The start relay may have burned out or an interbranch circuit has occurred in the compressor. If the refrigerator is electronic, there may be a problem in the control module.

Possible freon leak or faulty refrigerator evaporator heater

Wipe the refrigerator with a solution of water and vinegar. Put the citrus pieces on a plate in the refrigerator.

We evaluate the malfunction

For refrigerators, the operating mode usually consists of two states: cooling in it does not turn on constantly, but at certain intervals. Usually the refrigerator works properly if the compressor turns on for 10-15 minutes, turns off, then for 15-25 minutes. You can even calculate the ratio of the compressor's operating time to its downtime. For serviceable compressors, it is in the range from 0.9 to 0.2.

It is calculated as the following ratio: compressor running time (idle time + 10). If the coefficient is below 0.2, the refrigerator turns off too often, which may indicate a malfunction in the operation of some of its parts or assemblies.

What could be broken and how to fix it?

What could be the cause of such abnormal work?

There are several main reasons
most problematic:

Compressor malfunction caused by a break in its winding or a short circuit between its turns, which leads to overheating of the motor and the operation of a protective relay;

Malfunction of the protective relay itself, as a result of which it almost immediately works to turn off the compressor;

Malfunction in the control board (such a malfunction can only be discussed in the case of more modern models where such boards are present).

In all of these cases, defective parts or assemblies are likely to require replacement. Only the control board can be repaired by flashing.

External causes

It happens that the reason for the malfunction of the refrigerator, its too frequent shutdowns, is the unstable operation of the power supply system. Modern models of refrigerators react to power surges, so such a refrigerator can turn off when the power supply is unstable. But such a reason is likely only in the case when such a malfunction occurs in refrigerators of new models, if they were released relatively long ago, such refrigerators are insensitive to voltage drops.

What if the light is on but the refrigerator is not working?

The light in the refrigerator, of course, indicates that the equipment is connected to the network, and power is supplied to it. What are the most common causes of refrigerator failure?
The older household appliances, the higher the wear of its components and the higher the likelihood of breakage.

In a new refrigerator, incorrect operation can be caused by both a breakdown of the components and incorrect firmware of its “smart” parts - the control board and the compressor fuse. The situation when only lighting works in the refrigerator, but the refrigerator compartment is not cooled, can be caused by a number of reasons.

Main reasons
failure of the thermostat, as a result of which, due to the lack of information about the temperature, the correct control of cooling in the refrigerator compartment stops;
problems with the functioning of the start-up relay, which controls the inclusion of the compressor;
for new models - problems with the electronic control board;
failure of the compressor;
defrost button.
The easiest way to find such a malfunction associated with malfunctions of the electronic control board. It must be removed to visually determine the presence of rust or oxides on the contacts. If it was they who caused the refrigerator to stop working, it will be enough to clean the contacts well, removing rust or oxides.

Only a user with basic skills in electrical engineering will be able to determine if the defrost button is stuck or if the thermostat is broken. In both cases, it is necessary to directly close a pair of contacts connected to the part under test. Of course, you need to perform such an operation with the household appliance disconnected from the power supply. If the refrigerator starts working after that, the reason for its malfunctioning condition will become obvious.

To diagnose the health of the compressor, the master “rings” its windings between themselves and with the case. The resistance in all cases must be at least 18 ohms, otherwise there is a short circuit in the motor. With some skills, this malfunction can also be detected independently. Only the master can detect a breakdown of the protective relay.

If the compressor, thermostat, protective relay are out of order - they must be replaced! If the defrost button breaks, it can sometimes be repaired, and if the contacts of the electronic board are oxidized, they should be thoroughly cleaned to restore operation. Only professional refrigerator repair can extend the life of your device.

Refrigerator does not freeze well

The refrigerator can be called one of the most necessary and sought-after household appliances. It works around the clock for many years, ensuring the safety of products, so the breakdown of refrigeration equipment is always a major problem. And its elimination is necessary for the owner as soon as possible.

Why is there not enough cold?

And if the failure is clearly visible - the device does not turn on, makes abnormal noise during operation, or shocks when touched - there is no doubt about the need for repair. But what about when the refrigerator is running, and the food in it is not cooled enough and can go bad? What is the reason for this situation and how to fix it?

