5 Reasons Why Chest Freezer Not Freezing – Let’s Fix It

Are you surprised to open your chest freezer and discover that it’s not freezing? You’re definitely not alone! Chest freezers are notorious for malfunctioning, leaving many with warm or partially frozen food.

But don’t despair – there could be a number of reasons why your chest freezer is not freezing properly, and this article will tell you exactly what they are so you can get back to enjoying frosty treats again soon!

Power outages are a common culprit — as are unplugged machines and faulty power cords. It’s important to check the machine’s seal is tight, that the coils inside have proper ventilation and that you don’t have any loose wires. You should also make sure your freezer has enough space for air circulation, since this can impact how cool its contents stay.

In this case, you should clean the fan and seal areas, as well as any other area that smells musty or has been wet due to water damage. Cleaning will help prevent mold growth, extend the life of your freezer, and promote proper freezing.

To know what is going on with your fridge and freezer, you need to know how they work. We’ll look at the inner workings of a typical residential refrigerator here. In order for a fridge (or freezer) to cool down its contents it needs to draw heat from those contents, through contact with specialized compartments containing coils and pipes containing refrigerant gas.

Chest Freezer Not Freezing – Troubleshoot And Diagnosis

Let’s see the solution.

1. Ensure That Freezer Is Plugged In

If you’ve ever had the unfortunate experience of opening your chest freezer, only to find that it isn’t freezing, then you know how frustrating this can be.

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The most logical first step when troubleshooting a chest freezer is to ensure that it is plugged in. This simple check could save you time and money by not having to replace or repair the appliance.

Before checking the plug, make sure that the power switch on the outside of your unit is set to “on”. If it is already in this position and there is still no power going into your freezer, unplug and re-plug it into a wall outlet.

If possible, try another outlet in case one or both are faulty or not receiving enough voltage.

To begin, locate the cord of the appliance and unplug it from the outlet. Next, plug a different electrical device into that same outlet to confirm it’s still functional.

If the other device works fine, then you know there is no issue with the outlet itself and your chest freezer should be plugged in correctly as well.

Alternatively, if you have access to an electrical circuit tester, use this device to check for any issues with the plug itself.

2. Blocked or Broken Evaporator Fan

A chest freezer not freezing can be a major inconvenience for anyone. If the temperature isn’t cold enough, food and other items stored in the chest freezer may spoil. The cause of this problem may stem from a blocked or broken evaporator fan.

The evaporator fan is responsible for helping to circulate air throughout the unit, so it’s essential that it’s functioning properly.

If the fan has been blocked by debris or dust or if it has become damaged, it won’t be able to effectively move air into the freezer unit and thus won’t cool down as necessary.

If you notice that your chest freezer isn’t cooling correctly, check whether there is debris blocking the evaporator fan or if it needs to be replaced entirely.

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Clearing away any blockages and installing a new evaporator fan should have your chest freezer up and running properly again in no time!

While there may be other signs to pay attention to, here are the most common:

• Your food is freezing, but your chest freezer is not getting cold enough.
• You’re hearing loud or strange humming noises from your chest freezer.
• The compressor keeps going on and off without “catching.”
• You don’t hear the fan running at all.

To test the freezer’s fan, first check and see if it’s running when you turn on the power. If it is running, then you should check the fan and motor for frost build-up which may indicate that there is an insulation problem.

But if it’s not running at all, then you should take a look at the back of your freezer and clear anything blocking the fan motors such as dirt or lint build up.

Additionally, examine any wires connected to both ends of the fan motor for frayed wires or loose connections which could be preventing current from reaching them.

3. Worn Out Door Seals

Door seals are vital to the function of a chest freezer, as they create an airtight seal that keeps cold air inside and warm air out. If the door seals are cracked, torn or loose, then warm air can enter the freezer and cause temperatures to rise.

Ensuring the door seal of your chest freezer is in good condition will help maintain the ideal temperature for food storage and prevent frost build-up. Testing the door seals on a chest freezer is not complicated and you can do it with minimal tools.

There are two simple tests you can do to determine if your door seal is working properly, the dollar bill test and making sure there’s enough room for the door to close properly.

The first step in testing a chest freezer’s door seal is to use the dollar bill test – take a dollar bill and place it in between the gasket and outer edge of your freezer’s opening when its closed.

When you open it up, if you’re able to pull out that same dollar bill easily, this means that there may be a problem with your door’s seal.

First, inspect the seal by running your fingers along its length and feel for any tears or defects in the material. If necessary, clean away any dirt that has accumulated on and around the seal using a cloth dampened with warm water.

Fortunately, replacing worn out door seals is relatively simple and inexpensive. All you have to do is carefully remove the old seal from around the edge of the door and clean off any residue left behind. Then simply measure for a new seal that fits snugly in place before installing it.

Make sure it’s firmly secured in order to ensure an airtight seal – this will help prevent any future temperature problems with your chest freezer!

4. Faulty Compressor Start Relay Unit

A chest freezer is a great way to store and preserve food items for a long period of time. However, if the compressor start relay unit stops working, then the chest freezer won’t be able to maintain cold temperatures and your food will spoil.

Freezer relay is the heart of a compressor — it gives it permission to start up, and turns it off when the temperature in the freezer has risen. In the event that your fridge doesn’t seem to be freezing and there is no visible damage, a malfunctioning overload or compressor relay might be the culprit.

This issue can occur when the start relay unit wears out or malfunctions due to frequent use. If this happens, you may notice that your chest freezer isn’t freezing properly, even though it’s plugged in and running.

To prevent further damage, it is important to replace the defective part as soon as possible with a new one from an authorized retailer.

This will ensure that your chest freezer remains in good working condition so that you can continue to make use of it for storing frozen foods.

To test the freezer’s fan, first check and seTo troubleshoot this issue, start by resetting the start relay.

Unplug the freezer from the electrical outlet and wait for two minutes before plugging it back in. This will reset any power surges that could be affecting the start relay. If resetting the start relay does not fix your issue, you will need to access it directly.

First, unplug your chest freezer and then remove the bottom panel of its cabinet – this will expose both its condenser coils and its starting components such as relays and capacitors.

Check each part visually to identify any damage or corrosion that could be causing problems with the compressor’s starting operation. if it’s running when you turn on the power.

If it is running, then you should check the fan and motor for frost build-up which may indicate that there is an insulation problem.

But if it’s not running at all, then you should take a look at the back of your freezer and clear anything blocking the fan motors such as dirt or lint build up.

Additionally, examine any wires connected to both ends of the fan motor for frayed wires or loose connections which could be preventing current from reaching them.

5. Defrost Your Freezer

One of the most common reasons why your chest freezer isn’t freezing is because it needs to be defrosted. Defrosting your freezer is relatively easy and only takes a few steps.

Before beginning, make sure to unplug the freezer and move all of its contents out so they don’t get damaged during the process. Once everything has been moved out, prop open the lid or door with something heat-resistant like a wooden spoon or spatula so that air can circulate around inside as it melts down any ice buildup in the walls or on shelves.

Conclusion

When it comes to chest freezers not freezing, the best thing you can do is take a deep breath and do your research.

If you suspect that something is off with your freezer’s settings, make sure to double-check all the settings and tune them appropriately in order to get it back up and running again.

Failing that, call an experienced technician who will be able to diagnose any underlying issues or problems with the unit itself.

With some patience, dedication, and knowledge of basic troubleshooting techniques, you should have your chest freezer working its best for many years down the road!