Fixing a freezer with a freezing problem should not be difficult. In this article, we take a look at how to fix a JennAir freezer that is not freezing.
Table of Contents
JennAir Freezer Not Freezing – What to Do
The following are things to do if you find that your JennAir freezer is not freezing:
1. Check the Condenser Coils
If the condenser coils are dirty, they won’t be able to dissipate heat from the freezer. This will cause the freezer to find it hard to cool or freeze and over time, the freezer will stop cooling.
It is recommended that you clean the condenser coils of your freezer at least every 6 months and at most every 12 months. This keeps the coils working maximally so that the freezer does not have to work extra hard to maintain the right temperature.
2. Check the Start Relay
The start helps the compressor to run when it should and as smoothly as the freezer needs. If the start relay is malfunctioning or is not working at all, the compressor is likely not to run at all. And even if it does run, it will be a difficult task. If the compressor does not run, the freezer won’t freeze.
If your JennAir freezer is not freezing, test the start relay. Unmount it from the side of the compressor and place a multimeter between its two terminal sockets. If there is no continuity there, the relay is damaged and should be replaced. And if the relay smells as if it is burnt, replace it.
3. Check the Temperature Control Thermostat
The thermostat sends voltage to the compressor and the motors of the evaporator fan and condenser fan. If it is faulty, they won’t get the voltage and the refrigerant won’t run as needed. Consequently, the freezer will not freeze.
To test the thermostat, turn it from the lowest to the highest temperature point. You should hear a click as the freezer starts working. If there is a click, the thermostat is likely working fine. But if there is no click, then the thermostat is probably faulty. To be sure, test it with a multimeter to check for continuity. If there is no continuity, replace the temperature control thermostat.
4. Check the Condenser Fan Motor
A faulty condenser fan motor will keep the fan from drawing air through the condenser and passing it over the coils. As a result, the unit won’t cool.
Try and spin the blades of the fan with your hand to see if there is any stiffness if your JennAir freezer is not freezing. If there is, then the bearings of the motor are worn out so the motor should be replaced. But if there is no stiffness and the blades are clean yet the motor is not running, test it with a multimeter to check for continuity. If there is no continuity, replace the motor.
5. Check the Evaporator Fan Motor
A defective evaporator fan motor will make the fan unable to circulate cold air in the freezer after passing the air over the evaporator coils. The cold air that moves around inside the freezer and that hits you once the door is opened is made possible by the evaporator fan.
To test the motor, open the door of the freezer and press the door switch to manually activate it. Once the switch is activated, the motor should start running. But if it does not run, it is defective and should be replaced.
6. Check the Evaporator Coils
The evaporator coils are responsible for cooling the air that circulates inside the freezer. If they have ice or frost on them, they cannot function optimally and the chances of having cold air in the freezer become slim.
So if your JennAir freezer is not freezing, thaw the frost or ice on the coils, if there is any, by defrosting the freezer manually. Unplug the freezer and remove every item inside it. Store those which are perishable in a cooler, after wrapping them in newspapers, or in another freezer.
Leave the freezer unplugged for about 24 hours. After this time, all the ice will melt, including that on the evaporator coils. Be sure to place thick towels or rags around the edge of the freezer to absorb dripping water. And place a pan or tray there to collect water formed from melting ice.
However, this does not take care of the problem of ice or frost on the coils permanently. Test the components of the defrost system to find out which of them is defective. The likeliest to be defective is the defrost heater but there is still a need to test all of them.
Replace the defective component so that you don’t always have to defrost the freezer because of frost on the coils.
In the event none of the freezer parts mentioned above is defective yet the freezer is not freezing, check the compressor, the main control board and the user control and display board. One or more of them could be defective, causing the freezing problem.
You can also check the sealed system of the freezer to see if there is a leak. A leak can cause the freezer to stop freezing, especially if the freezing problem affects only a part of the freezer. This leak can also cause frost to accumulate on the evaporator coils.
