Causes of the Fridge Compressor Running but Not Cooling and the Solution

The refrigerator is a household appliance that almost every family has. The function of the refrigerator itself is to cool or preserve food and drinks.

Due to its continuous use, it is not impossible that the refrigerator will experience damage or problems. One of the problems that many refrigerator owners face is that the refrigerator compressor is running but the refrigerator temperature is not cold.

Before discussing further, you need to know some of the reasons the refrigerator temperature is not cold, some of these causes are:

  • The presence of ice flowers that cover the ventilation holes to channel cold temperatures.
  • The refrigerator door is loose or leaking so that the cold temperature from the refrigerator comes out.
  • The amount of hot food in the refrigerator so that the temperature in the refrigerator is not cold.
  • Fridge compressor is broken.

The compressor is the core component of a cooling system. When the refrigerator compressor is off, all components in the cooling system will not work and of course will not be able to produce cold temperatures.

But it’s different if the refrigerator compressor is still on. There are many things that cause the refrigerator to not cool even though the refrigerator compressor is on. Here are some of the causes of the refrigerator not cooling even though the refrigerator compressor is still on.

1. Evaporator Leaks Occurrence

The cause of the refrigerator not cold even though the compressor is running is the leaking evaporator. Freon contained in the evaporator will continue to come out through the hole.

Even if the compressor is on, the refrigerator will not be able to cool down because the Freon that flows does not reach the refrigerator. The characteristics of a leak in the evaporator are:

  • There is a strange smell
  • There is a hole punctured by a sharp object
  • The temperature in the refrigerator is not cold

The fix is ​​to patch the leaking part. You can use green glue if the hole isn’t too big. Or also by welding on the leaking part.

However, if it is not possible to patch it, you need to replace the evaporator pipe with a new one.

2. Ice Flower Covered Evaporator Hole

The ice that collects in the evaporator hole will prevent the Freon from coming out. This is usually the case with single-door refrigerators.

The way to deal with the evaporator hole covered with ice is to clean it. Do the following to clean it just to be safe.

  • Turn off your refrigerator first by unplugging it from the socket.
  • Remove all the contents of the refrigerator.
  • Let stand a few minutes until the ice flower melts by itself.
  • Clean the evaporator of melted ice.

3. Dead (Clogged) Freon Line

Clogged Freon lines can cause the refrigerator not to cool, this often happens in single-door refrigerators. The cause is frozen water, lubricant moving up the installation line or also due to dirt in the Freon line. This will make the refrigerator unable to flush (vacuum) so that the Freon circulation path is not smooth.

Usually the refrigerator Freon is clogged in the capillary tube or filter. Where the part has a small hole so that dirt can accumulate in this part.

You can check whether or not the Freon line is clogged by touching the right or left of the refrigerator body or the condenser or filter. If the part is not hot, it is likely that the refrigerator is clogged or the Freon circulation is not smooth. Normally the part will feel hot when you hold it.

The way to overcome a clogged Freon line is to heat the end of the capillary that connects the evaporator. Check if it is clogged due to frozen water.

Cut the condenser pipe and the capillary tube connected to the filter and then turn on the compressor and dip the capillary tip into the methyl liquid so that the dirt can be removed. If this method does not work, it is necessary to replace a new capillary tube.

To overcome a clogged Freon line due to lubricant going up the installation line are:

  • Cut the end of the capillary tube and connect it to the filling pipe.
  • In the filling pipe, apply methyl or thinner liquid and then apply pressure such as nitrogen or R22.
  • Unscrew the end of the compressor return pipe (suction pipe).
  • Repeat these steps until the lubricant is gone.
  • Clean without using chemical cleaner until steam comes out.

4. Loose Fridge Door

A loose or less tight refrigerator door can cause Freon to come out so the refrigerator does not cool. Usually because the rubber on the refrigerator door has aged and the magnet has lost its strength.

The fix is ​​to replace the new refrigerator door rubber and also replace the refrigerator door magnet.

Those are some of the causes of the refrigerator not cooling even though the refrigerator compressor is on. Problems in the refrigerator also depend on the type of refrigerator, so maybe there is different ways to fix it.

It’s a good idea to call a refrigerator technician if you can’t fix it. In order for your refrigerator to last a long time, you need to maintain and clean it at least once a week.

Paying attention to the food stored in the refrigerator can also affect the components of the refrigerator. Like not storing hot food in the refrigerator and storing food that can cover the Freon hole.