How to fix a refrigerator?

Household appliances are firmly included in our everyday life. There are things without which you can easily do without, but there are, without exaggeration, and basic necessities. In particular, the breakdown of the refrigerator causes the owners a state close to panic. The topic of today's article is how to fix a refrigerator. It turns out that there are situations when you can repair the device yourself without contacting a service center. Fortunately, these units are designed so that most of the damage can be eliminated.

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What can I fix on my own?

In the refrigeration unit, several circuits, or structural systems, can be distinguished.

Important! One of the main reasons for the possible appearance of an unpleasant odor from the refrigerator is food debris on the walls of the appliance. Over time, if they are not removed, they begin to exude an absolutely inedible smell. This problem can be solved by cleaning the refrigerator using special cleaning products. Read in another our article about which refrigerator cleaner is better. 

Refrigeration system

Trying to fix it yourself is possible only in one case: if you call a specialist there is no way. Before you start repairing the refrigerator with your own hands, you need to know, at least as a first approximation, how this system works and by what principle.

Important! Careless or inept repair is fraught with irreparable consequences. So, if you do not want to go for a new unit - it is better not to tempt fate.

Thermoregulation system

Everything here is somewhat simpler. Many home craftsmen carry out this repair on their own. However, to begin with, compare the purchase price of the spare part and call the service center employee. Add to this the loss of time and the discomfort associated with this (most likely, you will have to order spare parts in the online store).

Electrical system

Here, the playful hands of a craftsman have a place to roam. Repair is possible and does not differ in particular complexity. Complex tools are also not needed. Enough tester and soldering iron. Well, you also need a desire to craft yourself. Do-it-yourself refrigerator repair for beginners - what is not a way of self-affirmation?

Mechanical system

It includes fasteners, suspensions, gaskets, etc. There are cases when self-repair is possible.

Important! Despite the fact that refrigerators with the Nou Frost function are not prone to freezing icicles and ice on their surface, they also need periodic defrosting and restoring order in the freezer. To learn how to do it right, check out another our article“Defrosting the refrigerator Nou Frost”.

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Principle of operation

Depending on the cooling methods, units are divided into 3 categories.

• Compression.
• Adsorption.
• Thermoelectric (they are also called semiconductor).

Important! The first 2 categories use liquefied refrigerant. The last category is electrical appliances devoid of valves and pipelines.

 

The most common category is compression devices, but all 3 varieties are on the market. Let's consider a little more the principle of operation of the compression unit:

• When the device is turned on, the gas is sucked in using a compressor, and then, passing through the condenser, it is compressed.
• In the condenser, gas is cooled and liquefied.
• The further path of the liquefied gas passes through a dehumidification filter, then to the evaporator. Here there is a rapid expansion of liquefied gas, with a sharp decrease in its temperature.

Important! This process continues cyclically until the device is disconnected from electrical power.

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How to use the refrigerator correctly - recommendations:

• The correct installation location. If the location of the device is unsuccessful, he needs to work for a long time to ensure the desired temperature. The condenser located at the rear of the refrigerator must be cooled by air currents. For this reason, do not place the appliance next to the stove and heater. Otherwise - often you will think that you need to fix the refrigerator.
• In order to avoid the growth of harmful bacteria, cooked food should be stored in the upper part of the refrigerator, and raw foods in the lower. Store meat and fish in plastic containers or in a plate covered with another plate.

Important! The coldest part in the refrigerator is the one near the evaporator.

• Food in the freezer should be stored wrapped or in food containers. Storage in foil is allowed. Liquid products are stored in plastic containers. It is advisable to stick labels on all products indicating the date of freezing.

Important! It must be remembered that for different foods there is a different freezing period.

• Thawing the freezer. Defrosting the refrigerator cannot be called pleasant, but you need to do this periodically. Even if the unit is equipped with an automatic defrost system. It is advisable to defrost when the refrigerator is loaded with food to a minimum.

Important! Do not allow frozen ice to exceed 0.5 cm.

• When defrosting the unit, never use a knife or other metal objects. As you thaw, remove ice with a wooden spatula.
• Do not neglect to clean the refrigerator! Wash its internal surfaces at least once a month, using mild liquid detergents. Do not use detergents for gaskets. The use of special antibacterial aerosols during the cleaning of internal surfaces from contamination is a plus.
• Observe the condition of the drainage channel and drainage hole. Do not block them.
• To prevent “smelling” odors in the refrigerator (including not very pleasant ones), make sure that products with a strong odor are tightly closed.

Important! You can use a branded deodorizer that allows you to keep the smell of freshness for a long time. If it is not possible to purchase a special product, put a glass of soda in the refrigerator. It is an excellent natural adsorbent.

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The most common malfunctions and their elimination

Consider the most common breakdowns that you can fix yourself.

