LG Refrigerators are some of the most reliable appliances in the market. In most households, a fridge is one of the most essential equipment and any issues with it can disrupt your routine.
Your fridge being stuck on defrost mode is one such issue. Let’s look at some of the possible reasons behind this and how you can solve them.
Some of the possible reasons behind your LG refrigerator being stuck on defrost mode includes an issue with the defrost timer, a faulty thermostat or a problematic heater. Some other reasons can also include a problem with the door seal, dirty condenser coils and a damaged evaporator fan motor.
Most of these are actually an easy fix and don’t require calling a professional. Let’s dive into how to fix these common issues….
Why Is Your LG Refrigerator Stuck in Defrosting Mode?
Defrost mode is one of the most essential functions of a refrigerator. It is responsible for melting any ice which has been accumulated on the internal components of the appliance.
Excessive ice formation can lead to permanent damage and reduced cooling capacity of the fridge.
But if your fridge has been stuck on defrost mode for quite some time, not only will the cooling be affected, but it can also spoil any food item left inside.
Damaged Thermostat
A thermostat in the refrigerator is responsible for letting the system know when the temperature inside the fridge is too low which initiates the defrost system.
If the thermostat has been damaged, it can read the wrong temperature which will initiate the defrost system even when it is not needed.
Another reason for the thermostat to read the wrong temperature is when you put hot food inside the fridge, the hot air from the food can tamper with the temperature readings of the thermostat.
In most cases, the thermostat can be replaced and is quite inexpensive. In newer models, a problem with the thermostat can also be reflected through an error code.
Damaged Heater
The defrost heater is the main component which is responsible for melting away accumulated ice on the condenser coils and other internal components.
A damaged heater can impact your refrigerator in two ways, either the heater will be permanently on which will lead to continuous defrosting, or the heater will not turn on at all.
If the heater is permanently switched on, it will also impact the cooling capacity of the compressor.
You should call a company professional to get it checked.
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Faulty Defrost Timer
The defrost timer regulates the frequency of the fridge going into defrost mode or not. If the timer is not working properly, the system will not be informed about when the heater should be switched on or off.
Either your appliance will be stuck on defrost mode permanently or not defrost at all. In older models, the defrost timer is a mechanical dial while in newer models, it is controlled electronically.
With older models, you can test whether the dial is working properly or not. Remove the dial from the fridge by unscrewing the screws and testing an open circuit using a multimeter. You will notice some pins on the dial, test the connection between pins 1 and 4; and 1 and 2.
If the dial is working properly, place it back into the fridge. You can also check whether the dial has been physically damaged or if it is getting stuck.
You can locate the timer dial in the fresh food compartment. Refer to your model user manual to find its exact location.
If the defrost timer is controlled electronically, the system might show an error code if it is not working properly, but there is no other way for you to check whether it is the problem behind the issue.
Other Reasons Your Refrigerator Is Stuck In Defrost Mode Continuously
There can be other problems apart from the defrost mechanism because of which your refrigerator keeps defrosting continuously.
Fridge Door Not Sealing Properly
If your refrigerator’s door is not sealing properly, hot air will continuously keep entering the fridge and simultaneously, cold air will keep on escaping. The compressor will not be able to cool the fridge properly and this can lead to a continuous defrost cycle.
To test the door seal, place a piece of paper between the door and try pulling on it. If the paper comes out easily, there is lack of proper seal. This can be due to some obstruction or dirt in the door gasket, or it can also be damaged.
Dirty Compressor Coils
Over time, the compressor coils can get dirty which will impact its overall performances and eventually lead to a decrease in the cooling capacity.
You should ideally clean the coils every 6 months. But if the coils are located within the inner walls of the freezer, you don’t need to worry about cleaning them.
You can use a damp cloth to clean the coils.
Damaged Evaporator Fan Motor
Whenever you close the freezer door, and you don’t hear the evaporator fan turning itself on, it could indicate that the part has been damaged. This will affect the cooling within the fridge and lead to continuous defrosting.
How Do I Stop My LG Refrigerator from Defrosting?
If your LG refrigerator is also showing some error codes along with it being stuck on defrosting mode, resetting the fridge would be the easiest solution in this case.
You can reset your fridge by unplugging it from the power source for 10 minutes before plugging it back in.
You can also look up the exact error codes through your model user manual to better understand the exact issue.
You can also cycle through the settings on your refrigerator to turn off the defrost mode. Press and hold “Refrigerator” and “Ice Plus” buttons simultaneously for about 5 seconds until you hear a beep on the control panel.
The temperature settings on the control panel will display that the “Demo Mode” has been deactivated.
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How To Reset a LG Refrigerator?
The easiest method to reset your LG refrigerator is by unplugging it from the power socket for about 10 minutes and plugging it back in. This method is also known as a hard reset.
How Long Does It Take for a Refrigerator to Cool After Defrosting?
If your Fridge has been stuck on defrost mode for quite some time, it can take up to 4-6 hours for it to cool back to its normal operating temperature
How To Reset Defrost Timer?
Once you are certain that the timer is working properly and once you have assembled it back into the refrigerator, you can easily reset it to its original settings.
To reset the timer, locate the circular notch on the timer and turn it counterclockwise using a screwdriver. Keep turning it until you hear the fan stop. This indicates that the timer has been reset. The fan should turn itself on after a while. This will indicate that the cooling process has started again.
Conclusion….
Some of the most common reasons behind your refrigerator constantly defrosting can include an issue with the defrost timer, a faulty thermostat or a problematic heater.
While newer models can indicate an issue through a specific error code, you will have to get the parts checked in older models.
Other reasons behind the issue can also include a problem with the door seal, dirty condenser coils and a damaged evaporator fan motor.
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