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HomeRepair HelpRefrigerator RepairRefrigerator freezer not freezing Repair
Refrigerator freezer not freezing
If your freezer is not freezing while the rest of the refrigerator seems fine, start by checking the evaporator fan motor—the fan draws cold air across the coils and if it is stuck, noisy, or not running the freezer will fail to freeze even though the compressor may run. Next inspect the freezer door gasket for gaps or tears that let warm air in and prevent proper freezing. A faulty condenser fan motor comes next: if it is blocked or the blade won’t spin freely, the system can’t reject heat effectively and the freezer will struggle. Control boards are commonly blamed but should be replaced only after you’ve verified the fans, gasket, thermostat and start components. The temperature control thermostat and the start relay can also keep the compressor from running properly and cause the freezer not to get cold. You can diagnose many of these parts with a hand spin test and a multimeter, and if you need a replacement enter your model number on RepairClinic.com to find the exact part for your refrigerator freezer not freezing problem.
01 - Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Motor
The evaporator fan motor draws air over the evaporator (cooling) coils and circulates it throughout the refrigerator and freezer compartments. Some refrigerators have more than one evaporator fan motor. On refrigerators with two evaporators, there will be an evaporator located in both the freezer and refrigerator compartments. If the evaporator fan is not working, it will not circulate the cold air in the compartment. If this occurs, the refrigerator may still get cold, while the freezer will not get cold or vice versa. To determine if the evaporator fan motor is defective, try turning the fan blade by hand. If the fan bla...
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02 - Refrigerator Door Gasket
A freezer door gasket should form an airtight seal around the appliance's frame to keep the cold air in and the warm air out. If the door gasket is twisted or torn, gaps can form that will allow warm air in, resulting in the freezer not freezing properly. Inspect the door gasket for any damage and replace with a new one if necessary.
Highly Likely
03 - Refrigerator Temperature Control Thermostat
The temperature control thermostat directs voltage to the compressor, evaporator fan motor, and condenser fan motor (if applicable). If the temperature control thermostat is not working properly, it may prevent the freezer's refrigerant system from running. To determine if the thermostat is defective, rotate the thermostat from the lowest setting to the highest setting and listen for a click. If the thermostat clicks, it is not likely defective. If the thermostat does not click, use a multimeter to test the thermostat for continuity. If the temperature control thermostat does not have continuity at any setting, replace it.
Common
04 - Refrigerator Control Board
Control boards are often misdiagnosed—before replacing the control board, first check more commonly defective parts. If you have determined that all of the other components are working properly, replace the control board.
Common
05 - Refrigerator Condenser Fan Motor
The condenser fan motor draws air though the condenser coils and over the compressor. If the condenser fan motor is not working properly, the refrigerator won’t cool properly. To determine if the fan motor is defective, first check the fan blade for obstructions. Next, try turning the fan motor blade by hand. If the blade does not spin freely, replace the condenser fan motor. If no obstructions are present and the fan blade spins freely, use a multimeter to test the fan motor for continuity. If the condenser fan motor does not have continuity, replace it.
Common
06 - Refrigerator Start Device
A start device, like a start relay, works in conjunction with the start winding to start the compressor. If the start device is defective, the compressor may sometimes fail to run or may not run at all. As a result, the freezer won't be able to freeze. To determine if the start device is defective, use a multimeter to test it for continuity between the run and start terminal sockets. If the start device does not have continuity between the run and start terminal sockets, replace it. In addition, if the start device has a burnt odor, replace it.
Common
07 - Refrigerator Inverter Board
The inverter board controls the power to the compressor. The main control board monitors the temperatures in the refrigerator and freezer compartments and sends signals to the inverter board. The inverter board varies the compressor speed depending on temperature change and run time.
Common
Frequently Asked Questions
Freezer not freezing: which parts should I check first?
Fridge not cooling but freezer works: could the evaporator fan be the problem?
How do I test the start relay or condenser fan motor when the freezer is not freezing?
Refrigerator door not closing properly: can a bad door gasket cause the freezer not to freeze?
How do I enter my model number on RepairClinic.com to find the correct replacement part?