LG Refrigerator Not Cooling [What To Do]

If you are looking for how to fix an LG refrigerator that is not cooling, you have come to the right place.

LG LMXS28626S 28 cu.ft. 4-Door French Door Refrigerator - Stainless Steel

Table of Contents

LG Refrigerator Not Cooling After a Power Outage – Fast Fix

When there is a power outage and your LG refrigerator doesn’t cool when the power is restored, give it time. Give the refrigerator at least 24 to 48 hours to stabilize and start cooling. This is when you will start feeling the cool air from the refrigerator.

If this does not happen, unplug the refrigerator or shut off the circuit breaker for about 30 seconds. The compressor will turn back on and the refrigerator will become more stable when you turn it back on. It will also begin to cool when this happens.

However, if there is no change after all this, then there is a problem with the supply of power to the refrigerator. It will need a repair so you should contact LG service center for help.

LG Refrigerator Making a Noise But Not Cooling – What to Check

Check the compressor. If you recently had it replaced, then it will explain the noise. Replacement LG compressors tend to make a buzzing sound. It also means the compressor is not working. Contact the service center of LG for help.

But if this is not the case with you, check the ice maker. Turning the switch of the ice maker to the ON position will cause a type of buzzing sound until it is switched off. If you are not using the ice maker, check to see if it is in the ON position. Turn it off and check the temperature settings of the refrigerator. This will explain the noise and no cooling problem.

LG Refrigerator Leaking Water and Not Cooling – How to Fix

Check the power cord circuit breaker. This is to ensure that the refrigerator is powered. If the unit is not powered, it will not cool and it will manually defrost, thereby leaking water.

Also, check the condenser fan motor. Turn the blades to see if there is any resistance in turning. If there is, the motor is bad and needs to be changed. But if the blades turn without a hitch, test the motor with a multimeter. Without continuity, the motor is bad and needs to be replaced.

The condenser fan is responsible for drawing air through the coils and over the compressor. Without it, the compressor will heat up and the refrigerator will not cool.

Additionally, check the defrost drain. When a defrost drain is clogged, the water that comes from defrosted ice on the cooling coil will not be able to pass through. So it will glide over the clogged drain and off the pan onto the floor. Use a stiff wire to clean out the drain and pour a mixture of water and bleach to thoroughly clean it out.

And if the drain is frosted over, it means the defrost heater or some other defrost component is not working. This also means the evaporator coils are frosted over, causing the cooling problem. Thaw it with some hot water, being careful to squirt it into the drain, not pour it.

The defrost drain is on the back wall of the freezer section, in the center where the floor curves up to the back. There is a plastic panel covering it. Remove the screws holding the panel in place and you will see it.

LG Refrigerator Beeping and Not Cooling – Quick Fix

If your LG refrigerator is beeping and not cooling, check to see if the door is open. If the door is open for as long as 2 minutes, the beeping will start. And if the temperature inside the refrigerator rises, the beeping will start and will continue until it drops again.

Simply close the refrigerator door properly and allow the temperature to drop so the refrigerator will cool. Then, the beeping will stop.

But if the beeping continues, then the door switch could be faulty and in need of a replacement. This will mean there is no indication the door is closed even when it is. Therefore, it triggers the door ajar alarm and the temperature inside rises.

Contact a qualified technician to do this for you. If your warranty is still active, call the LG office and have them replace it.

LG Refrigerator Not Cooling – Fast Fix

If you find that your LG refrigerator is not cooling, check the following:

1. Evaporator Fan Motor

Spin the blades of the fan with your hands to find out if the motor is bad. If the blades don’t spin freely, the motor is bad so replace it. And if there is a noise in the motor, it is bad and you need to replace it. Additionally, if the motor is not running at all, test it with a multimeter to check for continuity. If there is none, replace the motor.

With a bad evaporator fan, there will be no cold air running over the evaporator coils and circulating in the refrigerator. That means the unit will not cool.

2. Condenser Fan Motor

Check the blades of the fan to see if there is anything obstructing it from spinning. If there is none, spin the blades with your hands to see if there is any hitch. If there is, the motor is bad.

