7 freezer problems & how to troubleshoot them

You may need to narrow down the cause of a leaking freezer by inspecting a handful of potential causes. First, check your icemaker to ensure that it’s producing and dispensing ice properly. Ice Makers with frost build-up can lead to leaking and need to be defrosted.

Next, a freezer or refrigerator not getting cold enough may be leaking due to frozen evaporator coils on the back freezer wall. The location of evaporator coils can vary slightly from model to model, so check your owners manual or consult a professional to learn more about checking coils for ice build-up. Lastly, the drain line that moves condensation from the freezer to the drain pan beneath the refrigerator may have a blockage. Consult your owner’s manual or a professional to learn how to access and clear the drain line.

Most noises that you hear coming from your freezer are normal and not cause for concern. Freezers may hum or buzz as part of normal operation, but some freezer sounds, or abnormally loud sounds, may indicate an issue. 

A freezer making unusually loud vibrating noises may not be level, and freezers with dirty condenser coils may operate more loudly or frequently as it works harder to cool. Your freezer might loudly click, buzz or hum if the evaporator fan is faulty. In this case, the freezer typically also struggles to stay cold.

Thick frost build-up on freezer walls can block vents and coils, making it harder for your freezer to maintain its set temperature. This can happen when your freezer is too cold. You can defrost your freezer to help it function at its best, but some modern freezers, like the one in this refrigerator from Whirlpool brand, are equipped with Auto Defrost settings that help keep ice build-up at bay. Consider contacting a professional to look for underlying causes if your freezer is prone to rapid ice accumulation.

A quick way to narrow down causes of a compressor always running is to check the freezer door gasket seal. If the seal appears worn or damaged, the compressor is likely working overtime to keep in the cold as cool air leaks out. 

Defects with the freezer’s defrost timer and heater can lead to frost build-up that also causes the compressor to malfunction or work continually as the freezer can no longer cool properly. Contact a professional or refer to your owner’s manual to learn more about accessing and inspecting the defrost timer and heater. If they don’t appear damaged, check the freezer’s thermostat and control panel for damage and contact a professional if any is found.

Your freezer’s compressor should routinely make a humming sound as it kick-starts the cooling process. If you suspect the compressor isn’t running, keep an ear out for your freezer’s sounds for at least 30 minutes. If you don’t notice humming noises during that time, there’s likely a problem with the compressor or various compressor components. 

If your freezer’s thermostat, start relay, start capacitor or defrost timer is faulty, the compressor may not be cued or powered up to start cooling. Once you’ve checked each of these components, consider contacting a professional to inspect the compressor itself. 

Your freezer’s door seal—called a gasket—helps keep warm air out and cold air inside. If your freezer won’t stay cold or the door won’t stay shut, the door gasket may have bends or small tears. Check the gasket by closing a piece of paper in the freezer door, then tug at the paper. The door gasket may be faulty if the paper comes loose with little resistance. Be sure to check the gasket around the entire freezer door perimeter to identify any openings. 

Freezer door gaskets are generally simple to replace and may be available as a wrap-around piece of rubber. Older models could require you to unscrew the gasket to replace it.

Freezer condenser coils transport refrigerant that helps absorb heat from inside the freezer cavity. A freezer can’t cool as effectively with dirty condenser coils, but cleaning them is typically as simple as vacuuming them with a crevice attachment. Be sure to reference your owner’s manual for specific information on cleaning condenser coils. Keep in mind that some chest and upright freezers have condenser coils that are enclosed in the walls of the unit and are inaccessible, so the coils can’t be cleaned.