Why is my freezer defrosting and my fridge not cooling?

When you open the door, all the cold air tumbles out, so the fridge starts up to replace the cold air. As you close the door it is running, but you can't hear it. One it gets to temperature, it stops. It can sometimes do this is seconds.

If it was truly stopped, everything would be defrosted in the freezer and everything in the fridge would be warm.

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I would say that the air damper valve has failed and stuck in the fully open position. It fits between the freezer and food cabinet. It has a little door which slowly opens or shuts to regulate the temperature in the food compartment. If it sticks open, the food side (Especially the top) will start to freeze up. I haven't done work on your model but it will be at the top corner of the food compartment behind the top inner panel. You will have to remove that to get to it. Its a little rectangular box with a door that opens and shuts and usually a wiring connector plug just above it.

First, I'm not a Vissani tech.
*Check your warranty and call for service.
*** Following is for information only.***
* I see that you have done most of the following. I'll post the full answer for others to review. You probably need a complete defrost and return the settings to the middle.
*** Complete answer as follows ***
* Check for air movement while fan is running. Many have plastic ducting that pulls air from the bottom that is usually covered by the lower drawer. Pull out the lowest tray and check the back for ice or food that fell in back to block the air vent. If it's iced up, DON'T hit it as you will crack the plastic. Leave the door open, Turn off and let the freezer defrost. (remove food).
* Check the upper fan vent for ice blockage. Defrost as needed.
* Unplug refrigerator to defrost. (Get help to move as the fridge is heavy and may tip over on you.)
* Once completely free of ice (it takes a while. A fan blowing into the freezer helps. ***DONOT use a heater!*** Warps panels and may over pressurize refrigerant.)
* Allow a completed defrosting of the freezer. (Place frozen foods in refrigerator side to keep it cold while the refrigerator is off. Better to transfer everything to another refrigerator.)
* Keep checking and dumping the drain tray as the ice melts. If no water drains then the line may be clogged. Call for service.?
* Plug in refrigerator but leave out where you still can unplug it if you need to continue to defrost. Move it back only if everything is working (so far).
* Set the temperature to middle of dial and the freezer diverter to normal (middle). Leave fridge empty to allow it to cool down without a load. Check for icing (there shouldn't be any as there is no moisture in box to ice up.) If there is ice then it did not defrost enough. Turn off and repeat manual defrost (open door)
* Once your sure all the ice is gone and the freezer is cold. Move refrigerator back into the counter/wall. (it's lighter but get help anyway.) Start putting back the frozen goods. Try not to cram in everything. Keep enough space on racks to allow air flow AROUND the whole shelf. Keep away from leaning food against the walls and back.
* Leave the temperature setting at mid range. Your refrigerator should be able to keep food frozen at this setting.
* Check your door seals for cracks
* Check your door perimeter for warmth. It should not be sweating or ice cold. Cool or slightly warm to the touch is normal.
* Check your side panels (not doors). It should be cool but not iced or sweating.
* Final, with the Temperature set at mid range. If your still getting ice then you have a vapor leak. (Moist air getting into the freezer) Note that this moisture can also come from hot moist food placed in freezer without pre-chilling it. If you must put hot food In the freezer. Then place it in the refrigerator section for at least an hour prior to the freezer. The refrigerator can handle the moisture load better than the freezer. The refrigerator just collects the water and drains it to the bottom pan.
* Again, check your warranty and call for service. Have them perform yearly maintenance to check everything.
Aloha, ukeboy57

PS; If everything is okay (so far) then only gradually adjust the temperature SLOWLY. You will find that maxing to the coldest setting will only build up the ice quicker. Normal freezer operation can take care of the occasional (daily) opening of the freezer door. It will 'dry' out the frost and ice build up (If given the chance). But if you find that Ice keeps building then you need a bigger new ice box.

My bottom freezer LG is intermittently shutting down and thawing everything in the freezer (cooling stops in fridge part, too). $3,500 for a refrigerator that works only 18 months.