But if the blades turn well and there is nothing keeping the blades from spinning, test the motor with a multimeter for continuity. Without continuity, the motor is bad and needs to be changed.

The condenser fan pushes air through the condenser coils and over the compressor. Without it, the compressor will overheat and the coils will not function well. The refrigerator will become too warm, consequently.

3. Condenser Coils

Check the condenser coils, at the bottom of the refrigerator close to the compressor, to see if they are dirty. If they are, clean them thoroughly. Dirty condenser coils mean they will not be able to remove the heat in the refrigerant as it passes through them. This, in turn, will heat up the refrigerator.

4. Temperature Control Thermostat

Move the dial of the thermostat from the lowest to the highest setting to hear a click. The click means the thermostat is active. Without it, use a multimeter to test for continuity, just to make doubly sure. If you get none, the thermostat is bad and needs replacement.

The thermostat is responsible for directing voltage to the condenser fan, compressor and evaporator fan. If these don’t run well, the refrigerant system will not function maximally and the unit will not work well.

5. Start Relay

Detach the start relay and shake it to hear a rattle. If there is a rattle, the relay is bad. Some types of relays will need to be tested with a multimeter. So if you can, test the start relay, attached to the body of the compressor, with a multimeter for continuity. If you find none, then the relay is bad. In addition to this, if the relay smells burnt, it is bad and needs a replacement.

The start works together with the start winding in order to get the compressor running. If this doesn’t happen, the compressor could find it difficult to start and the unit will not cool as it should.

6. Thermistor

Test the thermistor’s resistance with a multimeter. The resistance should change with the temperature of the refrigerator. If this doesn’t happen, and there is no continuity, change it.

The thermistor is responsible for reading the temperature of the refrigerator and sending its findings to the main control board. Based on these findings, the board supplies power to the evaporator fan and the compressor. A bad thermistor means the compressor won’t run and the evaporator fan won’t blow, thereby keeping the refrigerator from cooling.

7. Start Capacitor

With a multimeter, check the start capacitor for continuity. If there is no continuity, then the capacitor is bad and needs to be changed.

The start capacitor enables the compressor to start by providing a power boost. If it doesn’t function properly, the compressor is likely not to start well. So, the refrigerator is likely not to cool.

The video below visually explains how to accurately diagnose and repair an LG refrigerator that is not cooling…

LG Refrigerator Not Cooling But Freezer Works

Check the following and fix them if your LG refrigerator is not cooling but the freezer is:

1. Condenser Coils

If the condenser coils are dirty, as they are wont to be because of their location, clean them well. Clean them at least once a year. Unplug the refrigerator and vacuum the coils. With a brush, clean any leftover dirt to leave the coils sparkling. Vacuum them again to make doubly sure they are clean.

Dirty coils will not be able to release heat and maintain the cold temperature of the refrigerator. The freezer can keep cooling but the refrigerator will lose its coolness fast.

2. Thermistor

Use a multimeter to check the thermistor for continuity. Without continuity, the thermistor is faulty and needs to be replaced.

The thermistor reads the temperature of the refrigerator and with this reading, tells the compressor and evaporator fan to turn off or on. Without functioning properly, the temperature in the refrigerator will be irregular.

3. Evaporator Fan Motor

Try moving the evaporator fan blades with your hands. If they move freely, the motor is good but if they don’t, the motor is bad and needs to be replaced. But if they move freely, then test the motor with a multimeter. If there is no continuity, the motor should be replaced.

The fan moves cold air from the freezer to the refrigerator section. If it is not able to do this, the refrigerator will become warm while the freezer continues to cool.

In addition to the above, check the following factors:

4. Blocked Air Vents

Overstuffing the refrigerator will mean the air vents will be blocked. And if the vents are blocked, cold air will not be able to move from the freezer to the refrigerator section.

5. Temperature Control

Be sure that the temperature control is turned to the coldest setting. It is possible the control was moved while you were cleaning or when you were putting things in the refrigerator. If it is not, move it and wait for the unit to adjust to the new temperature.

