The top compartment of the refrigerator does not work

First aid for the refrigerator

When a puddle forms under the refrigerator and the food in the freezer begins to thaw, this is an indication that the freezer is not freezing enough for some reason. Such a malfunction must be eliminated without delay, but this requires identifying the cause of the “critical” state of the refrigerator. In several options, it is possible to correct the situation on your own. Before calling, the technicians take the following “resuscitation” actions:

1. Disconnect the unit from the power supply and leave to defrost for approximately 24 hours. Often, due to an insufficiently tight fit of the sash, ice forms on the walls, even with the No Frost system. At the same time, wet cleaning of the chambers is carried out. After thawing, check that the unit is connected to the network correctly - there should be no extension cords or tees. The upper chamber often stops freezing in model b18fnf refrigerators.
2. Check the mode set on the regulator or display. It is likely that the settings are incorrect or the room is too hot, and the device is not able to cope with such a heavy load.
3. The upper chamber may not function due to uneven floors. You can identify the problem using a glass filled with water (instead of a building level). When the liquid in the dish flows to one side, you need to level the unit by tightening the legs of the refrigerator and re-check whether the freezer is cooling.

If the chamber still does not start to freeze, then calling a refrigeration equipment repair specialist is a must.

Advice! When the problem has disappeared, we can say that it was simply a system failure of the electronics, but just in case, I recommend calling a technician for a full diagnosis.

The principle of operation and defrosting systems of refrigerators

Let's start with the fact that No Frost is, literally, “no frost.” And since ice does not form on the working surfaces inside the refrigerator, then there is, therefore, nothing to thaw there. This means that such a device does not need defrosting.

Usually, sellers in household appliance stores say that it is worth buying a refrigerator with a No Frost system, since it does not need to be defrosted. In fact, this is true, but not entirely. The era when the refrigerator was defrosted manually by placing a saucepan of hot water inside the unplugged unit has sunk into oblivion. Modern refrigerators defrost automatically. Manufacturers now offer two types of defrosting:

• drip - crying system;
• windy - this is No Frost.

Drip defrost

In the drip type, a flat evaporator is located on the rear wall of the chamber, cooling the rear wall. During operation of the compressor, frost forms on this wall. During breaks between freezing cycles, the ice melts and water flows through the grooves outside the chamber into a container located next to the warm compressor. It dries out under the influence of temperature. The drip type of thawing is simple and does not require the installation of complex equipment. In most refrigerators, defrosting occurs precisely according to this principle.

Windy defrosting of the No Frost refrigerator

Wind defrosting, also known as No Frost, is based on air circulation inside the chambers, similar to an air conditioner. The built-in fan ensures uniform mixing of cold air. The evaporator in such a refrigerator is located outside the chamber and is built into the housing behind the rear wall. The air supplied by the fan through the air ducts blows over the evaporator. Moisture settles on a cold surface. When the compressor is temporarily turned off, the frost is thawed and evaporated using a low-power heater. Then the cycle repeats again.

Japanese and Korean manufacturers prefer to equip both chambers with wind defrosting devices: the refrigerator and the freezer. This is due to the fact that the climate in the countries of Southeast Asia is maritime. The No Frost function turns out to be very important in conditions of high air humidity. European brands are found with both full No Frost and partial: only the freezer compartment has this function, the refrigerator compartment is equipped with a drip system.

When calling a specialist is necessary

The functioning of the upper chamber can also be affected by malfunctions, which must be dealt with by a refrigeration equipment repair technician. Such breakdowns include the following:

1. Malfunction of the evaporator sensor or thermostat - the unit does not “realize” the increase in temperature indicators and the engine does not cool the freezer compartment, generating cold exclusively for the refrigerator compartment. When there is only one compressor, the device remains completely without cooling. To solve the problem, replace the failed part.
2. Compressor wear can be determined by the operation of the motor, which starts only for 5-15 seconds and then turns off. Often this situation occurs after several years of intensive operation of the refrigerator. The compressor can also wear out earlier due to constant operation in the “Super Freeze” mode. Replacing the compressor is the only option to solve the problem, although it is expensive.
3. A refrigerant leak, characterized by signs of corrosion inside the freezer. The problem does not arise immediately - first small rusty spots form, and then the temperature in the freezer increases and, as a result, the chamber stops working. The pipeline can be damaged if sharp objects are used to clear frozen ice from the chamber. The solution to the problem is to seal the breakdown and then refill the cooling circuit with freon.
4. Problems with the control module - this board needs to be re-flashed or replaced.
5. Failure of the starting relay - it is responsible for turning on the engine and protects the compressor from overheating, so it is not advisable to delay replacing this part.
6. Clogged capillary tube or broken drying filter - depending on the specific modification of the Indesit refrigerator. It is observed in cases where the oil circulating through the pipeline, together with freon, has changed consistency and clogged the system. Only a specialist can determine for sure that the problem is a clogged capillary system after a full diagnosis.

