LG Refrigerator Not Cooling

A refrigerator is an essential appliance in any household, and when it ceases to function properly, it can lead to significant inconvenience. One of the prevalent issues with refrigerators is when they fail to cool effectively. This can prove frustrating, especially if you have perishables that require specific temperatures to remain fresh.

In this blog post, we will address common causes of LG refrigerators not cooling and provide practical steps to resolve the issue. Before reaching out to a technician, consider trying out these solutions first.

LG Refrigerator Not Cooling 

If your LG fridge is not cooling, there could be various reasons. Check the condenser coils, evaporator, or fans for dirt or malfunctions. The compressor relay or condenser fans may also cause the issue. Incorrect temperature settings, gasket seals, or clogged drains can also be culprits.

Some problems are easy to fix while others need professionals. Before trying to fix it yourself, rule out obvious solutions and work through potential fixes one-by-one. If the refrigerator is too cold, check if food is interfering with the temperature sensor cover. Keep an inch of space between food and walls for frost prevention.

Double Check LG Power Outlet

Check the Power Outlet:

Sometimes, a faulty power outlet can cause problems. To see if it’s the issue, unplug your fridge and plug in another device to test the outlet. If the new device works fine, the outlet is probably not the problem.

Soft Reset:

If the new device works but your fridge doesn’t, try this: unplug your fridge for about two minutes, then plug it back in. This simple step can often fix the issue.

Ventilation:

Your fridge needs space to cool properly. Make sure there’s at least one inch of space between the back of your fridge and the wall.

By doing these things, we can get closer to fixing the cooling problem with your LG refrigerator.

Ensure That LG Refrigerator and Freezer Doors Close Properly

Is your LG refrigerator not cooling? Take a look at the rubber seals around the door, also known as gaskets. These gaskets are important because they keep cool air in and warm air out. If there is any damage to the gaskets, your refrigerator will struggle to stay cool.

To check the gaskets, make sure that the doors close securely and remain tightly sealed. If a gasket is loose, adjust it gently. If there is visible damage to the gasket, you may need to replace it.

After checking the gaskets, firmly shut the doors and ensure that they form a tight seal. Remove any food or trays that might be blocking them from closing properly.

Reset Temperature Controls

Adjust Temperature Settings:

The settings that control how cold your fridge is are really important. If they get changed, it can affect how well your fridge works.

Right Temperature Range:

It’s best to keep your fridge between 33°F and 40°F. If it’s higher than that, your fridge, freezer, and ice maker might not work as well.

How to Fix it:

To fix this, simply make the temperature settings colder. Just remember, your freezer and fridge have separate controls, so make sure to check both.

Check Accuracy Over Time:

After using your fridge for a while, it’s a good idea to make sure it’s still keeping the right temperature. Putting a special thermometer inside for a week can help you know if it’s still working accurately.

Doing these things will help keep your fridge working its best all year round!

Clean the Condenser Coils

• Clean the Condenser Coils: To start, unplug your fridge from the wall. You might also want to gently move it a bit away from the wall for better access.
• Why Clean Them: When a fridge doesn’t cool well, it’s often because the coils are dirty.
• Where Are the Coils: Your LG fridge has special tubes at the back (they’re usually made of copper). They help make the cold air. Sometimes, these tubes might even go to the front.
• How They Work: These tubes make the hot air turn into cold air. But if they get too dirty, they can’t do it properly. Sadly, they’re usually at the bottom or back of the fridge, so they gather dust and stuff.
• Cleaning Steps:
• Unscrew the cover at the back of your fridge. While you’re there, clean the vents too, because they bring in the air and can get blocked by dirt.
• Once the vents are clean, move to the coils. You can get to them by taking off the back cover with a screwdriver. Look carefully at the coils. If they’re dirty, it’s time for a good cleaning.
• For this job, you’ll need a special vacuum attachment. Use it to clean the coils. Then, use a brush to reach any spots the vacuum can’t get to.
• Make sure to get rid of all the dirt. Vacuum up any bits left behind. If you need to do this a few times, that’s okay.
• Put Everything Back: When you’re done, put the cover back on and plug in your fridge.