Additional Information
There are other factors that contribute to creating the problem of a JennAir freezer that is not freezing. In fact, these factors are more likely to be the cause of the freezing problem than a faulty freezer part.
So before troubleshooting any of the parts, inspect the door seal for damage or weakness. A damaged or weak door seal compromises the cold air in the freezer by letting warm air in. As a result, the freezer cannot maintain its cold temperature and in the long run, it stops freezing completely.
Also, check the temperature of the freezer to be sure it is at the right set point. 0 degrees Fahrenheit is the recommended temperature setting for freezers but if you have to take it higher, it cannot exceed 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Any temperature setting higher than this would make the freezer’s cooling capacity weaken. Therefore it is important to set the temperature right.
In addition to the above, ensure that the cold air in the freezer has enough space to flow. Overstuffing the freezer can inhibit the free flow of air, causing some parts to cool and others not to cool. Don’t put too many items at the same time in the freezer and don’t leave it too empty. Leave enough space so that every part of the freezer can freeze.
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JennAir Refrigerator Not Cooling or Freezing – Quick Fix
If your JennAir refrigerator stops cooling or freezing, inspect the following parts:
1. Condenser Coils
The most probable reason why a JennAir refrigerator stops cooling is that the condenser coils are dirty. This is because they release heat from the refrigerant so that it does not carry it to the refrigerator.
Inspect the coils under the refrigerator to see if they are dirty. If you have never cleaned them or have not cleaned them in the last 6 months, then they should be dirty.
Clean the coils using the brush head of your vacuum cleaner to suck the dirt and dust up and away. If there are areas that are hard to reach, a compressed air canister can do the job for you. Be sure to clean the coils regularly to keep them in top shape to function.
2. Condenser Fan Motor
The motor of the fan makes it possible for the fan to pull air through the condenser and pass it over the compressor. A faulty motor means that the fan cannot cool the compressor and consequently, the refrigerator won’t cool.
Check the motor by turning the blades of the fan by hand. If the blades turn well, then the motor is likely working fine. But if they don’t, the motor is faulty and needs a replacement. However, if the blades turn well and no external object is keeping them from turning freely, test it with a multimeter to check for continuity. If you don’t find continuity, replace the condenser fan motor.
3. Evaporator Fan Motor
This fan pulls air over the evaporator or cooling coils and spreads it throughout the freezer to make it cold. Part of the cold air flows into the refrigerator section to cool it. If the motor is bad, the fan cannot function. Now, while the freezer may remain cold, there won’t be enough cold air to cool the refrigerator. That is how important the fan is.
Test the motor by turning its blades with your hand. If they don’t turn well, buy a new motor to replace the old one. And if the motor is noisier than before, replace it. However, if the motor refuses to run, test its windings with a multimeter to check for continuity. If there is no continuity, replace the motor of the fan.
4. Temperature Control Thermostat
The compressor and the motors of the two fans of the refrigerator get voltage sent to them by the thermostat. If the thermostat is faulty, the compressor and fan motors won’t run and in turn, the refrigerant won’t run. As a result, the refrigerator won’t cool.
Move the thermostat to the highest point from the lowest. A click will sound audible enough for you to hear. If it sounds, the thermostat is working fine. But if it does not sound, then the thermostat is probably faulty. To be sure, test the thermostat using a multimeter to check for continuity. If, at any temperature setting, you don’t find continuity, replace the thermostat.
5. Start Relay
Working in tandem with the start winding, the start relay starts and runs the compressor. If the relay is broken, the compressor is likely not to run or may run but only at short intervals. As a result, the refrigerator will not cool.
Place a multimeter between the run and start terminals of the relay to check for continuity. If there is no continuity, replace the start relay. In addition to this, if the relay smells burnt, replace it because it is damaged.
6. Start Capacitor
Sometimes, the start capacitor fails to work. If this happens, the compressor won’t be able to start. This is because the capacitor supplies the compressor with the power it needs to start.
