What to Do When Your Freezer Doesn’t Freeze

The freezer has one obvious job: to freeze food. When freezers stop working, it can result in an incredibly expensive mess to clean up, for the cost of the spoiled food and the new freezer or freezer repairs.  

So, what should you do when your freezer won’t turn on?

Defrost and clean the freezer

When ice gets built up on the inside of freezers, they start to run extremely inefficiently. The ice layer forces the freezer to work too hard and will eventually start failing at freezing your food.

To clean your freezer follow these steps:

1. Unplug the freezer or refrigerator
2. Allow the ice to soften. To speed up the process, use a fan, blow dryer, or hot water to help the ice melt. Make sure you clean up the ice as it melts. We recommend using a wooden or plastic tool to scrape the ice out so you don’t cause any damage to your freezer.
3. When the ice is gone, create a mixture of hot water, soap, baking soda and wipe down the inside of the freezer. Then dry it with a towel. Next, plug the freezer/fridge back in and give it some time to get the temperature back dow to freezing. If your food still isn’t freezing the next day, you should contact the professionals.

 Check the seal around the door

Another widespread reason that freezers stop freezing is ifthe seal is broken. This is caused by constant wear and tear or if a sharp object damages it by accident.

One handy tip is to use a dollar bill or a small piece of paper around the door. Repeatedly close the door on the paper piece in different areas and test if the paper slides out easily. The door should not give when you attempt to pull the paper out of the door. If the paper slides out, your seal is leaking cold air and should be replaced.

Clean the coils on the back of your freezer

It may go without saying but, freezers need a ton of energy to run. An early indication that your fridge or freezer is nearing the end of its life is when the fridge’s coils are excessively heating up.

First, you will need to unplug and pull out the fridge or freezer from the wall. The condenser coils are easily found on the back of fridges and upright freezers. For chest freezers, these coils are found on the back or bottom of the device. They are guarded by a panel that needs to be removed. You will need to ensure the coils are not blocked by trash or debris that might have fallen behind the appliance. Then use a bristle brush and vacuum to clean the area and get rid of dust. Finally, plug in your refrigerator or freezer again and watch it over time to see if it continues to overheat.

Freezer Home Warranties

Did you know home warranties cover the repair and replacement of refrigerators and freezers? Home Warranty One offers coverage for mechanical harm to your kitchen fridge or stand-alone freezer. Contact us today to find out more.

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