The refrigerator does not turn off: why it works all the time, without stopping, what to do, Indesit No Frost, freezes, after defrosting, reason, constantly, how to fix it, freezer, turns off, takes a long time,

What are the dangers of running a refrigerator continuously?

The problem of continuous operation has a number of consequences for the refrigerator. If the malfunction is not corrected, the engine overheats and fails faster. With such a malfunction, depending on the brand/model, the refrigeration equipment may last about six months.

To avoid the problem, it is important to immediately repair the breakdown and return to the optimal operating mode with the compressor stopping and starting cycle.

The cause of the malfunction is in the relay

The compressor power start-up relay, which controls the thermostat, may have broken down. A similar malfunction often occurs during power surges: the relay contacts “stick” (weld to each other) and therefore constantly supply current to the compressor. To check the power contacts of the refrigerator relay, you should use an ohmmeter, and if a malfunction is detected, replace it.

Read also: What color is the positive wire?

You should not try to remove the old relay from the refrigerator and install a new one yourself, even if you know exactly where this piece of equipment is located and what is required for its dismantling and installation. Even the slightest mistakes can lead to complete failure of the unit without the possibility of restoring its functionality in the future.

Design features of refrigerators

The cause of the malfunction depends on the design features of the refrigeration equipment, namely the cooling system.

In modern devices, there are three options - dynamic type, “crying wall” or No Frost.

All modern refrigerators from Samsung, LG, Beko, Atlant, Ariston, Indesit, Biryusa, Stinol and others can use different cooling systems. Taking this into account, it is necessary to determine why the device constantly works without turning off, and at the same time does not freeze.

What to do if the refrigerator does not turn off

In addition to all these breakdowns, there is also the human factor: untimely defrosting, unnatural defrosting, mechanical damage. Improper handling of equipment can lead to serious damage. Do not forget about the basic rules for operating a refrigerator. Do not allow ice to freeze or speed up defrosting. The defrosting frequency is indicated in the instructions. And there is only one way to do it: turn off the power, open the doors and wait until the ice thaws on its own.

Any malfunction must be corrected.

Failure to repair may result in serious damage. If the motor works without interruption, then sooner or later it will fail. Minor minor repairs can result in the replacement of an expensive part, because, for example, a compressor for a Samsung or Atlant refrigerator can cost half the cost of the entire unit.

The principle of operation of the cooling system

Freezers and refrigerators operate on a principle that is the same for all brands and models.

The cooling system is a system of tubes consisting of two parts:

Evaporator - located in the freezer compartment under the casing or shelves (in the refrigerator / freezer compartment, respectively).
Condenser - mounted on the back of the equipment and is a system of many tubes.

Both elements are made in a serpentine shape, which increases the recoil surface and, accordingly, efficiency.

The cooling cycle consists of two stages - condensation and evaporation. Freon first appears as a gas, after which it turns into a liquid under pressure. At the next stage, the refrigerant is directed to the evaporator through a capillary and cooled, and then passes through the tubes and takes heat from the refrigerator chambers, cooling the food.

To understand the causes of the malfunction, it is necessary to know the operating principle of different cooling systems.

Let's take a quick look at the available options:

Compression. The device is based on a compressor (one or two). Its function is to circulate the refrigerant to convert it into a gaseous state. For this purpose, two capacitors are provided - external and internal.
Absorption. Unlike the previous version, there is no compressor here, and the movement of the refrigerant is ensured by a heat exchanger. The disadvantage of the system is that it consumes more electricity.
Thermoelectric. Here the main function is performed by the plates, which heat up when voltage is applied. This option does not work for household devices. The amount of energy expended directly depends on the size of the chamber.
Vortex. Rarely used due to low efficiency and increased noise. Cooling occurs due to the expansion of air previously compressed by the compressor.
Crying evaporator. The design provides for the evaporator to be located behind the rear wall of the refrigerator. After the compressor starts, the system and the equipment wall are cooled. Moisture accumulates on the inside, which turns into frost. When the desired temperature parameter is reached, the compressor cools, the wall heats up, the frost melts and flows down, where it exits through a special hole and hose into a special container (usually located at the back of the refrigerator).
No Frost. We will discuss this system in more detail later.

