The refrigerator works without turning off - how to fix it

In modern life you cannot do without a good refrigerator - even a child knows this. It helps to store food, preparations, and make supplies for future use. If a device breaks down, everyone can see it. However, few people pay attention to the prerequisites for breakdown, one of which is the constant operation of the equipment.

If the device is not turned off for a very long period, but with short breaks, the malfunction may go unnoticed. This leads to failure of important internal components and increased energy consumption. In view of the above, it is better for each user to monitor the operation of the motor. The cooling period should not exceed 15-20 minutes.

Why doesn't the compressor stop in the refrigerator?

If the non-stop compressor is not caused by a dense load of something warm or hot, you should find the reason for such rapid performance and begin to eliminate it.

Rules for storing food in the refrigerator

The most common sources are as follows:

• violation of the rules for operating household refrigeration equipment;
• malfunctions of the sensors that control the operating mode of the device. These are temperature sensors, defrost sensors, thermostats, frost sensors, etc.;
• software failures in the management board caused by voltage drops or surges;
• problems in the refrigerant circulation system, compression;
• breakdowns in the motor control power circuits.

Operating standards - what could be the problem

Before you start looking for a breakdown that caused the continuous operation of the unit, you should make sure that it is operating normally. Even the most modern and expensive refrigerator must be used in accordance with the standards specified in the instructions .

Another point is that the compressor does not turn off due to active super-freezing or rapid cooling. If the unit is operated electronically, both functions are switched off independently. If it is on a mechanical one, an independent shutdown is required. We must not forget about these modes.

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Often, a refrigerator runs for a long time due to insufficient cooling of its radiator grille located on the back of the case (condenser). This occurs due to violation of installation standards: next to powerful heating appliances, installation in a niche or poorly ventilated kitchen unit, failure to maintain clearances. If the reason is poor cooling of hot parts, the unit will freeze properly without turning off for a long time. The problem is solved by reinstalling.

The problem of a snow coat in the refrigerator

If the quality of cooling is impaired and the motor does not turn off, this may be due to the following reason: warm air constantly enters the chamber. In this case, there is an outflow of cold air directly into the room. These are clear symptoms of a door that is not tightly closed. Another option is that a foreign object has gotten between the refrigerator seal and the body.

If the door is still closed tightly, and there is a cold leak, the seal has probably worn out . As a temporary measure, you can try to restore it with a hair dryer, but it is better to immediately replace it with a new one. In principle, you can handle this task yourself if you have the skill. If you have no experience, you will have to call a specialist. Repair is quick and inexpensive, costs will not exceed 1.5 thousand rubles.

I would like to note that rubber wears out the most when the equipment is installed incorrectly. Misalignment stress or weak pressing force causes gaps to appear . Ice likes to accumulate in them, which destroys the sealing material.

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If the problem is mechanical and electrical faults

If you have checked all operating conditions and everything is in order in this area, but the compressor still does not turn off, you need to look for another reason.

Among the superficial signs the following can be noted:

• when the device produces too much cold, freezes too much, and the temperature level is much lower than the set one, the problem has affected the control system and control circuits, the freon circulation and the compressor are not to blame;
• if the refrigerator has been defrosted, but it cools the air in the compartment very slowly, or refuses to freeze at all, a refrigerant leak has occurred or the filter has become clogged. Diagnostics and repairs require specific skills and tools, so it is better to turn to professionals.

To eliminate problems with the sensors, you should defrost the unit, and then carry out general cleaning. Frozen ice blocks the sensors from receiving correct data on humidity and temperature inside the chambers . In order to continue to prevent such failures, defrosting should be carried out for preventive purposes and in strict accordance with the instructions.

Causes of malfunction

What could be the reasons for abnormal uninterrupted operation of the device? There are two groups:

1. Unit breakdown or malfunction.
2. The refrigerator itself is in good working order, but the rules for its operation have been violated.

Let's first consider what can break in your refrigerator. Any refrigerator consists of approximately the same set of parts. This:

1. evaporator;
2. capacitor;
3. tube system;
4. compressor;
5. start relay;
6. thermostat.

The tube system is filled with freon (or another refrigerant), which is capable of changing its phase state, passing either into the liquid or into the gaseous phase. The part of the copper tubes located inside the refrigerator chamber is called the evaporator. In it, freon boils and evaporates, absorbing a significant amount of heat. The grid (or shield) of thin copper tubes on the back wall is a capacitor. Freon is pumped into it under pressure and passes from gas to liquid, giving off heat to the surrounding air.

The thermostat is responsible for controlling the temperature in the refrigerator compartment, opening and closing the start relay control circuit if necessary. Having received power from the relay, the compressor turns on.

