This article looks at the problem of a Frigidaire freezer not freezing and how to fix it. If you have this problem with your Frigidaire freezer or any other part of it, you have come to the right place.
Table of Contents
Frigidaire Freezer Not Freezing – What to Do
The following are the steps to take to fix a Frigidaire freezer not freezing:
1. Check the Evaporator Fan Motor
To determine if the motor of the evaporator fan is faulty, open the door of the freezer and press the door switch. Usually, when you open the door of the freezer, the fan will stop running. But activating the switch should get it running even when the door is open. But if the motor still doesn’t run after activating the switch, the motor is bad and should be replaced.
The evaporator fan circulates cool air in the freezer after drawing it over the cooling coils. If it is unable to circulate the air, the freezer will not cool or freeze.
This video shows you how to replace a faulty evaporator fan motor, in a step-by-step manner…
2. Check the Start Relay
Disconnect the freezer from the electrical power source to which it is connected. Then, detach the start relay from the side of the compressor and test it between the start and run terminal sockets for continuity. If there is no continuity or the relay smells as if it is burnt, replace it as soon as possible.
The compressor may not run or run only at intervals if the start relay is faulty. And if the compressor does not run optimally, the freezer will not get cold or freeze.
3. Check the Condenser Coils
If you can see the condenser coils of the freezer under it or behind it, then check if they are dirty. Clean them thoroughly if they are dirty and dust them to remove any remnant dust. Doing this will help the coils perform effectively in removing heat from the freezer so it can cool and freeze.
4. Check the Evaporator Coils
Check the evaporator coils behind the inside back panel of the freezer to see if they are covered with frost or ice. And if they are, thaw them either by manually defrosting the freezer or using any other safe heat source, like a hair dryer, to remove the frost.
However, if your freezer is the type that defrosts automatically, you should check the defrost system for faulty components.
This is because the defrost heater should automatically increase the temperature of the coils when the defrost timer goes into the defrost cycle and the defrost thermostat allows the heater to work.
If this process does not take place, then the coils will freeze. This way, the coils will not be able to release cool air for the fan to circulate.
5. Check the Temperature Control Thermostat
Test the functionality of the thermostat by turning it from the lowest temperature setting to the highest temperature setting. Wait to hear a click from the thermostat. If you hear that click, then the thermostat is working fine. But if you don’t hear that click, the thermostat is probably defective.
To be sure, test it with a multimeter to see if it has continuity. If there is no continuity, replace the thermostat.
The compressor and fan motors get voltage from the temperature control thermostat. If it is not working, these parts won’t work so the refrigerant system won’t run. Consequently, the freezer will not cool or freeze.
6. Check the Condenser Fan Motor
Check the blades of the condenser fan to see if they spin well. If they do, the motor is probably fine. But if they don’t, it is likely the bearings of the motor are worn. To be absolutely sure, test the motor using a multimeter to check for continuity. If you don’t find continuity, replace the condenser fan motor.
A defective condenser fan motor will not allow the fan to draw air through the condenser in order to cool the unit.
In addition to the above, you can also check the main control board, the user control and display board and the compressor. That is if the other parts are working fine. However, you will rarely find the fault is from any of them.
In the event every other part of the freezer is in proper working order, check the sealed system. And if the sealed system is bad, you will need to replace the freezer or refrigerator.
Be aware that you cannot check the sealed system yourself. You need the services of a qualified refrigerator technician to assist you.
Frigidaire Refrigerator Not Cooling or Freezing – Solutions
If your Frigidaire refrigerator is not cooling or freezing, check the following parts:
1. Condenser Fan Motor
The blades of the condenser fan could have obstructions keeping them from spinning well. Check them to be sure. If there is none, turn them with your hand to see if they spin freely. If they spin well, then the motor is probably working fine. But if not, test the motor’s continuity with a multimeter. If there is no continuity, replace the fan motor.
With a faulty condenser fan motor, the condenser fan will be unable to draw air over the coils and cool the compressor. Hence, the refrigerator will not cool.
2. Condenser Coils
Check the condenser coils behind or under the refrigerator to see if they have gathered dust and dirt. Most likely they have, especially if you have never cleaned them since you bought the refrigerator.
So, clean them thoroughly and dust them if there is any remaining dirt. This will help the coils to effectively re;ease the heat from the refrigerant as it goes through them. Consequently, the heat will not go to the refrigerator and cause it to grow warm.
3. Evaporator Fan Motor
Turn the blades of the fan to see if they turn without any resistance. If they do, the motor is not faulty. But if they don’t, it is probably time to replace the fan motor. You can also tell the motor is faulty if it is noisier than normal. In addition, test the windings of the motor with a multimeter to see if there is continuity. Replace the motor if there is none.
4. Temperature Control Thermostat
Rotate the thermostat from the lowest temperature setting to the highest to see if there is a click. The click tells you that the thermostat is working fine. However, if you don’t hear the click, then test the thermostat with a multimeter to check for continuity. If, at any temperature setting, you don’t find continuity, replace the thermostat.
The fan motors and the compressor get voltage from the temperature control thermostat. So if the thermostat is defective, they won’t operate and consequently, the refrigerator won’t cool.
5. Start Relay
Test the start relay between the start and run terminals with a multimeter to check for continuity. Replace the relay if there is no continuity. Additionally, if the relay smells burnt or rattles when you shake it, replace it as soon as possible.
The start relay helps the compressor run. If the relay is faulty, it is likely the compressor will not run at all or could run but only at intervals.