Evaporator

Design of modern refrigerators

To solve the question of why the refrigerator works without stopping, it is important to know the design of the device.

POPULAR WITH READERS: Replacing electrics in an apartment, ways to organize wiring

Let's look at the usual most common layout.

It assumes the presence of:

A motor (compressor) that creates the required refrigerant pressure. Located between the condenser and evaporator.
Capacitor. Freon cools due to the temperature of the cooling air.
Capillary tube. It passes refrigerant through itself and ensures its cooling. Some models have a temperature-controlled expansion valve instead.
Evaporator. Here the working composition is cooled, followed by heat removal from the chambers.
Start relay.
Filter drier. It looks like a thickening between the capillary and the capacitor. Its functions include cleaning the refrigerant from water and protecting the system from contamination.
Boiler. It is a container made of copper or aluminum installed between the motor and the evaporator. Not installed on all models.
Thermostat. The task of the device is to maintain the temperature at the set level. After cooling to the desired level, the thermostat breaks the chain and thereby removes voltage from the engine.
Safety starting relay. Supplies voltage to the motor when the equipment is turned on and the thermostat is activated. In case of overheating, the compressor should turn off.
Electronic control unit. They are included with most modern refrigerators.

The difference between No Frost and other systems

The main disadvantage of simple refrigerators is the appearance of a thick layer of frost on the inner wall, which reduces the heat exchange between the cooling zone and the refrigerant moving through the system. As a result, the temperature does not decrease and the compressor is constantly running.

The result is food spoilage and rapid wear of the compressor.

Unlike classic models, the No Frost system has a number of advantages. There is no risk of frost forming on the back wall.

This is due to the special design of the product, which includes:

electric heating element;
timer;
fan;
evaporator;
water drainage device.

In the No Frost system, there is a coil in the freezer under the shelf, which looks like a small radiator. It can be installed in any part of the camera. To effectively absorb heat, a fan is installed at the rear of the evaporator.

Its functions include ensuring the movement of air masses through the device and subsequently reaching the products.

Moisture collects on the evaporator, where frost appears. Thanks to the time delay, the accumulated “plaque” is heated and removed using a special system into the tray (located at the bottom of the refrigerator).

When choosing a refrigerator, you need to look at where exactly the No Frost system is provided. Sometimes it only works in the freezer.

The working time coefficient in this system should be up to 0.7. This means that a third of the time, and from an hour this is 20 minutes, the motor must be turned off. The longer the pause time, the better. Reducing this period can lead to a decrease in the service life of components, especially for the compressor.

Two-chamber Atlant

Are you the owner of an Atlant two-chamber refrigerator? Great. Have you noticed any problems with his work before? Fabulous. But today your single-compressor or double-compressor refrigerator began to work incorrectly? Doesn't turn off, ice freezes inside? Let's figure out what the reason is. But first, let's look at the correct mode of operation.

Read also: Clamp gripper for sandwich panels

Correct operating mode The refrigerator motor should run intermittently. This is necessary to provide it with time to cool down. The duration of the working period and the time in the off state varies depending on the selected temperature of the internal chambers of the refrigerator. For an Atlant refrigerator, the norm may be long-term engine operation with intensive cooling and freezing. Try changing the mode. If after this the refrigerator continues to work continuously and does not turn off, it is worth considering other reasons.

Reasons why the refrigerator constantly works and does not turn off

Determining the reason why the refrigerator does not turn off is only the first stage. The main difficulty is fixing the problem, so in most cases you will need the help of a specialist.

Let us highlight the main reasons that lead to such a malfunction.

Refrigerant leak

The most common reason, that’s why it’s first on the list.

If the equipment is used for a long time, the system may become damaged, causing freon to leak out of it.

The main sign is that the freezer works perfectly, and the main compartment is so warm that you can plant seedlings. This happens because in the low-pressure circuit a pressure is formed that is lower than necessary, and this gives a different boiling point for freon. For example, with the required minus 25, it will be minus 35C. But since freon leaks somewhere locally at the very beginning of the evaporator, it is small and not enough to cool the main chamber.

