The refrigerator is switched off. What if the refrigerator is constantly running and does not turn off? "Weaknesses" of famous domestic models

Refrigerators have been an integral part of every kitchen for many years. New ultra-modern household appliances do not require careful maintenance and do not cause much trouble for housewives. But it doesn't hurt to find out how to properly defrost and whether it should be done.

Why defrost your refrigerator and freezer

The principle of operation of any refrigeration equipment is a closed cycle in which a motor-compressor drives a special refrigerant substance through the pipes. Usually the system is filled with freon. Passing through zones of high and low pressure, passing from a liquid to a gaseous state and vice versa, the refrigerant lowers the temperature in the refrigerator and freezer.

The principle of operation of the refrigerator is a closed cycle in which the compressor drives the refrigerant through the pipes (designations in the diagram: 1-condenser, 2 - capillary, 3 - evaporator, 4 - compressor)

This is how it works:

  1. Freon vapors injected into the condenser are cooled and condensed. The substance turns into a liquid state. The heat received from freon is released by the condenser into the environment. That is why the back wall is always hot when the refrigerator is in operation.
  2. After the condenser, liquid freon enters the capillary tube under high pressure. As it moves through the tube, its pressure gradually decreases to the desired level.
  3. Low-pressure liquid freon after the capillary enters the evaporator channels, where, taking heat, it instantly boils and turns into steam. Due to this, the internal volume of the chamber is cooled. Frost forms on the surface of the evaporator.
  4. Having passed through the evaporator, the freon vapor is pumped out by the compressor into the condenser.

The cycle is repeated until the desired temperature is established on the surface of the evaporator. The compressor is then switched off.

Warm ambient air causes the temperature inside the refrigerator to gradually rise. When it reaches a certain value, the compressor turns on again, repeating the described cycle. Moisture in the air freezes. A snow-ice build-up appears on the surface of the evaporator, which disrupts the necessary air exchange and complicates the operation of the device. With a large layer of ice, the compressor will operate at full capacity. This will increase electricity consumption. The number of work cycles will increase. The compressor will turn off less and less and then stop altogether. As a result, the function of proper storage of products in a household appliance will be disrupted, and its service life will be sharply reduced. Also, the compressor may fail and need to be replaced. That is why it is necessary to defrost the refrigerator as soon as the amount of ice on the evaporator reaches a significant size. Snow and ice build-up takes up space inside the freezer, leaving less space for food, and the food itself freezes much more slowly. If you do not defrost, the ice will grow to such a size that the door will not close. And that will only make the problem worse.

A large layer of ice will impair performance and may damage the refrigerator.

How often to defrost

The frequency of defrosting directly depends on the amount of frozen ice in the freezer: the more and faster it builds up, the more often you need to defrost the refrigerator. Much depends on the model of the refrigerator itself, the intensity and nature of its operation.

Frequency of defrosting of refrigerators from different manufacturers

The instructions usually indicate after what period of time defrosting is necessary:

  1. Modern refrigerators with a drip or air-drip system, for example, Atlant, Indesit, must be defrosted at least once a year.
  2. Old Soviet units - Minsk, Saratov - require more frequent defrosting: once every 4 weeks. If the refrigerator is not used very actively, you can increase the period, but at least once every two months in the summer and four months in the winter.
  3. In refrigerators equipped with the No frost system, the defrosting process takes place automatically. Water flows to the back of the appliance through a special drain hole and then evaporates from the heat generated by the compressor. You do not need to specially defrost such devices. But sometimes you still have to wash and disinfect.

How the frequency of defrosting is affected by the operating characteristics of the device

How often the refrigerator is used, how it is done correctly, directly depends on how often it will have to be defrosted:

  1. Frequent opening and closing of the door leads to the fact that a large amount of warm air enters the chamber, which crystallizes into a snow build-up at negative temperatures. The same result will be obtained if the door is opened for too long. Try to first think about what exactly you want to take, and then open the device and do it quickly. Don't wait for the beep.

