Defy fridge not cooling but the freezer works: causes and fixes

Defy fridges are everywhere in South African homes, and many of them have been running for a decade or more. One of the faults we are called to most often is the fridge that is warm while the freezer carries on freezing. If that is what you are looking at, the good news is that the compressor is usually fine, because the freezer is still cold. The fault is in how the cold air reaches the fridge section.

First, find out what type of Defy you have

Defy makes both direct-cool and frost-free fridges, and the faults differ. A frost-free model has no ice build-up inside, and uses a fan to push cold air from the freezer into the fridge. A direct-cool model has cold plates in the cabinet, and you defrost it yourself from time to time. Look in the freezer. If you see a smooth back panel and no frost, it is frost-free. If you see bare cold plates or ice on the walls, it is direct-cool. The model number sticker inside the fridge will confirm it.

If it is a frost-free Defy

The evaporator is iced over

Frost-free fridges melt away any frost on a regular cycle using a defrost heater, a timer or control board, and a sensor. When one of those parts fails, ice builds up on the evaporator at the back of the freezer and blocks the airflow. The freezer, which sits next to the coil, stays cold, but almost no air reaches the fridge. Take the panel off and you will often find a solid block of ice. Defrosting it clears the problem for a while, but it returns until the failed part is replaced.

The evaporator fan has stopped

A small fan behind the freezer panel moves the cold air. When it fails, you may notice a squealing or rattling first, and then nothing. The freezer stays cold, the fridge warms up. The fan is a common, inexpensive part to replace.

The air damper or the thermostat is stuck

A damper controls how much cold air enters the fridge section. If it sticks closed, the fridge never gets any. A faulty thermostat or sensor can do the same thing by telling the system the fridge is already cold.

If it is a direct-cool Defy

On direct-cool models the cause is usually different. A thick layer of ice on the freezer plate acts as insulation, so the cold never reaches the fridge plate properly. Defrosting the freezer fully, and then switching it back on, often brings the fridge back to life. If it does not, look for a failing thermostat, a poorly sealing door or a dirty condenser coil. Older units can also be losing refrigerant through a slow leak.

Things you can safely try

• Check that the fridge dial or display has not been moved to a warmer setting.
• Make sure the vents inside the fridge are not blocked by food or containers.
• Look at the back wall of the freezer for a layer of ice.
• Switch the fridge off at the wall and defrost it fully, with the doors open and towels down. Leave it for at least 12 hours for a frost-free model that is badly iced up.
• Clean the condenser coil and check the door seals.
• Switch it back on and give it several hours to cool before judging the result.

What not to do

Do not use a knife, a screwdriver or a hairdryer on a hot setting to remove ice. The pipes in the back wall are thin and easy to puncture, and a puncture usually ends the life of the fridge. Do not try to top up the gas with a kit from a store. If the fridge is low on gas it has a leak, and many modern fridges use a flammable refrigerant.

Is it worth repairing?

A fan, a damper, a sensor or a defrost heater is normally a reasonable repair on a Defy that is otherwise in good condition. The calculation changes if the unit is very old, the cabinet or seals are badly worn, or the sealed system has a leak. We will tell you honestly after an inspection. We repair Defy and other household brands, and our technicians carry common parts so that many repairs can be done in one visit. Call us with your model number and what you can see in the freezer, and we will tell you what is most likely.