The refrigerator constantly works and does not turn off, causes, solutions

СThe situation when the refrigerator is constantly running and not turning off occurs in many models – both new and old. The reason may be incorrect installation, physical obsolescence of equipment and accidental setting of the maximum temperature.

If this problem occurs, be sure to check the tightness of the door, the temperature in the room, and the operation of the thermostat or compressor.

Below we will consider why the refrigerator is constantly working and does not turn off, does not cool, on what principle it works, what are the design features. We will also analyze what is the dangerous permanent operation of the equipment, and what to do to fix the breakdown.

What is the danger of continuous operation of the refrigerator

The problem of continuous operation has a number of consequences for the refrigerator. If the malfunction is not corrected, the engine overheats and fails faster. With such a malfunction, depending on the brand / model, refrigeration equipment can last about six months.

In order to avoid a problem, it is important to immediately eliminate the breakdown and restore the optimal operating mode with the cycle of stopping and turning on the compressor.

When constant work is not a breakdown

Separately, we single out situations where the non-stop operation of the compressor is not an error.

Refrigerator included:

• after transportation;
• at the end of the defrosting;
• due to temperature difference;
• when used incorrectly.

In other words, it is not a mistake when the refrigerator needs time to bring the temperature inside to an optimal state. To do this, the capacitor must work without interruption.

Reasons why the refrigerator constantly works and does not turn off

Determining the reason why the refrigerator works without shutting down is only the first step. The main difficulty lies in fixing the problem, so in most cases you will need the help of a wizard.

Let’s highlight the main reasons that lead to such a malfunction.

1. Refrigerant leak

The most common reason, therefore, is the first in the list.

With prolonged use of the equipment, the system may be damaged, due to which freon comes out of it.

The main sign is that the freezer works fine, and the main compartment is so warm that you can plant seedlings. This is because in the low pressure circuit a pressure is formed lower than necessary, and this gives a different boiling temperature of freon.

For example, with the desired minus 25, it will be minus 35⁰C. But since freon leaks somewhere locally at the very beginning of the evaporator, it is small and not enough to cool the main chamber.

Also, the problem can be judged by the appearance of oil stains and red marks on the surface. In addition, the refrigerant exits from the bends of the connecting pipes. To solve the problem, you will have to refuel the system, but for this it is worth attracting a wizard.

Often the cause of freon leakage is a rotten tube. This happens after a certain time and there is an assumption that this process is already laid down by manufacturers so that people buy refrigerators more often.

The fact is that such repairs are not cheap and the price can approach the price of the same used refrigerator.

2. Failure of the thermal switch due to a violation of the tightness of the bellows tube

The relay contacts are in the closed position all the time, due to which the compressor is energized without interruption. It is active until the thermal protection is activated. Due to this mode, the temperature in the refrigerator is reduced to a minimum, which leads to the accumulation of frost.

To eliminate the malfunction, you will need the help of a master who diagnoses the relay and decides on a replacement.

3. Violation of the integrity of the seal on the doors

With such a malfunction, heat from the room enters the refrigerator compartment. The sensor gives a command to the compressor, which tries to bring the temperature up to the desired level, but to no avail.

To repair the damage, you can buy a new seal. For fastening of which special grooves or polymer glue are used. The fixing method is selected taking into account the model of the refrigerator. But for some models it will be difficult to choose a sealant and such work will not be cheap.

4. Errors in installation

Installing out of level may result in poor sealing of the chamber. To check the correct installation, use the building level or a glass of water. Remember that the refrigerator must stand strictly upright.

5. Incorrect first start

When starting the refrigerator for the first time, do not set the maximum cooling parameters and do not load it completely (to failure) with products. Let it enter normal operation mode at least 24 hours in advance.

Then you can already use the device to the maximum.

6. Wrong temperature

Often the reason for the constant operation of the compressor are errors in the thermostat setting.

Inside the main chamber, the temperature is kept from 0 to 5 degrees Celsius, which reduces the activity of microbes and bacteria. The temperature around the door shelf is about 10 degrees Celsius.

