Fixing an Amana freezer that is not freezing should not be such a huge task. Read this article to learn how to fix it.
Table of Contents
Amana Freezer Not Freezing – How to Fix
Here are the parts of the freezer to check for faults if your Amana freezer is not freezing:
1. Condenser Coils
Condenser coils tend to get dirty because of their location behind or under the freezer. But leaving them dirty does not allow them to perform efficiently. When they are dirty, their ability to release the heat from the freezer is reduced significantly. As a result, the freezer will not be able to cool properly or even freeze.
So, clean the coils if they are outside the freezer. Some freezers have their condenser coils found within the walls of the freezer. Ensure you clean them at least once a year.
2. Start Relay
The start relay makes sure that the compressor has the needed power to run and cool the freezer. It is an important part of the operation of every freezer or refrigerator. But if the relay is malfunctioning or is not working at all, the compressor will have a hard time running or may not even run at all.
If an Amana freezer is not freezing, check the start relay by testing it with a multimeter between the two terminals for continuity. If you don’t find continuity, replace the start relay. Additionally, if the relay smells as if it is burnt, replace it.
3. Evaporator Fan Motor
The evaporator fan controls the air that circulates inside the freezer. It passes air over the evaporator or cooling coils and takes the cold air into the freezer. If the motor is faulty, the fan can’t circulate the air and the freezer can’t freeze.
To determine if the motor is faulty, open the door of the freezer and press the door switch, manually activating it. Typically, the motor doesn’t run if the door is open. But the motor is supposed to start running after the switch is activated, even with the door open. However, if the motor does not start running after the switch is activated, replace the motor.
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4. Evaporator Coils
The coils cool the air that the evaporator fan passes over them so that there will be cold air in the freezer. Their ability to cool air is greatly reduced if they are frozen. And they get frozen if the defrost system is not working properly.
If you find that your Amana freezer is not freezing, open the interior back panel of the freezer to assess the coils. If there is ice on them, defrost it by unplugging the freezer and leaving it without power for a day. Do this after emptying the freezer and storing food items in another freezer or in a cooler.
When the freezer is fully defrosted, there will be no ice on the coils. But you still need to check the components of the defrost system, to determine which one is defective. Most likely, it is the defrost heater so test it for continuity using a multimeter. If there is no continuity, replace the defrost heater assembly.
Also, check the defrost timer by turning it with a screwdriver until you hear the heater start running. This tells you that the heater is not faulty but the timer is defective because you had to manually activate it.
But if the heater and the timer work fine, then the defrost thermostat is likely the defective component. Find a replacement as soon as possible.
5. Temperature Control Thermostat
The thermostat is responsible for directing voltage to the compressor and the motors of the evaporator fan and condenser fan. If it is faulty, the refrigerant system will not run since these parts can’t get voltage directed to them by the thermostat so the freezer won’t cool.
Turn the thermostat to the highest point from the lowest point. If the thermostat is in good working order, you will hear a click as other parts of the freezer go into action. But if you don’t hear the click, then the thermostat is likely defective. Test it with a multimeter to check for continuity. If there is no continuity at any setting, replace the thermostat.
6. Condenser Fan Motor
The motor of the condenser fan enables the fan to draw air through the condenser and pass it over the coils. If the motor is faulty, the fan cannot work properly.
Try to spin the blades of the fan to see if they spin without a hitch. If they do, the motor is not faulty. But if they don’t, the bearings of the motor are likely worn so the motor needs to be changed. However, to make sure, test the motor for continuity using a multimeter. If there is no continuity, replace the motor of the fan.
The cause of the lack of freezing in the freezer could also be from a faulty compressor plug or even the user control and display board. Also, the main control board could be damaged. You can contact a qualified refrigerator technician to determine if any of them is faulty. That is if all the other parts are working fine.
In addition to the above, the technician can check the sealed system of the freezer for leaks. A leak can cause the freezing capacity of the freezer to reduce. In the case of a leak in the sealed system, only the technician can advise you. But more times than not, the only solution is to buy a new freezer.
