5 Reasons Why LG Freezer Is Not Freezing

An LG freezer is supposed to keep items inside below freezing temperatures. So, when it fails to do that, it’s no different than a regular refrigerator. So, why would your LG freezer cool down but not freeze?

When you find that your LG freezer isn’t freezing, check that the condenser coils aren’t dirty. Then, check inside to ensure that the evaporator coils are frost-free and that the evaporator fan motor is still working as it should. Once you rule those out, then troubleshoot the thermistor and relay any electrical faults.

In this quick guide, we’ll explore those 5 most likely reasons why your LG freezer isn’t freezing. Plus, you’ll also discover some frequently asked questions that you’re going to find helpful as well.

What Causes An LG Freezer To Stop Freezing?

#1 Dirty Condenser Coils

As the freezer’s refrigerant absorbs heat and circulates through your freezer’s cooling system, it passes through condenser coils. You’ll find that these coils are very hot, and they’re on the outside of the appliance.

That’s because the condenser coils are where heat transfers from the freezer to the surrounding air. Typically, most freezers also have a condenser fan that drives air past the coils to help make the heat transfer process more efficient.

Unfortunately, that process becomes less effective when the condenser coils get dirty. Over an extended period, the coils will gather dust that prevents them from releasing heat to the surrounding air.

When that happens, the freezer can’t cool down as much as it should. In severe cases, nothing in the compartment will freeze at all.

Thankfully, this problem is very straightforward to fix. You have to clean the dirty condenser coils with a brush and a vacuum. Here’s what you’ll need to do:

• First, vacuum all loose dirt and debris around the dirty condenser coils.
• Next, brush away any stubborn dirt that’s stuck on the condenser coils.

Once you do that, the heat transfer process will become efficient again, and the freezer can cool down and freeze items inside.

Read: LG Refrigerator Is Not Cooling – Troubleshooting Guide + Service Manual

#2 Frosted Evaporator Coils

The cooling system on your LG freezer runs in a closed loop that has two sets of coils. 

The previous section explored the condenser coils that run hot and release heat into the appliance’s surroundings.

Now, we’re looking at the other set of coils: the evaporator coils, which represent the cold side of the freezer’s cooling system. These coils are inside the freezer compartment, and they’re responsible for lowering the air temperature inside the compartment.

Unfortunately, these evaporator coils won’t work correctly if they suffer frost and ice buildup. Those buildups will prevent the smooth flow of cold air and jeopardize the freezer’s cooling process.

LG freezers are meant to run an automatic defrost cycle one or more times a day. These cycles will melt away any frost buildup before it becomes a severe problem.

Still, if you find that your freezer’s evaporator coils are covered in frost, that means the defrost cycle is not working as it should.

To resolve this issue, you must first defrost the freezer manually. Once all the ice and frost have melted away, you can then troubleshoot the defrost system to ensure that it runs on schedule like it’s supposed to.

Read: LG Refrigerator Error Code 1F Or IF – Troubleshooting Guide

#3 Failed Evaporator Fan Motor

The evaporator coils don’t work on their own. Instead, they rely on an evaporator fan that forces air past the coils. In doing so, the fan helps the freezer cool down by distributing cold air evenly throughout the compartment.

The evaporator fan motor can fail after using the freezer for an extended period. That could happen due to a short circuit or damage from a power surge.

However, the same can also happen if the motor experiences too much wear. But, of course, excessive wear is only likely if you’ve been using your LG freezer for many years.

Whatever the reason for the motor’s failure, the solution here is to replace it with a new one. Unfortunately, repairing a fan motor is not a practical solution, so it’s best to remove it and put a new one in as soon as possible.

Read: LG Refrigerator Error Code FF: Troubleshooting Guide

#4 Faulty Start Relay

So far, we’ve done troubleshooting on two sections of your LG freezer’s cooling system: the condenser and evaporator coils. Another critical section of that system is the compressor that’s responsible for driving coolant through the cooling system.

The compressor receives its power from a component called the ‘start relay’. So, when that relay is faulty, the compressor will run intermittently or not run at all. As a result, your LG freezer fails to cool and won’t freeze any of the items you put inside.

Once you’ve ruled out causes #1 to #3 above, the next step is to inspect the start relay. There are two methods you can use to do that:

• Manual inspection: Firstly, check the start relay for any visible signs of damage. A relay that suffers an electrical fault will look and smell burnt. So if you notice those signs, you should replace the start relay immediately.
• With a multimeter: For a more thorough inspection, use a multimeter to check the start relay for continuity. A relay that’s no longer working will not allow electricity to flow through it (i.e., it won’t have continuity). When your multimeter test confirms that, it’s a sign to replace the start relay with a new one.

Read: LG Refrigerator Error Code CL E – Troubleshooting Guide

#5 Thermostat Or Thermistor

Last on your troubleshooting list is to check your LG freezer’s thermostat. The user manuals and technical sheets sometimes refer to this part as the thermistor. Regardless of what you call it, it has the same function: to measure the temperature inside the freezer compartment.

When the thermostat is working correctly, it’ll let the freezer control board know when to start or stop its cooling process. However, a faulty thermostat won’t be able to do that accurately.

So, what happens is that the freezer mistakenly thinks that it’s cold, even when it’s not. As a result, the appliance won’t run its cooling system, and the freezer stays warm.

The thermistor or thermostat is another component that you cannot repair. Instead, you’ll have to replace it with a new one.

Much like other electrical and electronic components, you can test the thermistor with a multimeter to confirm that it’s no longer working. When the multimeter shows no more electrical continuity in the thermostat, you can rest assured that it’s time to replace it.

Read: LG Refrigerator Error Code E FF – Troubleshooting Guide

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some other frequently asked questions you’ll find helpful when troubleshooting your LG freezer:

What Temperature Should My LG French Door Freezer Be Set At?

You should set your LG French Door freezer to 0 degrees Fahrenheit. At that temperature, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says your freezer will successfully keep food items frozen safely while avoiding bacterial growth.

Why Is My Freezer Cold But Not Freezing?

When your LG freezer is cold but not cold enough to freeze items, that’s likely because the condenser coils are dirty. Condenser coils release heat from the freezer into the surrounding environment. As it becomes dirty, it prevents the freezer from reaching freezing temperatures.

What Do I Do If My Freezer Is Not Freezing?

When your LG freezer fails to freeze, start by checking that the set temperature is low enough. You should set it to 0 degrees Fahrenheit at a minimum. If it still won’t freeze after 24 hours, clean the condenser coils, then troubleshoot the thermistor and evaporator fan motor.

How Do I Reset My LG Freezer?

You can reset your LG freezer by disconnecting its power supply and leaving it alone for at least 10 minutes. That means removing its plug from the wall socket or turning off its dedicated circuit breaker. After 10 minutes pass, the reset is complete, and you reconnect the appliance.

How Do I Defrost My LG Freezer Without Unplugging It?

An alternative defrosting method that’s effective involves using a pot of boiling water. First, place the pot full of boiling water in the freezer and close the door. The steam and heat will melt away any frost buildup in the freezer. Then, replace the cold water in the pot with more boiling water and repeat as many times as you need to.

Read: Why LG Freezer Not Freezing But Fridge Is Cold?