Accordingly, the main reasons for possible technical problems with the components and assemblies of the refrigerator are visible from the description of its structure.

The most common breakdowns usually occur in the electrical circuit. This is the compressor start relay or thermostat.

If the moving contacts of the relay become “stuck” over time, welded and stop opening, then the engine will start working continuously until it burns out.

A failure of the temperature sensor will lead to the same results when it stops responding to temperature changes and remains either closed or open. Then the refrigerator either does not turn on at all or does not turn off.

Another common technical malfunction is freon leakage from the system. It is impossible to detect it yourself, because the refrigerant has neither color nor a characteristic odor. It simply evaporates, and a refrigerator deprived of refrigerant cannot cool anything. Therefore, the compressor idles uselessly until it wears out or burns out.

Power surges as a factor in refrigerator breakdown

Electronic controls, in particular the boards installed there, are very sensitive and vulnerable to power surges. This causes a software failure of the microprocessor and the refrigerator stops responding properly to sensor readings. On models with a display, an error message appears on the screen.

In this case, many units have a reset option, in other words, a reboot. For example, in Samsung refrigerators, the two right control panel keys are held down for this purpose. This clears the defrost sensor error (ds – defrost sensor).

As a rule, a reboot eliminates all problems, but until the next voltage drop. However, the information that the processor produces may indeed indicate problems with the sensors. To prevent such problems from occurring, the device must be connected through a stabilizer . This will protect the equipment from any jumps.

Caring for electrical parts of refrigerators

It happens that the control module fails for other reasons. But the picture remains the same: the refrigerator’s brain incorrectly processes the signals coming from the sensor. If the failures are minor, repairs are carried out right on the spot. In case of serious “dislocations”, the electronic board needs to be re-flashed, which is carried out at a service center. Restoring the module will cost a pretty penny - from 3 tr.

Replacing the thermostat and sensors

If voltage drops are excluded, and error messages continue to appear on the screen, you need to look for and change the sensor that has gone crazy. I can say that not all sensors and sensors are placed in easily accessible places. In some cases, you cannot count on warranty repairs; the entire refrigerator is replaced at once . However, there are specialists who know how to get to the sensors by cutting a hole in the back panel of the case.

By carefully bending the sheet of metal, the layer of thermal insulation is removed, providing direct access to the sensor. The broken sensor is dismantled and a new one is soldered. The soldering area is insulated with heat shrink tubing and electrical tape. Next, the thermal insulation and sheet metal are returned to their place. All this is sealed with tape. If the sensor is accessible, there is even less hassle. The cost of repairs reaches 2 tr.

I note that old Soviet refrigerators are free from such problems, since there is simply no control unit. There are no nodes that are sensitive to voltage surges . If such a unit freezes too much and does not turn off, it means the thermostat is broken. However, a freon leak should initially be ruled out.

To repair, you should disassemble the thermostat, adjust the springs, and clean the contacts. Problems may be caused by a leak in the spring chamber or tube. Because of this, the thermal expansion of the freon inside does not provide proper pressure on the switch lever. This node is replaced with a new one. Here they carefully unwind and fix the tube so that it is not damaged during installation.

Another reason may lie in a broken thermostat . In most cases, it is located in the chamber or on the front panel of the refrigerator and is used to set the required temperature. The most common failure is the stem flying out. To repair it, it must be placed in place. If everything is fine on this side, the assembly itself is probably broken and needs to be replaced. By the way, damage can be caused by a short circuit or water ingress due to careless defrosting.

The refrigerator has stopped freezing - our actions

Features of breakdowns from individual manufacturers

Each brand of refrigerator, depending on the model, has characteristic problems and malfunctions. Premature thermostat failure and engine malfunctions are possible. For example, Bosch electronic indicators often show a code for a problem related to temperature sensors.

Indesit

This is a popular brand of household appliances, problems with which appear after prolonged use. Malfunctions are eliminated by replacing damaged mechanism components.

Typical brand breakdowns that cause equipment to stop turning off include:

• malfunction of the engine start relay and the fan that distributes the cold;
• breakdown of the temperature regulator;
• refrigerant leak due to corrosion or mechanical damage to the pipeline;
• wear of the sealing rubber and leakage.

Samsung

Household appliances from the Korean manufacturer are presented on the market with a wide range from simple to complex devices with many functions and modes.

The weak points in refrigerators are:

• Thermostat failure, in which the engine receives incorrect signals to start or stop and the cooling does not meet the desired level;
• Freon leakage leads to ice freezing in the freezer and problems in the electronics unit;
• malfunction of the defrost sensor in which the motor stops turning off;
• malfunction of the heater on the evaporator.

