The common law of appliances is that they always break down when you need them the most. This homeowner adage is most applicable to a refrigerator because any time is a bad time for the refrigerator to stop working. One of the common problems with refrigerators is a freezer that doesn’t actually freeze. Sometimes, you can fix this problem yourself and at other times, you might have to call a professional. Typically, your warranty will cover all or part of the cost of your refrigerator repair if you get it done by a professional.
- A Blocked Vent
If you have a cram-packed freezer, there’s a good chance your vent is blocked. When the vent is blocked, the warm air can’t be removed from the freezer and your food won’t freeze fully. To test this, reach towards the rear of the fridge and find the vent fan. Make sure nothing is obstructing it and remove things away from the fan. Then, put a thermometer inside the fridge and after some time, see if the temperature reads zero.
- Doors that Don’t Seal
If your freezer is not freezing but is still running, it could be a problem with the door seals. The best way to check the seals is to stick a dollar bill between the freezer and its door. After closing the door, try to pull the dollar bill out. If it comes out effortlessly, this means there is a problem with the door seal of your fridge.
You can solve this problem by cleaning the door seals using the instructions from the manufacturer. If that doesn’t solve the freezing problem, replace the door seals. Improperly aligned legs can also prevent the door from sealing. Check if your fridge is level using a carpenter’s level and adjust the legs as necessary.
- Coolant System Problems
The cooling system of the fridge can sometimes cause freezing problems. These internal components are extremely dangerous to be fixed with DIY tricks and tips. They also require proper tools and knowledge about how a fridge works. Common reasons could be low levels of refrigerant, bad evaporator fans, an erratic door safety switch, problems with the defrost control timer, a faulty thermostat, a bad evaporator, a bad compressor, or issues with main control board et al. Call up a professional to solve these issues.
- Other Common Reasons and Repairs
Sometimes, debris and food items can become lodged in the coils of the freezer. You can clean these coils by pulling the freezer out and cleaning the coils with a cloth. To melt ice quickly, use your hair dryer. Clean the motor under the fridge. Defrosting the fridge also helps solve any clogged ice problems. Make sure that the fridge doesn’t get direct sunlight for a long time.
Whatever DIY tricks you try on your fridge, make sure it is unplugged before you attempt the same.