By doing this, your fridge will be able to make cold air more efficiently!

Make Sure the Condenser Fan Is Working Properly

The condenser fan is a crucial part of your refrigerator. It helps keep the compressor and coils cool by circulating fresh air. If it fails or is blocked, the whole unit won’t work correctly, and you’ll experience poor cooling. When you turn on your fridge, the condenser fan should start spinning automatically and continue running while the unit is on.

If it doesn’t, inspect the blades for blockages. If there are none, try manually rotating them. If that doesn’t work, test the motor for continuity. If the continuity test fails, your condenser fan motor may need replacing. Also, consider replacing heavily rusted fan blades.

Examine the Start Relay

Check the Start Relay: If you’ve already made sure the fan is working, the next thing to look at is the start relay. It’s a part that helps the compressor (a motor) start up.

What Does it Do?

It basically tells the compressor when to start. If it doesn’t work, the fridge won’t cool.

How to Check it: Turn on your fridge and touch the compressor (the motor). If it’s working right, you’ll feel it move a bit or hear a buzzing sound. If it doesn’t do anything, the start relay might be broken.

Double Check: Unplug your fridge and carefully take off the start relay.

Listen and Look: Gently shake the start relay. If you hear something rattling or see small bits falling out, it’s time to get a new one.

Listen for a Click: When you turn on your fridge, listen for a distinct click from the compressor. If it quickly clicks back off, the start relay probably needs to be replaced.

By doing this, you can make sure your fridge’s compressor is working properly!

Verify that the Evaporator Fan Is Working

If your LG refrigerator is not cooling, check if the fan is working. The evaporator fan draws cold air from the coils and circulates it to cool the fridge. If it fails, there won’t be cool air in the unit. You may need to replace the faulty fan if your freezer is cold but not the food compartment.

Newer LG fridges have two fans while older ones have one in the freezer. Listen for its sound to confirm its status. Additionally, make sure that the vents in the freezer are not blocked by frozen items. This can obstruct proper airflow and result in cooling issues.

For Refrigerators with a Single Evaporator

Access the Evaporator Fan:

In older LG fridge models, you can get to the evaporator fan by removing the light fixtures and looking up inside the fridge.

Check the Fan:

Once you can see the fan, take a close look to see if it’s working. If it’s not, there might be a problem with it or something could be blocking it.

Simple Test:

You can do a simple test to see if it’s the fan or something else. The door switch controls when the fan starts and stops. Close the fridge doors, and it should start after a few seconds. Or you can manually press the door switch to see if the fan starts.

For Refrigerators with Dual Evaporators

Check the Evaporator Fan:

In newer fridges with two evaporators, you need to look at the evaporator fan in the fridge section.

Test the Fan:

Gently separate the panels in the fridge to fully expose the fan. Then, close the doors and wait for a couple of minutes. When you open the doors again, you should see the fan still spinning before it stops.

What If It Doesn’t Work:

If you’ve tried this a few times and the fan doesn’t spin, it’s likely broken.

By doing these checks, you can find out if the fan in your fridge is working properly.

Examine the Evaporator(s)

If you’ve tried everything and your LG refrigerator still won’t cool, check the evaporator. It’s made of copper tubes behind a panel in the freezer. Its job is to make cold air that gets circulated by a fan into the fridge.

Newer LG refrigerators have two evaporators: one for the freezer and one for the fridge. This helps control each compartment’s temperature more accurately.

For Refrigerators with a Single Evaporator

• Unplug and Open: First, unplug your fridge from the wall. Then, open the freezer.
• Remove Shelves and Panel: Take out all the shelves in the freezer and unscrew the panel at the back. This will show you the coils.
• Check for Ice: Look at the coils and panel. Is there a lot of ice? If yes, it might be a problem with the defrost thermostat at the top.
• Inspect the Thermostat: Take a good look at the thermostat. Is it swollen? If so, it’s time for a new one.
• Testing the Thermostat (Advanced): This needs a lot of technical knowledge. It’s better to get help from a professional.
• Check the Defrost Heater: This part is under the coils. It melts any ice. It should turn on every few hours.
• Test the Heater with a Multimeter: Use a special tool to see if the heater is working. It should show a signal between 20 to 40 Ohms.

