It is a nightmare when you open your freezer and find everything has gone soft. Whether it is a bag of peas or expensive steaks for the weekend, a freezer that stops doing its job can cause a lot of stress and waste. At PAR Refrigeration, we have seen it all over the last 30 odd years. Usually, it is something simple you can sort yourself but sometimes you need a pro to take a look.
If you are dealing with a freezer not freezing, here are the most common reasons why it might be happening and what you can do to get things back to normal.
Common reasons for a freezer not freezing
1. The thermostat got knocked
This sounds too simple but it happens more than you think. When you are shoving the weekly shop in, it is easy to bump the temperature dial. if it is nudged even a little bit, the internal temperature can rise above the freezing point.
The fix: check your settings. for a standard freezer, it should be around -18°C. if yours has a dial with numbers like 1 to 5, make sure it is set to a colder setting. Give it 24 hours to settle down before you panic.
2. Dirty condenser coils
This is a big one. The condenser coils are usually at the back or underneath the unit. They help get rid of the heat from inside. If they are covered in dust, pet hair or grime, the freezer has to work much harder and eventually it just won’t stay cold enough.
The fix: pull the unit out and give the coils a good vacuum or a brush. It is a messy job but it makes a huge difference to how well your freezer works.
3. Frosted evaporator coils
If you can see a lot of ice building up on the back wall of your freezer, your evaporator coils might be frosted over. This happens if the defrost system fails. When the coils are buried in ice, they can’t circulate cold air properly.
The fix: you might need to do a manual defrost. turn the freezer off, take the food out (stick it in a cool bag) and let the ice melt completely. If the ice comes back quickly, you might have a faulty defrost heater or timer.
4. Blocked air vents
Freezers need air to move around. If you have packed it too full, you might be blocking the vents that let the cold air in. If the air can’t circulate, you will find some spots are frozen and others are melting.
The fix: have a bit of a clear out. make sure there is a gap around the vents. don’t overstuff it, but don’t leave it empty either as a half-full freezer actually works harder to stay cold.
5. Worn out door seals
Have a look at the rubber gasket around the door. If it is cracked, dirty or peeling away, warm air from your kitchen is getting inside. This causes moisture and stops the freezer from staying at the right temperature.
The fix: clean the seal with some warm soapy water. If it is damaged, you will need a replacement. A quick trick is to shut a fiver in the door; if it pulls out easily, your seal is gone.
6. Faulty evaporator fan
The evaporator fan is what pulls the air over the coils and pushes it into the freezer. If you can’t hear the fan running or if it is making a weird squealing noise, it is probably broken. If the fan stops, the cold air just sits at the back and never reaches your food.
The fix: check if the fan blade is hitting some ice. If it is clear but still not spinning, the motor has likely burnt out. This is a bit more technical and usually needs a replacement part.
7. Start relay issues
The start relay is a small part that helps the compressor get going. If the relay is dodgy, the compressor might not start at all or it might only run for a few seconds before clicking off. You will hear a clicking sound coming from the back of the unit.
The fix: you can test this if you have a multimeter, but most people just swap it out. It is a relatively cheap part but you have to be careful working near the compressor.
8. The compressor is failing
The compressor is the heart of the cooling system. If it is dead, the whole thing stops. Usually, if the compressor is gone, you won’t hear that familiar hum when the freezer is trying to cool down.
The fix: this is a job for the experts. compressors are sealed units and contain refrigerant gas. At PAR Refrigeration, we handle these kinds of repairs all the time for commercial and domestic units across Yorkshire.
9. Low refrigerant levels
If everything seems to be running but it just isn’t cold, you might have a leak. Refrigeration systems are sealed, so if the gas is low, there is a hole somewhere. It is a bit like a puncture in a tyre.
The fix: you can’t fix this yourself. It requires a qualified engineer to find the leak, fix it and recharge the system with the right gas.
Expert freezer not freezing solutions
We know how frustrating it is when your freezer is not freezing. At PAR Refrigeration, we provide a PAR Refrigeration service that has been going since 1986. We are a family-run business based in Wakefield and we cover all of the North, from Leeds to Sheffield. Our engineers are all F-Gas registered, so we know our way around a cooling system.
If you have tried the basic checks and your freezer not freezing is still causing you bother, get in touch today. We offer a 24-hour emergency service because we know that stock doesn’t wait for office hours to melt. We pride ourselves on being honest and direct with our customers. We will tell you if it is worth fixing or if you are better off with a new unit.
The main thing is not to leave it too long. A small issue like a dirty coil can turn into a big one like a burnt-out motor if it is ignored. Keep it clean, keep it tidy and your freezer should keep your food frozen for years to come. If it doesn’t, we are just a phone call away.