To check if the capacitor is faulty, test it using a multimeter. If there is no reading on the multimeter, replace the start capacitor.
7. Thermistor
The thermistor keeps an eye on the temperature of the refrigerator and sends its findings to the control board. With the findings, the control board supplies power to the evaporator fan and the compressor so that they can run. If the thermistor fails, the fan and compressor won’t run and the refrigerator won’t cool.
With a multimeter, test the thermistor. The resistance of the thermistor should change along with the temperature of the refrigerator. If the resistance of the thermistor doesn’t change and there is no continuity, replace it.
In the event there is nothing wrong with any of the refrigerator parts we have listed, you can have a refrigerator technician troubleshoot the compressor or the main control board. If any of them is damaged, it could cause the refrigerator not to cool or freeze. Additionally, a damaged temperature control board could cause the refrigerator to develop freezing problems.
To avoid incurring extra costs, it is important you contact the JennAir service center to request service if you cannot troubleshoot. There is also the option of contacting a qualified refrigerator technician to assist you. You can chat with any of our technicians to request for help.
Easy Fixes
There are a few things to check if your refrigerator stops cooling before testing the parts mentioned above. Fixing them is usually easy and more times than not, could solve the problem:
1. Power Cord
If the power cord is not properly fixed into the wall outlet, there will be no power in the refrigerator so it won’t cool. Be sure that it is plugged in fully. And ensure the cord is not damaged.
Additionally, check to be sure the wall outlet is getting enough supply of power and that the voltage is enough to carry the refrigerator. These can affect how well the unit works.
Note: Don’t plug a refrigerator into an extension cord. Doing this can damage the unit. Always plug it into a dedicated wall outlet that supplies the needed amount of voltage.
2. Temperature Setting
Setting the temperature higher than the recommended setting slows its cooling. The recommended setting is between 35 degrees and 37 degrees Fahrenheit. Depending on your refrigerating needs, you can set it to a lower point. However, if you want the best out of it, follow the recommended setting.
If you have to adjust the temperature, give the refrigerator time to fully adjust to the new setting. After about 24 hours, you will be able to tell if the cooling problem has been solved.
3. Door Seal
Ensure that the seal of the door of the refrigerator is sealing tightly. If the seal is not working properly, warm outside air will easily seep into the refrigerator. With time, the unit will stop cooling properly.
Change the seal if you suspect it is broken or worn. And clean it if it is dirty. For this, you can use warm water and mild soap with a soft washcloth. A dirty refrigerator door seal cannot close tightly, meaning that the cooling ability of the unit is compromised.
To add to the above, avoid opening and closing the door frequently. And if you have to open it, don’t leave it open for too long. This is another way a refrigerator easily loses cold air, making it difficult to maintain its temperature.
4. Location
Relocate the refrigerator if it is in part of the house where direct sunlight or any other heat source hits it. No matter how well-insulated the refrigerator is, it will eventually succumb to the constant heat. Put it in a room with a good temperature; if the room gets too hot or too cold, it will affect the efficacy of the refrigerator.
5. Air Circulation
Poor air circulation means that the refrigerator won’t cool. It is usually the cold air from the freezer that circulates in the refrigerator. So if there is anything obstructing the flow of air from the vents or if the damper is broken, the refrigerating section will stop cooling.
Additionally, keep from putting too many things in the unit at once. If they will cool easily and quickly, put them in batches. Allow for some space for the cold air to travel. Tightly packed refrigerators don’t allow for proper air circulation. Remember to leave the air vents free so that air can flow freely.
And don’t store hot food in it. Apart from reducing its cooling capacity, it can damage the refrigerator. Leave the food out to cool considerably before putting it in the refrigerator.
Reminder
Stop! Before troubleshooting or repairing a JennAir freezer that is not freezing, or a refrigerator, unplug the unit. If you cannot reach the wall outlet, switch it off from the circuit breaker. Keep yourself and your refrigerating unit safe by doing this.
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