If you have noticed that your freezer is only freezing items at the bottom, it can be frustrating and lead to waste as spoiled food needs to be thrown out. This problem can have a number of potential causes, ranging from issues with the thermostat to problems with the freezer’s cooling system.
In this article, we will discuss the potential causes of a freezer that is only freezing at the bottom and provide some tips on how to fix this issue.
By identifying the root cause and taking the appropriate steps to resolve it, you can get your freezer back to freezing properly and keep your food fresh.
Freezer Only Freezing At Bottom – Troubleshoot And Diagnosis
If you have noticed that only the top half of your freezer is not freezing, you are not alone. This is a common issue with refrigerators, and it can be caused by a variety of factors.
If you have a Frigidaire freezer that is experiencing this problem, your instruction manual can be a helpful resource in identifying the cause and finding a solution. You may need to move the freezer away from the wall and remove the back paneling to access the fan system, which can be a source of the problem.
Why is the bottom of the freezer cold? It’s all due to the principle of air density. Cold air is denser than warm air, and therefore has a greater tendency to sink.
That’s why you’ll often find the evaporator, the component responsible for producing cold air in the freezer, located at the bottom. However, this also means that the cooling effect is not evenly distributed throughout the entire freezer.
The air near the evaporator may be freezing, but the rest of the cabinet may not be as chilly. That’s why it’s important to regularly rearrange the items in your freezer to ensure that everything is being properly preserved at the appropriate temperature.
By following these steps and troubleshooting the issue, you may be able to fix the problem and get your freezer back to its optimal performance.
Fan Problem
When your freezer only freezes at the bottom, it can be a sign of an underlying fan problem. This can lead to the food in your freezer spoiling faster than normal and in some cases, even freezing over.
It’s important to identify and troubleshoot the issue as soon as possible.
The most common cause of this issue is a faulty or blocked fan inside the appliance.
If you suspect this may be causing your freezer’s problem, you should check for any blockages or issues with the fan itself.
There are a few possible reasons why the fan might not be working.
One possibility is that the fan is clogged with ice or debris. Another possibility is that the fan motor has malfunctioned and needs to be replaced.
If you suspect that the fan is the cause of the problem, you should unplug the freezer and carefully remove any ice or debris that may be blocking the fan. If this does not solve the problem, you may need to replace the fan motor. This is typically a job that requires some technical expertise, so you may need to call a professional appliance repair service to handle the repair.
Clogged Filters
Freezers are an invaluable part of the modern kitchen. Unfortunately, they can sometimes experience problems that leave them unable to function properly. One issue that may arise is when a freezer only freezes at the bottom due to a clogged filter.
This problem is caused by lint or dust being pulled into the filter, blocking air from passing through it.
If your freezer is only freezing at the bottom due to this problem, then you will need to order a new filter in order for it to work correctly again.
The replacement should be easy enough for anyone with even basic technical skills and tools; if not, professional assistance should be sought for installation.
Once installed, the freezer should start working normally again and keep your food refrigerated and fresh just like before!
Frozen or Dirty Evaporator
An evaporator is a cooling coil inside the freezer that helps remove heat from the air and cools down your food. If the evaporator is clogged with dirt, dust, or debris, then it will not be able to properly transfer heat away, causing warm air to circulate in your freezer.
To fix this issue, you need to inspect the evaporator and clean any dirt or debris off of it. You should also check if there are any ice chunks blocking airflow and melt them away with a hairdryer.
If all else fails, you will likely need to order a new filter for your freezer unit as this could be a sign of an old filter that needs replacing.
Unit Is Overloaded
This issue is common among homeowners who aren’t aware of how much food their freezer can actually handle. Overloading the unit with too many items in it causes the temperature to rise, making the ice at the top melt and sink to the bottom of the appliance.
If this happens for an extended period of time, it could lead to costly repairs or even a replacement fridge altogether.
To prevent this from happening, make sure not to overload your freezer with more than what its recommended capacity is.
Faulty Defrost Timer
Having a freezer that won’t freeze can be incredibly frustrating and worrisome. If your freezer is only freezing at the bottom, it’s likely due to a faulty defrost timer. The defrost timer is an essential component in the operation of your freezer and when it malfunctions, it can cause food spoilage and even water damage.
If you suspect that your freezer isn’t working properly because of a broken defrost timer, then it’s important to take immediate action. A qualified appliance repair technician should be able to identify if there’s an issue with the defrost timer and provide you with solutions for fixing the problem.
It may involve replacing or repairing the existing components which could save you from having to buy a whole new unit altogether.
Defective Defrost Heater
If your freezer is only freezing at the bottom and not throughout, this could be due to a defective defrost heater. A defective defrost heater can cause the evaporator coils to build up with frost and ice, preventing them from doing their job of cooling efficiently.
This issue is usually easy to fix by replacing the defrost heater or repairing wiring connections related to it. In some cases, however, more complex repairs may be needed if other components in the system have failed such as the temperature sensor or controller board.
To determine what repairs are needed for your freezer, contact an appliance repair technician who can provide professional assistance in getting your unit functioning properly again.
Hi there! I’m Sam Hendricks, and I’m a repair technician and expert. I created this website to help people like you save money and time by fixing your own appliances.
Over the years, I’ve seen people spend a lot of money on unnecessary repairs or replacements. That’s why I decided to share my expertise and create easy-to-follow guides for fixing appliances on your own.