The problem can also be judged by the appearance of oil stains and red marks on the surface. In addition, refrigerant escapes from the bends in the connecting pipes. To solve the problem, you will have to refuel the system, but for this you should involve a specialist.

Freon leaks are often caused by a rotten pipe. This happens after a certain time and there is an assumption that this process has already been laid down by manufacturers so that people buy refrigerators more often.

The fact is that such repairs are not cheap and the price can be close to the price of the same used refrigerator.

Thermal relay failure due to a leak in the bellows tube

The relay contacts are always in the closed position, which is why voltage is supplied to the compressor without interruption. It is active until the thermal protection is triggered. Due to this mode, the temperature in the refrigerator is reduced to a minimum, which leads to the accumulation of frost.

To eliminate the malfunction, you will need the help of a technician who diagnoses the relay and makes a decision on replacement.

Damage to the integrity of the door seal

With such a malfunction, heat from the room enters the refrigerator compartment. The sensor gives a command to the compressor, which tries to raise the temperature to the desired level, but to no avail.

POPULAR WITH READERS: Motion sensor for turning on the light - device, principle of operation, connection diagrams

To fix the damage, you can buy a new seal. For fastening, special grooves or polymer glue are used. The fixation method is selected taking into account the model of the refrigerator. But for some models it will be difficult to select a seal and such work will not be cheap.

Installation errors

Installation that is not level may result in poor sealing of the chamber. To check the correct installation, use a building level or a glass of water. Remember that the refrigerator must stand strictly vertically.

Incorrect first start

When starting up the refrigerator for the first time, do not set the maximum cooling parameters and do not load it completely (to capacity) with food. Allow it to return to normal operation at least 24 hours in advance.

Then you can use the device to the maximum.

Incorrect temperature

Often the reason for the constant operation of the compressor is errors in the thermostat settings.

Inside the main chamber, the temperature is kept between 0 and 5 degrees Celsius, which reduces the activity of germs and bacteria. In the area of the door shelf the temperature is about 10 degrees Celsius.

As for the shelves, the temperature regime here is slightly different:

the lowest shelf - +7 C;
place above the container - +2 C;
middle shelf - +4 C;
upper part - +7 C.

Super freezing or accelerated cooling option included

When this mode is selected, the engine turns off after 8 hours, and when operated manually, the mode turns off only on its own.

Causes of malfunction when the refrigerator operates without pauses

Factors, what is the reason why the refrigerator operates in violation of the normal on/off cycle. or permanently:

violation of the operation of a working refrigerator: incorrect placement, setting, adjustment, setting the temperature;
The refrigerator does not freeze and cools slightly due to depressurization, cracks in the seal, distorted hinges, and loose door seals. The sensor detects a constant insufficiency of temperature for a given thermal regime and forces operation, there are no shutdown commands;

technical issues:

electrical problems: sensors, relays, motor;

defrost failure in NoFrost (fan, heating element);

freon leak.

Incorrect placement, configuration, operation

Uninterrupted or too long operation of the compressor may be associated with the following:

It cannot be ruled out that the refrigerator does not turn off for a long time in the heat, it constantly works due to improper placement: lack of an air gap from the wall, increased room temperature, proximity of radiators, heating devices. The result is a hot compressor that needs to work longer to cool the chambers. Heat can cause poor engine performance, especially a worn one, and its burnout due to loads;
The user simultaneously set the cooling and freezing to maximum with the thermostat. To ensure the most intensive mode in all chambers, the motor must run for several hours without stopping or for a day. Example: “super freeze” and maximum cooling in the refrigerator compartment are activated. The solution to what to do if the refrigerator is constantly running without interruption is simple: check the settings; these modes often do not turn off automatically; they need to be deactivated manually;
mountains of frozen food create overload and can cause the motor to run for a long time; they interfere with the movement of air flow inside the cabinet;
a TV and heavy objects are placed on the top panel, which changes the geometry of the case.

