How to Fix LG Refrigerator Not Cooling

Written By David Varnes

David Varnes is an Appliance Repair Professional with over 15 years of experience.

LG refrigerators are a popular choice for many homeowners. They are known for their quality and durability. However, like any other appliance, they can sometimes experience problems. If your LG refrigerator is not cooling, don’t worry! We are here to help.

In this blog post, we will discuss the most common causes of this problem and how to fix them.

Dirty Condenser Coils

The filthy condenser coils are one of the first reasons your LG refrigerator won’t cool. The condenser coils assist to keep the fridge cool by cooling the warm air below it. When they become soiled, they cease to function properly.

To check the condenser coils:

  1. Disconnect your refrigerator.
  2. Locate the condenser coils. The condenser coils are located beneath the fridge.
  3. Is it clean? If they are dirty, give them a cleaning and then restart your refrigerator.
  4. Check if your appliance is now cool within the next 6 hours.
  5. If not, continue to the next component.

Faulty Condenser Fan Motor

The LG refrigerator has a cooling system that relies on a continuous flow of cool air. The condenser fan is one of the major components in this, it blows air across the coils to keep the air cool. If the airflow is blocked or absent, check for debris in the condenser fan blades or a faulty fan motor.

Before you begin working with any device that needs electricity, make sure the power is off. Look for anything in the fan or around it to ensure it is turning freely and check for any debris in the ductwork.

You may next verify motor continuity using a multimeter to see if the issue is due to a faulty motor winding. If you believe the motor is broken, it will need to be replaced.

Follow these instructions to replace the condenser fan motor in your refrigerator:

  1. Remove the old part.
  2. Install the new one in its place.
  3. If necessary, reconnect the water supply lines.
  4. Plug in the power cable.
  5. Remove the old fixture.
  6. Replace it with a new one.
  7. Start up your fridge and allow it to cool down.

Faulty Compressor Start Relay

The compressor and the start relay are two critical components of an LG refrigerator’s cooling system. It will prevent the compressor from operating effectively if it is not functioning properly. To correct it, you’ll need to remove the back panels of your LG fridge in order to get to the bottom of it.

Remove the refrigerator from the power source first. If your fridge has a water line, disconnect it. After that, move the refrigerator to access the back compartment.

The start relay is close to the compressor. We’ll check for continuity between the start and run terminals with a multimeter. If there isn’t, the relay will need to be replaced.

It’s time to contact LG Customer Support to learn how to replace your refrigerator’s start relay. Don’t forget to plug it all back up and reconnect the water line if it was disconnected after replacing the part. After you’ve completed everything, plug in the unit and turn it on.

Related: LG Refrigerator Modes

Faulty Thermistor

The thermistor is the next component to look at. The thermistor is what measures the temperature in your refrigerator and then sends that data to the main control board. When it becomes faulty, it will send incorrect readings, so your refrigerator won’t cool down properly.

To check the thermistor:

  1. Check that the refrigerator remains off.
  2. Locate the thermistor and then test it with a multimeter.
  3. If the resistance of the thermistor does not change or has no continuity, it will need to be changed.
  4. It is functioning properly if it passes the multimeter test; you should now examine the next component.

Evaporator Fan Motor Not Working

Many refrigerators have a single evaporator fan, which is mounted on the back of the freezer section. This fan circulates air across the cooling coils and into these compartments to keep your freezer and refrigerator areas cool. The fridge won’t stay cold if it doesn’t move enough cool air.

To check the evaporator fan motor, do the following:

  1. Turn off the refrigerator and find the evaporator fan motor in the freezer compartment.
  2. If the fan is excessively noisy, it should be replaced.
  3. Turn the fan blade manually if it isn’t noisy.
  4. Replace the evaporator fan motor if it isn’t loud enough.
  5. Check for continuity in the fan motor; if it fails, we’ll have to replace the motor.

Faulty Temperature Control Thermostat

A thermostat is used to maintain the desired temperature in your refrigerator. It controls the length of time the compressor, evaporator fan motor, and condenser fan motor remains on. If it breaks down, your refrigerator will not function correctly.

To check the thermostat:

  1. Make sure the refrigerator is still off.
  2. Look for the temperature control thermostat.
  3. Once you’ve found it, try rotating the thermostat from its lowest position to its highest one.
  4. When you turn it around, listen for the click sound to confirm that it’s functioning properly and you can continue with your inspection.
  5. If you don’t hear a click, check the thermostat for continuity with a multimeter.
  6. If there is continuity, the thermostat is functioning properly and not the source of the problem.
  7. If it doesn’t have any continuity, however, the thermostat will need to be replaced.

Failed Compressor

The purpose of the compressor is to compress the refrigerant and send it throughout the evaporator and condenser coils. When your refrigerator’s compressor fails, it will be unable to properly cool.

When you test the components in the cooling system, it’s important to check the compressor: It doesn’t fail very often, but if you’ve looked at all of the other parts above, it’s time to check the compressor.

  1. Check to see whether the refrigerator has been switched off.
  2. Locate the compressor, then test it for continuity with a multimeter (you must test between the electrical pins that you can find on the side of the compressor).
  3. If you discover an open circuit while testing it, replace it.
  4. Don’t try this procedure unless you’re confident in your abilities.

Replace the Main Control Board

If your refrigerator isn’t cooling properly, the main control board may be faulty. This is rarely the case, but it does happen. And if you’ve already gone through everything else, replacing the main control board may be your only option. However, purchasing a new fridge may be a better alternative.