    It is difficult for the refrigerator to operate if the door is opened frequently and for a long time.

  2. The increase in the snow layer is facilitated by the evaporation of moisture from food. Store food in sealed containers.
  3. The penetration of warm air inside the refrigerator can be caused by a loose fit of the rubber seal, if it has lost its quality. As a result, the ice build-up will appear very quickly. The situation can be corrected by replacing the part.

    Due to the poorly adhering rubber seal, warm air penetrates into the chamber, which impairs the operation of the equipment

If you are using the appliance correctly, but the snow builds up too quickly, you should seek the help of a refrigeration specialist.

How to defrost properly

For most models, it is recommended to operate the device at an ambient temperature of 10-30 o C. Experts recommend using the same temperature range when defrosting refrigeration devices. Therefore, in hot climates, it is advisable to start defrosting in the evening when the air has cooled down a little. The ice will melt overnight, and in the morning you can finish the process. So, the stages of defrosting:

  1. Turn off the device:
  2. Remove food from the refrigerator. Here are some ideas on how to preserve their quality during defrosting:
  3. Remove all removable parts and accessories from the refrigerator: trays, racks, shelves, containers, etc. While the appliance is defrosting, wash and dry them.
  4. Wait for the refrigerator to defrost. This can take 3-10 hours, depending on the ice layer:
    • modern models have a special drip tray for collecting melt water;
    • in a Soviet refrigerator, put a bowl under the freezer, and spread dry rags or rags around the device, because there will be a lot of melt water, and it will spread in all directions.
  5. Manufacturers do not recommend speeding up defrosting, but if you really want to, then choose safe methods:
    • install the fan opposite the refrigerator so that air enters the chamber: the ice will melt faster;

      The fan can speed up the defrosting of the refrigerator

    • ordinary table salt copes well with ice: pour it on a saucer and put it inside the freezer or scatter it over the surface of the ice build-up;

      Regular table salt will help clear the ice of the refrigerator faster.

    • the vinegar solution will not only speed up the defrosting, but also disinfect the inner space of the chamber: dilute the vinegar with water in a 1: 1 ratio and use a spray bottle to apply the product to the snow ice.

      The vinegar solution will speed up defrosting and disinfect surfaces inside the refrigerator compartment

  6. When all the ice has melted, wash the refrigerator. To do this, use soft cloths or sponges, liquid dishwashing detergents. Do not use abrasive products - hard brushes, scouring powders. They will damage the inside of the camera, leaving scratches on it. Wash the rubber seal with soapy water and do not forget to remove dust from the condenser located on the back of the unit. The most convenient way to do this is with a vacuum cleaner, but a small brush will also work. To clean the inside of the instrument, use:
    • soda solution: dilute 2 tbsp. l. means in 0.5 l of warm water, stir well, apply with a sponge to the surface of the chambers and leave for half an hour, and then rinse with clean water;
    • ammonia (in case of heavy contamination, to eliminate unpleasant odors and disinfect): for one part of alcohol, take 7-10 parts of water, moisten a napkin in the solution and put it on a dried spot, after half an hour rinse the camera with plenty of water;

      With the help of ammonia, you can wash off strong dirt from the inner surfaces of the refrigerator and disinfect them.

    • lemon to eliminate mold and unpleasant odors: add 2-3 tbsp. l. lemon juice, wipe the walls of the chamber and shelves with the resulting product;

      Lemon does a good job at removing mold and odor

    • special products for hygienic cleaning of the refrigerator, for example, HG spray.

      Special products for the refrigerator clean surfaces well and are easy to use

  7. Wipe the clean refrigerator dry with a soft cloth. After all, any moisture remaining inside the chamber will contribute to a new ice build-up.
  8. After all the procedures, do not rush to immediately turn on the refrigerator, leave it with the door open for half an hour. This time is enough for an accidentally left drop of water to dry naturally.

The described defrosting method is suitable for all models and types of refrigerators, for built-in and free-standing appliances.