As for the shelves, here the temperature regime is slightly different:

• lowest shelf – +7 ⁰WITH;
• place above the container – +2 ⁰WITH;
• middle shelf – +4 ⁰WITH;
• upper part – +7 ⁰C.

7. Super Freeze or Quick Cool option enabled

When this mode is selected, the engine turns off after 8 hours, and when manually controlled, the mode turns off only independently.

8. High room temperature

The refrigerator should not be installed in a room with a high temperature or near heat sources such as radiators or electric heaters. In this case, the technique is forced to compensate for the temperature regime.

To avoid problems, it is advisable to follow the following rules:

• do not put the refrigerator on a warm floor and near the batteries;
• ensure good ventilation in the room;
• tightly close the doors in the room, etc.

9. Compressor failure

The on-off cycle of the refrigerator is provided by a relay.

From time to time, the contacts stick, which is why the compressor is constantly energized.

The second cause of the malfunction may be jamming, burning of the winding. To solve the problem, you will have to change the motor.

Such a task can only be solved by a master who performs work according to the following instructions:

• disassembly of the refrigerator;
• removal of the old and installation of a new engine;
• hooked freon into system;
• start the temperature sensor;
• testing, commissioning and adjustment of equipment.

The cause of the problem must be determined before replacement. Otherwise, the new compressor will also quickly fail.

Also, the compressor can work, but not perform its functions, i.e. not create the necessary pressure. The problem is diagnosed poorly, because in order to understand what happened to the device, you need to disassemble it. Over time, 90% of compressors wear piston.

In the process of wear, small chips form on the surfaces of the piston and cylinder, which creates additional friction. Increased resistance puts additional stress on the motor, which can burn out.

The compressor itself overheats, this also applies to the oil. Overheated oil forms thick deposits on the parts, especially for the bypass valve, in which the plate is structurally provided.

When it is new, it fits snugly against the seat, and when deposits form on its surface and the seat surface, the valve does not function properly.

As a result, you can hear that the compressor seems to be working, but it does not create the necessary pressure in the system.

10. Thermostat failure

If this part is damaged, the compressor continues to freeze without interruption.

The main sign of a breakdown is that all the products in the refrigerator freeze. With other breakdowns, this usually does not happen. On elastic bands, where poor thermal insulation will form condensation, and in some cases even frost.

To determine the malfunction, remove the back wall (depending on the design of the refrigerator) and the temperature sensor, and then press the plate. If there is no click when pressed, the part must be changed.

The second way is to compare the rated power (indicated in the instruction manual) and the actual electricity consumption. Most often, this parameter is 30 kW for 30 days. To do this, use a power outlet.

If the indicator deviates above the norm, we can talk about a breakdown of the device. To solve the problem, you need to install a new part.

11. Damage to the evaporator defrosting system

In the event of a breakdown of the heating element, fuse, timer or defrost sensor, ice appears in the freezer. Due to its accumulation, air access is blocked, and the device ceases to cool normally.

12. Damage/contamination of tubes

A common reason why a refrigerator is constantly running is damage to the nozzles, namely the formation of a “blood clot”. The reason may be a lack of lubrication, accumulation of dirt inside, or overheating.

The main symptom is the rapid formation of frost and ice in the freezer, and in the main lack of cold. Since the temperature sensor is located in the main chamber, the refrigerator will also work constantly.

To solve the problem, the help of a master is required, because you will have to disassemble almost the entire refrigerator.

13. Fan breakage

The function of the device is to move the cooled air masses through the internal compartments of the refrigerator. In the event of a breakdown, the temperature in the chambers rises, and the device is forced to compensate for this shortcoming. The motor starts to work without interruption and quickly fails.

14. Malfunction of the control unit

Modern equipment is equipped with sophisticated electronics that protect against power surges, short circuits and other problems. The efficiency of the equipment largely depends on the correct operation of the module.

If it fails, the refrigerator also breaks. To the question of what to do to restore proper work, there is only one answer – firmware with the involvement of a wizard.

