9 POSSIBLE FREEZER TROUBLESHOOTING FIXES & TIPS

The refrigerator’s compressor should kick on and off as it periodically cools each compartment. Listen for 30 minutes to hear if the compressor kicks into gear. If you don’t hear a humming noise during that time frame, it could mean that your freezer’s start relay, start capacitor or defrost timer is faulty and preventing the compressor from functioning properly. 

A professional can help diagnose the cause of a dormant compressor and let you know which elements are contributing to the problem. 

Some freezer lights shut off when the door sits open for longer than about 10 minutes and only reset when the door is closed for a short period of time. If you’ve confirmed that the freezer door is shutting completely, but the light still won’t turn on, check that the freezer door switch is activated by making sure the refrigerator is level and the door is aligned properly. Frost can sometimes build up on the door sensor or switch. Check that it is free of frost to ensure it’s working properly. Consult a professional if these quick fixes don’t address the problem.

Freezers can leak water for a handful of reasons, but you can start the troubleshooting process by checking that the ice maker is both producing and dispensing ice. If you notice frost build-up in the ice maker, this could be causing the leak and requires removing and defrosting the ice bin. 

The freezer’s evaporator coils—most often located along the back wall—can freeze up and result in a steady leak, or your freezer may have a blockage in the drain line. Contact a professional to inspect your freezer’s evaporator coils for build-up or the drain line for blockage. You can also consult your owner’s manual to learn more about accessing these components.  

A compressor that’s always running may mean that cold air is leaking from the freezer compartment through tears in the door’s gasket seal, forcing the compressor to work overtime. Inspect the gasket seal for wear and tear or buildup of soils. Clean the gasket or replace and older or damaged one if necessary with the help of a professional.

More complicated factors—like a defective defrost timer or heater—can lead to frost build-up in the freezer that makes the compressor work harder to maintain cool temperatures. A certified professional can access and inspect these parts to see if they’re in need of replacement, as well as fix any damage you may notice to your freezer’s thermostat or control panel.

Most freezer noises are a normal part of operation, but uniquely loud or persistent sounds can indicate a problem. If you notice unusually noisy vibrating, you may need to level your refrigerator-freezer combo. Keeping your refrigerator’s condenser coils clean can help manage loud noises that result from the unit working harder to keep up. 

Loud clicking, buzzing or humming may mean your evaporator fan needs replacing. If your freezer is struggling to stay cool and making these loud sounds, consider consulting a professional to inspect and fix any possible damage to your freezer’s evaporator fan.

A warm freezer can result from simple causes like a misset thermostat or loose power cord to more complicated issues like damaged components. Rule out some simpler possible causes first by checking the door seal for tears and the condenser coils for dirt and grease build-up (use your owner’s manual to help you locate the coils if necessary). If you notice build-up on the condenser coils, use a vacuum with a crevice attachment to clean them. 

Once you’ve checked that the freezer is powered, the thermostat is set properly, the door is well sealed and the condenser coils are clean, consider consulting a professional to inspect your freezer’s other components for damage. 

Your freezer may be set lower than necessary to keep food frozen, but this shouldn’t impact your food’s quality. It can, however, increase your electricity bill. Aim to keep your freezer at about 0ºF (-17ºC). Though ice crystals on food can seem to indicate a freezer that’s too cold, this is typically a result of freezer burn that sets in when the freezer compartment’s temperature fluctuates too drastically or food is improperly packaged.

Frost can block the vents and coils in your freezer that help produce and circulate cold air. If your freezer doesn’t have an auto defrost setting, then it’s best to defrost and clean it whenever frost build-up exceeds ¼ inches in thickness, or once a year. Some models, like select KitchenAid^® refrigerators, help regulate the temperature of the freezer compartment through the ExtendFresh™ Temperature Management System. This feature maintains optimal temperatures for fresh and frozen food by monitoring and adapting the flow of cold air between the two compartments.

If your freezer seems prone to frosting up despite standard maintenance or an automatic defrost option, consider contacting a professional to help diagnose any potential underlying causes.

Funky freezer smells can stem from dirty evaporator coils or food that’s improperly wrapped in the freezer compartment. Consult your owner’s manual to learn more about cleaning the evaporator coils, then ensure that old or improperly packaged food is thrown out or repackaged to help reduce odors. 

If smells linger, you can try placing a paper bowl of activated charcoal, a box of baking soda or a plate of rolled up newspaper balls with a drop of cooking vanilla into the freezer compartment for several weeks to help absorb odors.