DISCLOSURE:This post may contain affiliate links, which means that when you click on the link and make a purchase, we will receive a commission at no extra cost
The refrigerator is the largest and most important of all kitchen appliances in your home. This is where you store all your perishable groceries before you prepare your meals. This is also where you store leftover food and drinks for the family.
Unfortunately, there comes a time when something goes wrong and you notice that the temperature inside is not where it should be.
Below are some common reasons why the LG refrigerator does not cool.
Contents
- Possible causes and solutions
- The LG refrigerator neither cools nor freezes
- In-line inverter compressor faulty
- Compressor start relay failure (if not linear compressor)
- The LG fridge does not cool enough, but the freezer works
- Dirty condenser coils
- The condenser fan motor does not work
- The evaporator fan motor does not work
- The temperature control thermostat is not working
- Frequently asked questions
- The LG refrigerator does not cool and there is no error code
- How do I know if the LG refrigerator compressor is bad?
- Why does my LG refrigerator not cool after a power cut?
- Is there a RESET button on the LG refrigerator?
- LG Refrigerator Service Manual
- Is there a recall of LG refrigerators or a lawsuit against LG?
- LG Refrigerator Problems (Mainly Affected Models)
Possible causes and solutions
The LG refrigerator neither cools nor freezes
In-line inverter compressor faulty
If your LG refrigerator is not cooling in both compartments, this cooling problem is common with double door (french door) refrigerators and is 90% of the time related to a linear inverter compressor failure and 10% of the time to a starter relay failure. If the freezer is still cold but the refrigeration compartment is heating up, 80% of the time this problem is due to restricted airflow due to a blown thermal defrost fuse, defrost heater or evaporator fan failure.
This new generationlinear compressors in LG refrigeratorshave not proven to be reliable.They fail quite often.
So if you have a fridge that doesn't cool at all in both the freezer and the fridge compartment, you need to do thispull the refrigerator out of its place,remove the rear bottom panelITo listento determine whether the compressor is running or not.
If you hear the compressor running but not cooling, the compressor is faulty. In other words, it is not pumping refrigerant into a closed system to cool the refrigerator.
But the good thing is that most of these LG compressors come with a 10-year warranty. So check the warranty first and then callLG customer service 1-888-542-2623 for assistance.
Compressor start relay failure (if not linear compressor)
In the LG refrigerator, the start relay is a very important part of the cooling system.
Works together withcompressorthe refrigerator and if it does not work properly or not at all, the compressor will not work properly or not at all.
Get in touch with an appliance repair technician
Click here to use the chat and speak to one of our technicians.
No home service calls. No meetings.
You will need to access the bottom of the refrigerator by opening the rear access panels.
The first thing you need to do is unplug the fridge so you can unplug it and unplug the water line if it's connected.
Get in touch with an appliance repair technician
Click here to use the chat and speak to one of our technicians.
No home service calls. No meetings.
Move the refrigerator to a position where the rear access panels can be opened.
The start relay will be located at the bottom of the unit near the compressor with amultimeteryou need to test the relay for continuity between the start and run terminals, if you don't have continuity you need to replace the relay.
Contact LG to find out how to get a new starter relay. Once you get a new part, replace it and zip everything back up, plug the unit back in, and reconnect the water line if it's been disconnected.
Check if the compressor is working normally.
The LG fridge does not cool enough, but the freezer works
Dirty condenser coils
The most important part of the refrigerator's cooling system is the condenser coils.
The condenser contains refrigerant which circulates inside the coils.
The air inside the refrigerator flows through the condenser coils and removes heat.
So, if you notice that the temperature inside the refrigerator does not maintain the selected temperature, it is possible that there is something wrong with the condenser or that the coils are dirty.
The condenser is located at the bottom of the refrigerator and must be accessed from the back of the appliance.
Be sure to unplug the unit from the wall and disconnect the water line if you need to move it too far.
After checking the condenser and finding that the coils are really dirty, you can simply remove all the dirt with a stiff brush, compressed air, for really dried dirt, you can use soapy water with a brush.
If you use water, make sure everything is dry before testing.
The condenser fan motor does not work
The key to the LG refrigerator's cooling system is the circulation of cool air.
A big part of this is the condenser fan, which moves air through the condenser coils, which cools the air.
If you suspect that airflow is reduced or non-existent,It is possible that the fan blades are clogged or the fan motor is damaged.
Always make sure the power is off before working on anything that requires power.
First, check that the fan rotates freely and that there is no dirt on it. If everything looks good, test motor continuity with amultimeter.
If you find that the motor windings are the problem, contact LG and get a new motor.
After receiving the new repair part, remove the old fan motor and then install the new fan motor.
After the repair is completed, close all covers and, if necessary, reconnect the water hose, reconnect the power cable and move the refrigerator back to its place.
Give the unit time to start the cooling process and check that it has cooled down to the correct setting.
The evaporator fan motor does not work
The evaporator fan circulates air through the cooling coils and into the freezer and refrigerator sections.
Most refrigerators have only one evaporator, which is located behind the freezer.
If the air does not circulate properly, none of the sections will be sufficiently cooled.
Always check the fan to make sure it rotates freely and is not blocked by dirt.
If the fan does not spin, you probably have a faulty evaporator fan motor.
You can test the motor for bad internal windings usingmultimeterand checks for continuity.
There is a hint that the windings are the problem, contact LG and get a new evaporator fan motor.
if you needreplace the fan motorbe sure to unplug the power cord and unplug the water line if necessary.
Access the back of the refrigerator to get to the evaporator motor.
Disconnect the motor power leads and remove the mounting screws holding the motor in place.
Remove the old motor and fit the new one, fasten everything back and connect the unit.