The built-in refrigerator defrosts in the same way as the freestanding

General defrosting and washing of the refrigerator - video

Typical mistakes

  1. Not often, but there are times when they forget to turn off the refrigerator and begin to defrost it. That is, they open the door, take out the food, sometimes they even go somewhere ... And the device continues to increase the temperature at this time.
  2. A mistake that would be very costly. It is strictly forbidden to try to break off the ice with the help of any mechanical devices. The evaporator tubes are not strong enough, they can easily be pierced with a knife, fork or something else.
  3. The same applies to food or utensils frozen to the wire rack or evaporator plate. Any attempt to pull them out may damage the unit. The best advice is to wait.
  4. A flaw that is passed off as dignity. There is a lot of information on the net about how you can quickly and easily defrost a refrigerator in 10 minutes. All methods are reduced to a forced increase in the temperature inside the chamber. For example, they recommend placing a bowl of hot water in the freezer or blowing hot air on the ice crust with a hairdryer. No one argues that the ice will melt very quickly from hot water and air. Although the device will not break down immediately from such an action, its service life will be reduced. Any increase in temperature can damage the cooling and freezing system..

Manufacturers of refrigeration equipment recommend installing an air conditioner in the room at high ambient temperatures for high-quality and long-term operation of the devices, and not blowing hot air over them. The high temperature for the refrigerator is no more than 30 ° C.

For high-quality and long-term operation of refrigeration equipment, manufacturers recommend installing an air conditioner in the room.

How to turn on the appliance correctly after defrosting

It's pretty simple:

  1. Connect the refrigerator to the mains, that is, insert the plug into the socket. Close the doors and do not load the food yet.
  2. On the control panel, set the average value for the fridge and freezer. Press the Super Freeze button. Illuminated indicators will confirm the correctness of the action. The refrigerator builds up the temperature in the chambers without food.
  3. When the optimum temperature is reached, the indicators will turn off. This event signals that food can be loaded into the refrigerator chambers.
  4. For old refrigerators that do not have a control panel, plug them in and leave for 1–2 hours without loading food. During this time, the device will be able to collect enough cold. After that, you can place products in it.

Over time, any refrigerator will have to be defrosted. Even models with No frost function sometimes need it. Compliance with simple rules will allow not only to update the cycle, but also ensure high-quality operation of the device for many years.

In this article, you will learn whether to turn off the refrigerator while on vacation and how to prepare your appliances before leaving for a long time.

Removing food and disconnecting from the network - it would seem, how much easier? If you did just that, get ready to fight the bad smell. In order to rest calmly and not be afraid for the safety of the refrigerator, it is easier to leave it off. Why:

  • will not break or flow;
  • will not consume extra electricity;
  • will not sparkle from voltage drops.

How to disable

The main rule to follow before leaving is to leave the refrigerator empty, dry and clean.

  1. The first thing to do is to de-energize the appliance to avoid a fire in the wiring, which could turn into a fire. This saves money and protects against power surges.
  2. Next, free the shelves and chambers from all products, otherwise an unpleasant smell cannot be avoided. Even the smallest jar of forgotten yogurt can cause problems. New models are not designed for long-term storage of food (excluding freezing), therefore, it is necessary to revise it once a week.
  3. Prepare a bowl of warm water and rinse out all shelves, containers, racks, and other removable parts. If you are in a hurry, the sink can be replaced by dry cleaning: wipe all surfaces with a soft towel.
  4. When everything is done, be sure to open the door: this will not allow the smell of rotten food to arise. Never use foreign objects to fix the door - this threatens to deform the seal. If possible, simply adjust the feet so that the appliance is tilted forward.

Safety regulations

Repair and maintenance technicians advise turning off the refrigerator to reduce the load. This will help to significantly extend the life of the device.

Leaving the equipment in the off state should be protected from moisture, direct sunlight and high temperatures. Observing all safety rules, you can leave your refrigerator for a long time with peace of mind and not be afraid to see it broken when you return.

Advice! You can find out how and what to carry out cleaning in the article "".