In the vast majority of cases, the technician is able to eliminate the malfunction on the spot, without transporting large equipment to a service center.

Indesit with No Frost - why the camera doesn’t freeze

Indesit two-chamber refrigerators with the No Frost system on both chambers are equipped with a control damper and an air duct. The fan is in one copy, and the air masses from the lower compartment go to the upper one under pressure. The evaporator is also in one copy and a complex air flow distribution system is used. When the refrigerator stops freezing or does not cool well enough, with the No Frost system, the reason may lie in the following factors:

1. The timer or fuse of the defrosting system has failed - defrosting will not start, and an ice “coat” will form on the evaporator, which leads to a further increase in temperature readings. A blown fuse prevents the heating element from starting to defrost the evaporator. This problem is typical for Indesit units of the bia 16 nf model.
2. The freon circulation system has failed due to a lack of refrigerant due to a clogged capillary tube or compressor malfunction. This problem often occurs in Indesit refrigerated cabinets model bia 20nf.
3. The thermostat breaks down when the compressor does not start and because of this the defrosting mode does not turn on.

The result is insufficient or absent cooling in the upper chamber of the Indesit unit. Due to the presence of the No Frost system, Indesit refrigeration equipment may not start or turn on, but only for 5-15 minutes if the timer malfunctions. Failure of the thermostat and wear of the motor-compressor have similar manifestations. Before sending the equipment to the service center, the refrigerator is defrosted for 24 hours, and then contacted to a repair shop.

Reference! When a refrigerator with an electronic control type does not freeze completely, the most likely reason is a malfunction of the control board. This module is checked using specialized equipment. Sometimes this part fails due to regular power surges in the network, so it is important to connect Indesit refrigerators through a stabilizer.

indesit no frost.

Indesit without No Frost - the upper chamber does not cool

In the overwhelming majority of cases, in two-chamber Indesit units, problems begin with the fact that the temperature in the upper chamber increases. If timely measures are not taken, then over time the entire refrigerator will stop freezing. When the upper chamber of the device does not freeze, and the No Frost system in this unit is not provided by the manufacturer, the reasons may be as follows:

• the temperature indicators on the regulator are set incorrectly;
• The thermostat has failed;
• the sealing rubber on the chamber door is damaged or worn out;
• the capillary tube is clogged;
• There is insufficient volume of freon in the system.

When the temperature is turned up to the maximum, the power of the equipment may not be enough if the temperature and humidity are elevated in a room with poor ventilation. It is better to set the temperature to medium. In this option, a smaller volume of cold will be redirected to the freezer compartment and the temperature in both compartments will be at a normal level.

Failures of the temperature regulator can be identified by the fact that the compressor in the unit operates continuously and the walls of the chamber freeze over. Also, the thermostat has failed when the compressor does not start and the start relay does not operate. It is not difficult to determine whether a thermal relay is malfunctioning; when this part fails, the following occurs:

• the lighting in the cell is correct;
• the compressor does not change operation when the thermostat is switched;
• There is no click when the thermostat turns off.

When the seal is broken, an ice “coat” grows inside the chamber, which changes the heat removal properties. The Indesit unit will not freeze enough, the compressor will begin to function continuously. It is necessary to align the door correctly, place the refrigerator on a level place and promptly replace the sealing rubber in the event of the first signs of wear of this element.

Over time, the welds between the aluminum evaporator tubes and the steel or copper circuit may corrode. Also, there is a possibility of damage to the pipeline during defrosting when using improvised materials. With a freon leak, not only the upper chamber begins to cool poorly, but also the lower one. The gas gradually comes out and the compressor begins to function non-stop. At the first sign of this condition, a technician is called, who determines the location of the leak, seals it and refills the cooling circuit with refrigerant.

Attention! The listed reasons lead to a lack of cooling in the chambers not only of Indesit brand refrigerators, but also of other manufacturers - Gorenje, Liebherr, Ardo, Zanussi, Biryusa, Nord, Beko, Atlant and others.

How to extend the “life” of a refrigerator

There are several rules that allow you to increase the service life of the refrigerator:

1. Compliance with temperature conditions - place the unit away from heating devices, heating systems, stoves, ovens and other heat sources. I also recommend placing the unit in a place where contact with direct sunlight is minimal - this will reduce the load on the compressor and also prevent premature wear of the rubber seals.
2. Setting the regulator to average temperatures and preventing the unit from constantly operating in the “Super Freezing” and “Super Cooling” modes.
3. The unit must stand stably on a flat surface without distortion.
4. There should be a distance of at least 5 cm from the cabinet walls to the wall and other objects.
5. I recommend wet cleaning the inside of the chambers every six months; the walls are wiped with a damp cloth without using aggressive detergents. When turned on, the surfaces inside the chambers must be completely dry. Each removable element (shelves, containers, etc.) must be removed from the unit and washed separately.
6. It is forbidden to press food and dishes inside the refrigerator against the back wall - this disrupts the air circulation inside the unit and does not allow the drainage system to work properly.

