LG freezers are supposed to keep items below freezing temperatures. If it fails to do that, it’s no different from a regular refrigerator. So why does your LG freezer cool down but not freeze? However, if your LG freezer is not working or freezing, follow the below methods to troubleshoot it.
If your LG freezer is not freezing, make sure the condenser coils aren’t dirty. Next, make sure the evaporator coils are frost-free, and the evaporator fan motor still works. If none of those is the problem, you should troubleshoot the thermistor and relay any electrical faults.
Let’s explore those five reasons why your LG freezer is not freezing or not working in this quick guide. You’ll also find some frequently asked questions that you’ll find helpful.
Table of Contents
What Causes An LG Freezer To Stop Freezing? – Troubleshooting LG Freezer Which Is Not Working
#1 Dirty Condenser Coils
As your freezer’s refrigerant absorbs heat and circulates through its cooling system, it passes through condenser coils. These coils are extremely hot, and they’re outside the appliance.
This is because the condenser coils are where heat is transferred from the freezer to the surrounding air. Most freezers also have a condenser fan that drives air past the coils to improve the efficiency of the heat transfer process.
This process is less effective when the condenser coils become dirty. Dust collects in the coils over time, preventing them from releasing heat to the surrounding air.
The freezer can’t cool down as much as it should when that happens. In severe cases, nothing in the compartment will freeze.
Fortunately, this can be fixed easily. The dirty condenser coils should be cleaned with a brush and vacuum. Here’s what you need to do:
- Vacuum all loose dirt and debris from around the dirty condenser coils.
- Next, brush off any dirt that’s stuck on the condenser coils.
- If you do that, the heat transfer process will become efficient again, and the freezer will be able to cool down and freeze the items inside.
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#2 Frosted Evaporator Coils
The LG Freezer has a closed-loop cooling system with two coils.
We discussed the condenser coils that run hot and release heat into the appliance’s surroundings in the previous section.
Let’s turn to the other set of coils: the evaporator coils, representing the cold side of the freezer’s cooling system. The coils in the freezer compartment lower the air temperature inside the compartment.
Unfortunately, these evaporator coils will not work correctly if they accumulate frost and ice. As a result, those buildups will prevent the freezer from cooling correctly.
LG freezers are designed to run an automatic defrost cycle one or more times a day. These cycles will melt any frost buildup before it becomes a serious problem.
However, if you notice that your freezer’s evaporator coils are covered in frost, the defrost cycle isn’t working.
To resolve this issue, you must first manually defrost the freezer. Once all the ice and frost have melted away, you can troubleshoot the defrost system to ensure it runs on schedule.
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#3 Failed Evaporator Fan Motor
Evaporator coils don’t work on their own. Instead, an evaporator fan forces air past the coils. In this way, the fan helps cool the freezer by dispersing cold air evenly throughout the compartment.
Using the freezer for an extended period can cause the evaporator fan motor. This could be caused by a short circuit or damage caused by a power surge.
The same can also happen if the motor experiences too much wear. Nevertheless, excessive wear is only likely if you’ve been using your LG freezer for a long time.
Whenever a motor fails, the solution is to replace it with a new one. In most cases, repairing a fan motor isn’t a viable solution, so it’s best to remove it and replace it as soon as possible.
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#4 Faulty Start Relay
We have troubleshot your LG freezer’s cooling system’s condenser and evaporator coils. The compressor is another critical component of that cooling system since it drives coolant through it.
The compressor is powered by a component called the ‘start relay.’ Therefore, if the relay is faulty, the compressor will run intermittently or not at all. As a result, your LG freezer doesn’t cool and won’t freeze any of your items.
Having ruled out causes #1 to #3 above, the next step is to inspect the start relay. You can do this in two ways:
Manual inspection: Check the start relay for visible signs of damage. A burnt relay will appear and smell burnt. If you notice those signs, you should replace the start relay immediately.
With a multimeter: Check the continuity of the start relay with a multimeter for a more thorough inspection. It will not allow electricity to flow through it (i.e., it won’t have continuity). If your multimeter test confirms that, replace the start relay with a new one.
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#5 Thermostat Or Thermistor
The last step in troubleshooting is to check the thermostat in your LG freezer. Some user manuals and technical sheets refer to this part as the thermistor. Regardless of what you call it, its purpose is to measure the temperature inside the freezer compartment.
The thermostat tells the freezer control board when to start or stop cooling when it’s working correctly. In contrast, a faulty thermostat won’t be able to do that accurately.
As a result, the freezer mistakenly thinks it’s cold when it’s not. The appliance will not run its cooling system, and the freezer will remain warm.
Another component you cannot repair is the thermistor or thermostat. You will have to replace it.
You can test the thermistor with a multimeter just like you would for other electrical or electronic components. A multimeter that shows no electrical continuity in the thermostat indicates it’s time to replace it.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some other frequently asked questions you’ll find helpful when troubleshooting your LG freezer which is not freezing/working:
What Temperature Should My LG French Door Freezer Be Set At?
The LG French Door freezer should be set to 0 degrees Fahrenheit. At that temperature, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), your freezer will safely keep food items frozen while preventing bacterial growth.
Why Is My LG Freezer Cold But Not Freezing?
If your LG freezer is cold but not cold enough to freeze items, the condenser coils are probably dirty. The condenser coils of the freezer release heat into the surrounding air. If they become dirty, they prevent the freezer from reaching freezing temperatures.
What Do I Do If My LG Freezer Is Not Freezing or Not Working?
If your LG freezer doesn’t freeze, check that the set temperature is low enough. At a minimum, you should set it to 0 degrees Fahrenheit. If it doesn’t freeze after 24 hours, clean the condenser coils, then troubleshoot the thermistor and evaporator fan motor.
How Do I Reset My LG Freezer?
It is possible to reset your LG freezer by disconnecting its power supply and leaving it alone for at least 10 minutes. You must remove the plug from the wall socket or turn off the circuit breaker. The reset is complete after 10 minutes, and you can reconnect the appliance.
How Do I Defrost My LG Freezer Without Unplugging It?
A pot of boiling water is another effective way to defrost. Place the pot full of boiling water in the freezer and close the door. Steam and heat will melt any frost built up in the freezer. Replace the cold water in the pot with more boiling water and repeat as necessary.
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