The "vacation" mode in the refrigerator - what is it

Many modern models are equipped with a "vacation" mode - it allows you not to turn off the equipment completely and set the temperature around + 15 ° C. In case of a long absence from home, manufacturers recommend using this mode, after removing all products or leaving the minimum.

A brief description of the features of the "vacation" mode in refrigerators

Holiday mode allows you to maintain a stable temperature of about 12 ° C. This feature will allow the wearer not to worry about fungus and unpleasant odors. Some LG coldrooms have an antibacterial seal for added protection.

In the new Samsung models, the intelligent mode brings the equipment to the state of "vacation", while only the freezer is working.

Atlant

With a single button, the technician goes into economy mode, allowing you to use up to 40% less energy. Depending on the model, the temperature is set from + 10 ° C to + 15 ° C.

Do not be discouraged if such a function is not provided in your refrigerator, it has appeared recently and is not found in all manufacturers. You can adjust the temperature yourself and save energy consumption.

Icemaker (IceMaker)

If your refrigerator has a built-in ice maker, remember to put it in the cleaning position. In this mode, the remaining water flows downward, preventing mold and mildew from developing. After switching the icemaker to the cleaning mode, it is necessary to disconnect the equipment from the network and turn off the water supply tap (when connected to the water supply).

If you leave the refrigerator on

Perhaps nothing terrible will happen, you will return and continue to use it, as before. But do not forget that there are threats that can seriously affect the stability of your work.

Follow a few simple rules before leaving:

  1. Be sure to check the food for freshness: frozen vegetables will last until you return, but the milk left behind can play a cruel joke.
  2. Always get meat products. If the electricity goes out or something happens to the refrigerator, you will find an unbearable smell inside, which is very difficult to get rid of.
  3. Do not leave equipment near batteries or water pipes, the influence of heat and moisture will irreparably affect the operation of the refrigerator.

Now you know how to prepare any model for a long trip. If you are still afraid to give up the equipment, seek help from relatives or neighbors who will help look after the apartment in your absence.

LG refrigerators have taken a leading position in this segment of technology. The company is considered a global center for innovation. All brands of refrigerators from two-door to sophisticated French and American series are solidly made, stylish design. There are almost no malfunctions of LG refrigerators during the warranty period. Often, repairs are associated with voltage drops in the network - the electronics cannot withstand. When buying a modern refrigerator model, you need to take care of installing it through a voltage stabilizer.

LG refrigerators last a long time. However, technology tends to fail over time. From the first day of operation, you need to take care of the electronic control unit and the compressor, especially the inverter. Electronic configuration of the program requires attention. Step-by-step instructions are provided in the corresponding section of the documentation for the device.

Some models are noted in reviews as unnecessarily noisy. Part of the reason lies in the build quality at sites scattered around the world. However, the correct leveling, tightening the fasteners with your own hands, and standard ventilation gaps will partially eliminate the noise of the LG refrigerator. Repair is required when extraneous knocking, whistling or strong heating of the compressor is added to the noise.

A breakdown is considered if one of the refrigerator chambers has ceased to maintain a given mode. Ice has appeared in the freezer or subzero temperatures are observed in a cold cabinet. There may be several reasons:

  • failures in the automatic regulation system;
  • failure of temperature sensors;
  • faulty relays;
  • refrigeration circuit problem associated with freon leakage or compressor failure;
  • malfunction of the solenoid valve in a single-compressor double-chamber apparatus.

Malfunction of the No Frost system of the LG refrigerator will let you know by a violation of the temperature regime, icing inside the cooling chamber. The air-cooled food system is complex and balanced. The complex includes an evaporator, from which cold air is blown into the freezer by a fan. Then the gas flows through the air valve to the heating of the positive chamber. Problems may be related to:

  • the temperature sensor has failed in the evaporator or chambers;
  • the fan stopped working due to icing or motor failure;
  • heating element does not work;
  • air valve not adjusted.

The appearance of ice in the freezer, "fur coats" in the refrigerator indicates a possible malfunction in the condensate drainage circuit.