Household appliances have their own climate class, which is especially important for refrigerators and freezers - for them, the temperature conditions set by the manufacturer directly affect the quality of operation. For example, if you place a refrigerator in a closed, small, unventilated room with a temperature of +30, then it is quite expected that the duration of the motor operation will increase until there are no stops.

In a room with high temperatures, the likelihood of poor performance increases due to a weak compressor and worn seals. Under normal conditions, a small penetration of heat inside may be unnoticeable, but it will significantly affect the functioning of the refrigerator in hot weather, especially if the motor is old and has already lost part of its service life.

Depressurization

Reasons for depressurization and loose door closure:

wear, distortion, jamming, pinching, holes in the rubber seals around the perimeter of the door, including in the inner chamber (in the freezer);
skewed hinges;
incorrect adjustment of the height of the legs, for example, with the body tilted to one side. The consequence is also uneven load: wear and misalignment progress faster.

When depressurization occurs, warm air enters the chambers, cold leaves - the temperature rises, and the temperature sensor detects a constant lack of temperature. A closed cycle is created: the compressor constantly tries to lower the temperature, for which it functions uninterruptedly, the refrigerator does not turn off. The following is observed: the device is, in principle, working, but with short breaks, the refrigerator compartment does not function correctly (works, but does not cool), and the freezer does not freeze well.

Breakdowns of components and parts of the system

Options for breakdowns of functional parts of the refrigerator:

breakdown of the thermostat, start relay, sensor. The user sets the temperature first. The latter records its achievement and gives a signal to the relay to open the power circuit and turn off the motor. A malfunction of one of the listed components is a common reason for the continuous operation of the refrigerator;
Freon leak. Due to a violation of the tightness of the tubes, the container with the refrigerant, and the connections between them, the substance leaks out. The ability to cool decreases due to a lack of freon, as well as due to a decrease in pressure, which is insufficient for full circulation. The sensor detects the need for compensation and commands the engine to operate without pauses;
the consequences of plugs in the capillary tube are similar to those described above.

Over time, the relay contacts may stick or become welded, and there is a risk that the engine will continue to operate until it burns out. There are similar consequences if the temperature sensor breaks down when it does not respond to temperature.

Voltage fluctuations can cause microcircuits to malfunction. What to do to solve the problem: reboot, turn off the device, remove the plug from the socket and turn it on again.

Tips for proper use of the refrigerator

In conclusion, we present a number of recommendations to extend the life of refrigeration equipment.

Basic points:

Do not activate the Super Freeze / Super Cool option for a long time. In this case, voltage is always supplied to the compressor and it runs without stopping. As a result, the motor fails faster.
Do not place the device near heat sources or in places where it is exposed to direct sunlight. Periodically clean the condenser from dust, because such debris interferes with normal heat exchange.
Avoid setting the thermostat to maximum values. The best solution is to set the parameter somewhere in the middle. When setting the upper value, the temperature increases insignificantly, but the motor wears out and quickly fails.
Defrost your refrigerator promptly. Do not wait until a thick layer of frost accumulates on the walls.
If you have a No Frost device, do not place food close to the rear chamber and check the condition of the condensation drain hole. If the tube becomes dirty, it may smell.
When defrosting, do not use sharp objects to chip away at the ice crust. In this way, it is easy to damage the integrity of the tubes, and this will lead to a refrigerant leak. To repair such a malfunction, you will have to invite a specialist and pay him a considerable amount. To speed up the process, it is better to place containers with warm water inside.
Do not use films or blankets in the refrigerator. During use, they can block the capacitor, causing the device to overheat.
After defrosting, wipe all surfaces until dry, and then dry at room temperature. Then close the doors, turn on the empty equipment and let the refrigerator run one cycle before loading food.
Do not place heavy objects on top of the refrigerator, as this shelf is not designed to hold a lot of weight. This may result in damage and the need for repairs. If you have to put something on the “roof”, try to distribute the weight evenly.
Check the quality of the door fit - this is one of the reasons why the refrigerator constantly works and does not turn off.