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Quick Fixes
Below are some fixes that can quickly get your Amana freezer freezing again:
1. Freezer Temperature
Check the temperature in the freezer to determine if the setting is correct. If the temperature is higher than it should be, the freezer will not freeze. Adjust it to 0 degrees Fahrenheit but if it has to be higher, it should not exceed 10 degrees Fahrenheit. That is if you want the freezer to freeze anything.
2. Door Seal
The door seal of the freezer affects how well the freezer freezes. It is a much easier fix than changing a thermostat but if you can’t tell if the seal is weak or broken, you won’t replace it.
Take a dollar bill and close the door or lid of the freezer on it to trap it. Then, see if you can pull the dollar bill out. If the bill is stuck and you can’t move it unless you open the door, the seal is good. But if you easily pull it out, replace the seal.
Additionally, if there is the slightest feel of cold air coming from the closed door, the seal is broken and should be replaced.
Also, clean the seal if it is dirty. The door won’t close tightly if the seal is dirty. Mild soap and water will handle the dirt for you.
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3. Location
The part of the house where you place the freezer is as important as setting the temperature right. If sunlight hits the freezer directly, it will reduce its cooling capacity. And if there is any other heat source close to it, the freezer will become compromised or damaged.
In the same vein, the temperature of the room is important. So if your Amana freezer is not freezing, check the room temperature. If it gets too hot or too cold easily, the freezer will not be able to perform efficiently.
4. Contents
The contents of the freezer can also affect its freezing ability. Keep from putting food straight from the pot into the freezer; hot food damages such appliances. And avoid putting too many items at the same time into the freezer. It will reduce the circulation of cold air and cause the freezer not to freeze properly.
Leave the air vents as free as possible so that the cold air from the evaporator fan can enter and cool the freezer.
Note: You can apply these steps to all types and models of Amana freezers, from bottom-drawer and top freezer to chest and deep freezers.
Amana Refrigerator Not Cooling or Freezing – What to Do
If your Amana refrigerator is not cooling or freezing, the following are common faults and how to fix them:
1. Faulty Condenser Fan Motor
The fan has the job of drawing air through the condenser and passing the air over the compressor. This is to keep the compressor from overheating. If the motor of the fan is faulty, the fan won’t work and the refrigerator won’t cool.
Check to see if anything is obstructing the blades of the fan. Free the blades if there is. Then, spin the blades to see if they spin well. If they don’t, the motor is faulty and should be replaced. But if they spin well, test the motor with a multimeter to check for continuity. If there is no continuity, replace the motor.
2. Dirty Condenser Coils
Condenser coils that are dirty cannot dissipate heat effectively as the refrigerant goes through them. Consequently, the refrigerator will work extra hard to maintain a cool temperature. With time, the refrigerator will not cool properly.
Clean the condenser coils and repeat the cleaning process every 6 months or every 12 months. This will keep them in top shape.
3. Defective Evaporator Fan Motor
The evaporator fan motor takes air over the cooling coils. When the air is cool, the fan circulates it in the refrigerator, thereby cooling it. If the motor of the fan is defective, the fan won’t be able to circulate the air and the refrigerator won’t get cold.
Try spinning the fan blades with your hand. If they don’t spin well, the motor is bad and must be replaced. And if the motor is noisier than normal, it is malfunctioning so needs a replacement. In addition, if the motor does not run at all, test its windings with a multimeter to check for continuity. If you don’t find continuity, replace the motor of the evaporator fan.
4. Bad Temperature Control Thermostat
The thermostat is responsible for directing voltage to the compressor and fan motors. If it has stopped working, these refrigerator parts won’t get voltage and consequently, the refrigerant won’t run, leaving the refrigerator unable to cool.
Rotate the thermostat, taking to the highest temperature setting from the lowest temperature setting. An audible click should come from the thermostat when you do this. If you don’t hear it, the thermostat is likely to be bad. To be absolutely sure, test it with a multimeter to check for continuity. If there is no continuity, replace the thermostat.
