Freezer Not Cooling As It Should: Resolved

Freezer Not Cooling As It Should: Resolved Leave a comment

At times, our appliances, such as the freezer, tend to deliver sub-par performances. This may be a result of poor maintenance, a technical issue, or the appliance is already too old to continue delivering excellently.

When your freezer begins to malfunction, the signs are usually very obvious. Arguably, the most noticeable sign of a broken freezer is when it doesn’t cool as it should.

There are many reasons why this could happen and, depending on the cause, most can be resolved by you. Others may require the experienced hands of a professional technician.

First, let’s start by understanding why the freezer is not cooling as it should.

 

Major Reasons Why Your Freezer Isn’t Cooling

 

Appliances like refrigerators often come with several components. If any part of those components begins to malfunction, it usually tends to affect other parts of the appliance. Below are some of the reasons why your freezer is not cooling:

  • Thermostat not set to cool
  • Faulty thermostat
  • Condenser coils are dirty
  • Issue with the compressor
  • Condenser fan is failing
  • Damaged or broken door seals
  • Evaporator fan malfunction

 

Freezer thermostat not set to cool

 

Before you start dismantling your refrigerator, it’d be wise to first take a look at its thermostat or temperature control.

You or someone else may have unintentionally increased the temperature, thus, causing the freezer to lower its cooling.

You can easily set it back to its freezing temperature and check back to be sure it has begun cooling as it should.

 

Faulty thermostat

 

After checking the freezer thermostat and you discover that it is correctly set but the appliance is still not cooling, then the temperature control board may be faulty.

When the system temperature control system fails to control the freezer’s temperature, it stops cooling.

 

Condenser coils are dirty

 

The job of the freezer’s condenser coils is to allow a seamless release of heat from the fridge’s interior outwards.

Thus, when the coils get filthy, the freezer is made to work twice as hard to get the heat inside the fried released. This effectively hinders the freezer’s cooling performance.

 

Issues with the freezer compressor

 

If the compressor of the freezer is having issues, the temperature inside the freezer will rise. This means cooling will be affected and may start fluctuating or stop altogether.

 

Condenser fan is failing

 

The condenser fan is a component of the refrigerator that is located next to the compressor at the lower rear of the appliance.

Its job is to cool the hot refrigerant coming out of the compressor. Thus, a failing condenser fan will undoubtedly cause a spike in temperature within the freezer unit. It can also lead to the entire system overheating.

 

Damaged or broken door seals

 

When a freezer’s door seal or gasket is broken, damaged, or improperly installed, cold air will likely escape through it. This automatically means warm air also finds its way into the freezer interior and as such, causes the unit to lower its cooling.

 

Evaporator fan malfunction

 

The fridge’s evaporator fan helps it maintain a consistent airflow in the unit. With air flowing over the evaporator coils, heat is easily absorbed by the refrigerant. However, when the evaporator fan malfunctions, the cooling capacity of the freezer diminishes.

 

Solutions to Freezer Not Cooling

 

Now that you know the possible reasons why your freeze isn’t cooling, it is time to read up on the best solutions to fix the problem:

 

  • Adjust the thermostat or get it repaired
  • Keep the condenser coils clean
  • Get a new condenser fan
  • Examine the compressor
  • Adjust or replace the door seals
  • Close the freezer doors properly
  • Get the evaporator fan replaced

 

 

Adjust the thermostat or get it repaired

 

Take a look at the thermostat or temperature controls to be sure that it is correctly set. If it isn’t, you’ll have to adjust it to get the unit cooling properly again.

Upon checking, if it is correctly set, then you should examine the control board to see if it is broken or damaged. If it is broken, it will be difficult to set the right cooling temperature for the unit. Thus, you’ll have to get a new thermostat for your freezer.

 

Keep the condenser coils clean

 

Dust and debris covering the freezer’s condenser coils tend to affect the cooling efficiency of the appliance. This makes it imperative to get those components clean as much as possible.

You can clean the coils by first disconnecting the freezer from its power source or socket. Next, use a brush to clean the dust off the coils. You can also use a vacuum to remove the dust and debris from the condenser coils.

 

Get a new condenser fan

 

Another problem that could be limiting the freezer’s cooling is a faulty condenser fan. If it is malfunctioning or isn’t working at all, you will have to get a new one. This can be done with the help of an experienced technician.

 

Examine the freezer compressor

 

One of the major problems that can stop a freezer from cooling the way it was built is a problematic compressor.

You can tell a compressor is having issues when it doesn’t turn on or is emitting a loud noise. Fixing it should get it working again.

However, if you’re thinking of buying a new compressor, bear in mind that they can be surprisingly expensive. Most people would rather purchase a new freezer instead.

 

Adjust or replace the door seals

 

If your freezer door isn’t closing properly, then the problem could be a result of a broken door seal or gasket. When this happens, cool air escapes the unit and warm air enters it, effectively hindering the freezer from cooling properly. You’ll have to get the seals fixed or replaced if damaged beyond repair.

 

Close the freezer doors properly

 

Sometimes, we tend to overstuff our freezers with so many items that closing them becomes a battle. When the freezer door is improperly closed, it will be difficult for cool air to circulate within the unit and cool the content inside it.

You must avoid overstuffing the unit with too many items. Arrange your food items properly so they don’t jut out of the door space.

 

Get the evaporator fan replaced

 

Located over the evaporator assembly, the evaporator fan allows air to pass through the cabinet and cool the freezer.

Basically, a damaged evaporator fan will affect the appliance’s cooling. You can tell the evaporator fan is ailing when it makes a squealing sound. The best way to fix it is by getting a new fan.

 

Finally, the freezer, like any other appliance, requires routine maintenance to ensure that it operates effectively and has a longer lifespan.

You should follow the guidelines regarding your freezer’s maintenance given in its owner’s manual. Create some time to carefully clean your freezer (both the interiors and exteriors). This will help you prevent dust and debris buildup inside and outside the unit.

Also, defrost the freezer regularly. Doing all of these and more can effectively help in keeping your freezer free of issues like improper cooling.

 

Last Words

 

A freezer that isn’t cooling isn’t useful for storing important food items that can get spoilt. That’s why it is important to quickly identify the reasons why your freezer isn’t cooling before taking steps at resolving them.

However, if your freezer was purchased several years ago, then you may want to upgrade by getting a new one. Old appliances tend to come up with issues more frequently than newer ones.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Open chat
Hello 👋
Can we help you?