6. Doors

If the doors are not sealing properly, cold air will escape easily and the refrigerator will not cool properly. Check the gaskets to be sure they are still working well.

Watch how to fix an LG refrigerator that is not cooling while the freezer works…

Check out these other articles on refrigerators not cooling for other brands…

LG Refrigerator Freezer Not Cold Enough – What to Do

If you find that the freezer section of your LG refrigerator is not cold enough, ensure the evaporator fan works well. The fan blows cold air around the freezer to circulate it and touch every part. If the fan fails, the freezer may keep cooling but not enough. The same applies to the evaporator coils; if frozen, they cannot release cold air.

So, empty the freezer and turn it off. Remove the inside back panel. You can inspect the coils or test the fan motor to see if there is any fault. The motor bearings may also be worn out, causing the fan to move with difficulty. If that is the case, you will need to replace the motor. The same applies if the motor shows no continuity; get a replacement part using the refrigerator’s model number.

The evaporator coils must be cold but not frozen. if there is too much warm air in the freezer, the coils will freeze due to the moisture in the air. Check the door gasket and ensure the ice chute door flap rests flush against the housing. Otherwise, air enters and causes an ice buildup. Keep the freezer off until all the ice melts and clean the excess water before turning it on again.

You may also want to check the start relay because the compressor should run and produce cooling power for the compressor to run. If the relay becomes faulty, the compressor cannot produce enough cooling power for the freezer. So, even if the refrigerator cools, the freezer may not cool enough. Test the relay with a multimeter and replace it if there is no continuity.

If nothing else seems to work, contact the LG Service Center to report the issue and request service. Alternatively, hire an independent technician for further assistance.

LG Refrigerator Cooling But Not Freezing

Check the evaporator fan motor by spinning the blades. Any resistance means the motor is bad. Additionally, check it with a multimeter for continuity. If there is none, replace the motor. The motor is responsible for circulating cold air in the freezer and fridge sections. If it is not working properly, the freezer will not freeze properly.

Also, check the start relay which is attached to the side of the compressor. If it is working well, there should be continuity in the multimeter you test it with. Test it between the start and run terminals. If there is no continuity, the relay is bad and need replacement.

The start relay supplies power to the compressor. If it is defective, the compressor will find it difficult to run and this will affect the freezer’s ability to freeze.

Furthermore, clean the condenser coils if they are dirty. Use a vacuum on them and a brush to dust them after vacuuming. If the coils are dirty, they will not be able to effectively dissipate heat from the refrigerant. This, in turn, will carry the heat into the refrigerator and reduce its freezing ability.

LG Refrigerator Clicking But Not Cooling

Check the condenser coils for dirt or grease. The clicking sound you hear is the compressor shutting down under the weight of trying and failing to start and run. Clean the coils by unplugging the refrigerator. Vacuum the coils thoroughly and dust them afterwards. This will enable the compressor to start well.

Another cause of this is a start relay that is bad. To determine if this is the problem, detach it from the compressor and shake it. If you hear a rattle, the relay is bad and should be replaced. The compressor should start properly and the refrigerator will start cooling when it does.

Fix the problem of your LG refrigerator clicking but not cooling after watching this video…

LG Refrigerator Not Cooling – Related FAQs

1. LG Refrigerator Not Cooling after Compressor Replacement

Check the compatibility of the compressor with your LG refrigerator. This is because it is a case of compressor failure. You can also contact the LG support center to file a complaint. This will work best if your warranty is still active.

2. LG Refrigerator Not Cooling after Defrost – Solution

Check the defrost timer to see if it is stuck on the defrost cycle. If it is, then it is broken and needs replacement.

You will find the timer in the area where the compressor is, at the bottom rear part of the refrigerator. But depending on your model, you could find yours behind the cover plate inside the refrigerator, behind the top grille or inside the console that houses the temperature control.

Get Instant Help — Ask An Experienced Verified Appliance Technician

Need expert help? Click here to use the chat box on this page to speak with a verified appliance technician right away. No need for expensive in-home service calls. No appointments. No waiting.