How To Fix LG Fridge Not Cooling

The Refrigerator is the most important appliance in our kitchen and perhaps the largest. LG refrigerators are considered to be one of the best refrigerator available in the market, a trusted and reliable brand. Although there are instances when issues can occur with your refrigerator and one of the most common problem is LG Fridge not cooling. It can be frustrating when that happens because cooling is basically the main job of a fridge. Fortunately, in this latest troubleshooting series, we have gathered possible solutions that you can do to fix LG Fridge not cooling.

Fix LG Fridge Not Cooling

The most common reason why LG fridge is not cooling properly because there is an airflow issue between the fridges and its freezer compartment. The airflow issue is caused by blocked vents, evaporator fan motor is damaged or changes in the fridge settings and often caused by damaged components in the fridge.

Listed below are common causes and and possible solutions to fix LG Fridge not cooling.

When LG Fridge is not cooling but the Freezer works fine

There are instances when the LG refrigerator not cooling the but freezer is still working, as a result airflow of both compartments of the freezer and cooling will not be enough. There are several reasons why this problem happens.

Fridge is Full

A fridge has vents to allow cool air to circulate within the compartments of the fridge and freezer. If fridge is full, it can block the vents inside the fridge and it can no longer circulate the cool air.

Rearranging the items inside the fridge, or better yet removing the items will help with the air to properly circulate cool air. Make sure not put too many items inside the fridge that could block air vents.

Broken Evaporator Fan

An evaporator fan motor is one of the most important part of a refrigerator. Its function is to pill cool air through the evaporator coils while at the same time removing heat from cold air that’s circulating.

If the evaporator fan motor is broken, cold air will not properly circulate. Sometimes it can cause the freezer temperature to be too cold but the other compartments is not cold.

To check Evaporator fan motor:

1. Turn off LG fridge
2. Look for the evaporator fan motor, it is usually located at back of the freezer section.
3. The evaporator is broken if you hear a noisy fan, it needs to be replaced.
4. If the fan is not noisy, you can manually turn the fan blade on the fridge.
5. But if the blade is stucked, you may need to replace the evaporator fan motor instead.
6. Make sure motor continuity is checked, if it fails to function the way it should be the motor needs to be replaced.

It is easy to test the Fan motor of a fridge, follow the steps below:

1. Once evaporator fan motor is located, turn the blade and check if it turns.
2. Using a multimeter, plug it into the fan motor and check for continuity. If motor is not broken, then it is not the cause for LG fridge not cooling, but if you have a broken fan motor, you may need to replace it to fix not cooling issue on your LG fridge.

Condenser Fan Motor is broken or faulty

A condenser fan motor in a refrigerator normally cools down the fridge compressor and condenser coils. Basically, when the compressor is running the fan should also run to. However, if the condenser fan is not working or is malfunctioning, it can increase the refrigerator temperature while at the same time causing the compressor to overheat.

One of the possible reasons why an airflow can be obstructed is probably becaue the fan blades of the condenser is either needs cleaning and or broken.

To fix this: (make sure LG fridge is turn off before doing anything else on the fridge)

• Make sure the condenser fan blades does not have any debris and it is turning. Dirty condenser coils can cause cooling issues.
• Use a multimeter to check continuity of the Condenser fan motor.
• If the condenser fan motor is the culprit for LG refrigerator not cooling, you may need to have it replaced by an authorized LG technicians.

How a condenser fan motor is replaced:

1. Remove the broken condenser.
2. Place the new condenser motor.
3. Cover it back up.
4. Plug the refrigerator power cord to working outlet.
5. Turn ON refrigerator and allow to start cooling while at the same time observing the temperature is the issue has been resolved.

Failed Inverter Linear Compressor

An inverter linear compressor of an LG refrigerator normally adjusts its speed to help maintain the freshness of the items inside the fridge by lowering the fluctuations of the fridge temperature.

There have been reports from LG users that the newest version of linear compressors fail most of the time.

