The drawer in your Maytag refrigerator ensures your food stays cold. There are different types and each one may develop a fault. This article discusses possible problems with a Maytag refrigerator drawer and how to solve them.
Table of Contents
Maytag Fridge Freezer Drawer Not Closing – Solved
Accumulated ice around the edges of the drawer may be keeping it from closing. So, check to see if ice has formed; if so, turn off the refrigerator and allow the ice to melt. Alternatively, use a dryer to thaw the drawer, but do it carefully and use low heat. It is crucial to find out why the ice formed; most likely, the defrost system has failed. test the system’s components and replace any faulty ones.
The gasket may be dirty, loose, or weak. If the gasket is weak, the best solution is to replace it. There is no other way to fix a worn-out door gasket and if left without a replacement, the refrigerator may get damaged and you have high electricity bills. But if dirty, the fix is simple; mix a little dish soap in warm water and gently scrub the gasket. If loose but still functional, use a small screwdriver to push it back into place and test the drawer afterward.
Another possibility is that something is stuck in the glider or drawer rails. Sometimes, food particles or even external items may get stuck and prevent the drawer from closing properly. If the gasket is not the cause of the problem, the next step is to inspect the rails. Ensure nothing is in the way and clean the rails if they look dirty. Try closing the freezer drawer again and see if the problem resolves.
If the drawer is still not closing, you may have to reduce the items in the freezer or rearrange them. You may not have too many items in it, but the poor arrangement may cause some items to stick out and prevent the drawer from closing. Therefore, move things around and try the drawer again.
If you had reason to remove and replace the drawer at any point, the problem may stem from incorrect installation. You may need the services of a professional technician to check the installation and make necessary corrections.
Check out these other articles…
Maytag Refrigerator Cooling [Problems, Solutions & Guide]
Maytag Refrigerator Defrost [Problems & Solutions]
Maytag Refrigerator Light [Problems, Solutions & Guides]
Maytag Refrigerator with No Water [Issues & Solutions]
Maytag Refrigerator Filter [Problems & Solutions]
Maytag Refrigerator Relay [Problem Solved]
How to Replace a Maytag Refrigerator Thermostat [Quick Guide]
Maytag Refrigerator Crisper Drawer Freezing – What to Do
Do the following if the crisper drawer in your Maytag refrigerator is freezing:
1. Check the Damper
If you notice that your Maytag refrigerator crisper drawer is freezing, the problem may stem from a broken or stuck damper control. The damper is a small flap that automatically opens and closes at specific periods to allow cold air to flow into the fresh food section from the freezer section. If it is stuck open or broken, there will be no restriction on the amount of air flowing into the refrigerator, hence, the frozen crisper drawer. The only solution is to replace the damper.
2. Check the Temperature Setting
Also, the temperature may be lower than the normal freezing temperature. Check and adjust it if necessary. Typically, the set temperature in a freezer is 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Lower settings may be necessary but only on special occasions, and they are rare. So, if the temperature is constantly lower than the recommended point, the crisper drawer and other sections will freeze.
3. Check the Temperature Sensor
The temperature sensor may be defective. It explains the constant freezing if the set temperature is not the issue. What it means is that the cooling system always runs, even when the internal temperature is cold enough and the system should shut off.
Test the thermistor using a multimeter to check continuity or resistance. The resistance should change as long as the refrigerator temperature is changing. But if it remains the same or there is no continuity, replace the thermistor.
4. Check the Vents
Locate the vents and see if they move as they should. Constant cold airflow will cause everything in the refrigerator to freeze, including the crisper drawer. Ensure they are not channeling too much cold air toward the drawer; you may have to rearrange the items to distribute the air evenly.
Maytag Refrigerator Deli Drawer Broken – Quick Fix
If you find that the deli drawer of your Maytag refrigerator is broken, the only repair is to replace it entirely. There is usually no way to fix a broken deli drawer except to get a new one. Before doing so, ensure you contact the Maytag Service Center to report the issue and request service. The problem may be a factory fault as the drawers do not easily break.
