There are a number of reasons why your freezer does not work. This article will go over some of the reasons why freezers do not work and offer you some freezer repair troubleshooting steps. The very first thing you should do is to check that the freezer is getting power. If you are unsure if the outlet is working, then plug in a small item to see. If you do not have power at the outlet, then check your fuse or circuit breaker. If there is power, it is time to dig deeper. Be sure to check out our energy star appliances article.

Freezer Repair Trouble Shooting Steps for a Freezer that is not Running Right

• Check to see if the interior light works. Do you hear the fan? To hear the fan, set your thermostat to a colder setting, and it should kick in. If it does not kick in, then begin checking the defrost timer.
• To test the defrost timer, you will manually advance the timer with a screwdriver. Put the screwdriver into the advancement pinion and turn clockwise ¼ to 3/8’s of a turn. The timer will advance out of the defrost cycle in less than an hour.
• Test to see if the cold control is bad. It is possible to “jump” the two wires at the cold control. If this works, then you will need to replace the cold control.
• Test the wiring. When there is a break in the wiring, your freezer will not work. You need patience with this step, as you must check every wire with a meter. If there is continuity, then the wire is okay.
• Check to see if the compressor motor is running. You can find the compressor at the back of the freezer towards the bottom. If you hear a humming sound or it makes a steady noise, and your freezer is not running right, the condenser or evaporator coils could be malfunctioning. If you hear a click-buzz-click sound, power is getting to the compressor. However, this means that there is something wrong with the compressor or compressor starting components. If there is power to the starting components, you could test each part and replace those that are bad. If you replace these parts and your compressor still does not work, you will need to replace the compressor.
• Check the evaporator coils to see they are not frozen over. When this happens, air cannot pass over them. This will cause your freezer to not freeze correctly. Manually defrost for 24-48 hours and then turn it back on.
• Check to see if freezer’s condenser and evaporator coils are dirty. They will not transfer heat or cold well, if they are. To clean the coils, use a condenser coil brush. To maintain their effectiveness, you should clean the coils twice a year.

Freezer Repair Trouble Shooting Tips for Frost Build Up

Generally, this means there is a problem in the self-defrost system. There could also be damaged door gaskets. Moisture and warm air can get in and freeze the evaporator coils. Self-defrost freezers self-defrost every 6-12 hours. The compressor will shut off for a couple of minutes. The defrost heater will turn on to melt away frost on the coils. This allows the frost and ice to melt and drain off into the pan underneath. If there is no air flow due to frozen coils, cooling will not happen.

If a component in the self-defrost system is malfunctioned, you can manually defrost your freezer by turning it off for 24-48 hours. If it works right after you turn it back on, you will need to test components in the self-defrosting system. These three components are: defrost heater, defrost thermostat, and defrost timer.

Checking the defrost heater is simple. Just look to see if there is a break and if there is continuity. Check the defrost thermostat. This is a bi-metal switch that lets current pass through at set temperatures. Check the defrost timer by manually advancing the timer with a screwdriver. Put the screwdriver into the advancement pinion and turn clockwise ¼ to 3/8’s turn. In less than an hour, the defrost cycle will advance.

Lastly, if these freezer repair troubleshooting steps and tips do not work, there could be a problem with the refrigerant cooling level. At this point, you will need to contact a professional refrigerator freezer repair person.

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Comments (5)

• |2010-01-31 10:55:51 Manan  - Defrost problem
  Hi
  
  I have whirpool refrigerator.There is ice build up in evaporator and drain is plugged with ice.
  
  The heater and defrost thermostate are fine verify continuity.
  
  compressor closed every 8 hours but i have seen the heater does not heat during compressor shut off period.
  
  I manully advance the pinion of defrost timer and once the compressor shut off, the heater starts working. heater shut off in 15/20 minutes and compressor starts.
  
  do you think there is a problem in timer or defrost thermostat.?
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• |2010-03-12 07:20:27 TOM CATHER  - Broken compartment
  I have accidentally put a 1 inch gash in the inside of the the freezer, chipping away at the ice. The freezer still works but only 33%.
  Can it be repaired, and if so,how?
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• |2010-06-17 17:19:58 Richard Holden
  My freezer does not cool properly. I saw that the condenser fan was not working and replaced it. When the new one was put in the fan was running but has since stopped. Is there something that is causing the fan to stop working?
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• |2010-07-19 11:51:19 Aziz Daki  - freezer
  my freezer does not cool proerly. running light on, power light on and the fan sound working, but it doesn't freeze
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• |2010-07-24 09:33:54 barbara turner
  i have a beko ab910 the compressor goes for so long then stops working again
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