LG 479 refrigerator valve malfunction

Refrigerators of this series are characterized by two compartments operating from one compressor. In this regard, a magnetic valve is used, which directs the refrigerant flow cyclically and alternately into the chambers. If the solenoid valve for switching modes is "stuck", then the temperature in the freezer will decrease and rise at the top. The unit is not being repaired; valve replacement is required.

Such malfunctions are typical for refrigerators, when on one compressor the mode in the chambers is independent, there are 2 control buttons. As a preventive measure, it is recommended to change the regimen, with a deviation from the average values, in case of emergency and for a short time.

Malfunctions of the LG refrigerator with the No Frost system of the GR - 389 SQF brand

The apparatus of the Russian assembly, two-chamber, with a "no frost" system, a large freezer at the bottom - has gained popularity in Russian families. Full Know Frost, height 188, bottom freezer, LED backlighting and trouble-free operation for more than ten years - this is how users characterize the device.

The remote control with push-button switching of modes signals about deviations on the Freeze Temp display. After turning off the power, all settings are set to the middle position. The electronic module is located in the upper part under the decorative panel. The built-in self-diagnostic mode can be manually activated, testing all systems will take 2 hours.

Typical malfunctions found during diagnostics:

  • the second light on the left indicates an open or short circuit in the freezer sensor;
  • the fourth light on the left is on - defrost sensor malfunction;
  • all the lights are on - No Frost is not working.

If ice is found under the bottom shelf of the freezer, the condensate drain system is clogged. To clean it, you will need to remove the decorative lining and find the drain hole. You can defrost the tube yourself. For all manipulations, the refrigerator must be de-energized.

If Know Frost is working, the sensors are working - problems in the cooling circuit. Only a master can check the amount of freon, whether there is a passage in the capillary tube, the compressor's performance.

Malfunctions of the LG M589ZMGZ refrigerator

Silver model with linear inverter compressor, height 200 cm. Multi-stream cooling system and Know Frost are used. Electronic control with self-diagnostics.

Analysis of equipment failures before the end of the warranty period shows that the model is reliable and rarely gets repaired. The main causes of breakdowns:

  • the starting relay does not work;
  • the electronic control unit burned out;
  • the temperature sensor has failed;
  • the sealing rubber is worn out.

Most often, problems arise in switching the operating modes of two circuits or in the incorrect operation of the Nou Frost system. The inverter motor has a 10-year manufacturer's warranty. Continuous operation of the sealed circuit allows you to save pipe connections from starting shocks and vibrations, preventing freon leakage.

Refrigerator LG GC -339NGLS - faults

Model with a mirrored front surface, two-compartment, with a bottom freezer. Compressor one. Electronic control. Defrosting of the upper chamber is automatic, of the lower one - manual.

Refrigerators malfunctions are related to their design:

  • does not keep the freezer or refrigerator mode;
  • an ice coat is growing in the refrigerating chamber;
  • water accumulates under the drawers of the refrigerator;
  • puddles are on the floor under the refrigerator.

If the mode in the chambers is violated, one of the temperature sensors may have failed. Another reason is often a malfunction of the bypass solenoid valve. The temperature in the refrigerator can be high due to a loose door closing, worn out sealing rubber. Sometimes the contact is broken, the light in the cell is on even when the door is closed.

If you have done everything that the instruction prescribes, it remains to call the wizard. He will establish the reasons. In addition to the listed malfunctions, there may be:

  • Freon leak from the damaged circuit;
  • malfunction of the compressor or engine start relay;
  • blockage of the compressor tube.

The signs of problems are similar, and only a specialist can find and fix the breakdown.

Malfunctions of the LG GA-B409 UEQA refrigerator

Two-compartment refrigerator, beige with a quiet inverter compressor and Nou Frost full defrosting system. The freezer compartment is located at the bottom. Electronic control, push-button display. No temperature display. The backlight is produced by an incandescent lamp.

