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We have an LG Fridge that’s been with us for about 6 years. It’s one of those 3 door fridges with the water dispenser on it. Our freezer compartment broke, and we have not used it since. The refrigerator itself was working about 2 weeks ago. Then we noticed that the fridge is slightly warm—like almost room temperature warm. What can I do to make our fridge cold again? I don’t want to spend $100 + for the repairman to come and fix it. Is there a DIY guide that I can do?
Condenser Coils are Dirty If the refrigerator is not cold enough the condenser coils may be dirty. The condenser is like a radiator and must stay clean in order to dissipate the heat which was removed from the inside of the refrigerator. As the coils get dirtier the refrigerator becomes less efficient, which makes it work harder to cool down. If the coils are dirty enough, the unit will never be cold enough and will not be able to cool the inside of the refrigerator to the proper temperature. Evaporator Fan Motor If the refrigerator is not cold enough, the evaporator fan motor might have failed. Every refrigerator has a set of coils called and evaporator. The refrigerator may have one or more evaporator fan motor(s) depending on the model and evaporator locations. The evaporator fan motor circulates the cold air from the coils thru the compartment. If there is only one evaporator it is in the freezer side. If the fan is not working, no cold air will get to the refrigerator compartment. The freezer may still get cold. Condenser Fan Motor If the refrigerator is not cold enough there might be something caught in the condenser fan motor blade, or the condenser fan motor might be defective. The condenser fan motor draws air over the condenser coils to cool them. The condenser fan motor is located underneath the refrigerator near the back. Pull the refrigerator out from the wall and remove the access panel to access it. Start Relay If the refrigerator is not cold enough, the start relay may be defective. The start relay is a small device mounted to the side of the compressor. It provides power to the run winding along with the start winding for a split second at start-up to help get the compressor started. If the start relay is defective the compressor may run intermittently or not at all and the refrigerator will not get cold enough. The start relay should be replaced if defective. Temperature Control Thermostat If the refrigerator does not get cold enough the temperature control thermostat might be defective. The thermostat allows power to flow through to the compressor, evaporator fan and condenser fan. If the cooling system fans and compressor are running, but the refrigerator or freezer is not cooling correctly check for an airflow or defrost system problem. Start Capacitor If the refrigerator isn’t cold enough the compressor might be having difficulty starting. The start capacitor serves as a battery to give the compressor a little boost during start-up. If the start capacitor is burned out the compressor might not be able to start and run as often as it should. Test the start capacitor first with a capacitance meter, they don’t fail often. If it’s defective, replace it. Thermistor If the refrigerator is not cold enough the thermistor might be defective. The thermistor is a sensor which monitors the air temperature. It is connected to the control board. If the thermistor is defective the refrigerator does not cool or may cool continuously. Temperature Control Board If the refrigerator is not cold enough the temperature control board might be defective. The temperature control board provides the voltage to the fan motors and compressor. These boards are often misdiagnosed. Check all other components to be certain this is the cause of the problem. Compressor If the refrigerator is not cold enough, the compressor might be defective. The compressor is a motor which compresses the refrigerant and circulates the refrigerant through the evaporator and condenser coils. There are several other components which are more likely to be defective if the compressor doesn’t work. If the compressor itself is defective a licensed professional will need to replace it. Main Control Board If the refrigerator is not cold enough the main control board might be defective. This is not common. Check the defrost system, cooling fans, and cooling controls first. UPDATE 3/3/16 asking additional question on one with an accepted answer is almost a sure way for it not to be seen. If the answer that’s accepted does not answer your problem, ask a new question with your specific problem and symptoms. UPDATE 7/13,19 Thanks to LKT for making us aware of this A class action lawsuit claims there is a “latent defect" with LG linear compressors which causes them to prematurely fail. “Despite its knowledge of the compressor defect, LG sold and continues to sell the LG refrigerators without alerting purchasers to the problem.” … LG declined to elaborate. https://www.girardsharp.com/work-pending… Check the LG refrigerator not cooling page for updates as well.
My repairman isnt going to be too happy. he has had this piece of crap LG french door dual evap nightmare for over a month now. Tried a new evaperator, worked for 2 days then quit again. Tried a new circuit board no good. Compressor good. Lines all good and holding freon. Evap fans good. Will not cool or freeze. $2200 Bucks down the drain. And get this…it’s SIX years old, just like all the others on here….makes you wonder, doesn’t it? My Bro in law in another state told me an LG rep told him they are making them to last…six years. That’s the life of one. So we’re phlocked. Repairmans at a loss. He sold me a 1979 USA Made Hotpoint no frost for $100 to use while this is getting fixed, it wont win any beauty contests but it works perfectly…38 YEARS OLD!!! I’m going to buy a Whirlpool bottom freezer (NO french doors) from him. ONE evaperator, NO filter, and MADE IN USA. No more Korean $hit for US! If you buy Kenmore MAKE SURE you find out who made it! If it’s LG or Samsung…RUN,,,dont walk…AWAY. They’re Junk and will cost you big bucks sooner than later
Gary Yund your right. The sealed system is not typical. LG has 2 evaporators on most French door models. This required more components to be added to the system. With more components there are more things to go wrong. These LGs are very temperamental. Air flow inside and outside is critical. Too much food, a pizza box positioned wrong, opening the freezer drawer wrong can all cause a not cooling situation. By the time you realize it’s not cooling 1 or more parts have been damaged. Plus, many parts have been revised and must be replaced even if it’s not one of the failed parts. This makes it difficult to diagnose. Most checks are done at the PCB. If the PCB has been revised, the checks might be different with the new PCB making the first diagnosis wrong. A lot of senseless issues with these. I wish the manufacturers would quit trying to try reinvent the wheel.