Its defrost problem.--------- When you open the freezer door, then ice starts getting defrosted, because outside temperature is warm and due to that inside ice gets bit melted.--------- -------------- The working procedure of this unit is as follows: --- The compressor starts then it cools the freezer section. When the freezer reaches its cooling level the defrost cycle starts functioning. In this cycle the fan in the freezer section starts running and the cool air in the freezer section is passed to the fridge section and the fridge section gets cold. The air from freezer to refrigerator passes from the section, in that section the damper is located. ----------- The damper is operated by a motor.Its a complete damper assembly with motor included in it.--The damper has door.Which closes and open with the help of motor.In your case the damper door is blocked by ice, because your refrigerator is not defrosting.But when you open the freezer door, the inside ice gets bit warm and it starts melting and this lets the fridge section get cool.------------------- In this case you will have to manually defrost the ice and inspect, if the problem solves.For manual defrost procedure, click the link below:-------- Click this below for more detail:--- http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2011/06/refrigerator-is-not-cooling-properly.html ----------- This will help.Thanks.Helpmech.

Freezer not getting cold, then defrost problem is rare, it can be compressor issue.If freezer getting cold but fridge not getting cold, then yes it can be defrost problem. The procedure of this unit is as follows: --- The compressor starts then it cools the freezer section. When the freezer reaches its cooling level the defrost cycle starts functioning. In this cycle the fan in the freezer section starts running and the cool air in the freezer section is passed to the fridge section and the fridge section gets cold. The air from freezer to refrigerator passes from the section, in that section the damper is located.---------- But in your problem, you mentioned, in that freezer section is not stating cooling.So the compressor can be the issue.But still try reset procedure and see, if that is helping. Try manual defrost reset procedure: ---- First unplug the unit from main power outlet. Then empty whole unit completely. Then keep both the doors open. Wait for 24 hours. All the ice collected on the coils and in the freezer section will get melted. Clean the water from the sections. Then Connect the power cord of the unit to main power outlet after 24 hours/.Then set the temperature to normal in both fridge and freezer section. It will take near to 4 hours to get run in its proper cooling cycle. Then check, if the problem returns again. If still the same problem, then the compressor has to be inspected.

you can get the required parts from online sites like:---

www.repairclinic.com or from searspartsdirect online site.---------This will help.Thanks.Helpmech.

Hi,
The defrost is not working properly...
There are a few reasons why the refrigerator part will not cool...here are a couple of tips that will help you to figure out why the refrigerantor is not cooling...

Refrigerator not Cooling or Fridge not Cooling
http://www.fixya.com/support/r3662945-refrigerator_not_cooling_or_fridge_not

How to Defrost Refrigerator Defrost Timer Problem
http://www.fixya.com/support/r3771673-defrost_refrigerator_defrost_timer

heatman101

Hi,
There are a few reasons why the refrigerator part will not cool...here are a couple of tips that will help you to figure out why the refrigerantor is not cooling...

Refrigerator not Cooling or Fridge not Cooling
http://www.fixya.com/support/r3662945-refrigerator_not_cooling_or_fridge_not

How to Defrost Refrigerator Defrost Timer Problem
http://www.fixya.com/support/r3771673-defrost_refrigerator_defrost_timer

heatman101

Usually it's because it's not defrosting. If there is frost buildup on the back wall of the freezer, it's a defrost issue. Most of the time these fridge have a defrost issue, it's because the defrost heater is bad. If this is the case you can get by for a while by manually defrosting the fridge. Take everything out, turn it off, leave the freezer door open and let it sit for 24-36 hours.

Sounds like a defrost problem. Check to see if there is any frost buildup in the back wall of the freezer. If so, it is not defrosting as it should.

• possible causes:

1. bad defrost timer
2. bad defrost heater (in freezer)
3. bad thermo switch in freezer

If you don’t know what these are then unplug the machine and let the ice melt in the freezer overnight with the door open. Then try it the next day, if is cooling fine then you need to have a service person replace one of the above items.