Malfunctions of the LG refrigerator of this model and their elimination are not original. But using an inverter compressor removes problems with the refrigerant circuit. Isobutane used, capillary clogging unlikely. Radiator leaks are rare. Therefore, the circuit is reliable.

The Nou Frost system, the serviceability of temperature sensors and relays, and the removal of condensate can become problematic. A specialist can determine the exact reason why it is warm in the positive chamber and ice freezes in the freezer. It is the user's task to comply with the operating conditions.

Video

We offer you to see an overview of the LG refrigerator model.

LG refrigerator malfunction

Housewives know that in order for the refrigerator to serve for a long time, it must be defrosted from time to time. Cameras with the Know Frost system are now popular. They do not require periodic defrosting, but they should be looked after. It may be necessary to turn off the Atlant, Oka 6M or Samsung refrigerator if the owners go on vacation for more than 2 weeks. Thrifty women turn off the unit for the winter, when there is an opportunity, by shifting food to a loggia or balcony, to save on electricity consumption.

Why does it make sense to turn off the refrigerator while on vacation?

Can I turn off the refrigerator and freezer while on vacation? Turning off equipment during the absence of the owners is not only an act of saving electricity.

The zealous housewife turns off the refrigeration equipment in order to:

  • avoid unpleasant odors from rotting products, the shelf life of which expires during the absence of residents in the house;
  • eliminate the likelihood of device breakdown without supervision;
  • reduce to zero the possibility of leakage of the chamber and quarrels with neighbors from below;
  • avoid the likelihood of sparking and the threat of fire in the apartment;
  • remove sound and light from a working device;
  • reduce the load on the appliance when it is turned off, which will extend the life of the refrigerator.

Hence, it is clear that any refrigerator should be turned off at the time of the departure of the residents.

How do I turn off the camera?

The process of preparing the refrigerator and freezer for temporary conservation includes:

  1. The unit must be turned off. In this state, it will defrost, stop making a sound. There will be no light in it. In addition, during the shutdown process, a woman will use a damp cloth, some products may leak, which means that you need to minimize the risk of electric shock.
  2. All food should be removed. No exception is made for anything. Any food can spoil and contaminate the camera with an unpleasant odor. By the way, the inspection of food in the refrigerator for detection of stale food should be carried out once a week, throwing out the spoiled food.
  3. Then you need to pour warm water into a bowl or saucepan, take a clean rag, moisten it in water. All removable parts of the equipment must be removed and wiped with a damp cloth. You can, if there is no contamination, simply wipe the grates and containers with a dry towel.
  4. A tray is placed in the lower part of the refrigerator so that water flows into it when the ice thaws. A rag is placed close to the unit to avoid leaks to neighbors.
  5. An empty Atlant, Oka 6M or Samsung refrigerator should be left with the door open so that an unpleasant odor does not form inside. The door should be fixed with a chair so that it does not close.
  6. Occasionally, after defrosting, wipe the inside of the refrigerator and freezer with a damp cloth and soapy water, and then wipe it dry with a towel.

The same steps are carried out when periodically defrosting the refrigerator. If the chamber is equipped with the Know Frost system, it is not necessary to defrost it. In this case, wipe the inside of the appliance with a damp cloth once a week and throw out the spoiled food. In other refrigerators, defrosting is carried out once a month in old units, and once a year in Atlant, Samsung, Indesit and other new models.

Can the defrosting process be accelerated? This is a bad habit. If you are in a hurry, you can speed up the procedure by placing a fan in front of the refrigerator. It also makes sense to put a saucer of salt in the freezer. It is undesirable to use containers with hot water - this deteriorates the refrigerator.

Defrost types

For refrigerators Oka 6M, Samsung, Atlant and others, the type of defrosting is indicated in the operating instructions. It can be automatic, mixed or manual. The way to shutdown the unit with manual defrost is described above. With the automatic method, the hostess only needs to disconnect the camera from the electricity. The sound of the motor and the lights in the chambers will disappear. Defrosting will take place quickly and efficiently. If the hostess goes on vacation, it is necessary to turn off the Atlant refrigerator or another of the same type, as with manual defrosting.