They deleted my answer as well. Bottom line is you will never get your LG fixed for more than 30 days no matter HOW much time and money you throw at it! Make Sears home warranty (if you have it) give you $500 towards a new unit and get a WHIRLPOOL. No it’s not fancy but much simpler and dependable. Trust me throw that good lookin pile of junk OUT and dont look back. Ever.
I have a 26 month old LG french door refrigerator model LFXC24726S/02 that has quit cooling. I bought it when I started a remodel so it’s only been running about 18 months. Compressor feels like its running and there is no ice buildup. The condenser coils aren’t a bit warm so I’m afraid I’m out of freon.
We purchased the LMX25964 by LG and had it delivered 02/01/2011. Last year it got quite noisy at night and we had a repairman look at it. He warned of some Class Action Suits against LG and the Sealed System specifically. We were told to call LG and demand replacement. He suggested you must know and discuss the Sealed System as if it was some hidden response to avoid motherboards and other expensive repairs that wont resolve. LG offered, reluctantly, to cover the Sealed System under warranty but we would need to pay over 400.00 in labor. We had an extended warranty that expired at the 4-year mark. We decided to deal with the sound and reset the temps slightly higher as per LG’s recommendation. That got us -3- months. As of this past week the ice cream and waffles started to get soft. The ice maker would no longer make ice, even though the reset button worked and showed power. The fridge itself is cool and seems to be working properly. We pulled the backing and very little dust on the coils and fan moving freely. Pulled plug for 30 minutes to “reset” as suggested. The tank is extremely warm to touch. All other components look new with no discoloring or fraying around wires etc. The unit is a great big paperweight that has led the life of luxury and yet failed early. This was a two thousand dollar investment and last LESS than 6 years. LG was so uncaring and unresponsive that we will never use this brand again. Lets hope their dryer/washer combo lasts a little longer. Poor company with even poorer product line. I wish I could literally dump it on their front lawn.
Wow! you guys got 4, 5, and 6 years!! Got my LG LSXS26326S around 10/2014. went to get some ice cream last night, but was only pudding! as of 1/24/2018 freezer isnt cooling. 3 years?!?! Really? $1500 + tax on special. Now I know why it was on special! I can fix whatever is wrong. I have gauges, vacuum pump, degrees in electronics and auto tech, but why the f**k is a $1500 refrigerator not working after 3 years?!?! As another person said, their are 30 year old units still working! I used to do maintenance for an apartment complex, and when the ice makers went bad they had to throw out the whole unit, so I have three spare working friges in the garage. (in case your wondering if they rented it with a ‘feature’ and it breaks it has to be replaced, or repaired. its the law, and repair is expensive on old units) Anyway, these units are kenmore probably from the 90’s STILL WORKING! Just no ice maker LOL! I feel luckier than others, I could have lost $400 worth of food! Glad I had a place to put it! Was going to sell them for $50! LOL! One thing I read on here was about packing it full of food. I JUST dressed a deer the day before, and packed all three lower shelves full. Now im wondering if that isnt what set it off. Oh well. Thanks for this page. I wish I had read it BEFORE I bought an LG !!! Hopefully someone will read this page, and take it as a cautionary tale!
dealing with the same issue with LG fridge not cooling after 4 years. one repairman said it was a block, another said it was the compressor and the third repairman said the compressor works fine, it’s probably a leak in the sealed system or i need freon…..Never again with LG…I ultimately got my money back but want to fix this fridge as a back up…any other ideas…..was thinking of getting some freon in and see how long it lasts..