The most common reasons include:

loose fitting door;
malfunction of the thermal sensor or malfunction of the control board;
refrigerant leak;
loss of compressor power.
How to fix the problem?
The simplest cause may seem to be a loose door. It seems that it is not difficult to eliminate such a reason - you just need to close the refrigerator more carefully and carefully. But this is not always enough. The door may not fit tightly due to a defect in the rubber seal - in which case it will need to be replaced - or as a result of the incorrect position of the refrigerator itself, when the door warps over time and begins to let air into the inner chamber. It is necessary to check the verticality of the door suspension and adjust it.

When the thermal sensor is faulty, the control board receives incorrect information about the temperature of the internal chamber, and the cooling does not turn on in time. This temperature sensor needs to be replaced. If the control is not given correctly due to malfunctions of the board itself, it can be reflashed or replaced.

Refrigerator freezes badly and turns off
As a refrigerant, a harmful substance, freon, is used, in case of leakage of which it is necessary to call the master, fix the leak and refuel the freon. Such a leak may be indicated by a cold condenser located on the back of the refrigerator. With enough refrigerant, this condenser heats up when the refrigerator is running. The fact that the refrigerator does not freeze well can be found by the temperature of the products in it!

A compressor that does not produce enough power can also lead to poor cooling of the internal chamber. If the compressor motor fails, the decision to repair or replace it is usually made by the master.

Why does the refrigerator freeze, and how to return it to normal operation?

Some causes of food freezing in the refrigerator can be eliminated on your own, others - only with the help of a qualified specialist.

What causes can be eliminated directly by the owner?
Wrong settings. Usually, for normal operation of the refrigerator and the preservation of food, it is sufficient to maintain the temperature in the refrigerator compartment plus 5, and the temperature should not be set too low. In electric models, the operating temperature must be set within plus (4-6) C, in refrigerated cabinets with mechanical adjustment, the position of the regulator is set at 2-3.5.

Freezing food in a modern model refrigerator may be due to a clogged drain hole. Water can be found under the vegetable drawers, and ice appears in the vegetable drawer. You can clean this hole with your own hands - for this you need warm water and a syringe or a cocktail tube.

Causes that only the master can eliminate
Too much freezing may be due to:

clogging of the capillary system of the refrigerating chamber, usually due to burnt oil;
deterioration of the seal on the refrigerator door, leading to the penetration of warm air and the compressor running too hard to compensate for the temperature;
failure of the air sensor (in an electronically controlled refrigerator) or a thermostat (electromechanical model), which entails an untimely shutdown of cooling when the air in the compartment is already cooled to the required temperature, but there is no signal about this;
a situation where the changeover valve in a single-compressor refrigerator breaks down - it can “stick” in the “refrigerator and freezer cooling” position and lead to an increase in air temperature in the freezer and a decrease in the refrigerator.
When the capillary system is clogged, the motor cannot fully cope with pumping freon through the system, in the freezer, therefore it is not cold enough, and in the refrigerator it is too cold. The motor works in enhanced mode, with short breaks. The problem is eliminated by cleaning the capillaries, refilling the coolant and sometimes changing the oil.
You can find out about the wear of the seal by heavy ice in the freezer and water flowing out of it, a snow coat on the walls of the refrigerator. If the malfunction is caused by wear of the seal, breakdown of the thermostat (air sensor) or switching valve, the breakdown is eliminated by replacing them.

Why did the refrigerator become very noisy and how could it end?

Usually, manufacturers of modern models of refrigerators try to produce models that produce minimal noise. And those buyers for whom this characteristic is important, when choosing a refrigerator, pay special attention to how quietly different models work. Their older "brothers" make a little more noise. According to modern standards, the noise level of a working household refrigeration appliance should not exceed 55 dB.

But in any case, if during operation the noise level of the refrigerator suddenly increases, it should be diagnosed, because such a change may be a signal of a malfunction of some parts or assemblies.

The reason for the increased noise of the refrigerator can be:

Weakening of the compressor shock absorbers - at the same time, vibrations from a running compressor become very audible, with a jerk during its start and stop, the sound intensifies.
The wear of the motor-compressor leads to constant noise and buzz during its operation, which can later be accompanied by its decompression and an increase in operating time.
If the refrigerator has a no-frost system, a faulty fan in the freezer can make too loud sounds when a layer of ice freezes near it and the fan touches its blades.
A brand new, freshly purchased refrigerator can hum too loudly before reaching steady state, which takes up to seven days. It is also normal for the motor to hum when it is turned on - this is due to the fact that the motor needs a large starting current to start its mechanisms, in particular the rotor.