The mixed type of defrosting is set by the manufacturer in two-compartment refrigerators. In them, one of the chambers is defrosting automatically, and the other is defrosting manually. You should study the instructions to determine which chamber is defrosting. First of all, you should defrost the refrigerator compartment, and secondly, you must turn off the freezer in the refrigerator.

How to keep food fresh when the refrigerator is off?

The hostess turned off the Samsung refrigerator, took out the products from the refrigerator, and what to do with them?

There are several ways to help maintain the high quality of your food:

  1. Owners of 2 refrigerators have no problems. They should be defrosted in turn, and the food from one chamber should be transferred to another.
  2. When leaving home for a long time, you should ask your neighbors to keep the food in their refrigerator. If a family leaves for the country, all the products should be taken with them, putting them in a thermos bag with refrigeration elements.
  3. In a city apartment, it is worth putting hermetically sealed food bags in a basin or a bucket of cold water and ice floating in it. Then the container is covered with a lid and wrapped in a warm blanket. This design is placed in a cool place where the sun's rays do not penetrate.
  4. When defrosting the country refrigerator, the products are removed to the cellar also in a bucket closed with a lid.
  5. If there is any food left that you will eat before departure, pour cold water into the tub and put the pots of food in there. The water level should be below the edge of the pot.
  6. For storage for some time, thermos bags with refrigeration elements, which are frozen in the freezer in advance, are suitable. Food should be placed in the bag on top of the refrigeration elements, the bag should be closed with a zipper.
  7. During winter holidays, food can be placed on the balcony in airtight bags so that the birds do not eat them.

Refrigerator with food

If the hostess uses the equipment, following the instructions for use, the refrigerator will last a long time and will preserve culinary products with high quality.

If the refrigerator does not turn off (it works constantly), this may indicate both a simple error in operation and a serious breakdown. In this article, we will consider all the possible reasons for this behavior of the technique and tell you in which cases you can correct the situation yourself, and when you need to call the master.

Main reasons

If you notice that the refrigerator is constantly working and does not turn off for a long time, you should pay attention to three main reasons why this can happen:

  1. Incorrect installation. There should always be a gap of 10-15 cm behind the back of the device for good ventilation. Otherwise, the compressor will start to heat up and will not shut down normally. Similar conditions can occur if the refrigerator is installed in a room with a high temperature, near heating radiators, near a window from which the sun is shining on its back wall, near heating appliances, etc.
  2. If the old refrigerator does not turn off and constantly freezes, then, most likely, the thermostat has failed due to wear. This breakdown is quite natural and can be easily eliminated by replacing this element.
  3. The refrigerator can maintain a low temperature for a long time if the thermostat is set to maximum. In some models, the super freeze function "behaves" in a similar way - it allows you to turn the device into continuous cooling mode.

In normal operation, the compressor should be turned off approximately every 10-20 minutes. If you notice that its operating mode is very different from this standard, check the reasons described above. In most cases, this is sufficient for troubleshooting.

If it freezes too much

So, you noticed that the compressor on / off duty cycle clearly does not correspond to the standard 10-20 minutes, and maybe the refrigerator does not turn off at all for a whole day. In addition, it is very freezing. There are two explanations for why this might be happening:

  1. You have turned on the freezing mode or set the temperature as low as possible. The uninterruptible cooling function is just beginning to actively spread in modern models and it can be turned off. But the refrigerators of the earlier release do not provide for direct switching to this mode, but behave the same if they are set to the lowest temperature.
  2. The compressor does not shut down due to a breakdown. Most often this indicates a malfunction of the trip relay. When its contacts stick to each other, the refrigerator cools the air in the chambers, but the freezing does not turn off, because it is physically impossible to open the compressor circuit.
  3. The thermal sensor does not work. Everything is simple here - if the device giving a signal to open the compressor circuit is out of order, then the compressor, accordingly, does not turn off and constantly freezes. In modern models of refrigerators, this is often "sinned" by electronic boards, which have lost control.

