TROUBLESHOOTING COMMON FREEZER PROBLEMS

An icy freezer is a common annoyance. Aside from taking up valuable storage space, ice or frost buildup can cause a funky smell to develop in your freezer and leave you with freezer-burned food. But how does the ice develop in the first place? Ice builds up when moisture or warm air enters the freezer and sticks to the evaporator coils, subsequently freezing. Let’s explore the key culprits below.

TROUBLESHOOTING: COMMON CAUSES OF FREEZER FROST

• Is the freezer door ajar? An open door allows cool air to escape the freezer and warm air to enter. Check to ensure nothing is blocking the door from shutting completely.


• Is the freezer being opened frequently? Constantly opening and closing the freezer door or keeping your freezer open for extended periods of time can introduce unnecessary moisture and humidity. You can help prevent this by keeping your freezer organized. A tidy freezer can help you access what you need faster, reducing the duration and number of times you need to open the freezer.


• Is the door seal cracked or damaged? As its name implies, a freezer’s door seal (also known as a gasket) seals the air in your freezer, keeping cold air in and warm air out. Inspect the seal for cracks by slowly moving your hand around the outside perimeter of the closed freezer door. If you feel cold air leaking out, the seal likely needs to be replaced.


• Has food been cooled before storing? Placing hot foods in the freezer shortly after cooking can introduce humidity. Allow food to cool before storing and wipe any moisture that has accumulated on the outside of the container before placing it in the freezer.

HOW TO DEFROST YOUR FREEZER

If your freezer has already frosted up significantly, you can follow our easy step-by-step guide to defrosting your freezer.

If you’re finding that your freezer isn’t as cold as it used to be, there could be a simple solution. Let’s troubleshoot some of the most common culprits.

TROUBLESHOOTING: WHY YOUR FREEZER ISN’T COLD

• Is the door seal cracked or damaged? A crack in your freezer’s door seal (also called a gasket) may be allowing warm air to enter your freezer. Inspect the seal for cracks by slowly moving your hand around the outside perimeter of the closed freezer door. If you feel cold air leaking out, the seal likely needs to be replaced.


• Are the condenser coils dirty? If your freezer’s condenser coils are covered in dust or dirt, this restricts airflow and reduces the cooling capacity of your freezer. Follow our easy step-by-step guide to cleaning your freezer’s condenser coils.


• Is the freezer too full? A freezer that’s overstuffed with food could be blocking the evaporator fan and preventing the air from circulating properly. Take some time to organize your freezer and dispose of any expired or unwanted food.

A freezer that’s either too icy or too warm can sometimes indicate a larger problem. One or more of your freezer parts may be malfunctioning, including your defrost timer, defrost heater, or defrost thermostat. If you are uncomfortable or unsure of how to inspect or replace freezer parts, schedule service with GE Appliances Factory Service. One of our expert technicians will efficiently diagnose and repair the issue.