Why does the refrigerator not turn on (does not start, does not work)

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.

Refrigerator won't turn on

Broken refrigerator plug
If the appliance stops turning on, there is no need to rush to call the repair shop. Sometimes the reason lies not at all in the fact that the refrigerator is broken. First of all, check the condition of the outlet, namely, whether there is voltage in it. To do this, just connect any other electrical appliance to it.

When you open the refrigerator door, the light automatically comes on. If it does not light up, and the cold does not spread through the compartments, the cause may be a malfunction with the electronics.

The plug is probably broken or the power cable is broken. A more problematic situation is that the refrigerator shows no signs of life, but the light is on. You can't hear how the engine works. There are several options for the development of events here.

Compressor problems

It happens that the refrigerator does not turn on after being turned off, but the light is on and it makes clicking sounds. The cause of the malfunction is often the compressor. For more or less normal diagnostics, you will have to arm yourself with a device - an ohmmeter.

Without experience in similar work, it is better not to fix the breakdown yourself, but to entrust the work to a qualified technician.

Reasons why the compressor does not turn on:

the winding is broken;
short circuit between turns;
short circuit.

An ohmmeter is needed to identify all three faults. It happens that “ringing” the winding and contacts does not produce results, and at this time a voltage of less than 20 Ohms is recorded on the device. From this alone we can judge that the motor needs to be replaced.

Malfunctions associated with the compressor are the most costly - in addition to the high price of parts, it is necessary to pay for the services of a specialist.

If motor diagnostics do not reveal any problems, then the reason is in the “brains” of the refrigerator - the control module.

Problems in the control unit

If there is a problem with the firmware, you need to replace the control unit

Sometimes the motor and main components work, but the refrigerator does not turn on after defrosting. Often the cause of this is a break in the electrical circuit - the result of oxidation of the contacts.

The solution is to inspect and clean the contacts of the main components. If you're lucky, the refrigerator will turn on. If not, you need to dig deeper - assess the condition of the control module. In it, the connection failure is also caused by oxidation of the contacts.

The second most popular reason is problems with the firmware. They are caused by power surges, improper use of the control panel, and so on. The solution is to completely replace the faulty module.

Thermal sensor

Refrigerator temperature sensor

This component, located inside the refrigeration equipment, is also called a thermostat. As a rule, it is located near the light bulb. The functional task of the sensor is to maintain the required temperature in the freezer or main compartments.

If the refrigerator is multi-chamber, then there may be more than one temperature sensors. It works like this: when a certain temperature is reached, it closes and opens the electrical circuit, which serves as a command to start or stop the motor.

To check whether the sensor is working, you will need to short-circuit the input and output terminals. Such manipulations are an imitation of its operation, for example, when the temperature rises. If the compressor starts during the test, the sensor must be replaced.

Thermal sensor

Refrigerant charging

When there is a problem with the refrigerant, the unit usually runs on a long cycle, sometimes without stopping. At the same time, ice is visible in the freezer on the pipe through which the refrigerant moves.

There is no ice on the opposite side. The malfunction here lies in a coolant leak. The reason is a microcrack that has formed.

To solve the problem, it is necessary to diagnose the circuit to identify a crack, remove all refrigerant from the system, solder it and refill it.

Other reasons

Defrost button

In addition to the main ones, there are other reasons why the refrigerator stopped working:

The defrost button is stuck. If the button is pressed, the compressor will not start. It can simply wear out and get stuck in the wrong position. The solution is replacement. You can make sure that the device has failed by directly shorting the wires, bypassing the button;
malfunctions with the starting and protective relay. To check you will need a multimeter. The element that raises questions is disconnected from the electrical circuit and its resistance is checked. If the indicators are far from normal, this indicates a breakdown. To diagnose, you need to understand at least a little electrical knowledge. Work related to the electronic filling of equipment is carried out with the power turned off. Start relay failure is a common problem in Biryusa brand refrigerators;
The refrigerator is not installed correctly. When purchasing new equipment, it needs to be allocated enough free space while maintaining ventilation gaps. An incorrectly installed refrigeration unit will operate, but in an unusual mode, which will cause extra load. For example, the rooms may become warmer than they should be only because the refrigerator is placed too tightly against the wall, which impairs the airflow of the back wall by the coil. The same effect occurs if heating devices are operating near the unit. A door that is not closed tightly can also cause improper operation. In modern models of refrigerators with electronics, if the door is not closed tightly, the motor will not start, displaying a corresponding error on the display;
network problems. In this case, we can say that the owner of the refrigerator was lucky. For equipment to operate in normal mode, a network voltage of 200 to 240 V is required. If the indicator goes beyond the limits, household appliances may shut down unexpectedly. Especially if a modern model is installed at home, which is sensitive to even minor deviations.

If moisture begins to accumulate in the refrigerator, first of all inspect the drainage system at the joints of the pipes. Perhaps one of them has moved a little and will have to be put back in place. The drain pipe may also become clogged. A regular fishing line is suitable for cleaning it.

It is more difficult if the capillary tube from which freon enters the refrigeration circuit is clogged. To avoid damaging the pipeline, it is better to invite a professional to clean it.

The situations described are not the entire list of possible causes of equipment failure. If you have doubts about what the problem is, it is better not to undertake repair work yourself. Only a specialist can correctly determine the cause of a breakdown.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The refrigerator does not freeze, but the light is on

If you have a new refrigerator with an electronic control system, it may not turn on if the door seal is broken. Why heat the constantly incoming air? If the light is on, the compressor does not start, it clicks - a technician is needed, the compressor is faulty. But if the device is controlled electromechanically, the thermostat is faulty. The electronic system may have failed the air sensor in the chamber.

A burning light and a non-working motor may indicate a malfunction in the electronic board. Sometimes, in similar cases, the lights in the cells do not turn on; the light bulb has burned out. So first you need to make sure it is working properly.

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.

When the noise is within normal limits

The noise level of a refrigerator compartment is measured in decibels (dB). The normal value ranges from 25 to 50 dB. The low level is 25-34 dB, and the middle level is 35-44. If the refrigerator begins to hum strongly, making constant noise, the level rises to 44 dB or higher.

If the device is constantly loud, the compressor may be out of order, or there is a manufacturing defect in the equipment.

Therefore, if the device begins to start up suspiciously, crackle or make a strong rumble after switching on, it is necessary to measure the current noise level and compare it with the manufacturer’s recommended one.

View » How many degrees in the freezer of the Indesit refrigerator

These indicators can be found in the instructions or on the brand sticker. The values are checked using a sound level meter by a specialist or independently. The whole process comes down to pre-setting the measuring device to the range of 50-100 dB, after which the device is placed near the refrigerator and started up.

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.

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:

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

View » Operating instructions for the Atlant two-chamber refrigerator: how to set the temperature, what it should be, settings

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.

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.

Frequent malfunctions

Serious refrigerator breakdowns are rare.
More often the problem arises with the lack of cold or frost. So, a common situation: we defrosted the refrigerator, cleaned it, washed it, after which it stopped freezing. Let's look at why this might happen. The refrigerator is very cold

To understand why the refrigerator does not work after defrosting, you need to carefully examine its condition. The cause of a breakdown is often the failure of a part or a malfunction of the entire cooling system.

The most common breakdowns:

failure of the freezer compressor;
malfunctions in the air sensor;
thermostat failure;
damage to the switch valve;
freon leak;
defects in the coolant circuit;
There is a problem with the control module.