The temperature control thermostat is not working
The thermostat is a large part of the electrical system in the LG refrigerator and controls the flow of energy to the motors (evaporator fan, condenser fan and compressor) that are part of the cooling system.
If it is not working properly, one or more parts of the cooling system will fail.
If you suspect it
The thermostat will be located at the bottom of the unit and will be easy to find. A quick way to check if it is working is to turn the knob and if it clicks then the thermostat is probably working.
But to be sure, you'll want to test for continuity while turning the dial.
If the thermostat is damaged, please contact LG and order a spare part for your refrigerator model.
After installing the replacement part and reattaching everything and reconnecting the water line (if you disconnected it), plug the unit back in and test it.
Frequently asked questions
The LG refrigerator does not cool and there is no error code
If your refrigerator shows no error codes, but at the same time does not cool, then the main control board cannot detect problems with its internal sensors. This is one of the common problems with LG linear compressors. It seems to work, but it does not produce cold.
How do I know if the LG refrigerator compressor is bad?
If the compressor is running (you can tell by listening to the compressor) but not cooling at all, this is the first sign of a compressor failure.
Why does my LG refrigerator not cool after a power cut?
One of the reasons why the refrigerator stopped cooling after a power cut is due to failure of the main control board due to power surges. You can try resetting the power by switching the circuit breaker, but if that doesn't fix the cooling problem, the control board is faulty and you need to call for repair.
Is there a RESET button on the LG refrigerator?
To reset the LG refrigerator, turn off the power for 2 minutes. This procedure resets the main controller/motherboard.
If the first recommendation above does not help, it is likely that the control panel of the LG refrigerator has a TEST button on the back of the refrigerator. To perform this procedure, see the service manual above or watch the video below.
If you have an LG Instaview refrigerator, you can performSmart diagnostic testalso.
LG Refrigerator Service Manual
Is there a recall of LG refrigerators or a lawsuit against LG?
The recall of LG refrigerators with linear compressor failure began on September 23, 2020 for refrigerators purchased between 2014 and 2017. If your refrigerator is experiencing a No Cooling event, please contact
LG Refrigerator Problems (Mainly Affected Models)
lfxs26973s lfcs22520s lfxc22526s lfcc22426s lfxs28968s lfc22770st lfxs26596s lfds22520s lfxc24726s lfc24770st 2xs2x9 2xs 2c 8968s lfxs2 6596s lfxc24726s lfxs28596s lfxs32766s lfxs26973d lfx31925st
FAQs
Why is my LG refrigerator working but not cooling? ›
The most common culprit is a faulty seal, which can stop the compressor from being able to run. So, if your fridge is running but not cooling, then there is a good chance you have an issue with your compressor. If this is the issue, you will need to call in a licensed technician to repair it.
What is the most common problem with LG refrigerators? ›The most common LG refrigerator repairs are temperature issues. Check the settings and adjust if they are too low or high. Check the condenser coils for dust and debris and clean them with a vacuum. Ensure the condenser and evaporator fans are free of obstructions and spin freely.
Why is my refrigerator not cold enough troubleshooting? ›- Power source has been switched off.
- Thermostat isn't set properly.
- Blocked vents.
- Dirty condenser coils.
- Dirty or faulty gaskets.
- Not enough space clearance.
- Broken or stuck condenser fan.
One of the most common reasons why your LG refrigerator freezer is cold but refrigerator is warm is due to dirty condenser coils. Dust, hair, and lint collect on these coils over time. What causes it: The coils help maintain cold temperatures by releasing heat.
Why is my compressor running but not cooling my fridge? ›If you can hear the compressor running but the fridge isn't cooling, the problem is most likely either frost-clogged evaporator coils or a stuck or broken evaporator fan. If you hear no sounds and the compressor isn't running, or you hear a click, inspect the overload relay, start relay, and start capacitor.
What is the average life of a LG refrigerator? ›How many years does an LG fridge last? On average, a refrigerator typically lasts around 12 to 13 years, including models from LG.
Is it worth repairing an LG refrigerator? ›But, as a good rule of thumb, if you have multiple faulty parts or if your refrigerator is over ten years old, it is probably time to replace it. Consumer Reports recommends replacing your refrigerator if the cost to repair it is more than half the price of buying a new one.
How do I know if my refrigerator compressor is bad? ›- The compressor starts making an unusual or loud noise when running.
- The compressor turns on and off too frequently.
- The compressor turns off prematurely.
- The refrigerator is not cooling.
- The compressor overheats.
- Your electricity bills are too high.
- Remove anything blocking the circulation vents. ...
- Keep enough food in your fridge. ...
- Check for an old or cracked gasket seal. ...
- Clean the condenser coils. ...
- Inspect the evaporator fan motor for clogs or damage.
Make sure your evaporator fan is working properly
If you look behind your refrigerator, you should be able to locate this fan. Test to see if this fan can spin freely, making sure that there is no dust or debris stopping it. Sometimes cleaning of this area can easily solve the problem.
What causes the fridge to be warm but the freezer to be cold? ›
The Vents Are Blocked
If you have a warm fridge, but your freezer is still cold, your first port of call should be to check if your freezer is overloaded. Overfilling your freezer can block the vents and prevent cold air from reaching the fridge.
Temperature control settings are incorrect
One of the most common reasons for this issue is that the temperature control settings for your fridge and freezer have gotten switched by accident. If your fridge is set too low, it can cause your fridge to be warm.
A refrigerator door gasket should form an airtight seal around the appliance's frame to keep the cold air in and the warm air out. If the door gasket is twisted or torn, gaps can form that will allow warm air in, resulting in the refrigerator compartment being warm even though the freezer compartment is cold.