The LG Refrigerator That Doesn't Cool - A Fleet Appliance (2023)

If your LG refrigerator is not cooling as it should, there is most likely a problem with one of the refrigerator components that needs to be repaired. But before you can solve the problem, you must first find the cause.

In this article, we'll cover all the common causes so you can diagnose the culprit. This article applies to all major LG refrigerator models, including:

LFX21976ST

LFX25950SB

LFX25950SW

LFX25950TT

LFX25976ST

LFX25991ST

LFX28978SB

LFX28978SW

LFX28979ST

LFX31925ST

LFX31935ST

LFX31945ST

LMX25984SW

LMX25986ST

LMX28988SB

LMX28988ST

LMX28988SW

LRDC22743ST

LRDC22744ST

LRSC26980SB

LSFS213ST

Check that the condenser coils are not dirty

The first point to check is the condenser coils. Their role is to dissipate heat as coolant flows through them. Sometimes they get dirty, which prevents the refrigerator from cooling properly.

To check the condenser coils:

1. Turn off the wall-mounted refrigerator and pull the refrigerator out to access the back of it.
2. Remove the bottom back panel and locate the coils.
3. Check the coils for dirt. If they are clean, then they are not the cause of the problem, so you can proceed to the next point to check.
4. But if they are dirty, clean the condenser coils well. You can use a vacuum cleaner to remove all the dust from them.
5. After cleaning, put the back panel back on, put the refrigerator back in place, and then turn the power back on.

Check the condenser fan motor

The next point to check is the condenser fan motor. The fan motor's job is to draw air through the condenser coils. When it stops working properly, the refrigerator does not cool.

The condenser fan motor can be checked as follows:

1. Turn off the refrigerator at the wall and pull it out to access the back panel.
2. Remove the bottom back panel and first check the fan blades to make sure they spin freely.
3. If you can't turn it around by hand, it's defective and needs to be replaced.
4. If it rotates freely, check the continuity of the fan with a multimeter. If the motor has continuity, it is operating correctly; if there is no continuity, it means it is defective and needs to be replaced.

Check the evaporator fan motor

Another possible reason for the lack of cooling in the LG refrigerator is a faulty evaporator fan motor. Depending on the exact model of your refrigerator, there will be one or more evaporator fans. When they stop working, the refrigerator does not cool because cold air does not circulate from the freezer to the refrigerator.

To check the evaporator fan motor:

1. Turn off the power to the refrigerator.
2. Locate the evaporator fan motor - for single motor refrigerators it will be located in the freezer compartment.
3. Remove the cover and then try turning the fan blade by hand.
4. If you can't turn it all the way, it's probably damaged and needs to be replaced. If the motor makes a lot of noise during operation, this is another sign that it is damaged and should also be replaced.
5. If you can turn the blade but it does not work, you should check the continuity of the motor with a multimeter. If the test shows continuity, it's fine, if not, replace it.

Test the starter relay

If you still haven't solved the problem, the next point is to check the starter relay. This component of the refrigerator works with the starter winding to ensure proper operation of the compressor. When it fails, the compressor will not work properly and the refrigerator will not cool.

You can check it by:

1. Turn off the refrigerator at the power source and move the refrigerator away from the wall to gain access to the back of the refrigerator.
2. Locate the starter relay. You will find it on the back of the refrigerator, behind the lower back panel that is connected to the compressor.
3. Check the continuity of the starter relay with a multimeter.
4. If it has continuity, it will work correctly and you can continue to check the next item. But if there is no continuity, it must be replaced. Also check for a burning smell from the starter relay. If so, it should also be replaced.

Check the temperature regulating thermostat

Another possible reason why the refrigerator does not cool is a faulty thermostat that regulates the temperature. The thermostat is responsible for directing voltage to the evaporator fan motor, the compressor and, if the refrigerator is equipped, the condenser fan motor.

The temperature regulating thermostat can be checked as follows:

1. Find the thermostat in the refrigerator.
2. Turn the thermostat from the lowest setting to the highest setting and see if you hear a click.
3. If you hear a click, it's not broken, so move on to the next item to check.
4. If you do not hear a click, check the temperature control thermostat with a multimeter. If the multimeter shows that the thermostat has no continuity, replace it.

Check the start capacitor

The start capacitor is another possible cause of the refrigerator not cooling. The start capacitor helps drive the compressor at startup, and when it is not running, the compressor will not be able to start, resulting in the refrigerator not cooling properly.

You can check it by:

1. Turn off the refrigerator at the wall and pull it out to access the back panel.
2. Remove the back panel and locate the start capacitor.
3. Use a multimeter to check continuity.
4. If there is no continuity, replace it. But if it has continuity, then it works fine.

Test the thermistor

The purpose of the thermistor is to monitor the temperature in the refrigerator and then transmit it to the control panel. Damage will cause other components in the refrigerator to not function properly.

The best way to check if it is damaged is:

1. Make sure the refrigerator is turned off.
2. After locating the thermistor, use a multimeter to see if the thermistor changes resistance as the refrigerator changes temperature.
3. If not, the thermistor has no continuity and must be replaced. But if it does, that's fine and not the cause of the problem.

Check the compressor

The next thing to check is the compressor. The compressor is a pump that compresses the refrigerant and then circulates it through the evaporator and condenser. When it fails, the cooling system stops working as it should. This is a fairly rare cause of the problem, so check all other possible causes first.

The compressor can be checked by:

1. Make sure the power to the refrigerator is off and unplug it from the wall.
2. Remove the lower back panel and find the compressor.
3. Use a multimeter to check continuity between the electrical contacts on the side of the compressor. If the test shows an open circuit, the compressor is likely defective and should be replaced by an experienced technician.

Check the temperature control chart

The temperature control board is another possible cause of the problem (though not common). This component supplies the necessary voltage to the compressor and fan motors and will prevent the cooling system from operating properly if it fails.

Unfortunately, testing the temperature control board is difficult, so if you've tried all the other items listed above, you should consider replacing the temperature control board and see if that fixes the problem.

Replace the main control board

If you've checked every other point above and still haven't found anything wrong, the last thing to do is replace the main control board. It is quite rare to be the cause, but it can happen.