Noise during unit operation

Of course, the refrigerator can’t be called an absolutely silent device, but sometimes the decibels, as they say, “roll over”:

• Often the cause of excess noise is the uneven arrangement in the refrigerator of bottles, plates, pots, etc.
• Sometimes the reason for strong vibration is that the device is not installed correctly. The problem can be easily eliminated by adjusting the legs in height.
• Sometimes you may need to repair the refrigerator compressor yourself. Noise can occur due to wear on the rubber bearings of the compressor. To make the unpleasant sound background go away, replace them with new ones or simply pull them up.

Puddle in the refrigerator

Water at the bottom of the refrigerator is a fairly common occurrence.The reason is that the drain channel is clogged and water is not discharged through the drain hole.

You can clean it using a special device that comes with the refrigeration unit. If this device is lost, you can use a children's syringe. Draw a little water into the enema and “squeeze” the hole. Observe if water is accumulating in the refrigerator. If - no, then - you did everything right.

The freezer door does not open

No panic! DIY repair of the freezer you do not need. The vacuum holds the door tight. Wait a moment and try again.

The refrigerator compartment is not lit

To start, press the light switch several times. If the lighting does not turn on, you will have to replace the bulb. The procedure in this case is as follows:

1. Unplug the appliance.
2. Remove the cover from the light bulb.
3. Unscrew the bulb. If it burns out, replace it with a new one.
4. Replace the cover, fasten it to the latches.

Important! Install only those lamps that are specified in the instruction manual.

If during the inspection of the lamp it turned out that it is in working condition, then the problem is in the switch itself. To fix it:

1. Carefully unscrew the fasteners and remove the switch housing.
2. Now remove the wire from one of the terminals and touch the tester.
3. If the device shows “infinity”, if the device button is not pressed, then the device is malfunctioning.
4. Replace the switch and reinstall it by screwing the fasteners.

Undercooling

The reasons may be as follows:

• Incorrectly set temperature. Turn the thermostat knob to set the desired cooling temperature.
• Room temperature is too high. You just have to wait out the heat. And if the appliance is installed near the heater, consider another location.
• Faulty thermostat. Do-it-yourself refrigerator thermostat repair is a risky and thankless task. Call the wizard.
• Dust accumulated on the condenser. As a result, the heat exchange between the condenser and the air is disrupted. Refrigerant cools worse than necessary. Remove dust with a soft textile or vacuum cleaner and the refrigerator will work.

Important! Before cleaning the capacitor, be sure to disconnect the appliance from the mains.

Door seal worn

A worn seal causes air to enter the refrigerator compartment and the air does not cool as needed. The simplest case of repairing the Ardo refrigerator or any other brand name with your own hands is the replacement of the seal.

It is more difficult if the seal cannot be replaced. Will have to change the door completely.

Important! If the desired seal is not on sale, you can purchase a universal one.

The appliance works but does not chill

Most likely, the problem is the malfunction of the thermostat, the violation of the pipeline and the leakage of refrigerant. If the faulty thermostat can be replaced, then repairing the pipeline and restoring the refrigerant is associated with finding the place of the fault, pumping out the refrigerant from the system, and refueling.

In this case, only a professional can repair the refrigerator.

Excessively low temperature

The reasons may be as follows:

• Incorrect temperature setting. Adjust it with the thermostat knob and the problem is fixed.
• Disabled quick freeze mode. If your refrigerator is equipped with this feature, check that this mode is turned off.
• Thermostat malfunction. Call the master - he will replace the defective part with a working one.
• Auto defrost heater malfunction. Here, a specialist can also help repair the refrigerator.

Important! In order to keep the refrigerator operating life longer and keep food products fresh as long as possible, it is very important to set the temperature in the refrigerator and freezer correctly.

If you have any difficulties with this, despite the fact that the instructions from the manufacturer are at hand, we will tell you available, how to set the temperature in a Samsung refrigerator. 

The device “shows no signs of life”

Again, no panic. “The patient is more likely alive than dead.” Perhaps the reasons are as follows:

• The plug is unplugged. Is funny Not really. Calling a wizard with such a “malfunction” is by no means uncommon.
• Malfunction in the outlet. Hence the lack of power.
• Wire break.
• Defective fuse in the power plug. If this is the case, then the fuse can be replaced.

Important! One of the possible causes of refrigerator malfunctions is power surges. As a result, the device may completely fail. You can solve the problem by purchasing a voltage stabilizer. In another article, we have put together the best recommendations and tips on which voltage stabilizer for the refrigerator is better to choose.

If all of the above items are within the normal range, call the wizard.

Important! The refrigerator, like other household appliances, requires constant care. If you do this in accordance with all the rules and recommendations of the manufacturer, it will last for many years without interruptions and malfunctions. In another article of our site, we provided useful information on how to care for the refrigerator correctly.

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Stock footage

Perhaps the topic of repairing refrigerators with your own hands for beginners has been exhausted. Good luck repairing household appliances!