However, if you store other items in the drawer apart from meat and perishables designated for it, the drawer will break sooner than it should. Always use the deli drawer to store the recommended items. The same goes for the crisper drawer.
Maytag Freezer Drawer Handle Loose – Fixed
If the handle on the freezer drawer of your Maytag refrigerator is loose, tighten it. How you do it will depend on the refrigerator model and this article: Maytag refrigerator door handle loose explains it in detail. Follow the steps to fix the loose handle and replace it if broken.
Maytag Freezer Drawer Leaking – Solution
The most probable cause of a leaking freezer drawer is a clogged defrost drain. Consult the user manual for the location of the drain and when you find it, check to see if it is blocked. Ice over the drain is easy to remove using a dryer or allowing the freezer to thaw by leaving it unplugged for a few hours.
When the ice melts, clean the excess water and check the drain line. Food crumbs and other debris can block it over time and stop the water from flowing out. If that is the case, it explains the ice covering the drain hole. Mix equal parts bleach or vinegar and water; flush the mixture down the drain pipe. Do so until it runs free and clear from the drain. Empty the drain pan, wash it, sanitize it with bleach, and replace it under the refrigerator.
Leveling
An improperly leveled refrigerator prevents the condensate from freely flowing out of the freezer after the defrost function. Typically, a refrigerator should slightly tilt to the back, with the front raised a little. That way, the door shuts and seals, and the water drains effortlessly. However, if the refrigerator is not leveled, there will be minor faults that may lead to major ones if not fixed.
Get a level, place it on top of the refrigerator, and check leveling. If it is out of balance, locate the adjustment screws under it, from the front grille part, and adjust them until the refrigerator is leveled. Give the refrigerator some time to run to see if the problem is resolved.
Other Causes
The transport coil that filters water from the freezer drawer may be damaged. There may be holes in the coil, resulting in leakage, or the inlet hose no longer works. These are technical and complex repairs, so you need the services of a qualified technician to check these parts and replace them if necessary.
Check to see if the evaporator fan is functioning well. If the fan is failing or has failed, then the refrigerator will stop cooling as it should. Condensate will quickly form and drip from different parts of the refrigerator, including the inlet hose. Here, you may need the assistance of a professional.
How to Remove Bottom Maytag Refrigerator Drawer
Disconnect the power supply to the refrigerator and remove every food and other item in the drawer. Get a cooler and put perishable food items in it; add some packs of ice to preserve the food for long.
With a screwdriver, loosen the four screws holding the freezer drawer but do not remove them entirely. Just unmount them far enough that the drawer is loose in its compartment. Next, gently do an up-down movement until the drawer is free from the screws without totally removing the screws. Carefully slide the drawer off the rails, lift it slightly, and pull it out. When replacing, follow the same procedure and tighten the four screws until the drawer properly attaches.
Maytag Freezer Drawer Not Freezing – Quick Fix
Ensure you do not overpack the freezer. Check the door seal to ensure it is still working and is not dirty. It may be necessary to move things around so that the door can fully shut; otherwise, the freezer will constantly lose cold air.
In addition, check the following components, especially if none of the above fixes the problem:
- Condenser coils
- Evaporator fan
- Start relay
- Condenser fan
- Evaporator coils
- Thermostat
- Compressor
Check out this article for further details on how to fix each part.
Recap
A Maytag refrigerator drawer is an essential part of the unit for storing and preserving perishable food items and other things. If the drawer becomes faulty, fixing it is crucial. This article lists possible problems such a drawer can have, including problems with the crisper and deli drawers.
Ensure the freezer temperature is set to the recommended level and the door gasket is in good working condition. Also, do not store too many items in the freezer drawer and allow hot food to cool before putting it in the freezer. Typically, a freezer should be ¾ full; if it is too empty or too full, there will be cooling problems. In addition, rearrange the contents so that none is sticking out and preventing the drawer from fully closing.
If nothing else seems to work and you continue having problems with your Maytag refrigerator drawer, contact Maytag, report the issue, and request service. Alternatively, hire an independent but qualified appliance technician for further assistance.
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