This article takes a look at an LG freezer that is not freezing, as well as LG refrigerators and ice makers that don’t cool or freeze. Learn how to fix them.
Table of Contents
LG Freezer Not Freezing after Power Outage
If you find that your LG freezer is not freezing after a power outage, the first thing to do is to check the wall socket were you plug it. Check if it is still working and if the voltage supply is still up to the required level.
Then, check the power cord of the freezer or refrigerator if your freezer is attached to a refrigerator. This is especially needed if there is a power surge. It could be that the power cord is burnt. But if all is well, ensure the cord is properly plugged into the wall socket.
When you check all these and they are in proper working order, unplug the unit or shut off the circuit breaker that powers it. Leave the unit without power for about 30 seconds before plugging it in again or turning on the circuit breaker. This process resets the freezer or refrigerator.
Give the unit time so that the compressor will stabilize and the unit will start cooling; this will happen between 24 to 48 hours. However, if the freezer still doesn’t start freezing after 48 hours, then you know there is a problem with the power supply, and the appliance will require a professional repair service.
It is important to note that after a power outage, a freezer or a refrigerator will need about 24 to 48 hours for the temperature to normalize. So, give the unit this time before you start any of the steps detailed above.
LG Refrigerator Running but Not Cooling or Freezing – What to Do
Is your LG refrigerator running yet it is not cooling or freezing? Here are parts of the unit to check for faults:
1. Evaporator Fan Motor
To know if the fan motor is faulty, try and spin the blades with your hands. If the blades don’t spin well, then the motor is bad and needs to be replaced. Also, if the motor is noisy, something is wrong and the motor should be replaced.
However, if the fan motor is not running, then test its continuity using a multimeter. If there is no continuity, replace the evaporator fan motor.
If the evaporator fan motor is faulty, the fan won’t be able to circulate cold air in the refrigerator. So, the unit will not get cold.
2. Condenser Coils
Move the refrigerator to access the condenser coils under it. Check to see if they are dirty. If they are, clean them using the soft brush part of your vacuum if it has one. Dust off every speck of dust so that the coils can perform optimally. They won’t be able to dissipate heat, making the refrigerator less able to maintain the right temperature.
3. Condenser Fan Motor
Try and turn the blades of the condenser fan to check the motor. If the blades turn freely, then the motor is likely working fine. But if they don’t turn freely, the motor is likely bad. To be sure, test the continuity of the fan motor with a multimeter. If there is no continuity, replace the motor.
The condenser fan pulls air through the condenser coils to cool the compressor. So, the refrigerator will not cool if the fan doesn’t work and the compressor heats up.
4. Start Relay
To know if the start relay is faulty, test its continuity between the start and run terminals using a multimeter. If you don’t find continuity, replace the relay as soon as possible. Additionally, if you smell any burnt smell on the relay, replace it.
The compressor will have a hard time running at all if the start relay is bad. Even if the compressor runs, it may only run intermittently.
5. Thermistor
With a multimeter, test the thermistor (temperature control sensor). If it is working fine, its resistance will change along with the refrigerator temperature. But if the resistance doesn’t change and there is no continuity, replace the thermistor.
The thermistor reads the air temperature and sends the readings to the control board. The board, in turn, regulates power to the evaporator fan and the compressor for them to run. But if the thermistor is faulty, the readings will be wrong. Consequently, the control board won’t send power when needed and the fan and the compressor won’t run when needed. Hence, the refrigerator will not get cold.
6. Temperature Control Thermostat
Check the thermostat by turning it from the lowest setting up to the highest temperature setting. If you hear a click when it gets to the highest setting, then the thermostat is in good working condition. But if you don’t hear a click, test the thermostat using a multimeter to check for continuity. If the multimeter does not read continuity at any temperature setting, replace the thermostat.
The temperature control thermostat has the duty to send voltage to the compressor and fan motors. The refrigerant system will not run if the compressor and fan motors don’t run and they, in turn, won’t run if the thermostat is faulty.
7. Start Capacitor
Test the start capacitor using a multimeter. Check to see if it has continuity. If there is no continuity, replace the capacitor.
