Maytag Refrigerator Freezing Up [Quick Fix]

This article details how to fix a Maytag refrigerator that is freezing up as well as other freezing problems with the refrigerator.

Table of Contents

Maytag Refrigerator Freezer Coils Freezing Up – What to Do

If your Maytag refrigerator freezer coils are freezing up, here are things to do:

1. Check the Door Gasket

Close the door of the freezer on any dollar bill. Then, try pulling the bill out. If the bill stays put, the door gasket is good but if the bill comes out, the gasket needs replacing.

This means humid air constantly enters the freezer. And when this happens, the air will pass over the evaporator coils, condense and freeze. Over time, the coils will have too much ice too quickly and the defrost system will not be able to keep up.

2. Check the Defrost Heater

Test the continuity of the heater with a multimeter. This will tell you if the heater is still able to defrost ice from the evaporator coils. If there is no continuity, then replace the heater.

During the defrost cycle, the heater comes on to defrost the ice on the coils. Now, if it doesn’t do this, too much ice will accumulate on the coils and eventually, they will freeze.

3. Check the Defrost Timer

Rotate the defrost timer slowly with a flathead screwdriver or with your hand. Wait for a click. When it clicks, the compressor and fans will go off and the heater will turn on to defrost ice from the coils. Now, if this happens, you know you have a defective defrost timer. It should not be turned manually before it advances into the defrost cycle; it should happen automatically.

4. Check the Defrost Thermostat

With a multimeter, check the continuity of the thermostat. If you find that it has continuity, then it is likely functioning. But if you don’t find continuity, it is time to buy a new thermostat to replace the old one.

Without the defrost thermostat, the defrost heater will not come on and the evaporator coils will have too much frost on them consequently.

Maytag Refrigerator Ice Dispenser Freezing Up – Solution

In the event the ice dispenser on your Maytag refrigerator is freezing up, check to see if there are ice cubes jammed in it. And if there is ice in the dispenser, it is possible the ice maker is leaking water into it. over time, the water freezes in it. If your ice maker has a leak, replace it with a new one. Go a step further to seal the leak by using silicone around the ice maker compartment.

Also, check the ice chute and the ice bin to see if they are frozen with ice. Thaw them with hot water carefully. Then, watch to see if that clears the problem.

Maytag Refrigerator Freezer Freezing Up – Steps to Fix

Take the following steps to fix a Maytag refrigerator freezer freezing up:

1. Check the Door Hinges

Check the hinges of the door to be sure they are properly aligned and attached tightly to the frame. Loose hinges will let in outside air which will condense and freeze, leading to the freezer freezing up.

2. Check the Door Seal

Be sure that the seal or gasket of the freezer door seals tightly and doesn’t compromise in any way. Change it if it is loose, torn or broken. This is to keep humid air from entering the freezer, causing condensation and frost buildup later.

3. Check the Freezer Drain

Take a look at the drain of the freezer, which is at the bottom of the freezer. See if it is frozen or clogged with debris. Thaw the ice with hot water if it is frozen or remove the debris with a stiff wire if there is debris. A clogged drain will cause water not to drain as quickly as it should. Water will back into the freezer and freeze with time.

Here is a video to explain how to fix a freezer freezing up too frequently…

Maytag Refrigerator Ice Maker Freezing Up – Quick Fix

If the ice maker of your Maytag refrigerator is freezing up, check the following parts and fix the faulty ones:

1. Water Filter

A clogged water filter or one that is due for a change will cause water to back up into the ice maker. Eventually, the excess water will freeze. Change the water filter quickly, especially if it is due for a change.

2. Ice Fill Chute

A frozen fill chute will not let water pass as it should. It will slow the water and probably push it back into the ice maker. With time, the water will freeze around the ice maker. Thaw the frozen chute with hot water in a turkey baster.

3. Water Line

If the water line is properly set or it is pushed too far in, it will cause a splashback. The water from the splashback will settle around the ice maker and freeze with time. Therefore, be sure that the line is fixed properly to avoid a splashback.

4. Freezer Temperature

If you set the temperature of the freezer too low, the water in the ice maker will freeze to quickly. Just set the temperature at 0 degrees Fahrenheit and nothing less.

5. Water Supply Line

In the event the water supply line is frozen, you can defrost the refrigerator manually or increase the temperature so that it is not too cold as to freeze things too quickly. Otherwise, water will back up the line and form ice in the ice maker.

