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If your freezer switches off or faces cooling problems for a few hours, it may spoil your food. Fortunately, you can easily fix most common freezer problems without having to wait for a professional.
Common freezer problems such as improper cooling, no defrosting, water leakage, and constant noises are often related to faulty components like the compressor, defrosting system, and thermostat. You can fix some problems through cleaning and defrosting, but others require an appliance technician.
In this article, I’ll discuss some common freezer problems and their solutions in detail. Let’s get started!
1. The Freezer Is Not Cooling Properly
A freezer that isn’t cooling properly is obviously not getting the job done. This is one of the most common freezer problems that people face. There’s no need to panic in such cases, as it doesn’t always mean there’s something wrong with the freezer.
A freezer that’s not cooling can be fixed without much effort because it usually happens due to issues in the freezer settings. Sometimes the freezer’s temperature is not set to the right level, which is why it’s not cooling the stored food.
In more severe cases, it could have one of these causes:
- Condenser fan or coils may be dirty or broken.
- The thermostat may be broken.
- The compressor may be faulty.
How To Fix?
Before fixing the problem, you’ll have to identify the cause. You need to check the temperature manual first to ensure that the temperature is optimal for the amount of food stored in your freezer. If not, simply adjust the temperature to the recommended settings.
You’ll also have to adjust the cooling temperature based on weather conditions, so don’t set the freezer at a fixed temperature year-round.
After changing the temperature setting, inspect the amount of storage in your freezer. While experts recommend filling a fridge and freezer for energy efficiency, you may have packed more than what the freezer can actually cool. If that’s true, you’ll have to remove excess food from your freezer.
If the temperature isn’t the problem, you might be looking at a thermostat or compressor problem. If a thermostat is broken, it won’t supply voltage to the compressor. To fix these problems, you’ll have to call an appliance technician. A damaged condenser fan will also require professional assistance.
If the condenser coils are dirty or clogged, you’ll have to clean them thoroughly so that your freezer starts cooling again.
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Read: 3 Reasons Why Chest Freezer Is Not Working After Power Outage
2. No Defrosting and Ice Buildup
Frosting and ice buildup are a problem because they can damage your freezer components, such as the freezer door.
If your freezer is older, then it may not have automatic defrosting technology. This means that if there is ice buildup and frost, then you’ll have to go through the hectic task of cleaning out the ice and frost manually.
However, if your freezer is equipped with a self-defrosting feature and there is still ice or frost, that simply means the automatic system isn’t working properly.
Read: 3 Possible Reasons Why Chest Freezer Not Freezing At Top – Troubleshooting Guide
How To Fix?
The ice layer may have gotten too thick because the freezer door is left open for too long or is not closed properly. An open freezer door can increase the humidity levels leading to ice buildup. So, be sure to properly close your freezer door and inspect the strip that keeps the door airtight.
- If the automatic defrosting feature is not working, then turn your freezer off by disconnecting the power.
- Clean the ice and frost manually.
- Turn the freezer back on.
- Wait a few hours, and then inspect the freezer carefully. If the frost or ice start doesn’t build up again, it’s good news because the defrosting system was not damaged. Sometimes the defrosting system doesn’t work merely because the layer of ice is too thick.
Here’s a YouTube video on how to clean ice buildup in your freezer:
If ice builds back up quickly after you’ve cleaned it, this means that there could be an issue with:
- The defrost timer
- The defrost heater
- The defrost control board
- The thermostat
Here’s how to check if one of these could be the problem:
- Turn the timer in a clockwise direction.
- Wait for the ice and frost to melt. If the defrosting begins, it means your defrost timer needs to get fixed. You’ll have to call a professional for that.
- If the frost or ice doesn’t melt away, it means there’s a problem with the defrost heater, defrost control board, or thermostat. Ask an appliance technician to fix the problem
Read: Why Chest Freezer Not Working After Moving? How To Troubleshoot?
3. The Freezer has Water Leakage
Water leakage is a problem that can be dangerous because if a person slips, they might get a serious injury. It’s also not sensible to have pooling water around an electrical appliance.
If you notice this water leaking problem, you’ll have to fix it immediately.
The good news is that the common causes of water leakage don’t require any professional help. Sometimes there is an issue with the defrost drain or your freezer has a cold water supply.
How To Fix?
The defrost drain is located at the back of the freezer. If you have a problem with the drain, you’ll likely notice water pooling from underneath the freezer.
The defrost drain may get blocked with food particles, debris, or dirt. It may also get frozen due to faults in the automatic defrosting system. Before cleaning, you’ll have to determine if the defrost drain is blocked or frozen. Use a slim tool for cleaning the dust or food particles and use warm water to defrost and clean the draining hole.
If there’s too much blockage, you might have to clean the drainage valve, which is made of rubber and is located at the end of the drain hose. Use warm water and soap to open the valve.
If the water supply to your freezer is dirty or frozen, it may also cause water leakage. This may result in the improper functioning of the ice maker or water dispenser. To fix this problem, switch off the freezer and check the supply line located behind or below the freezer. If it’s damaged, you’ll have to replace it.
Remember not to overstuff your freezer because the door might not close, consequently lowering the temperature. The ice will melt as a result, and water will trickle down on the floor.
If the water leakage is still happening and none of the above are causing it, it means the problem is with the water tank assembly. You’ll need an appliance technician to fix this.
Read: Can You Keep A Freezer Outside In The Winter?
4. The Freezer Is Constantly Making Noises
When your freezer performs properly, it shouldn’t make any noise. Even if it does, that will go unnoticed for the most part. However, if the noises are loud and constant, it means that there is a problem with the internal freezer components.
How To Fix? (common freezer problems)
Sometimes, a frost buildup in the evaporator fan may cause louder fan noise because the frost interferes with its rotation. Similarly, any damage in the components, such as the ice maker or defrosting system, might be the reason behind the noise.
If your freezer needs defrosting, then do so and check whether it resolves the problem. If the freezer is still noisy, call a professional to fix it.
Read: Why Isn’t My Frigidaire Freezer Working? How To Fix?
Summary
If your freezer has any problem, you’ll first need to pinpoint the exact cause of the issue. Remember that, while you might be able to fix certain problems if you have some DIY experience, more complex issues require a professional.
