Freezer Not Freezing? 10 Common Causes and How to Fix Them
Dirty Door Seal
One of the most common reasons for a freezer not freezing is a dirty door seal. Without a tight seal, warm air can be let in, which impacts your freezer’s ability to stay cold.
How to Fix It: Most dirty door seals can be fixed with a quick wipe down. Make sure there is no buildup or residue on the seal and listen for the freezer to latch closed.
Frost Buildup
Another reason why your freezer is not freezing could be frost buildup. When frost accumulates on your freezer’s coil, it can impact the freezer’s ability to maintain cold temperatures.
How to Fix It: Frost buildup is usually an easy fix. You can manually defrost your freezer by temporarily moving food into a cooler, unplugging the freezer, and letting it defrost. After the freezer has defrosted, wipe down the freezer and plug it back in.
Overcrowding
Packing your freezer to the brim can cause circulation issues, resulting in uneven temperatures and cooling issues. Additionally, poor circulation issues can put your freezer into overdrive, resulting in a complete failure.
How to Fix It: Remove any unused or excess items from your freezer. While your freezer doesn’t need to have the bare minimum, it shouldn’t be overflowing with items.
Faulty Compressor
The compressor is the lifeline of your freezer and is responsible for maintaining cold temperatures by circulating refrigerant. A faulty or broken compressor can make your freezer useless.
How to Fix It: Faulty compressors are a major repair that often requires the help of a professional. In some cases, it might be more cost-effective to replace the entire freezer. Find a trustworthy service professional who can confirm the compressor is faulty and give you a repair price estimate.
Condenser Coil Buildup
Dust and dirt on your condenser coils can cause freezing issues. These coils are located on the back of your freezer and are usually neglected when cleaning.
How to Fix It: Clean the condenser coils to remove any dust, dirt, or debris. This generally requires you to pull your freezer out from the wall. Wiping with warm water or a light disinfectant is usually sufficient.
Faulty Start Relay
Your start relay runs your freezer. It powers the compressor that moves refrigerant throughout your unit. A faulty or broken start relay can cause your freezer to stop working. If you hear a clicking sound, there’s a good chance your start relay is broken.
How to Fix It: A faulty start relay generally requires professional assistance, as it can be a major electrical issue. Reach out to a service professional in your area. Trying to replace the start relay on your own could lead to electrical shock or further damage to your freezer.
Broken Temperature Sensor
The temperature sensor tells your freezer how cold or warm it is. If this sensor is broken, your freezer has no way of regulating the temperature. A broken temperature sensor can happen due to normal wear and tear or from excessive frost.
How to Fix It: Like the start relay, the temperature sensor is one of your freezer’s electrical components. This means it’s best to have a professional handle replacement. Reach out to a qualified freezer service professional.
Defective Fan Motor
Your condenser fan motor is essential to cool your freezer. Over time, the motor can wear out due to usage or regular wear and tear, making it difficult for your freezer to maintain its temperature.
How to Fix It: You can replace the fan motor on your own; however, it’s best to have an experienced service professional handle the replacement.
Damaged Control Board
The control board in your freezer regulates the temperature and manages other systems that power the unit. If you can’t locate the reason for your freezer not freezing, it might be that the control board is not receiving power.
How to Fix It: First, check your freezer’s settings to make sure that “demo mode” is off. If your freezer light does not come on when opening the door, that can indicate power issues. Plug another appliance into the outlet to test the power. If the other appliance does not work, the outlet may be bad. If the outlet seems to be working properly, you will need an experienced service professional to confirm that the control board is faulty.
Worn Evaporator Fan
Your evaporator fan is responsible for circulating the cool air in your freezer. A broken or damaged fan can cause your freezer not to freeze.
How to Fix It: A worn evaporator fan requires the help of a professional. Consult with an appliance professional to confirm the evaporator fan is the source of your freezing issues and the cost to fix.
Still Stuck? What To Do Next
If you still can’t find the root of your freezer’s problem, contact a qualified service professional right away. A freezer not freezing can be costly if your food continues to spoil.
Whether you’ve successfully identified the culprit of your freezer not freezing or you’re still at square one, reach out to your local Mr. Appliance to schedule an appointment.
