turns on and off after a few seconds. In this case, the cause is a malfunction of the compressor motor (the main unit of the refrigerator). The operation of the device may be impaired due to natural wear and tear of parts or too much load on it.
2. The camera freezes, but takes too long breaks in operation. This means that the air sensor in the freezing system is broken. Due to this damage, the control module does not receive data that the chamber has not cooled down enough, because there is no signal about the compressor operating.
3. The freezer is working, but the compressor is malfunctioning. This indicates a malfunction of the chamber thermostat.
4. A gap forms in the drainage system, water collects from below under the trays, then begins to spill over the walls of the freezer, which starts the corrosion process. Such signs indicate a freon leak.

Why doesn't a two-compressor refrigerator freeze, but the freezer works?

Refrigerators of this design have two independent cooling circuits, and each compressor works to cool its own compartment. Therefore, if a breakdown occurs, it relates only to one of the cameras, and the second one works normally.