Refrigerator makes a lot of noise
Even after buying a new refrigerator, sometimes its owner forgets to remove the shipping bolts that secure the compressor. Then the damping springs do not perform their function, and a strong buzz will be heard. After removing the bolts, the situation should return to normal.

Noise can be produced by touching and resonating jars and pots that are incorrectly placed in the refrigerator. The noise effect due to resonance from the surrounding surfaces is also "achieved" if the refrigerator is installed incorrectly - when its walls are located closer than 5 cm from the walls and surrounding objects.

In addition to constant noise, the refrigerator can sometimes make unusual sounds: creaking, clicking, “gurgling”. Their reason is the expansion or contraction of the nodes of this household appliance or the movement of freon, which is completely normal for such equipment.

Heating of the partition between the freezer and refrigerator compartment

Does the heating of the partition between its freezer and refrigerator indicate a malfunction of the refrigerator?

Refrigerator is an essential appliance in the house. And its serviceability is an important condition for a comfortable life of a modern person. Therefore, caring for the refrigerator, observing the rules for its operation and timely diagnostics are considered necessary and useful. Is there any reason to worry?

Heating of the partition between the chamber
The alarm of the owner can be caused by the fact of heating of the partition between the freezer and the refrigerating chamber of the refrigerator. Why does this partition heat up, and does this indicate problems in the operation of the cooling device?

Having found that the partition between the two chambers of the refrigerator is heating up, you should not worry or rush to the workshop. There are no problems in this situation, and the refrigerator works quite normally.

Such heating in modern refrigerators is a prerequisite.

Cause of the phenomenon
The fact is that in modern refrigerators, the freezer and refrigerating chambers are often closed with their own doors and are completely separated from each other, but the temperature difference between them is significant, and there is a possibility of condensation from moisture. To avoid the appearance of such condensate, the developers applied the technology of heating the partition between the two chambers, which works as follows:

the partition is heated by a special thin heater built into the refrigerator body;
the heater works simultaneously with the compressor, and also turns off with it;
when the heater and compressor are turned off, the baffle starts to cool down.
You will most likely have to contact the workshop in the opposite situation, if the partition heater fails, and first condensate begins to form on it, then frost. This situation will indicate a breakdown of the internal heater and it may need to be replaced.

The situation is also normal when the sealing rubber on the door in the freezer heats up - the reason for its heating is the operation of the same built-in heater. Also, properly working modern refrigerators may have warm side walls and / or a back wall, this is also quite normal.

But for the smooth operation of the refrigerator, it is necessary to install it indoors so that its walls do not touch other objects, and the freezer door should not be left open too often or for a long time.

Why Do Refrigerators Break?

Refrigerator is certainly a very necessary device for modern man. High competition in the market, good consumer demand for refrigerators, the constant work of manufacturers to improve quality and develop new, more comfortable to use and aesthetically attractive models of these cooling devices have led to the filling of the market with various models of these household appliances.

When buying a new refrigerator, the user hopes that it will work for many years. And in any situation - there was a nuisance with a recently purchased refrigerator, or with a device that has been working diligently for a long time - malfunctions in the operation of a refrigerator can greatly upset its owner.

Frequent malfunctions
What kind of breakdowns happen to refrigerators more often than others, and is this device repairable?
Most often there are such failures in its work:

the refrigerator does not freeze well;
a snow coat quickly grows inside the device;
during the operation of the refrigerator, a strong uncharacteristic noise is heard;
when touching parts of this appliance, a slight electric shock is felt.
Too high temperature in the refrigerator compartment can be caused by such reasons as failure of the thermostat, malfunction of the control board or compressor, freon leakage, or simply a loose door.

What breakdowns cause such malfunctions
The rapid appearance of a snow “coat” can be caused by a malfunction of the thermostat of the coolant circulation system or the auto-defrost system, a loose fit of the refrigerator door, or the appearance of excess liquid in the refrigerator chamber.
Strong noise during the operation of this device appears when the motor malfunctions or the shock absorbers on which it is mounted malfunction, the No-frost system fan malfunctions.
Electric shock when touching the walls of the refrigerator can occur if its grounding is disturbed, caused by damage to the wire winding, poor contact of the ground terminal in the plug, or a malfunction of the outlet to which the appliance is connected.

A qualified specialist can best determine what exactly has broken in the refrigerator, whether it can be repaired, and how this device can be repaired. If the master is good, he can also tell you whether it is advisable to carry out repairs, or the failure of a unit or part can become periodic and cost more than buying a new refrigeration appliance.