I bought an LG 30 cubic feet (model LMXS30776S) in late 9/ 2014, it had stop cooling or cold in the fridge around 6/2016. I called LG which referred me to an LG technician. He troubleshoot it and said “it is the compressor failed” …. The compressor is still under warranty but NOT the labor. After 8 weeks of waiting, the compressor came, the Tech replaced it for $450 …. It has been running since then, but now 8/2017, it is not cooling or cold again …. I can hear the compressor running but look like something else to make the refrigerator not cooling or cold…. Reading around the internet, people said LG is NOT making good fridge at all. It just like HYUNDAI car, a lot of problem …
Repair man installed new compressor and board, still not working. Don’t waste your money like I did. Go buy something new with good reviews…
It appears from the number of people with the same or similar problems with LG appliances that at least the refrigerators that are the subject of the above complaints are defective, and from the blogs I have seen, it also sounds like all LG appliances are defective junk. Despite this history, retailers operating in America are still selling this junk - and for premium prices. My LG 3-door refrigerator that cost $3,192.00 plus tax and delivery - sold to me separately from an LG stove and an LG dishwasher also purchased at the same time from Home Depot - was less than 6 years old when it completely stopped cooling in late 2017. I believe the warranty on this refrigerator is 1 year for labor and 7 years for most parts, with the compressor having a 10-year warranty. We have had 3-4 visits from an LG-authorized technician who has tinkered with the refrigerator but not yet repaired it and who last ordered 3 parts that all appear to be either tubing or small valves that collectively have taken 2 months to arrive. The 3 parts are now received and sitting on top of the non-working refrigerator waiting for the next tech visit , which is scheduled in yet another week or so. However, the last technician reported to her superiors, as we were told by the repair company that she reflected in her notes (yes, she was a female who appeared to be about 60 years of age), and also told us before she left our house, that the compressor was “locked.” The compressor is in fact dead as a door knob–not running at all–yet no one at the LG-authorized repair service can confirm that any effort to repair or replace the compressor will be made at the currently scheduled next repair visit, which means that we will likely complete yet a third month with the LG refrigerator completely down and useless. Neither LG nor Home Depot have provided any responses to calls for help (although a Home Depot employee did say in my last telephone call to Home Depot that he was “very sorry” and that he had called LG and LG had told him they would call us. No from LG has called, but no one else needs to call us. They just need to actually FIX this refrigerator. I am of the opinion after reading these answers that if my refrigerator ever works again, it won’t be for long. I am probably going to look into filing suit as I feel entitled to a full recovery, which I feel means a brand new refrigerator of another manufacturer than LG, especially knowing that LG, and more than likely Home Depot, have known about these issues with LG-manufactured or sold products for some time and yet both continue to sell defective merchandise to the unknowing public.
LG Appliance Repair especially their refrigerators, is the worst! Their appliances are built to fail and they often times have to ship their parts from Korea. You’ll wait weeks on a part just to have it come in and break again in another 6 weeks and continue that process over. Definitely look into a warranty. Good Luck! You’ll never meet a happy LG customer. Never. -Fred Appliance Repair Experts Las Vegas
I have finally given up. I seldom give up… usually I will fight to the end. I have created a Facebook page, I have pleaded with all levels of LG people. It is worthless. I have spent good money and more good money trying to keep the LG working. No chance. We have officially given up. I have a new Frigidaire coming on Friday. And I will be selling the LG for parts if I can’t get it working again. .. likely parts. Hopefully I can get something out of it. If anyone cares. Please join my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LGAppliancesJUN… Thanks! Pete
I appreciate reading all the feedback from everyone & was surprised to see the complaints were mostly about LG. We have a French door Whirlpool refrigerator that is only 18 months old & is no longer cooling. The repairman was here yesterday & replaced the control board. Today I checked the temperature on the refrigerator thermometer that we recently purchased & it still reads 52°. I believe the thermometer works fine as the temperature goes down quickly when put it in the freezer, but I will buy another thermometer to see if it reads the same before calling repair again. Thank goodness we bought an extended warranty, but it’s only good for 5 years. The point of my message is to let readers know that Whirlpool has a problem, too. We also had a brand new Whirlpool washing machine that had problems so I don’t intend to buy any Whirlpool products anymore & am sorry to hear LG is also bad. It looks like the list for new appliances that last is either short or non-existent.
I have had this happen to me three times, same refrigerator, upper & lower sides. It was the compressor the first two times and the computer board (supposedly) the third time. Now it does not cool at all. We are two for two with LG. Anyone who tells you that LG is a great refrigerator is a lier! Do your research first. Check out Complaints at the Better Business Burea. I have a $3800 paperweight that’s less than 3 years old. I spent over $1,400 to repair it and it still doesn’t work. I’ll never buy another LG product!!
I was told that the fridge I bought had the computer and compressor already replaced but the fridge won’t get cold still I’m not sure what else could be wrong can someone pls lead me in the right direction! I would love to get this fridge up and running quickly I can’t afford a brand new fridge
Stephanie Oliver, there’s a chance that there is a leak in the sealed system. There too many things that will cause a refrigerator not to cool, it makes it impossible to diagnose without being at the unit. But if I went on a job and the same issue as yours, I’d be looking for signs of oil near the compressor or condenser. If there’s oil then there’s a refrigerant leak. I’d also check for frost building up inside the freezer on back wall or the freach food section too. Also, do you hear the fan/s inside the unit and one fan by the compressor. Are the coils underneath dirty?
