Why is My Freezer Not Freezing?

Are you struggling with your freezer not freezing? It's a common problem that has several common causes that you can easily troubleshoot. But what do you do if you need an appliance repair for your freezer? That's when you turn to your local Fort Worth appliance repair professionals from Mr. Appliance.

Is your freezer not cold enough? There are a couple of causes you can troubleshoot yourself. More often than not, aside from adjusting the temperature settings or checking for dirty condenser coils, most freezer temperature issues require a visit from an expert service provider. That being said, our experts have weighed in on the causes behind a freezer not freezing and have outlined what you can do about them below.

Common Causes for a Freezer Not Freezing

If you're struggling with a freezer not freezing, it's important to know that you're not the first person to struggle with this problem. Freezer not working? If your freezer isn't maintaining consistent temperatures and is, in fact, too warm, that leads to issues with food spoilage. It's the opposite problem to frost buildup, which usually occurs if your freezer is too cold. But there are several common reasons why you might struggle with your freezer not freezing and your frozen food thawing out before its time.

Modern freezers have many features that make them convenient. But that doesn't mean that they always operate properly. Sometimes, you might run into a problem that requires some troubleshooting to diagnose, including when you are having issues with a freezer not freezing. Excessive frost is a symptom that indicates your freezer isn't maintaining the correct temperature, but what can cause it?

Is your freezer not cold enough? Here are the most common reasons why you might have problems with your freezer not freezing (and some troubleshooting tips for finding the cause).

1. Air Leaks

One of the common causes of a freezer not freezing is down to air leaks. Check the door seals on your freezer to ensure that they're not damaged. If the freezer door gasket is damaged or worn out, cold air can escape from within your freezer, making it difficult for your freezer to maintain the correct temperature.

To check if there's a problem with the door seals or gasket, take a piece of paper and place it in half inside, half outside your freezer. Close the door on the piece of paper. Try to pull the paper out of the door. If you can easily remove it, then you need to replace the freezer door gasket.

2. Dirty Condenser Coils

Another common reason for your freezer not freezing is because of dirty coils. Dust and other debris can accumulate on your freezer's condenser coils, which prevents them from dissipating heat effectively. If the coils are dirty, your freezer will also need to work harder to effectively dissipate heat, which can affect its energy efficiency.

To solve the problem, you can clean the coils with a damp rag. This will greatly improve your freezer's performance. You'll first need to unplug your freezer and move it out so you can easily access the condenser coils. Once that's done, you can use a vacuum or a damp cloth to clean off the accumulated dust and debris keeping your freezer from freezing.

3. Blocked Evaporator Fan

There are a lot of moving parts within your freezer. One of them is the evaporator fan, which circulates cold air throughout your freezer. If the freezer fan is blocked by frost buildup, ice buildup, or other items within your freezer, then it will compromise your freezer's cooling performance.

Check that there is adequate space for your fan to spin properly by checking for any obstructions that you can clean or clear away from the fan. Proper airflow is key within your freezer to ensure that you have a cold freezer and your food items stay frozen. That's why you need to check the evaporator fan and ensure it isn't blocked by frost build-up or another item.

4. Malfunctioning Evaporator Fan

If the fan isn't working entirely, that means that the motor isn't working. That likely means you need a professional to handle a repair or replacement to solve the problem of your freezer not freezing. As a major appliance, your freezer sometimes might malfunction and require professional diagnostics; however, you can test the evaporator fan motor yourself.

You can check the fan motor by manually activating the fan. Do this by holding down the door switch. If the fan doesn't run, then that's a sign that it needs to be replaced. Is your freezer not cold enough? This could be the source of the problem.

5. Overpacking Your Freezer

Air flow is important to keeping your freezer cold. If you pack your freezer with too much, then it restricts the airflow within your freezer, which is essential to keeping it cold. You want to aim to keep your freezer only 75% to 80% full to allow for proper air circulation. If this is the cause, try emptying your freezer out a little to see if it's the cause for your freezer not freezing.

6. Failure of the Defrost System

Frost build-up is a serious problem that can result in a freezer not working. Frost can build up on the evaporator coils due to a malfunctioning defrost system, which blocks airflow and reduces your freezer's cooling efficiency.

Check if frost build-up is a problem. If it is, it's time to call for a professional appliance repair since the problem might be traced back to a faulty defrost heater or defrost timer. If the defrost timer or heater is the problem, it's likely that you need to have one of those parts replaced by a professional to get your freezer functioning again. Freezer not freezing? This might be the answer.

7. Faulty Start Relay or Problems With the Compressor

You might not know what either of these parts are. The start relay is what powers your freezer's compressor, which is the powerhouse of your freezer. If the start relay is defective or malfunctioning, then your freezer won't run properly, resulting in inconsistent temperatures presenting as your freezer not freezing.

To see if the compressor or start relay is the problem, listen carefully to your freezer. You should be able to hear a humming sound, which is what the compressor sounds like when running. If you can't hear the sound, that likely means you have a faulty freezer compressor or start relay. In that case, you need an appliance repair professional to come in and diagnose the problem properly.

8. Faulty Thermostat or Thermostat Controls

If the thermostat isn't working properly, then it can't do its job of temperature control. It won't signal to the compressor to work properly. You can test your thermostat yourself to see if it responds and resolves the issue of your freezer not freezing. You can also try replacing the thermostat (or have a professional replace it for you) to see if that resolves the problem.

Tips for Troubleshooting a Freezer Not Freezing

Trying to find the cause of a freezer not freezing? We've got you. There are a couple of troubleshooting tips to help you pinpoint the cause of the problem. These include:

• Inspect Freezer Door Seals: Check your freezer door seals to ensure that they're intact and properly sealed when the freezer door is closed.
• Clean the Condenser Coils: Regular maintenance, which includes cleaning your freezer's condenser coils, can help avoid the problem of a freezer not freezing.
• Check the Evaporator Fan: Ensure that your freezer's evaporator fan is running and isn't obstructed.
• Avoid Overpacking Your Freezer: Rearrange your freezer to ensure that it isn't overpacked and that there's proper air circulation within your freezer to resolve freezer issues like your freezer not freezing.
• Monitor Frost Buildup: If you're noticing an excessive amount of frost, you might want to consider a manual defrost and checking your freezer's defrost cycle components.
• Listen for the Compressor: To verify that your compressor is operating properly, listen closely for a humming sound. If you can't hear it or your compressor is making unusual loud sounds, it's time for a professional freezer repair.

If these troubleshooting tips aren't of help, or you're not confident in your ability to troubleshoot your freezer, then contact your local Fort Worth appliance repair service for a professional diagnosis and effective repair solution.

Freezer Not Freezing? Mr. Appliance Can Help!

Struggling with your freezer not freezing? Mr. Appliance of Fort Worth can help with professional diagnosis and repair solutions for your malfunctioning freezer. Whether it's an upright freezer or chest freezer, Mr. Appliance's team of experienced professionals can troubleshoot the problem for you, finding a solution that works for you and your budget.

If it's time to stop worrying about why your freezer's not freezing, it's time to call Mr. Appliance. Call or contact us today to book an appointment with one of our service professionals!