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Frigidaire upright freezers are straightforward appliances without too much complexity. Still, they can suffer from common problems you should be aware of ahead of time.
A Frigidaire upright freezer can experience common problems like not cooling down, running non-stop, a frozen defrost drain, and an indicator or display unit that isn’t working. These problems don’t happen often, but understanding how to fix them will save you plenty of time and effort if they do.
This guide will equip you with the knowledge of what to expect if your freezer malfunctions. You’ll learn more about the common problems, what to troubleshoot, and how to fix the issue.
Frigidaire Upright Freezer Troubleshooting Guide
Frigidaire upright freezers are reliable, so you don’t have to worry about them breaking down too often. Still, you should understand their common problems so you’ll know how to troubleshoot them if they happen.
Here are the 4 most common Frigidaire upright freezer problems, their causes, and their solutions.
Freezer Isn’t Cold
Which parts to check: When your Frigidaire upright freezer is warm and won’t cool down, you must troubleshoot the condenser coils and the evaporator fan.
The condenser coils are the external portion of the freezer’s cooling system. After the refrigerant removes heat from inside the freezer compartment, it’ll flow to the condenser coils exposed to the surrounding air.
The coils will release that heat into the environment as it continues to cool the freezer compartment.
Meanwhile, the evaporator fan helps drive cold air throughout the freezer. When it works correctly, cold air will reach all corners of the freezer and bring it down to your set temperature.
What’s wrong: The first reason your freezer isn’t cold is the condenser coils are dirty. Remember: they’re exposed to the surrounding air, which blows through the coils. That also means they can accumulate dust pretty quickly.
The dust buildup prevents the coils from releasing heat. Instead, the hot refrigerant is circulated back into the freezer, keeping it warm.
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Meanwhile, a failed evaporator fan will prevent cold air from distributing evenly throughout the freezer. So, even if a part of the freezer is cold, the rest of it will remain warm.
How to fix it: Firstly, you must clean the condenser coils thoroughly. Next, vacuum any loose dirt, and use a brush to scrub stubborn dirt buildups away.
If the evaporator fan has failed, you’ll have to remove the motor and fan blades to replace them with new ones.
Read: Why Freezer Is Making Humming Noise?
Freezer Runs Non-Stop
Which parts to check: Your Frigidaire freezer should only run intermittently. However, if it runs non-stop, you’ll need to check the temperature control thermostat for problems.
The thermostat controls the freezer, so it maintains your set temperature. It does that by continually sensing how cold the appliance is.
When it senses that the freezer is too warm, it’ll engage the cooling system to lower the temperature. Once that temperature is reached, the thermostat ensures that the cooling system stops temporarily.
What’s wrong: The thermostat has likely failed if the freezer runs non-stop. More specifically, the thermostat mistakenly thinks the freezer isn’t cold enough.
So, it keeps the compressor running to circulate refrigerant, even though it doesn’t have to.
How to fix it: Firstly, you must inspect the thermostat for problems. Suppose there are no visible signs of damage. In that case, a
Once you confirm that the thermostat no longer works, disconnect the existing one and install a compatible replacement.
Read: 5 Reasons Why Freezer Is Too Cold
Defrost Drain Is Frozen
Which parts to check: The defrost drain ensures that water inside the freezer can flow away safely. In doing so, it prevents frost and ice from building up inside.
If the defrost drain is frozen, you must inspect the drain strap. The strap leads into the defrost drain and prevents freezing.
What’s wrong: The water that flows into the defrost drain is always close to freezing temperature. That’s typically not a problem as long as the defrost drain strap is present and working.
However, if the defrost drain strap falls off or wears out, the defrost drain will quickly freeze as there’s nothing to keep it warm.
How to fix it: Firstly, return the drain strap to its position if it has fallen off. If the drain strap is no longer functioning, you’ll have to get a replacement as soon as possible.
The defrost drain strap might not seem like a critical part, but you shouldn’t delay replacing it. That’s because if you don’t have one that works, the defrost drain will continue to freeze over.
Then, you’ll have to defrost the freezer unit manually each time.
Read: Why Is Ice Or Frost Build Up In The Freezer?
Indicator Or Display Isn’t Working
Which parts to check: When the indicator or display isn’t working, you’ll need to troubleshoot the freezer’s control board and display.
The board and display are combined into one module that’s easily plugged into the freezer’s display port.
What’s wrong: There are two possibilities here. Firstly, there might be dust inside the display’s electrical contacts that prevent it from correctly communicating with the freezer.
Secondly, the module might have also become faulty or suffered damage from an electrical fault. That typically happens after a power surge or a short circuit that damages the freezer’s electrical components.
How to fix it: When the indicator lights or display isn’t working on your Frigidaire upright freezer, try to detach it temporarily. You can do that by sliding a putty knife under the module’s sides to prop it up.
Doing so will also disconnect the module from the port it plugs into.
You’ll find the electrical contacts behind the display might be clogged with dirt or dust, so try and clear them as best as you can.
Then, reattach the display to your freezer and reset the unit. You can do that by shutting the freezer off at its power source for one minute before starting it up again.
The indicator and display should work correctly after that.
However, you’ll have to replace it with a new module if it still doesn’t. The replacement process is pretty straightforward once you have the correct part, as you’ll only have to push it into place.
Read: Frigidaire Refrigerator – Ice Maker Not Making Enough Ice. How To Fix It?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are a few more questions that you’ll find helpful when troubleshooting your Frigidaire upright freezer:
What Is The Life Expectancy Of A Frigidaire Upright Freezer?
Frigidaire freezers are known to last anywhere from 12 to 20 years. You can maximize the lifespan of your unit by maintaining it as needed and fixing any problems while they’re still small.
Read: Where Is Kenmore Freezer Reset Button?
What Is The Best Setting For A Frigidaire Upright Freezer?
The ideal setting for a Frigidaire upright freezer is 0 degrees Fahrenheit. At this temperature, you’ll not only preserve your food items for longer, but you’ll also prevent things like bacteria growth.
Why Is The Green Light Flashing On My Frigidaire Upright Freezer?
The green light flashes on your Frigidaire upright freezer when the unit isn’t cold enough and is in the process of lowering its temperature. The green light will stop when the freezer reaches the set temperature.
How Do I Reset My Upright Freezer?
You can reset your freezer by cycling its power. First, shut its power off at the source by pulling the plug out of the wall socket or shutting off the circuit breaker. Then, leave the freezer alone for one minute before powering it on again. That will complete the reset process.
What Does The Red Light On My Frigidaire Freezer Mean?
The red light indicates that the freezer might have a malfunction, particularly one that causes it to become too warm. The light should turn off automatically after 4 hours if the freezer cools down.