The capacitor enables the compressor to start. So there is a high chance the compressor will not start at all if the start capacitor is defective.
You can also check the temperature control board, the compressor or the main control board if none of the parts above is defective. Though it is rare for any of these 3 parts to become defective, it is still possible. But let a qualified refrigerator technician take a look at the refrigerator, determine what the real fault is and fix it.
It is also important to note here that these steps apply to all models of LG refrigerators. So whether you have a side-by-side model, a bottom freezer model, a French-door model, a top freezer model or a mini-refrigerator, you can fix the cooling and freezing problem by following the steps above.
LG Freezer Not Freezing – How to Fix
The following are what to check to fix the problem of your LG freezer not freezing:
1. Start Relay
To check the start relay, detach it from the compressor and test it between the start and run terminals for continuity. If there is no continuity or the relay has a burnt smell, replace it as soon as possible.
The compressor is likely not to run if the start relay is faulty. And if it runs at all, it will run at intervals.
2. Evaporator Fan Motor
If you own a fridge freezer, check the fan of the evaporator fan by opening the freezer door and pressing the door switch. After switching the door of the freezer on and the fan still doesn’t run, replace the fan motor.
The evaporator fan is responsible for circulating cold air in the freezer. If it is defective, there will be no cold air in the freezer. So, it cannot freeze any item. Note that this does not apply to standalone freezers.
3. Condenser Coils
Your LG freezer could have the condenser coils within the walls of the freezer. If that is the case, then you don’t need to do anything about them. But if they are behind or under the freezer, check to see if they are dirty. Clean them well if they are and repeat the cleaning process every 6 months.
The condenser coils help reduce the heat which the refrigerant carries to the freezer. This way, the cooling capacity of the unit is not reduced.
4. Condenser Fan Motor
Check the blades of the fan to see if they spin well. If they don’t, then you know that the bearings of the motor are worn out so the motor needs to be replaced.
But if the blades spin well, then test the continuity of the motor using a multimeter. If there is no continuity, replace the fan motor.
A defective condenser fan motor will not allow the fan to pull air through the condenser and over its coils. If the fan cannot do this, the unit will not cool.
5. Evaporator Coils
The coils are usually located behind the interior back wall of the freezer. Remove it and check to see if the coils have ice or frost on them. If they do, you will have to defrost them manually. Use a hairdryer or close the panel and unplug the freezer so it can defrost manually.
However, if the coils have frost on them, it means the defrost system is faulty. That is if the LG freezer has an automatic defrost system. Check the components – defrost timer, defrost heater, defrost thermostat – to see if any of them has a fault. Replace the faulty part.
6. Temperature Control Thermostat
Rotate the temperature control thermostat from the lowest to the highest point and wait to hear a click. If you hear the click, then the thermostat is in good working condition. But if you don’t, test the continuity of the thermostat with a multimeter. If there is no continuity, replace the thermostat.
However, if the parts above are working well yet the LG freezer is not freezing, check the main control board, the user control and display board, the compressor or the sealed system. You will need the services of a qualified refrigerator technician to accurately check any of these parts and fix any faulty one.
Note: These steps work for all models of LG refrigerators, including side-by-side refrigerators, French door refrigerators and fridge freezers.
Check out these other articles…
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LG Refrigerator Ice Maker Not Freezing – Quick Fix
Do the following if the ice maker of your LG refrigerator is not freezing water or making ice:
1. Check the Temperature
The temperature within the unit must be at -4 degrees Fahrenheit. The ice maker will not freeze or make ice if the temperature is higher than this. So adjust the temperature accordingly.
2. Check the Amount of Water
The water in the ice maker can determine if the ice maker freezes or makes ice. The water must be at the water line for ice to form. If the water is below the water fill line, the ice maker won’t have enough water to make ice. And if the water is above the water fill line, there is too much water for the ice maker to make ice.
3. Check the Water Supply
Be sure that the water line that supplies water to the ice maker from the house tap is properly connected. To check this, try dispensing water into a cup. If it flows freely, then the water line is properly connected. But if this doesn’t happen, then something is wrong with the water line.
