Freezer not cooling? If your freezer is not cooling as well as it used to, a few troubleshooting tips can help you identify the problem and possibly even fix it yourself. While it’s important to hire a pro for diagnosis and repairs, understanding some of the problems enables you to show them the problem thus saving time and money.
Freezer Not Cooling
This post will break down some of the main reasons your freezer is not cooling as it should. The article outlines everything from broken seals and frost buildup to a malfunctioned evaporator fan and poor air circulation in the freezer compartment. Follow the appliance tips below to determine why your freezer may not be cooling.
Broken Seals
If the freezer is too warm to keep your ice cream firmly frozen, then warm, moist air may be leaking through the freezer and refrigerator door gaskets. Check the door gaskets for damage and replace them if necessary.
If the gaskets are okay but a door is sagging on its hinges, adjust the hinges so the gaskets seal properly.
Evaporator Fan
The evaporator fan motor circulates cool air through the freezer after pulling air over the evaporator coils. Check whether the evaporator fan is running when you check for cooling inside the freezer. If the fan isn’t working, replace it with a working one.
Compressor
This is one of the first things you should check when you realize your freezer isn’t cooling. The compressor is what makes your freezer work. Confirm that the compressor is humming, which is a sign that it’s working. If not, try unplugging the freezer then plug it back again. If that doesn’t work, call a professional for repairs.
Frost Buildup
If you notice frost along the sides inside the freezer compartment, the frost is likely to be choking up the coils. And when the coils are clogged with frost, air won’t circulate in the freezer. Your best course of action would be to defrost the unit. Defrosting can be a hassle as it will involve taking everything out of the freezer for a while but it can save you from buying a new freezer.
If you have a no-frost or auto-defrost freezer, then your problem might be a malfunction of the defrost timer or thermostat or a leak in the refrigerant line. Fixing these issues might need replacement of a few parts, and calling in a pro to find the root cause of the problem.
Air Not Circulating
A freezer will only cool properly if air is able to circulate. If the freezer is working but not getting cold enough, check that nothing is blocking the evaporator fan. Having food to close to the fan, for example, can prevent air from circulating through the compartment, meaning your food won’t stay cold enough. Start by locating the fan, then move any boxes or bags away from it.
Bottom Line
There are several other reasons for your freezer not cooling as it should. Dirty coils or a freezer that’s too full can also keep air from circulating. While some repairs are simple and straightforward, you may have to seek professional help for more complex fixes. Hire a competent professional you can trust to do the job right. Make sure you always maintain your refrigerator and freezer to prevent having to replace your appliance.