LG Refrigerator Not Cooling? Help Guide

LG refrigerators have a good reputation. But you may find yourself with fridge cooling issues. An LG refrigerator not cooling is a huge problem. The temperature in your LG refrigerator isn’t remaining at the level you set it at. What could be the cause of this? Let’s take a look at some of the most common reasons why your LG refrigerator isn’t functioning.

LG Refrigerator Not Cooling Troubleshooting

Read the information below before moving the refrigerator out from the wall or removing any parts of the fridge. You will need to understand how the refrigerator works with the components to pinpoint why the LG refrigerator is not cooling and go from there.

Remember to always remove the refrigerator from power when troubleshooting and disconnect the water supply line if it is not long enough.

The parts of an LG refrigerator that can cause it to not cool are: Condenser coils, Compressor start relay, Condenser fan motor, Evaporator fan motor, Temperature control thermostat, Compressor, and Main control board.

Condenser Coils Clogged With Dust

Condenser coils help to keep the fridge cool. The cooling system is made up of coolant pipes that run through the coils, circulating the coolant. The refrigerator’s air is cooled by the coolant, which also removes heat from the coils. The condenser unit is critical for keeping the refrigerator at an optimum temperature. If it is too hot, the condenser unit or coils may need to be cleaned. To reach your condenser unit, you may find them on the front of the unit or you’ll need to remove the back of the refrigerator to access them. If the coils are full of dust or pet hair, clean them with a canister vacuum and remove any dust particles.

Compressor Start Relay Fault

The compressor and the start relay are two essential elements in the cooling system of all refrigerators. If the start relay is faulty, the compressor will not turn on, and therefore not cool the refrigerator. To repair it, you’ll need to remove the back panels of your LG refrigerator to get to the bottom and inspect the start relay. The start relay is near the compressor. The quickest method to determine if the start relay is faulty is to check for continuity between the start and run terminals with a multimeter. If no continuity the start relay needs to be removed and replaced. You can find a replacement start relay online.

Condenser Fan Motor Fault

The condenser fan motor and fan blade are essential components of the LG refrigerator. This fan moves air over the coils and therefore cools the air. If the fan is not working then no airflow is being produced. The condenser fan blades might be jammed with dust or the fan motor may be faulty. Locate the fan blade on the LG refrigerator. Check that the fan blade turns with no issues. Check for continuity on a multimeter between two points on the condenser fan motor to discover whether the problem is with the condenser fan motor itself. If you find that the motor is at fault, you can order the part online.

Faulty Evaporator Fan Motor

Refrigerators have an evaporator fan motor on the back of the freezer compartment. This fan circulates the air across the cooling coils and into your freezer and refrigerator compartments. If the refrigerator does not move enough cold air, the freezer and fridge compartments will not keep cool. Check the evaporator fan motor after unplugging the refrigerator’s power. Check that the blade turns by rotating it. Check that the evaporator fan motor has continuity by checking with a multimeter. You’ll need to replace the evaporator fan motor if there is no continuity.

Temperature Control Thermostat Fault

The thermostat is a device that regulates the refrigerator’s cooling components, such as the evaporator fan, compressor, and condenser fan. If the temperature control thermostat is faulty, the part will cause the fridge to not cool properly. If the temperature control thermostat is faulty, remove the back of the fridge. The thermostat is located near the bottom of the refrigerator. Turn the knob and listen for a click. This will tell you it is in working order. If the thermostat is faulty, you can order the temperature control thermostat for your refrigerator online.

Compressor Fault

If the refrigerator is warm and the freezer is still cold, there’s a problem with restricted airflow. The most common reason for this is a malfunctioning defrost thermistor, though it can also be caused by a defrost thermal fuse or a failed evaporator fan. If the fridge is warm and the freezer is warm, the part that has a fault might be a failed start relay or the inverter linear compressor that has the issue. If you hear your refrigerator running but it isn’t cooling, the compressor is most likely at fault. This usually indicates that the system isn’t circulating refrigerant to cool down the refrigerator. The compressor may need to be replaced, or possibly sent back to LG if the fridge is within warranty.

Main Control Board Fault

If the LG refrigerator isn’t cooling properly, the main control board may be defective. If you have tried all the above and the refrigerator still does not cool, you may need to remove and replace the main control board. A control board for an LG refrigerator can be found online.

For experienced appliance technicians only. If you are experienced with handling electrical appliances and understand how to safely work on appliances, keep reading below.

A quick check of all LG refrigerator components: Unplug the refrigerator, and slide it out. Check to see whether the electric fan motor is turning the fan and moving air over the coils. When the compressor is running, place your hand on it and you’ll notice that it should be chilly on the line leading out to the evaporator coil. If the compressor is not running, the start relay is likely faulty. Compressors frequently fail because of a lack of lubrication but not usually. Check fuses, continuity, and ohms. Check all relays and sensors to ensure that the compressor condenser fan motor and evaporator fan motor are both working. Checking all the components will tell you why your LG refrigerator is not cooling.

Have issues with an LG fridge not cooling? Tried all the methods and tested all the parts explained above? Please leave a comment below and include your model number and we will have someone assist you with your refrigerator problem.