Freezer Not Freezing: Causes and Fixes for Oakville Homes

Opening your freezer and finding soft ice cream or thawing food is stressful. The good news: most “not freezing” problems come down to airflow, temperature settings, defrost failures, or a few key components that wear over time.

At Oakville Appliance Repairs, 1230 White Oaks Blvd, Oakville, certified technicians service all major freezer brands and refrigerator–freezer combos. Call 437 970 5596 to schedule service.

How a Freezer Keeps Food Frozen

Your freezer removes heat using a sealed refrigeration system. Cold air circulates across evaporator coils with a fan, while condenser coils release heat outside the cabinet. Thermostats and sensors regulate cycle times. If airflow is blocked, coils are iced over, or the sealed system struggles, temperatures rise.

Common Reasons a Freezer Stops Freezing

1. Incorrect temperature or mode
   Freezer should be set around –18 °C. Vacation or energy-saving modes can raise temperatures.
2. Heavy frost or iced-over evaporator
   A failed defrost heater, thermostat, or control board lets ice accumulate on the evaporator, choking airflow and warming the compartment.
3. Dirty condenser coils
   Dust-clogged coils make the system run hot and weak, especially in units with rear or bottom coils.
4. Faulty evaporator or condenser fan
   If either fan slows or fails, cold air won’t move or heat won’t reject efficiently, causing warming and long run times.
5. Door gasket leaks or frequent door openings
   Warm, moist air infiltrates, creating frost and forcing longer cycles. Torn gaskets are a common culprit.
6. Blocked air vents or overpacked shelves
   Packing food tight against rear or side vents starves airflow. Cold can’t circulate evenly.
7. Start relay or compressor issues
   A weak start relay may click without starting the compressor; advanced wear can reduce cooling capacity.
8. Low refrigerant or sealed-system restriction
   Less common, but leaks or restrictions reduce cooling. These require a licensed technician to diagnose and repair.

What You Can Check Safely

• Verify the temperature is set to about –18 °C.
• Ensure the unit has space around it for ventilation and isn’t pushed tight against the wall.
• Look for blocked interior vents; redistribute food to allow airflow.
• Inspect door gaskets for tears or gaps; perform the paper-slip test (paper should hold firmly).
• Clean accessible condenser coils with a vacuum and brush.
• If you see heavy frost, unplug the unit and fully defrost with doors open until all ice is gone, then restart and monitor.

If you hear repeated clicking, smell burning, or the compressor is hot to the touch, unplug and contact a technician.

How Technicians Diagnose “No Freeze” Problems

• Measure internal temperatures and check sensor readings
• Inspect the evaporator frost pattern and test defrost heater, thermostat, and control
• Test evaporator and condenser fan motors
• Check start relay, run capacitor, and compressor current draw
• Clean coils and verify airflow and door seal integrity
• If indicated, perform sealed-system tests for leaks or restrictions

Preventing Freezer Warmups

• Keep temperature at –18 °C and avoid frequent door openings
• Leave clearance around the cabinet and clean condenser coils twice per year
• Don’t block interior vents; allow air space between packages
• Replace worn door gaskets and close doors gently
• Change water and air filters on schedule for models that use them

Repair or Replace?

• Good candidates for repair: Defrost failures, fans, relays, gaskets, controls, coil cleaning.
• Consider replacement or sealed-system repair: Older units with compressor failure, confirmed refrigerant leaks, or repeated sealed-system issues.
• Built-in units: Often worth repairing due to installation and cabinetry costs.

Summary

Most freezers stop freezing due to airflow restrictions, frost-blocked coils, dirty condensers, or fan and control faults. A focused diagnosis restores proper temperatures and prevents food loss.

For fast freezer repair in Oakville, visit Oakville Appliance Repairs at 1230 White Oaks Blvd or call 437-970-5596.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my freezer cold but not freezing hard?
Likely poor airflow from frost-blocked coils, a failing evaporator fan, or dirty condenser coils reducing capacity.

Why does my freezer warm up after I load groceries?
Warm items raise temperature temporarily. If it takes more than a few hours to recover, airflow or defrost issues may be present.

My freezer is warm but the fridge seems okay. Why?
A failed evaporator fan or iced evaporator can starve the freezer first, depending on design and airflow paths.

Will unplugging to defrost fix it permanently?
Manual defrost can restore cooling briefly. If defrost parts are faulty, the frost will return until those components are repaired.

How often should I clean the coils?
Every six months, or more often if you have pets or a dusty environment.