If both the fridge and the freezer compartments of an LG refrigerator is not cooling (common issue on double door models), it is likely related to a failed inverter linear compressor and often due to failed start delay.

Whereas, when the freezer compartment is cold but the fridge compartment is not, it is most likely caused by airflow that’s restricted possibly due to a faulty or burnt thermal fuse, failed evaporator fan and or defrost heating elements.

If the fridge is not cooling in both the compartments, you may move the fridge and open its back panel. Check if the compressor is running, if it is running and still it is not cooling. The compressor might have failed.

Lucky for you though, LG compressors are included in LG’s 10-year warranty.

Faulty Compressor Start Relay

If the linar compressor is not the cause for LG refrigerators not cooling, check for compressor start relay. The compressor Start relay maintains the temperature inside the refrigerator, The start relay is required for compressor to start. Basically, it is responsible in supplying energy to the refrigerator. Start relay is an important part of the refrigerator’s cooling system.

If the compressort start relay is faulty, the compressor will also be affected therefore LG refrigerator is not cooling the way it should be.

To fix this issue, you may need to open the back panel of your LF refrigerator to expose the bottom portion where start delay is located. In order to open the back panel of the refrigerator door, you need to move it away for its outlet (Power cord should be removed too). Move it to a position that you are able to open to gain access to its back panel. Most LG refrigerators also has a water line, disconnect it as well.

Using a multimeter, check the start delay for continuity. If there is no continuity, the relay may need to be replaced. Have an authorized LG technician replace the relay for you.

Once relay has been replaced, cover the back panel of the refrigerator and place it back to where it belong. Plug into a working outlet and check if relat is working correctly. Wait for LG refrigerator to start cooling.

Condenser coils are dirty

The primary job of a condenser coil is to cool down the refrigerant of a refrigerator and remove the heat out to make sure the refrigerator has the required temperature inside. If the condenser coils are blocked because of dirt and debris.

As previously mentioned, condenser are important part of a refrigerator in keeping the appliance at the right temperature.

If refrigerator is too hot or too hold, you can suspect that maybe the condenser if having issues or the condenser coils simply needs some cleaning.

In order to gain access to the fridge condenser unit, you need to open the back panel and it is located at the bottom.If you need to move the unit, make sure unit is unplugged (disconnect waterline if connected to it). Always remember to remove the power cord from the outlet before you start checking the unit.

If the condenser coils are dirty, you may need to remove the dirt. You can use a stiff brush to do that. If there are presence of hardened dirt, clean the condenser coils using a brush and soapy water.

Before closing the panel and plugging it back in to test, make sure condenser coils are dried up.

Issues with the Main Control Board

When we talk about Main control Board, it is basically the brain of the refrigerator. It controls the sensors, compressors, fans and most of the parts and components inside the fridge.

There is a possibility that the main control board is defective is the unit is not properly cooling. If the main control board is faulty, its best to replace them. Although, the main control board rarely cause issues, the solution is to replace the control board. But as they say, it is wiser to purchase a new fridge than replacing the main control board.

Temperature Control Thermostat is defective

Another possible cause why LG refrigerator is not cooling because of a defective temperature control thermostat. A thermostat is another important part of a refrigerator. It is responsible in controlling the fridge cooling process,basically monitor the temperature of the refrigerator compartment and also responsible for turning the compressor on and off. It also controls the fridge cooling components that includes the compressor, condenser fan and evaporator fan.

If the Temperature control thermostat is malfunctioning, some cooling components or a specific components will not also function.

The thermostat is located at the bottom part of the refrigerator. But you need to check first if the thermostat is working by simply increasing the temperature and simply wait for the unit to automatically turn on. If the thermostat fails to start, then there is something wrong inside the fridge.

Move your unit away but make sure power cord is removed and disconnected. Open the back panel, turn the knob of the thermostat and see if you hear a click.

If thermostat is defective, you may need to get in touch with LG’s authorized technician to have the thermostat replaced.

After installing a new thermostat, reconnect refrigerator again by plugging it back to a working outlet and then check refrigerator cool properly is achieved.

Frequently Asked Questions