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6. Thermistor
Using a multimeter, test the thermistor. You should find its resistance changing just as the temperature of the refrigerator changes. However, if the resistance of the thermistor remains the same and there is no continuity, replace the thermistor.
The thermistor is responsible for monitoring the air temperature and sending the results to the control board. With this result, the board can regulate power to the evaporator fan and compressor to run. If the thermistor is bad, the results will be wrong. So, the control board won’t be able to regulate power to the fan and compressor. Consequently, they won’t run and the refrigerator won’t cool.
7. Start Capacitor
With a multimeter, test the start capacitor for continuity. If there is no continuity, replace the capacitor.
For the compressor to start, the capacitor needs to provide a boost of power. If the capacitor cannot provide this, it is unlikely the compressor will start.
If all the above parts are working fine, check the compressor, the temperature control board or the main control board. One or all of them could be defective. Replace the faulty ones. However, be sure none of the minor parts is faulty before touching any of the boards or the compressor.
Frigidaire Ice Maker Not Freezing Water – Quick Fix
Ensure the ice maker has a sufficient water supply. Check the water line to ensure it works well, and check the main water valve. It should be fully open so that it can improve the water pressure. Straighten the water line if it is twisted or kinked.
Check the water filter; it must be clean and able to deliver water to the ice maker. If the filter is old, it is clogged and can restrict the water supply. This affects the water pressure and keeps the ice maker from working or freezing water. So, replace the water filter, especially if you have used it for longer than six months.
You must also check the freezer temperature. The ice maker cannot freeze water if the temperature setting is high. The recommended setting is 0, although you may sometimes have to set it a few degrees lower or higher. However, you cannot raise the temperature higher than 5 degrees for the ice maker to keep freezing water.
Ensure the wire shut-off arm is in the down or On position. The ice maker cannot produce ice if it is raised or stuck. Therefore, check the wire arm and jiggle it to ensure it works. If not, replace the arm; pull it out and insert a new one.
Furthermore, the ice bucket may not be correctly installed. And if the bucket is not fully inside the refrigerator, the sensor may not read it, and the ice maker control board will send voltage for the machine to function. It may also prevent the wire arm from dropping down fully to start another cycle. So, pull the bucket out and carefully insert it this time. This may get the ice maker working again.
Use the ice in the storage bin more frequently to prevent clumping. If the ice clumps, the ice maker may stop producing ice until you clear the bucket. Therefore, remove the ice storage bucket and leave it out to thaw or pour hot water into the bucket to melt the ice quickly.
If nothing else seems to work, contact Frigidaire to report the issue and request service.
Frigidaire Countertop Ice Maker Not Freezing Water – What to Check
Check the following if your Frigidaire countertop ice maker is not freezing water:
1. Power Supply
It is possible the power cord of the ice maker is not plugged into any power source or it is plugged in but not fully. To determine if it is getting power, check to see if the Power light is on, on the indicator lights.
You can also check the wall socket into which it is plugged. It could be faulty or just doesn’t have enough voltage coming through it.
2. Ice Bucket
If the ice bucket is full, the ice maker will stop making ice until you empty the bucket. This is in order to reduce the pressure on the bucket and free up space.
3. Water Temperature
Hot or warm water will take a longer time to freeze and make ice than room temperature water. Don’t put warm or hot water in the ice maker. Not only will it not make ice quickly but it could also damage the ice maker.
4. Amount of Water
Check the ice maker to see if the water in it is at the fill line. If it is not, add water to it. And if it is above the fill line, reduce the water.
Too much water will cause the ice in the bucket to melt and the ice maker could find it difficult to make more. And the ice maker can’t make ice with too little water.
5. Ambient Temperature
The temperature in the room where the ice maker is kept can affect the production of ice. If the room is too hot, the ice maker will find it difficult to make ice or retain already-made ice cubes. That is if the ice maker has poor insulation.
Nevertheless, never store any countertop or portable ice maker in a hot room or close to any heat source, no matter how good the insulation is.
Here is a video showing more about how to fix a portable or countertop ice maker…
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- Samsung Freezer Not Freezing – How to Fix
Frigidaire Upright Freezer Top Shelf Not Freezing – Quick Fix
Here is what to check if the top shelf of your Frigidaire upright freezer is not freezing:
1. Fan
Check the fan in the freezer to see if it is frozen or hindered by anything from rotating. If there is ice, thaw the ice with a safe heat source or by manually defrosting the freezer. But if nothing is hindering the blades, check the fan motor. Replace the motor or have a professional technician take a look at it and fix the issue.
2. Air Circulation
This is the likeliest reason why you have the problem of your Frigidaire freezer not freezing in the top shelf. If the circulation of air in the freezer is poor, it will affect the top half of the freezer. The air will settle at the bottom and cool it but leave the top part without cool air.
Rearrange the contents of the freezer to make more room for the air to move around.
3. Air Filter
A clogged air filter can affect the circulation of air in the freezer. While there is no guarantee it will affect just the top shelf, it is most likely to because of the air vents. Replace the air filter so that it will not impede the flow of air and cause the top shelf not to cool.
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The problem of a Frigidaire freezer not freezing in the top shelf could also be as a result of a leakage in the sealed system. You cannot fix this yourself; only a professional refrigerator technician can.
However, a leakage in the sealed system could be an indication that it is time to replace the freezer. This is especially true if you have used the freezer for a long time. More times than not, the sealed system leak cannot be successfully fixed. Only a replacement of the freezer will solve the problem.
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