The invention provides a refrigerator which reduces power consumption of a compressor and a defrosting heater by use of flow high-voltage refrigerant into an evaporator due to pressure diference whenthe compressor is stopped and has high efficeincy, and a method for controlling the refrigerator. The refrigerator includes: a pipe that connects a compressor, a condenser, a decompressor, and an evaporator, and that circulates a refrigerant therein; and a bypass pipe that causes the refrigerant to circulate from the condenser to the evaporator; and a switching valve that switches flow of the refrigerant from the pipe to the bypass pipe. A method for controlling the refrigerator includes: conducting a normal operation in which a refrigerant is caused to circulate through a compressor, a condenser, decompressor, and an evaporator; and conducting a defrosting operation in which the refrigerant is caused to circulate through the compressor, the condenser, and the evaporator, excluding the decompressor.