Atlant

Refrigerators from Belarus have proven themselves well. Atlants have minor faults, the repair of which is inexpensive.

Common breakdowns include:

• clogging of capillary and drainage systems;
• problems with defrost sensors and a mechanical temperature controller, when the cooling parameters do not correspond to the set ones and the device stops turning off;
• violations in the insulation system, in which a rapid formation of ice build-up occurs on the walls of the freezer;
• problems in the electronics, leading to incorrect display of indicators on the display.

Liebherr

German brand household appliances are of high quality, but European refrigerators are sensitive to voltage changes, which often occur in Russian networks.

The following common problems are noted:

• malfunctions in the electronic control module responsible for the operation of the refrigerator;
• breakdown of the touch sensor, which produces an error code F2, indicating problems in the freezer;
• engine malfunction;
• refrigerant leakage;
• deformation of the sealing rubber on the doors.

Pozis

The technology is attractive to users due to its price-quality ratio.

The main problems of the refrigerator include:

• increased temperature in the chamber;
• weak freezing;
• formation of ice build-up;
• the appearance of a puddle under the unit.

Biryusa

Problems with refrigerators are often associated with non-compliance with the temperature regime of +16...+32°C, as a result of which the thermostat, motor or start relay breaks down. When operating under appropriate conditions, failures occur as a result of metal fatigue and wear of the sealing rubber.

Main problems:

• the refrigerator runs continuously;
• the engine does not start or turns on for seconds;
• the required temperature in the cells is not maintained;
• The compressor switches off with a loud noise.

LG

Refrigeration units serve for a long period, but over time, any equipment breaks down. It is necessary to take care of the control module and the engine, especially if it is an inventory one, from the beginning of operation. It is worth checking the electronic settings of the device if LG is constantly running.

Stinol

In models with two engines, problems arise in the electronics unit; in units without the know-frost system, the freezer compressor often breaks down, and drainage blockages also occur.

If the refrigerator does not turn off due to a faulty start-up relay

The power start-up relay of the compressor is controlled by a thermostat and it is this that can cause the continuous operation of the unit. Due to voltage surges, relay contacts often stick, as if welded to each other . So they constantly supply current to the motor. The relay is connected directly to the motor terminals.

Sticking can be determined by checking the power contacts with an ohmmeter. If such a problem is detected, the device is replaced with a new one. For a specialist familiar with the basics of radio engineering, such work will not be difficult. In all other cases, a specialist will be needed.

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 else could happen

It is rare, but it happens that continuous operation of the compressor is caused by a clogged evaporator capillary tube . An ice clot forms in the system and it depressurizes. Repair depends on the location of the blockage. In some cases, the blockage can be removed on the spot, in some cases a trip to the service center is required. There the refrigerator is completely disassembled.

Another reason is simple compressor wear..

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The old motor is not able to pump up the required pressure; the set temperature conditions cannot be achieved in the chambers. The machine works without stopping, falling into a vicious circle. The node can be changed both in the service and at home.

The refrigerator is loud and noisy

Reasons why the refrigerator is noisy:

• malfunction of the defrost (its heating element) in the refrigerator with NoFrost - the fan blades touch the ice, creating squeaks;
• Often the situation why the refrigerator does not turn off, runs loudly, is observed when there is a refrigerant leak and a decrease in pressure in the pipes (gurgling, hissing, whistling);
• when the compressor operates intensely and continuously, or it overheats, the device may make noise, hum, make clicking noises, etc.;
• the motor comes into contact with the water pan, with pipes, and other parts, vibration and rattling occurs. Reason: skewed cabinet, incorrect position of the container;
• loose fastenings;
• The pressure in the system is too high, which causes clicking and knocking noises. Only a specialist can fix the breakdown;
• Forgot to remove the shipping bolts.

It should be taken into account that the refrigerator makes noise when operating and in good condition, but this sound is usually within the normal range (40–42 dB), quiet, and stable. When you first start, unnatural effects may be observed (gurgling, clicking), but they should disappear. Also, users sometimes mistake the normal fan noise in products with NoFrost for the hum of a compressor when it breaks down.

What's the result?

To determine a breakdown, it is important to know at what temperature and after what time the unit should turn off. If your refrigerator is working properly, the motor works cyclically: it will turn off every 10-20 minutes. If the room is warm, the operating time increases. Be that as it may, the unit should not freeze constantly - normally the compressor goes out at least once an hour .

First of all, you should check how the device works, based on operating standards. If these factors are not affected, it is better to immediately call a repairman. Otherwise, you can quickly lose the entire refrigerator - it simply will not be recoverable. The fact is that continuous operation causes significant wear and overheating. With such an overload, even the most progressive compressor will not withstand even six months.