5. Faulty Start Relay
The relay combines with the start winding to get the compressor running. If the relay is faulty, the compressor is likely to run only intermittently or not run at all. And if the compressor is not running as it should, the refrigerator will not get cold.
Run a test on the start relay, placing a multimeter between its start and run terminals to check for continuity. If there is no continuity, replace the relay. Additionally, if the relay smells like it is burnt, replace it because it is damaged.
6. Malfunctioning Thermistor
The thermistor reads the temperature of the refrigerator and sends the results to the control board. From the result, the control board knows the amount of power to send to the evaporator fan and the compressor. This is to enable them to run according to the needs of the refrigerator.
But if the thermistor is malfunctioning, the temperature reading will be wrong and the board can’t regulate power accordingly. Consequently, the refrigerator will not cool.
To check if the thermistor is malfunctioning, use a multimeter to test it. Its resistance should change with the temperature of the refrigerator. If the resistance does not change and there is no continuity, the thermistor has malfunctioned or is not working at all. Replace it.
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7. Defective Start Capacitor
The start capacitor supplies the compressor with a power boost so that it can start. If the capacitor is defective, there won’t be enough power to start the compressor. As a result, the compressor won’t run and the refrigerator will not cool.
Using a multimeter, test the start capacitor to check for continuity. If there is no continuity, replace the capacitor.
Check the compressor or the temperature control board if none of the parts we listed above is faulty. Also, troubleshoot the main control board. Sometimes, it malfunctions and causes the refrigerator to stop cooling or freezing.
This video shows how to fix an Amana refrigerator that is not cooling properly due to a faulty compressor…
Other Factors to Consider
Before you begin to check any of the more technical parts of the refrigerator, there are few factors to consider:
1. Refrigerator Door Opened Too Often
Opening the door of the refrigerator too often will let warm air in and cold air out easily. This will reduce how quickly the refrigerator cools and with time, it may stop cooling.
Therefore, before you open the door, decide what you want to take from it so that you don’t have to open it more than once or twice.
2. Temperature Set Too High
It is possible to inadvertently adjust the temperature of the refrigerator too high. This is especially true if the unit does not have a digital control but a knob.
Check the setting and readjust it if it is set higher than it should be. Your owner’s manual will show you the recommended temperature for your Amana refrigerator.
3. Door Seal or Gasket Too Weak
A weak or loose door seal will easily compromise the temperature inside the refrigerator. This is because warm outside air will slowly but surely seep into the unit. Over time, the cold air inside will reduce and cause the unit to stop cooling as it used to.
Because of this, check the seal on the door of the refrigerator to see if it is weak or loose. You will know if it is weak by doing the dollar trick. Close the unit’s door on a dollar bill and try to pull it out. If you cannot pull it out, then the seal is effective. But if you can pull it out, the seal needs to be replaced.
Also, clean the seal if it is dirty. A dirty door seal will not seal tightly, thereby compromising the cold air inside. You will know if it is dirty just by looking at it. Use warm water and mild soap with a soft cloth to clean until all the dirt is gone.
4. Refrigerator Packed Too Full
Avoid putting too many food items or drinks in the refrigerator at the same time. No matter how powerful a refrigerator is, constantly stuffing it full with food and drinks that are not cold will affect its capacity to cool.
If you have to chill drinks or store food, put them in the refrigerator bit by bit. And don’t store hot food in it because it can damage the refrigerator.
In addition to the above, leave the air vents free so that cold air can flow from the freezer into the refrigerator easily.
Recap
If an Amana freezer is not freezing or an Amana refrigerator is not cooling or freezing, troubleshoot it immediately. Finding the cause of the problem quickly saves the unit. If you cannot find the cause or fix it, contact Amana service center to request service. You can also chat with any of our qualified refrigerator technicians to assist you.
Remember to unplug the unit before working on it in order to protect yourself. If any part of the work requires the unit to be on, wear protective gloves to keep you safe from electric shock. As simple as this may sound, it is easy to forget it.
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