5 Most Common Freezer Repairs

5 Most Common Freezer RepairsIt’s summertime and you know what that means…popsicles! But if your freezer is not keeping food cold, leaking water, or your ice machine has gone caput, keeping popsicles frozen is the least of your worries.

We have seen it all when it comes to freezer problems. Here are the 5 most common freezer issues we repair here at Diamond:

The freezer is making a weird noise.

  1. Likely problem: a malfunctioning evaporator fan motor. But be aware that all freezers make noise, and usually they make a lot of different noises depending on what they are doing at the time – the ice maker making ice, going through the defrost cycle, the multi-speed fan kicking on, etc. The freezer manual may also give some indication of what a normally functioning model sounds like, so be sure to hold on to this. If under warranty, be sure to call the manufacturer directly to schedule your repair.
  2. The bottom line: By paying attention to the noises your refrigerator makes during its regular functioning, you’ll be able to identify a noise that just doesn’t sound right and schedule a repair.

Ice and frost buildup.

  1. Likely problem: a malfunctioning defrost heater, but depending on the location of the buildup in the freezer, the issue could be due to a different factor, like:
    1. Buildup around the edges of the freezer door may indicate that the door wasn’t closed properly or the gasket needs to be repaired. Rearrange the items in your freezer to see if that helps the issue.
    2. Check the freezer temperature. When set too low, the freezer will start to develop frost and ice buildup. The ideal freezer temperature is 0°F (-18°C).
    3. Frost and ice in the back of the freezer likely points to a problem with the defrost cycle. This cycle incorporates many parts of the appliance, so you will want to call in an expert to determine the problem part and perform a repair.
  2. The bottom line: frost and ice buildup in your freezer means less space for your frozen treats, and the problem could be due to any number of factors.

Water is leaking from the freezer.

  1. Likely problem: A frozen defrost drain. The freezers defrost cycle helps the appliance avoid issues caused by ice and frost buildup. When running, the cycle creates water condensation that runs down the drain pipe of the appliance, collects in a pan, and evaporates.A leak in the water/ice hookup line (if your machine has an icemaker) could also cause water to pool below the appliance. A malfunctioning shutoff valve may also be to blame.
  2. The bottom line: ask around the house to see if anyone dropped an ice cube or accidentally spilled water before calling in a repair – this may be an easier fix than you thought!

The freezer is not turning on or stopped functioning.

  1. Likely problem: malfunctioning electronic controls. However, if the light in the freezer and refrigerator are also not turning on, the issue is likely with the power source – try unplugging the appliance and plugging it back in and check to make sure power is flowing to the outlet.If the lights are working but nothing else is, bust out your appliance manual and use it to ensure all controls on the appliance are set correctly. Finally, check the temperature settings – your freezer should be set to 0°F (-18°C).
  2. The bottom line: always keep your appliance manual so you can troubleshoot before calling in for a repair. You may find that the fix is as simple as the push of a button.

The freezer is running too warm.

  1. Likely problem: either the temperature controls need to be adjusted or there is an issue with the thermostat. Check to see if the attached refrigerator (if applicable) is running at the desired temperature. If so, check to see if the freezer temperature was accidentally set too high. Then, make sure you are not overstuffing your freezer. Keeping it more than 75% full can inhibit air flow and cause items to freeze inconsistently. Finally, make sure products are blocking and of the vents.
  2. The bottom line: if you do all of the above and still experience temperature issues, the culprit may be the climate. Freezers function their best in environmental temperatures between 55°F (13°C) and 110°F (43°C).

Don’t waste another summer day wondering what is wrong with your freezer. At Diamond, we bring decades of freezer repair experience to appliance owners in St. Louis, Kansas City, and communities across Kansas and Missouri. Proudly providing Maytag freezer repair, KitchenAid freezer repair, Whirlpool freezer repair, and most other major brands.