How to Solve the Most Common Freezer Problems

1.   Strange Noises

Every freezer makes noises, whether it is gurgling as the evaporator coil drains or clicking when the freezer harvests a batch of ice. However, there may be times when your freezer starts to make unfamiliar, strange noises. This could be an issue with the evaporator fan motor, but there could be other underlying reasons.

Unfortunately, diagnosing freezer issues by sound alone can be tricky and you may need to call in an appliance repair technician to help you.

2.   Frost Build Up

Frost can build up in your freezer for a number of reasons from frost on the gasket due to the door not being fully closed to the motor needing to be replaced.

Therefore, it is a good idea to run some troubleshooting to determine if there is an easy fix. Firstly, check if there are food packages or containers preventing the door from properly closing. You should also check if the temperature has been set too low. If the frost is solely building up on the back of the freezer section, it could be an issue with the appliance’s defrost cycle. Depending on your freezer model, this could be due to a defective component such as the defrost timer, sensor or control board.

3.   Water Pooling on the Floor

If there is a small amount of water on the floor near your freezer, it could be a simple spill of water or ice or there may be a more serious issue. If your freezer has a water hookup for ice and water, the leak could be an issue with your household connection. You will need to inspect the water line between the appliance and shutoff valve. If the line is intact, the water could be a result of the defrost drain being frozen over. In this case, you will need to defrost and clean the drain. It is also a good idea to check the condensation pan, which may have overfilled due to dirty evaporator coils or a damaged pan.

4.   Freezer Not Running

If your freezer is not running, the first thing you will need to check is if there is power going to the appliance. The plug may have been dislodged from the outlet or the breaker could have tripped. If you’ve checked these things and the freezer is still not running, check the appliance controls. The freezer should be set to 0ºf, with the mechanical controls set to the mid range. It is very easy to inadvertently change these settings, when you’re putting groceries or left over containers into the freezer. 

If you’ve run through the above points, there may be an issue with the main control, user interface board, the freezer thermostat or temperature sensors. In this case, you will need help from your local appliance repair technician.

5.  The Freezer is Too Warm

If you’ve found items in the freezer that are not properly frozen, firstly, you will need to check the thermostat dial is set to the correct temperature. It could have been accidentally adjusted.

If the dial has not been changed, the freezer may feel too warm because you have too little or too much in the freezer. Experts recommend having your freezer 70% to 85% full. When you have too little in the freezer, all the cold air will spill out each time you open the freezer door. Conversely, too much in the freezer limits air circulation. So, try to evenly disperse all your items inside the freezer and avoid blocking any vents.

If none of these scenarios apply, you may need to consult an appliance repair technician as there could be a defect with sensors or the control board, a damaged evaporator coil or a coolant leak, which all require professional attention.