When slightly frozen

If everything is clear with uninterrupted cooling, then why does the refrigerator work without interruption, and the temperature in the chambers is not too low? This behavior of the technique says that the compressor does not turn off, because it cannot cool the chambers to the desired level in any way. This can happen for the following reasons:

  • Warm air from outside gets inside the refrigerator if the door is not closed tightly. The root of this problem lies in the deterioration of the rubber seal located around the perimeter, which serves as a seal.
  • Leaking refrigerant known as freon. This substance is of great importance because, in fact, it "takes" heat from objects inside the refrigerator and "gives up" it to the outside. Thus, in order to maintain a low temperature, the compressor must regularly pump freon into the system. But with a lack of refrigerant, the efficiency of the compressor decreases, and it constantly tries to reduce the temperature to a level that is impossible under these conditions.
  • One of the reasons why the refrigerator cannot reach the desired temperature may be being in a warm room. Sometimes problems arise even at temperatures as low as 30˚C, despite the fact that manufacturers try to protect equipment from the influence of such conditions.

Do not think that only heat can interfere with the normal functioning of the refrigerator. Oddly enough, but the seemingly native environment also harms this device. Take a look at the technical documentation, and you will see that most models work (at least designed to work) at temperatures not lower than + 5˚C. Therefore, they cannot be placed on non-glazed balconies or left in unheated summer cottages during the winter season.

What measures to take in case of problems?

So, you found that the refrigerator works differently than it should: it does not turn off after cooling, or it simply cannot lower the temperature to the desired level. What to do about it? Never ignore the malfunction. Permanent freezing may not seem like a big deal to some, but it is reckless. Any device that works in a freelance mode will wear out quickly. And the compressor of many models of refrigerators, such as Atlant or Indesit, is no less than a quarter of its cost.

Can I do DIY repairs? Of course, it's up to you to decide, but you should objectively assess your skills and knowledge: what are the guarantees that you can actually repair or replace a broken part, and how long it will work after that. Here is a list of problems that you can fix yourself:

  1. Replacing the door seal. The main thing here is to find a spare part specifically for your model or the corresponding model family. Information can be found in technical documentation, in service centers or on the Internet. Before starting work, it is advisable to watch the video instructions for installing a new seal in order to avoid mistakes.
  2. If you have experience in electrical installation and electronics repair, you can independently change a faulty temperature sensor or thermostat. Do not forget to pre-ring the circuit with a multimeter and find information about the characteristics of the replaced elements.
  3. Self-replacement of the compressor is also possible only if you have an understanding of its operation, understand the technical characteristics and have sufficient experience.
  4. With your own hands, you can eliminate the lack of refrigerant. However, this process has many nuances that need to be carefully studied.

Remember also that self-activity is impermissible when the guarantee for the apparatus is still in force.

Contacting a specialized workshop or service center is the safest option. Experts will carry out diagnostics, find out exactly why the refrigerator is not working properly, and carry out professional repairs. Pay attention to the warranty again - it allows you to save a lot on service maintenance. Especially if you have an expensive model.

For a prompt and most effective repair, it is more advisable to contact a branded service center. Well-known manufacturers (Bosch, Atlant, Indesit, etc.) open them in almost every major city.

"Weaknesses" of famous domestic models

Manufacturers of household appliances constantly assure in advertising that it is their refrigerators that are the most reliable and resistant to malfunctions. However, practice shows that each brand has its own characteristic vulnerabilities:

  1. Atlant. A common reason for an incorrect freezing mode is a breakdown of the thermostat. Moreover, the malfunction is often easily corrected by returning the tube to its place. Older models do not tolerate the summer heat well, therefore, they require moving to the coolest corner.
  2. Turquoise. Refrigerators of this brand function optimally at temperatures from + 16˚C to + 32˚C. There are frequent problems with the relay, thermostat, as well as violations of the compressor operating mode.
  3. Nord. For these models, the starting relay and thermostat often fail, which is solved by replacing these devices. It is all the more profitable that they have a 5-year warranty period.