And remember that if a malfunction is identified, it is better not to delay repairs and immediately call a specialist. In this case, more serious damage can be avoided.

The refrigerator is humming and does not turn off for a long time

If your new refrigerator rarely turns off or does not turn off at all, there is no need to be alarmed. Most often, it takes time for the equipment to adapt to the new location. You brought the equipment from the store, installed it - now it needs to bring the cold into the chambers, the temperature in the compartment must correspond to the specified parameters. Therefore, it is better to wait a few hours.

If you have had the equipment for a long time, but it gets very cold and does not turn off, you need to be wary. What caused it:

The door does not fit tightly to the chamber. As a result, cracks are formed through which warm air penetrates. To maintain a low temperature, the motor has to work with double effort. You can fix the problem by pressing the door tighter.
High temperature outside . When the room is very hot, the refrigerator has to constantly work, pumping out cold. Move the housing away from the wall and heating appliances, ensuring normal ventilation.

More serious problems also occur. In the “Nord”, “Samsung”, “Stinol” models the following could break:

Temperature sensor . Now the main module does not receive information about the temperature in the chamber. Therefore the compressor does not receive a command to switch off. The problem can be resolved by replacing the sensor.

Electronic module . The opposite problem. The board cannot receive or issue commands. Units and parts remain without control. The main module is reflashed or replaced.
There is a blockage in the evaporator tube . Due to depressurization of the system, a blood clot forms in the tube. It is better to call a specialist to find and fix the problem.
Coolant gas leak . The refrigerant in the system becomes insufficient for normal cooling. Therefore, diagnostics are carried out to detect the location of the leak, as well as refilling freon.

Compressor. When it wears out, the equipment may not turn off and freeze. The motor does not have enough power to create pressure in the discharge tube. Therefore, the equipment works, hums, but does not freeze.

The refrigerator does not turn off after defrosting

Having disconnected the equipment from the network, you started defrosting. But when I turned it on, something went wrong. The refrigerator may not turn off, but still not cool. In this case, give the equipment time to set the temperature, especially if the shelves are loaded with warm products. If work has not resumed after a day, you will have to look into possible breakdowns.

In modern models from LG, Sharp, Ariston, a sound signal may sound and a red light may flash. To deactivate the sound, press the button on the control panel. Didn't find the button? Take a look at the manual.

What could have caused the problem:

Outflow of freon gas , which serves as a refrigerant. Users who use a knife or other sharp objects to chip away ice may encounter this problem, causing damage to the camera. Freon is being pumped in or the filter drier is being replaced. Usually after refueling the system restores operation.
Compressor malfunction . At the same time, the motor runs and hums, but there is no cooling. The compressor needs to be replaced. After such repairs, the operation of the refrigerator should be restored.

During defrosting or heavy use, the thermostat knob may have turned, causing the temperature to continually rise. Therefore, after switching on, the engine runs without stopping. Correct the problem by adjusting the thermostat position.

The No Frost refrigerator does not turn off: why

A common problem with Indesit, Atlant, and Samsung refrigerators with the No Frost system is the thermostat. If its values are set at the maximum level, you need to reduce the degree to 2.5. If the regulator is broken, then the part is replaced.

See if the Super Freeze mode is turned on. In models with mechanical control, the installation can only be turned off manually.

The problem could also be caused by depressurization, warm air entering the chamber, or refrigerant leakage. For an accurate diagnosis, it is better to call a specialist.

The Atlant or Indesit refrigerator does not turn off

We described the general problems of refrigerators above - the same thing happens with the Atlant and Indesit two-chamber models. The malfunction could occur after defrosting, when the equipment does not turn off and constantly works. This leads to rapid failure of the motor-compressor.

Things to check:

position and serviceability of the thermostat;
setting the “Super Freeze” mode.

The wizard will also be able to check and fix the following problems:

a blockage in the capillary tube, which leads to poor circulation of refrigerant through the system;
Freon gas leakage from microcracks in the evaporator is a serious repair when it is necessary to eliminate the damaged area and refill the system with refrigerant.