4. Check the Water Inlet Valve
Test the water inlet valve with a multimeter. The solenoid should show continuity but if it doesn’t, replace the valve.
It is important to note that Most LG refrigerators have two water inlet valves. The main one is at the back of the unit while the second one is on the left door. The secondary one is for the ice maker.
5. Check the Water Filter
If the water filter is clogged, water won’t flow well into the ice maker. Consequently, the ice maker won’t be able to freeze.
Therefore, replace the water filter and ensure you replace it every 6 months.
6. Check the Water Pressure
Poor water pressure will affect the freezing ability of the ice maker. Be sure that the pressure of the water in the house is up to 20psi.
7. Check the Ice Maker
A defective ice maker will not be able to make ice. Check to see if it is leaking. If it is, you will need to replace the whole ice maker assembly. Finding individual parts for an ice maker is usually difficult.
For all the parts listed above, getting a qualified refrigerator technician to check them is important. This is because some of them are too intricate and complex. So, trying to fix them yourself could cause more damage.
Important Note
Before you begin to diagnose why your LG freezer is not freezing, always unplug it. The same goes for the refrigerator. It is the first step in safety, both for you and for the unit.
And if fixing the unit proves difficult, contact LG support center or call a professional refrigerator repair agent for assistance.
LG Freezer Not Freezing But Fridge Is Cold – Fixed
Do the following if you find that your LG freezer is not freezing, but the fridge is cold:
1. Clean the Condenser Coils
You can use a vacuum cleaner or a condenser coil cleaning brush to remove the dirt and debris on the coils. You will typically find the condenser coils at the bottom back of any refrigerator, but consult your LG fridge user manual to know where to find them on your specific model. Clean them once or twice a year to keep them in optimum shape and prevent overheating.
The coils have the job of releasing the heat from the fridge into the atmosphere. They also condense the refrigerant during the cooling cycle. However, dirt can insulate them, trapping the heat and compromising the cooling capacity.
The fridge section does not need much to cool, but the freezer requires a high energy output from the compressor. So, although the freezer is cold, it cannot freeze because there is not enough cold air.
2. Defrost the Evaporator Coils
Another crucial part to check is the evaporator coils. They are behind the interior panel inside the freezer. That means you must remove every item in the freezer to access the panel and check the coils. It may also mean removing the ice maker. Once done, inspect the coils to see if they have frost.
If that is the case, leave the freezer door open, and the fridge off until the frost melts. Alternatively, use a hair dryer or handheld steamer to melt the frost, as this is a quicker method. Afterward, troubleshoot the components of the defrost system if your ridge has an automatic defrost function.
The system should turn on several times daily to prevent a frost buildup, so one or more components are defective if the coils are too cold. Frozen evaporator coils restrict the airflow, making it difficult for the freezer to freeze, although it may remain cold.
3. Check the Evaporator Fan
The evaporator fan is in the same compartment as the evaporator coils. If the coils are ot frozen or do not cause the freezing problem, ensure the fan is in good working condition. To do this, inspect the fan blade for damage or wear. If the blade is bent or broken, it cannot circulate the cold air from the coils into the freezer.
Consequently, the freezer fails to freeze, although it may remain cold. This does not affect the fridge section much. In such a case, replace the fan blade to fix the problem. But if the blade is intact and sits well on the motor shaft, the problem may stem from the fan motor.
To test the motor, turn the fan blade by hand; if it is stiff, the motor bearings may be worn. In such a case, you need to replace the motor. However, if the blade turns freely but the fan does not run, it may have an electrical fault. You can use a multimeter to test the motor’s continuity and replace it if you find no continuity.
4. Malfunctioning Compressor
The last thing to check is the fridge’s compressor. While the compressor typically lasts many years, sometimes as long as the fridge itself, poor usage or age can damage it. If the compressor is faulty or malfunctioning, you cannot repair it.
The best fix is to replace it or the entire fridge, especially if the fridge is old. It may be more cost-effective to buy a new fridge because a compressor is usually expensive to replace.
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