If your freezer stops working, there are a few common
problems with freezers that may be the cause.
First Steps
When your freezer stops working, it’s important to take a
minute to ensure that there really is a problem. You don’t want to call a professional appliance
repair company, only to discover that the plug was knocked out of the
outlet by your dog or a child.
Start by checking the temperature setting and switches
inside. It’s possible something knocked the dial down or turned the switch by
accident. Although it seems like a simple reason for a problem, sometimes
accidents happen.
If the defrost setting has been activated, you may hear
dripping. Check all settings on the freezer. You may also want to remove any
extension cords. Sometimes a cord is worn and plugging the freezer or fridge
directly into the outlet will work. Try the outlet by plugging something else
in to see if the problem is with the outlet itself.
If the freezer doesn’t seem to be keeping food cold enough,
check how it’s packed. A tightly packed freezer may block the freezer vents,
preventing the cold air from flowing freely. You can also try setting the
freezer to a colder setting to see if that helps.
If the freezer is making strange noises, ensure that it’s
sitting levelled on the floor.
Common Problems with
Freezers
There are many problems that will require an expert appliance repair company.
If the freezer’s condenser coils are covered with debris,
they may not be able to help dissipate the heat that builds in the freezer’s
walls and by the motor. If that happens, your freezer will struggle to keep
items cold. Condenser coils may not need to be replaced if they aren’t working
properly. Usually a good cleaning will help get them working again.
If the freezer won’t keep items cold, it may also be that
the evaporator fan motor needs to be repaired or replaced. This motor helps
keep the evaporator coils working by pulling air over them. That air circulates
through the freezer. There may also be a problem with the lining around the
door or the door switch. In some cases If the door switch isn’t working, the
evaporator fan motor won’t start.
Compressor problems are also common for freezers. If the
start relay, which provides the compressor with power, is broken, the
compressor may stop running or run erratically. Another sign that there may be
a problem with the start relay is a burning smell from the freezer. If you
smell a burning smell, contact a repair person right away. If you can get same day service, you
may not lose any of the freezer contents.
Another common problem with freezers is frosted evaporator
coils. If the defrost heater stops melting the frost on the coils, they will
stop working.
If your freezer has become unreliable or has stopped working
completely, call an experienced freezer repair professional to see if the
culprit is one of the common problems with freezers.