6. Water Inlet Valve

If the inlet valve is faulty, the ice cube area will overfill with water and freeze. Hence, the ice maker will become frozen. Check the functionality of the solenoid by testing the valve with a multimeter. If the valve is leaking or faulty, replace it.

Maytag Refrigerator Keeps Freezing Up – How to Fix

Check the following parts for faults if your Maytag refrigerator keeps freezing up:

1. Thermistor

Test the thermistor with a multimeter to check for continuity. The resistance of the thermistor should change together with the temperature of the refrigerator. If you don’t see this change and there is no continuity, the thermistor is faulty. Replace it.

A faulty thermistor will cause the evaporator fan and compressor to run too much, leading to a refrigerator that is too cold.

2. Air Damper

Check to see if the air damper is open. You will find between the fresh food section and the freezer. If it is open and doesn’t close, it means it is broken and should be changed. It could be the reason why too much cold air comes into the refrigerator and causes it to freeze.

3. Temperature Control Thermostat

Rotate the temperature control thermostat from low o high and wait for a click. If you don’t hear a click, test the thermostat for continuity using a multimeter. If there is no continuity, the thermostat is defective. Replace it.

A defective thermostat could cause the refrigerant system to run more than it needs to, causing the refrigerator to become too cold.

You can also check the main control board and the temperature control board if all else is in working order. But it is hard to find that either of the tow boards is the cause of the refrigerator freezing up. So before you check them, take a look at the others.

Maytag Freezer Drain Keeps Freezing Up – What to Do

Check the drain heater if your Maytag model has one. It is responsible for keeping the water in the drain pan from freezing again and blocking the drain. If the heater is not working properly, change it.

You can also check the drain strap. Some Maytag refrigerator models have it. It conducts enough heat from the defrost heater to melt ice that could be stuck inside the drain. If the strap has shifted out of place, push it back into place.

Additionally, be sure that nothing is clogging the drain. Debris can build up and keep water from flowing out of the drain. If this happens, then the water will remain in the drain pan and freeze again, blocking the freezer drain over time.

Maytag Stand Up Freezer Not Freezing – What to Check

1. Door

If you open the door too often, the cold air in the freezer will escape quickly, leaving the freezer warm. Ensure you regulate how often the door is opened in a day.

Also, be sure that the seal is working properly. If it is loose or has a leak, it will not be able to keep the cold air trapped in the freezer.

2. Content

Having a lot of food in the freezer will affect its coldness. This is true, especially if you put all the food in the freezer at the same time. Give the freezer time to cool or reduce the amount of food in it so it can cool.

3. Location

Setting the unit where sunlight hits it regularly or where there is a heat source will affect how well it cools. If this is the case, relocate the unit to another part of the house and see if the cooling capacity of the freezer improves.

4. Start Relay

If the start relay is faulty, the compressor is likely not to run at all. And if the compressor doesn’t run, the freezer won’t cool. Test the continuity of the relay between the start and run terminals using a multimeter. If there is no continuity or the relay has a burnt smell, replace it.

5. Evaporator Fan Motor

The fan spreads air over the coils and throughout the freezer. If the motor is defective, the freezer will have no cold air so won’t cool. Open the door of the freezer and activate the door switch by pressing it. If the fan motor doesn’t start running after activating the switch, replace the motor.

6. Condenser Coils

If the condenser coils are dirty, they will not be able to release the heat from the freezer. This will affect the cooling ability of the freezer. Clean the coils thoroughly and repeat the cleaning every 6 months. That is unless the coils are within the walls of the freezer.

Watch this video to learn more on how to fix your freezer not freezing as it should…

Check out these other in-depth articles on refrigerator freezing up for other refrigerator brands…

Maytag Upright Freezer Top Shelf Not Freezing – How to Fix

Check the air vents to be sure nothing is blocking them. Also, check them for ice or frost. They will reduce the coolness in the top shelf.

You can also check the evaporator fan. If the motor is not running, the upper coils could grow warm and affect the cooling capacity of the top shelf.

Additionally, check the door seal on the top part of the door. If it is loose, it will affect the top part of the freezer before the bottom part.

Reminder

Always unplug your refrigerator before you begin to fix any part of it. If it is possible, switch off the circuit breaker that controls the part of the house where the refrigerator is located.

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