These rules must be observed not only for Indesit refrigerators, but also for units under the brands Atlant, Nord, Ardo, Beko and others. This will allow you to avoid problems with operation for as long as possible and the chambers will freeze properly for many years.

Results

Each of the malfunctions of Indesit refrigerators requires timely diagnosis and repair by a specialist. When the upper chamber stops freezing, first make sure that this is not a software failure by allowing the refrigerator to thaw for 24 hours and restarting it. If these actions do not help, then call a service center for the repair of refrigeration equipment, since unskilled manual repairs can cause more serious damage.

It is possible to extend the operating life of the unit by maintaining the correct temperature conditions, defrosting the chambers in a timely manner and preventing compressor overloads. By following the rules in the instruction manual, it is possible to avoid unexpected and unnecessary costs for repairing an Indesit refrigerator.

Video: Indesit refrigerator - the refrigerating (main) chamber does not cool well

Video: the freezer compartment of the INDESIT NO Frost refrigerator does not freeze

I recommend to read:

• Breakdowns of Indesit refrigerators - During the operation of refrigeration units, breakdowns are possible due to the failure of individual parts. The most difficult ones manifest themselves in the fact that the devices completely stop...
• The refrigerator does not freeze: how to solve a household problem - A common problem in the refrigerator is the lack of the required temperature. There are many reasons why it stops freezing. Sometimes they can be easily eliminated with your own hands...
• Why the refrigerator freezes very much: the main reasons - A frequent type of “breakdown” of the refrigerator is a decrease in the temperature in its chambers to the point where the food becomes frozen. There are various possible reasons for a device malfunction….
• Why the upper chamber in the Samsung No Frost refrigerator does not freeze - The Samsung refrigerator is a fairly successful household appliance in terms of design, which rarely fails in the next few years after its purchase. However, according to…
• The main malfunctions of household refrigerators "Stinol" by model - The Stinol refrigerator is a domestic brand with Italian roots. This equipment is quite reliable, the technical characteristics and other indicators of these units...
• Temperature in the Indesit refrigerator - A refrigerator is a piece of household appliance, the correct operation of which depends on the correct installation of technical settings. From this article you will know: how to independently...
• Why does ice and snow freeze on the back wall of the refrigerator? — One of the most common “faults” is freezing in the refrigerator. If it is an “ancient model”, then the flaw is attributed to age. In modern units...

Any repair of Indesit refrigerators must begin with diagnostics and troubleshooting.

If you notice that the refrigerator does not freeze food or has begun to do so poorly, first of all, carry out a visual diagnosis of the device. Sometimes a malfunction may not be related to a breakdown, but is a consequence of the carelessness of the owners.

• First, make sure that the refrigerator is level, there are no distortions and nothing is preventing the door from closing.
• Check whether the refrigerator is connected to a separate outlet or whether it operates through a tee or extension cord. Sometimes the reason that the refrigerator has stopped freezing normally is that there is no good contact between the plug and the socket.
• Carefully inspect the button labeled “Defrost.” In some refrigerator models, the button may be accidentally pressed when food is placed incorrectly.
• Inspect the thermostat. If the room is very hot and the freezer is working at maximum, it is likely that the refrigerator simply cannot cope with such a load. This is especially true for refrigerators that have one compressor. In such units, the refrigeration chamber operates according to the “residual principle”. That is, first the set temperature in the freezer is reached and only after that the refrigeration compartment begins to cool. What to do? To solve the problem, set the temperature in the freezer to -10 – 12˚С, and in the refrigerator compartment, move the thermostat knob to the middle position.
• If you have a No Frost refrigerator, pay attention to the fan in the freezer. If it is frozen and does not work, then the cold will stop flowing into the refrigerator compartment. You don't need to disassemble the freezer for this, just listen carefully. If you do not hear a low, steady hum when the freezer door is open, defrost the refrigerator for 10 to 12 hours. This time is enough for the ice to completely melt and the situation to return to normal.

Read more: Is it possible to transport a refrigerator lying down - there is an answer!

If it does not turn on, you should check the voltage at the power outlet. If it turns out to be underestimated, then the electronic module simply will not turn on the unit. In order to fix this, you need to connect Indesit through a voltage stabilizer.

If, after turning on, it turns off immediately, then you need to check the serviceability of the thermal relay. First, check the relay contacts. If everything is fine, then you need to unplug it from the socket and turn off the relay and connect the compressor directly without a relay. If the compressor starts working constantly, then the problem is in the thermal relay. By replacing the old relay with a new and working relay, you will solve this problem.

There are times when it does not turn on simply because the electrical wiring contacts have oxidized, and regular cleaning of the contacts will help get rid of this problem.

You should also check the compressor itself by connecting it directly to the network. If you do not have certain electrician skills, then it is better not to do this yourself.