15. Improper refrigerant charge

Freon must be charged at room temperature. If you carry out such work at 10 – 12 degrees, for example, in a garage in winter, then you can fill in excess freon.

The main symptom is that the return line begins to freeze at room temperature.

It is important to understand that for different refrigerators, the temperature of the thermostat in the freezer is also different. For one model, it can be minus 10 degrees, for another minus 15.

If there is an excess of freon, then the minus temperature in the freezer can stop at minus 8 degrees in the first case and minus 12 degrees in the second and not fall below. For this reason, the refrigerator will constantly work and not turn off.

In order to determine the excess of refrigerant, you will have to contact a specialist.

16. Individual problems

For each refrigerator, whether it is a two-chamber Atlant or Hotpoint Ariston, the causes of the malfunction may vary. In a special risk zone are 1-compressor devices.

They have only one motor that takes on the entire load. As a result, they cannot withstand overheating and quickly fail. For example, Liebherr models do not like temperature drops below +16 degrees Celsius, Nords often break temperature sensors and start relays, and Atlantes have temperature controllers and defrost sensors.

Design features of refrigerators

The cause of the malfunction depends on the design features of the refrigeration equipment, namely the cooling system.

In modern devices, there are three options – dynamic type, “weeping wall” or No Frost.

All modern refrigerators manufactured by Samsung, LG, Beko, Atlant, Ariston, Indesit, Biryusa, Stinol and others can use different cooling systems. With this in mind, it is necessary to determine why the device is constantly working without turning off, while still not freezing.

How the cooling system works

Freezers and refrigerators work on a principle that is the same for all brands and models.

The cooling system is a system of tubes consisting of two parts:

1. Evaporator – located in the freezer compartment under the casing or shelves (in the refrigerator / freezer, respectively).
2. Condenser – mounted on the back of the equipment and is a system of many tubes.

Both elements are made in a serpentine shape, which allows you to increase the recoil surface and, accordingly, the efficiency.

The refrigeration cycle consists of two stages – condensation and evaporation. At first, freon has the form of a gas, after which it turns into a liquid under pressure. At the next stage, the refrigerant is sent to the evaporator through the capillary and cooled, and then passes through the tubes and takes heat from the refrigerator chambers, cooling the products.

To understand the causes of a malfunction, it is necessary to know the principle of operation of different cooling systems.

Let’s take a quick look at the available options:

1. Compression. The device is based on a compressor (one or two). Its function is to circulate the refrigerant to convert it into a gaseous state. For this, two capacitors are provided – external and internal.
2. Absorption. Unlike the previous version, a compressor is not provided here, and the movement of the refrigerant is provided by a heat exchanger. The disadvantage of the system is that it consumes more electricity.
3. Thermoelectric. Here, the main function is performed by plates that heat up when voltage is applied. This option does not work for consumer devices. The amount of energy expended directly depends on the size of the chamber.
4. Vortex. Rarely used due to low efficiency and increased noise. Cooling occurs due to the expansion of air previously compressed by the compressor.
5. Crying evaporator. The design provides for the location of the evaporator behind the back wall of the refrigerator. After starting the compressor, the system and the wall of the equipment are cooled. Moisture accumulates on the inside, which turns into frost. When the desired temperature parameter is reached, the compressor cools down, the wall heats up, the frost melts and flows down, where through a special hole and the hose goes into a special container (usually located at the back of the refrigerator).
6. No Frost. We will discuss this system in more detail later.

The design of modern refrigerators

To solve the question of why the refrigerator works non-stop, it is important to know the design of the device.

Consider the usual most common layout.

