Diagnosing Your Freezer Problems

Freezers make the long-term storage of many foods and drinks simple and safe. If your freezer is experiencing problems, however, you may feel at a loss as to how to find a solution. Thanks to today’s modern technology, most freezers require very little care—however, there is often very little a homeowner can do on their own to address problems, as well. Learning how to diagnose your freezer problems will let you know when it’s time to call in an appliance repair specialist to get your freezer back up and running properly.

Checking the Thermostat

If your freezer isn’t maintaining a cold enough temperature, your food will not be kept properly frozen. The first thing to check if you’re experiencing this problem is the freezer’s thermostat; if your freezer is part of a refrigerator-freezer appliance, the thermostat for the freezer may be located just inside the door of the refrigerator portion of the appliance. You can test the function of the compressor by waiting until the compressor is currently running, then turning the temperature up by several degrees on your freezer’s thermostat. The compressor should stop running at the higher temperature set point; similarly, if you begin to lower the temperature, the compressor should start up again. If the compressor does not appear to be responding properly to the thermostat settings, your thermostat may be the problem.

Checking the Seal

Your freezer door is equipped with a rubber seal to prevent air exchange and keep the system closed for more efficient cooling. If this seal is damaged or broken, cold air can begin leaking out of your freezer, reducing its efficiency and causing your food to thaw. You can check the seal on your freezer door easily; start with the door open and inspect the seal visually. Make sure it is clean by wiping it down with a damp cloth and use your vacuum’s hose attachment to remove any debris that may prevent the seal from sitting tightly against the appliance. Also check for areas of damage, such as cracks or crumbling rubber, which indicate that the seal should be replaced. Finally, close the freezer door and use your hand to feel for any areas that might be leaking air, which also indicate that replacement of the seal is needed.

Checking the Coils

If your freezer runs constantly, ice can build up on the freezer coils. This ice perpetuates the problem by affecting your freezer’s efficiency, thus causing it to run more often and resulting in additional ice buildup. To inspect the coils for ice, unplug the appliance and move it away from the wall so you can see the coils on the back of the unit. If you see ice buildup on the coils, you can use a hair dryer to melt the ice away. Wipe the coils clean with a damp cloth, then rub them dry and plug the appliance back in. Because ice on your freezer coils is caused by a constantly-running condenser fan, you’ll need to address the cause of this situation to prevent ice from recurring.

If you’re experiencing freezer problems, an experienced appliance repair specialist can help—visit our website to contact an appliance repair technician in Portland and request service for your freezer, refrigerator, dishwasher, disposal, or washer and dryer online. We also invite you to read through our blog to learn more about maintaining your appliances and spotting trouble quickly.