Refrigerator Troubleshooting Guide
Please Note: The information on this page is for Australian products only. Models, sequences, error codes or settings will vary depending on location and/or where the product had been purchased. To be redirected to your local support page please click here.
If your fridge is making a new noise, has a strange smell, or feels warm - there are a couple of things that you can check before organising a service request. This guide will help you identify and solve common troubleshooting issues with Refrigerators.
Please note that this page is a general guide and model-specific information can be found in your User Manual.
If your fridge is making a sound you don’t recognise, check the table below for some possible causes.
For a more detailed guide of some common noises, check out This Guide.
|
Sound |
Troubleshooting Guide |
|---|---|
|
Spurting and / or Spitting |
May be heard when the refrigerant inside the fridge flows as a gas and a liquid.
The frost attached to the cooler may generate a ‘chikchik’ or ‘bukbuk’ sound when it melts.
This is a normal sound, and not indicative of a problem.
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|
Tapping |
This sound may be heard when the parts inside of the fridge expand or shrink as the temperature inside it changes.
When the frost covering the cooler melts, a similar sound may be heard.
This is a normal sound, and not indicative of a problem.
|
|
Whining or Humming |
This sound is usually generated by the compressor or fan, when the fridge starts or ends cooling. The sound may be louder or softer as the compressor/fan rotates faster/slower: depending on the surrounding temperatures or status within the refrigerator.
The reason for the sound is similar to how a car engine gets louder as it accelerates.
This is a normal sound, and not indicative of a problem.
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|
Loud (new fridge) |
When your fridge starts for the first time (or restarts after a power cut), the compressor and fan rotate faster to quickly decrease the temperature inside the refrigerator.
At first, the sound may be loud: but as the fridge temperature decreases the compressor and fan noise will decrease.
This is a normal sound, and not indicative of a problem.
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|
Vacuum |
If you frequently open and close the door, the air captured by your fridge is rapidly cooled. This temporarily decreases the internal pressure – and may cause the sound of air flowing from the back of the refrigerator, like a ‘shk’.
Alternatively, the internal structure of the fridge may be temporarily distorted and may generate a sound more like a ‘ddudduk’.
These are normal sounds, and not indicative of a problem.
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|
Loud Noise & Strange Sound |
Ensure the refrigerator is installed on a flat, solid floor.
Please keep the back of the fridge away from the wall by at least 5cm.
Keep heavy objects away from the back and sides of the fridge.
Do not place heavy objects on the refrigerator.
If the sound persists, get in touch.
|
WARNING!
Repairs to the appliance are to be performed only by a qualified service technician. Improperly effected repairs may result in considerable risk to the user.
If your appliance needs repair, please contact a Customer Service Centre.
|
Symptom |
Troubleshooting Guide |
|---|---|
|
The freezer compartment is covered with frost, dew |
Frost or dew may appear when:
|
|
The main body of the refrigerator and the internal lamp cover in the freezer compartment are wet with dew. |
The lamp in the freezer generates heat if the door is open for a long time, so frost may appear due to the difference in temperature between the external air and internal compartment. This frost should disappear if the door is closed.
When the humidity around your fridge is too high, the moisture in the air can become dew when it reaches the cold surface of the fridge.
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|
The surface of the fridge is hot |
This is often normal. There are pipes around the front and sides of the refrigerator to cool the contents quickly and save power. These can heat up while operating.
This is most common on first use or during the hotter months of the year. It may also be caused by incorrect spacing between your fridge and its surroundings, meaning heat cannot dissipate effectively.
Check to see if there are any nearby heat sources that could contribute to the increase in surface temperature and remove them if possible. It is strongly recommended to install the refrigerator away from any heat source.
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|
The fridge and freezer are not working / cooling performance is low. |
Check the power cord is plugged in.
If the target temperature on the fridge is high, you can lower it which may help the cooling performance. Ensure the fridge isn’t exposed to direct sunlight or other heat sources (heaters, ovens, etc).
Make sure your fridge has at least 5cm between its back and the wall.
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|
Hot air blows from the bottom of the refrigerator. |
This heat is exhausted from the fridge’s compressor – which runs to decrease the temperature inside the fridge.
The refrigerator is designed so that the heat exhausts from the side of the fridge. If the sides are blocked, this hot air may exhaust via the front of the fridge instead.
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|
The food in the fridge compartment is frozen. |
The fridge temperature may be set too low.
Adjust the temperature to an adequate level to prevent freezing.
|
|
Symptom |
Troubleshooting Guide |
|---|---|
|
The temperature display is not showing. |
To save energy, if no key is pressed, the display is turned off after 10 seconds.
If you press a button or open/close the door, the display should turn on.
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|
The buttons on the control panel aren't working. |
Check if the display lock (lock icon) is turned on. If it is, hold Lock for 3 seconds to disable.
If you touch a button with wet hands or clean with a damp cloth, the button may not work until dried.
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|
There is an odd smell coming from inside the fridge. |
Ensure any foods with strong odours are covered and airtight.
Food that has been stored in the fridge for a long time may also cause a smell.
To clean the inside of the fridge:
You may want to put slices of bread, coffee beans, hardwood charcoal, or a copper plate in the refrigerator to remove the present smell.
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|
I can't easily open the refrigerator door. |
The separated fridge and freezer are bonded without a gap, so it may be difficult to open the door.
Check if the front of the fridge is higher than the back and ensure the fridge is level.
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|
The fridge door is lower than the freezer door when I look at the refrigerator from the front.
The upper and lower gaps between the freezer door and the fridge door are different.
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The size and weight of the fridge and freezing compartments varies and are not the same – so this symptom may occur due to some hidden weight.
For the same reason, the upper and lower gaps between the doors may not be the same.
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