For Refrigerators with Dual Evaporators

• Unplug and Open: Unplug your fridge and open the doors of the fridge part.
• Remove Shelves and Panel: Take out all the food, shelves, and drawers. Unscrew the panel to reach the coils.
• Find the Defrost Heater: Under the coils, there’s a part called the defrost heater. It keeps the coils from freezing up and turns on every few hours.
• Check for Ice Buildup: If you see a lot of ice on the coils or panel, let it thaw for a bit. Sometimes, leaving the fridge door open too long can cause extra moisture.
• Plug It Back In: After a few minutes, plug your fridge in again. Let it run for a while and see if it’s working better.

If these steps don’t help, you might need to replace the defrost heater or the evaporator fan.

Inspect the Defrost Drain

Your fridge has different parts that work together. If one part doesn’t work right, it can affect the whole fridge.

How it Works: The evaporator coils make sure your fridge stays cold. The defrost heater kicks in every few hours to stop ice from building up on the coils.

Water from Ice: When the ice melts, it turns into water. This water usually goes down the defrost drain.

Blockage Problem: Sometimes, the drain can get clogged, often because of dirt or other stuff. When this happens, the heater can’t melt the extra ice properly, and it turns into more ice during the next cooling cycle.

Fixing the Blockage: First, unplug your fridge and let it thaw for a bit. Then, use a special tool (forced air) to clear anything blocking the drain.

Where to Find It: In older LG fridges with one evaporator, the drain is in the freezer, below the coils.

For Refrigerators with Single Evaporators

In traditional LG refrigerators with single evaporators, the defrost drain is located in the freezer, beneath the evaporator coils.

For Refrigerators with Dual Evaporators

In refrigerators equipped with dual evaporators, the defrost drain is situated in the refrigerator, directly under the evaporator coils.

When You Need to Order Replacement Parts for Your LG Refrigerator

If you’ve followed our guidance and found the reason your LG fridge isn’t cooling, you may need to replace a broken part. To do this, you must first find genuine replacement parts.

To locate the right part for your fridge, note down the model number and enter it into Sears Parts Direct. You can then order the required component with ease.

You’ll find a sticker with all your refrigerator’s details, including its model number, on the interior side wall.

LG Refrigerator User Manual

If your LG refrigerator is not cooling, you can check the user manual for help. The manual has important troubleshooting tips and other useful information. If you don’t have a physical copy of the manual, visit lg.com and search for your model number.

You can find an online version of the user manual on the website. If available, you can download an electronic copy of the manual. Ensure DEMO Mode is deactivated to ensure proper cooling. Additionally, for certain models, you can press the Refrigerator button in combination with the Ice Plus key to deactivate the demo mode and resolve cooling issues.

LG Customer Support

If your LG refrigerator isn’t cooling even after trying our troubleshooting steps, you may need professional help. You can call our customer service at 1-850-999-4934 anytime for assistance. You can also schedule an appointment for a certified technician to visit your house.

If your refrigerator is under warranty, the service cost may be completely covered. The recommended temperature for the refrigerator is 37 DEGREES and 0 DEGREES for the freezer. Ensure that the refrigerator door closing is not interfered with by food.

FAQs

Conclusion

LG refrigerators sometimes stop cooling unexpectedly, but the issue is usually straightforward. It could be caused by a dirty coil, broken fan, or malfunctioning relay. In this guide, we explain how to solve these issues step-by-step. Hopefully, this will help you identify and fix the problem quickly. If you require professional assistance, we’ll guide you towards the right resources to seek help.

Jeegna

Greetings, tech enthusiasts! I'm Jeegna, your go-to guru for all things gadget-related. With a passion for technology that runs deep, I've made it my mission to unravel the mysteries of the digital world and simplify it for you.