The part(s) or condition(s) listed below for the symptom Refrigerator freezer not freezing are ordered from most likely to least likely to occur. Check or test each item, starting with the items at the top of the page.
Top 7 Reasons Refrigerator Dispenser Isn’t Working?
Top 6 Reasons Refrigerator Ice Maker Isn’t Working?
Top 5 Reasons Refrigerator Is Leaking Water?
Top 6 Reasons Refrigerator Isn’t Cooling?
Top 5 Reasons Refrigerator Isn’t Defrosting?
Top 6 Reasons Refrigerator Runs Constantly?
Top 5 Reasons Refrigerator Is Freezing Food?
Top 5 Reasons Refrigerator Is Noisy?
How to Clean a Refrigerator Condenser Coil - Tech Tips from Repair Clinic
Wipe Refrigerator Gaskets - Tech Tips from Repair Clinic
Setting the Most Efficient Fridge Temperature - Tech Tips from Repair Clinic
Lubricate Refrigerator Gaskets - Tech Tips from Repair Clinic
Lubricate New Refrigerator Bushings - Tech Tips from Repair Clinic
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Refrigerator Light Not Working? Refrigerator TroubleshootingThe evaporator fan motor draws air over the evaporator (cooling) coils and circulates it throughout the refrigerator and freezer compartments. Some refrigerators have more than one evaporator fan motor. On refrigerators with two evaporators, there will be an evaporator located in both the freezer and refrigerator compartments. If the evaporator fan is not working, it will not circulate the cold air in the compartment. If this occurs, the refrigerator may still get cold, while the freezer will not get cold or vice versa. To determine if the evaporator fan motor is defective, try turning the fan blade by hand. If the fan blade does not turn freely, replace the fan motor. Additionally, if the motor is unusually noisy, replace it. Finally, if the motor does not run at all, use a multimeter to test the motor windings for continuity. If the windings do not have continuity, replace the evaporator fan motor.
A freezer door gasket should form an airtight seal around the appliance's frame to keep the cold air in and the warm air out. If the door gasket is twisted or torn, gaps can form that will allow warm air in, resulting in the freezer not freezing properly. Inspect the door gasket for any damage and replace with a new one if necessary.
The condenser fan motor draws air though the condenser coils and over the compressor. If the condenser fan motor is not working properly, the refrigerator won’t cool properly. To determine if the fan motor is defective, first check the fan blade for obstructions. Next, try turning the fan motor blade by hand. If the blade does not spin freely, replace the condenser fan motor. If no obstructions are present and the fan blade spins freely, use a multimeter to test the fan motor for continuity. If the condenser fan motor does not have continuity, replace it.
Control boards are often misdiagnosed—before replacing the control board, first check more commonly defective parts. If you have determined that all of the other components are working properly, replace the control board.
The temperature control thermostat directs voltage to the compressor, evaporator fan motor, and condenser fan motor (if applicable). If the temperature control thermostat is not working properly, it may prevent the freezer's refrigerant system from running. To determine if the thermostat is defective, rotate the thermostat from the lowest setting to the highest setting and listen for a click. If the thermostat clicks, it is not likely defective. If the thermostat does not click, use a multimeter to test the thermostat for continuity. If the temperature control thermostat does not have continuity at any setting, replace it.
The start relay works in conjunction with the start winding to start the compressor. If the start relay is defective, the compressor may sometimes fail to run or may not run at all. As a result, the freezer will not be able to freeze properly. To determine if the start relay is defective, use a multimeter to test it for continuity between the run and start terminal sockets. If the start relay does not have continuity between the run and start terminal sockets, replace it. In addition, if the start relay has a burnt odor, replace it.
A start device, like a start relay, works in conjunction with the start winding to start the compressor. If the start device is defective, the compressor may sometimes fail to run or may not run at all. As a result, the freezer won't be able to freeze. To determine if the start device is defective, use a multimeter to test it for continuity between the run and start terminal sockets. If the start device does not have continuity between the run and start terminal sockets, replace it. In addition, if the start device has a burnt odor, replace it.
The inverter board controls the power to the compressor. The main control board monitors the temperatures in the refrigerator and freezer compartments and sends signals to the inverter board. The inverter board varies the compressor speed depending on temperature change and run time.
The main control board monitors the compartment temperatures and sends power to the various components when needed. Control boards are often misdiagnosed. If a part is not working, test the part first before replacing the board.
The compressor is a pump which compresses the refrigerant and circulates the refrigerant through the evaporator and condenser coils. If the compressor is not working, the refrigerator won’t cool. However, this is rarely the case. Before replacing the compressor, first check all of the more commonly defective parts. If you have determined that all of the other components are working properly, check the compressor. Use a multimeter to test the continuity between the electrical pins on the side of the compressor. If there is an open circuit, the compressor is likely defective. If the compressor is defective, it must be replaced by a licensed technician.
The reversing valve switches the flow of the refrigerant between the refrigerator and freezer evaporator coils on a dual evaporator system. If the reversing valve is not working properly both the refrigerator and freezer temperatures can be affected.
The thermistor monitors the freezer temperature and sends the temperature reading to the control board. The control board regulates power to the compressor and evaporator fan based on the thermistor readings. If the thermistor is defective, the compressor and evaporator fan may not run when necessary. As a result, the freezer will not be cold enough. To determine if the thermistor is defective, test it with a multimeter. The thermistor resistance should change in conjunction with the refrigerator temperature. If the thermistor resistance does not change, or the thermistor does not have continuity, replace the thermistor.
Verify the freezer temperature is set between 0 and 5 degrees Fahrenheit (-18 to -15 Celsius). Verify the refrigerator temperature is set between 34 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit (1 to 5 Celsius). After reseting the temperature wait 24 hours for the temperature to adjust appropriately.
The refrigerator's water inlet valve will direct water to the dispenser as well as the ice maker fill tube. If the inlet valve is obstructed, the solenoid coils on the valve are defective, or the home's water pressure is too low, the water valve will not work properly. The valve requires at least 20psi to function properly. Make sure that the water pressure to the valve is at least 20 psi. If the water pressure is sufficient, use a multimeter to test the water inlet valve for continuity. If the water inlet valve does not have continuity, replace it.