It assumes that:

1. A motor (compressor) that creates the necessary refrigerant pressure. Located between the condenser and evaporator.
2. Capacitor. Cools freon, due to the temperature of the cooling air.
3. Capillary tube. Passes the refrigerant through itself and provides its cooling. In some models, a thermostatic expansion valve is provided instead.
4. Evaporator. Here, the working composition is cooled, followed by heat removal from the chambers.
5. Start relay.
6. Filter drier. It has the appearance of a thickening between the capillary and the condenser. Its functions include cleaning the refrigerant from water and protecting the system from contamination.
7. Boiler. It is a container made of copper or aluminum installed between the motor and the evaporator. Not installed on all models.
8. Temperature controller. The task of the device is to maintain the temperature at the set level. After cooling to the desired level, the thermostat breaks the circuit and thereby removes voltage from the engine.
9. Protective starting relay. Provides voltage to the motor when the equipment is turned on and the thermostat is triggered. In case of overheating, the compressor should shut down.
10. Electronic control unit. They are equipped with most modern refrigerators.

The difference between No Frost and other systems

The main disadvantage of simple refrigerators is the appearance of a thick layer of frost on the inner wall, which reduces the heat exchange between the cooling zone and the refrigerant moving through the system. As a result, the temperature does not decrease and the compressor is constantly running.

The result is food spoilage and rapid compressor wear.

Unlike classic models, the No Frost system has a number of advantages. There is no risk of frost on the back wall.

This is due to the special design of the product, which includes:

• electro TEN;
• timer;
• fan;
• evaporator;
• water drainage device.

In the No Frost system, there is a coil under the shelf in the freezer, which looks like a small radiator. It is installed in any part of the camera. For effective heat absorption, a fan is installed behind the evaporator.

Its function is to ensure the movement of air masses through the device with subsequent entry to the products.

Moisture collects on the evaporator, where frost appears. Due to the time delay, the accumulated “plaque” is heated and removed using a special system into the tray (located at the bottom of the refrigerator).

When choosing a refrigerator, you need to look at exactly where the No Frost system is provided. Sometimes it only works in the freezer.

The coefficient of working time in this system should be up to 0,7. This means that the third part of the time, and from the hour is 20 minutes, the motor must be turned off. The longer the pause time, the better. Reducing this period can lead to a reduction in the service life of components, especially for the compressor.

Tips for the correct operation of the refrigerator

In conclusion, we give a number of recommendations to extend the life of refrigeration equipment.

Base points:

1. Do not activate the Super Freeze / Super Cool option for a long time. In this case, the compressor is always energized and runs without stopping. As a result, the motor fails faster.
2. Do not place the device near heat sources or where it is exposed to sunlight. Periodically clean the condenser from dust, because such debris interferes with normal heat transfer.
3. Avoid setting the maximum values ​​​​on the thermostat. The best solution is to set the parameter somewhere in the middle. When the upper indicator is set, the temperature rises insignificantly, but the motor wears out and quickly fails.
4. Defrost the refrigerator in time. Do not wait for a thick layer of frost to accumulate on the walls.
5. If you have a No Frost device, keep food away from the rear compartment and check the condition of the drain hole to drain the condensate. If the tube is dirty, a stink may occur.
6. Do not use sharp objects to break off the ice crust when defrosting. In this way, it is easy to break the integrity of the tubes, and this will lead to a refrigerant leak. To repair such a malfunction, you will have to invite the master and pay him a considerable amount. To speed up the process, it is better to put inside containers with warm water.
7. Do not use films or blankets in the refrigerator. In the process of use, they can block the capacitor, due to which the device overheats.
8. After defrosting, wipe all surfaces until dry, and then dry them at room temperature. Then close the doors, turn on the empty equipment and let the refrigerator run for one cycle before loading food.
9. Do not place heavy objects on top of the refrigerator, because this shelf is not designed for heavy weight. As a result, damage and the need for repair may occur. If you have to put something on the “roof”, try to evenly distribute the weight.
10. Check the quality of the fit of the doors – this is one of the reasons why the refrigerator constantly works and does not turn off.

And remember that if a malfunction is detected, it is better not to delay the repair and immediately call the master. In this case, more serious damage can be avoided.

The situation when the refrigerator is constantly working is not critical. In many situations, the problem can be solved on your own. But for this you must know exactly the cause and understand the result of actions. In case of more serious malfunctions and the need to replace failed nodes, it is better to invite the master.