LG Refrigerators have long been the appliance of choice for anyone needing a modern, aesthetic, and robust fridge for their home.
But one problem users have reported consistently running into is that their freezer will suddenly stop freezing for no obvious reason.
This is pretty bad news for all your frozen food that’s now slowly defrosting. But don’t worry; this is an easily fixable and common issue.
So in this article, we’re going to explain why this problem occurs and the best methods to get it fixed up and back to working order.
Why is your LG Freezer Not Freezing?
When an LG freezer cannot freeze properly, it usually boils down to one of two things. Firstly, one or more components have become clogged up and need to be cleaned out.
But sometimes this problem may boil down to a component failure which needs to be exchanged with a new one. Let’s take a deeper look at all the reasons behind this problem so you can better diagnose the problem.
1. The Compressor is Failing
The compressor is probably the single most crucial component of a fridge’s functionality. It pumps the refrigerant through the evaporator coils and allows the heat to dissipate.
An easy way to tell whether the compressor is working or not is to listen to the sound of the LG refrigerator. When it’s running optimally, you should hear a gentle, steady humming sound coming from it.
You can also place your hand low down behind the LG fridge, you should be able to feel the heat coming from the compressor as it’s working.
Suppose it seems the compressor is not working. In that case, it may be that the coils have frozen over, which restricts the compressor’s ability to pump the refrigerant and the LG refrigerator needs to be defrosted.
However, it may also be that the compressor has failed and needs to be replaced with a new, working one.
2. The Condenser Coils are Dirty
As the refrigerant is pumped through the condenser coils, heat is dissipated and then blown away by the condenser coil fan. This is the fundamental principle of how a fridge cools.
But as these coils are exposed to the outside, they tend to pick up dirt, dust, and hair which causes them to get clogged up. This dirt can act as an insulator and prevent the heat from dissipating correctly.
So we need to clean out the condenser coils to let the freezer lower the temperature enough.
3. The Evaporator Coils are Dirty
The evaporator coils sit inside the LG fridge and pull the hot air out from inside the fridge and distribute it back out to the refrigerator coils for cooling.
Even though these are situated inside the freezer, they still tend to clog up. So we need to clean these out too or they won’t be able to lower the freezer’s internal temperature.
4. The Condenser Fan Motor is Failing
As the condenser coils dissipate heat into the air, it still relies on a blowing fan to carry the hot air away from the fridge to adequately lower the temperature.
So when the condenser fan fails that hot air tends to hang around the freezer and make it too hot, which in turn stops it from freezing.
If this fan isn’t working due to a failed capacitor or damaged blades, then it will need to be swapped out for a working one. Fortunately, this process is relatively easy to perform by yourself.
5. The Evaporator Fan Motor is Worn Out
As the cold refrigerant is passed through the refrigerator coils inside the freezer, it relies on the evaporator fan to blow that cold air around so it can keep a nice and even ambient temperature inside the freezer.
Sometimes the motor of this fan can fail, causing the freezer to get too hot. If this fails then it will need to be exchanged for a new one.
6. A Main Control Board Problem
The control board acts as the fridge’s brain; it controls the various features and tells them to turn on and off as needed.
As these are quite complicated devices they can develop a myriad of problems that require them to be fixed.
So if you’re not comfortable testing specific components the easiest option is to replace the whole control board in one go.
7. There is a System Leak
Not to be confused with a water leak. A leak in the sealed system means there is some damage on the evaporator or condenser coils, causing the refrigerant to leak.
A thorough cooling system inspection is required; if a leak is found, you can try to plug it temporarily using a special refrigerant additive. But ultimately, it needs addressing by a professional.
8. The Start Relay is Failing
When the temperature rises above the threshold set by the thermostat, the start relay switches on and starts up the compressor.
The compressor is a vital part of the cooling system, so when the starter relay fails the freezer won’t be able to cool itself.
It’s pretty common for start relays to draw too much current and burn themselves out. Here we’ll need to test it with a multimeter for functionality and replace it as needed.
How to Fix an LG Freezer that’s Not Freezing
If any of the components involved in the cooling chain run into issues, it can affect the internal temperature of the fridge by reducing the freezer’s ability to absorb the hot internal air and dissipate it through the external condenser coils.
Now that we have a better understanding of what is causing this problem, let’s look at how to fix it.
1. Defrost the Machine and Fix the Compressor
The compressor needs to be able to pump refrigerant through the evaporator coils for the freeze to cool.
If you’ve noticed it’s struggling to function or doesn’t turn on we will need to ensure the coils are not frozen and that the motor is running.
When the condenser coils are frozen the simplest way to defrost them is just to just turn the fridge off for about 24 hours.
It’s a good idea to transfer any critical perishable goods into a cooler for safekeeping during that time.
If the compressor itself is not working, then LG customer support will need to be contacted, who will arrange for a professional to replace this component for you.
2. Clean the Condenser Coils
When the condenser coils are clogged up, the heat won’t dissipate from the freezer, raising its internal temperature.
To clean out the condenser coils, you only need a vacuum cleaner and brush.
Brush out all the dust, hair, and debris from in between the condenser coils while holding your vacuum’s nozzle nearby to suck up all the dust as you dislodge it. Otherwise, your kitchen might get pretty messy!
3. Clean the Evaporator Coil
The evaporator coil is located inside the freezer, but they, too, can still get dirty.
If you have a vacuum with a brush attachment you can easily give them a brush down to clean them out. Alternatively, you may have to physically remove them from the freezer and manually wipe them down with a soft cloth to remove the buildup.
If you have to use this method, ensure they are securely re-seated when re-installing.
4. Replace the Condenser Fan Motor
Start by double-checking the coils aren’t frozen over as this is a common reason why the condenser fan isn’t effective, you may need to defrost them.
If the fan itself isn’t functioning then the motor may need to be replaced. The good news is you can do this yourself quite easily.
- Start by unplugging the fridge, you shouldn’t work on the fridge while it’s powered on.
- Locate the condenser fan and remove the screws that hold it into place.
- Remove and discard the old condenser fan motor, keeping note of which wires are plugged into it.
- Then simply insert the new one and plug it in using the same configuration.
- Replace the mounting screws and plug the fridge back in.
5. Replace the Evaporator Fan Motor
The internal fan is needed to circulate the cold air around the fridge. However, this fan can sometimes wear out over time and must be replaced.
- Once again unplug the fridge from the power supply.
- Remove the plastic cover that shields the evaporator fan.
- Disconnect the wires and screws that hold it in place.
- Remove the old fan and insert the new one in its place.
- Re-install the wires in the same configuration as they were in the old fan and screw them into place.
6. Replace the Main Control Board
As the main control board is quite a complicated component it can be difficult to fix by yourself.
If the control board is causing problems, then we recommend contacting LG support again and having a professional swap it out.
7. Fix Any Leaks
Leaks in the coils will severely hamper the freezer’s ability to cool.
One of the most effective ways to fix leaks within the cooling system is to use a product called ‘stop leak’. This is an additive that you can add to your refrigerator’s cooling system that can easily seal up small leaks.
This works great when leaks are small. However, if there is significant damage to any of the coils a professional should be called to fix it.
8. Install a Working Start Relay
Without a working start relay, the compressor will be unable to turn on, preventing the freezer from cooling.
Here you should contact LG support for assistance from a technician, as these can be difficult to fix on your own.
Adrian is an ISCET licensed professional that has completed the National Appliance Service Technician Certification Exam and has the expertise to diagnose and repair any appliance. He is well-versed in the latest technologies and techniques and is always up-to-date on the latest industry standards.
