To fix a fridge or freezer that isn't freezing, quickly check the basic settings. Often, airflow is blocked by overpacking food, temperature dials are accidentally bumped, or the door seals are leaking warm air.
WHY IS MY REFRIGERATOR WORKING, BUT MY FREEZER IS NOT FREEZING? Dirty condenser coils can reduce your freezer's cooling capacity and may be the reason why your refrigerator is working but your freezer is struggling. You can vacuum the coils with a crevice attachment to help remove dust and clean condenser coils.
To reset a fridge freezer, perform a power cycle: unplug the unit (or flip the circuit breaker), wait 5 to 10 minutes to allow the compressor and control board to reset, and plug it back in. This clears minor errors and recalibrates the system.
If your freezer isn't freezing, Mr. Appliance recommends these troubleshooting steps:
Average freezer repair cost
Deep freezer repair costs $100 to $400 on average. Freezer compressor replacement costs $400 to $800. The cost to fix a standalone freezer is $50 to $125 hourly. Minimum service fees are $70 to $130.
Watch for warning signs like food spoiling prematurely, clicking or buzzing noises, continuous motor running, or excessive frost/condensation. Older units often cost more to repair than replace.
A freezer that stops freezing is typically caused by restricted airflow, a bad door seal, dirty coils, or a failing evaporator fan. These are the most common culprits and usually the easiest to troubleshoot yourself:
Once you've found the fault with your fridge freezer and how much it'll cost to get the appliance working again, you'll need to decide to either get it fixed or replace it. A common rule of thumb is that it's better to replace a household appliance if the repair cost exceeds 50 per cent of the price of a new appliance.
A clogged defrost drain tube prevents your refrigerator or freezer from properly shedding water from its self-defrost cycle. Common symptoms include a sheet of ice on the bottom of the freezer compartment, water pooling in or leaking from under the fridge, and musty odors.
Most freezers do not have a dedicated, physical "reset" button. Instead, you can reset the freezer's internal computer or clear system errors by performing a hard power cycle. Unplug the freezer for 5 to 10 minutes, then plug it back in to reboot the system.
To fix a refrigerator that isn't cooling, first unplug the unit for 5 minutes to reset the system. Then, ensure your thermostat is set to the correct temperature, clear any food blocking the internal air vents, and check that the door seals tightly without any gaps.
Types of Common Freezer Problems
If your Whirlpool refrigerator is cooling but the freezer is not, the main cooling system is still operating, but cold air circulation or regulation has failed. This issue is typically caused by severe frost buildup blocking air vents, a broken evaporator fan, a faulty defrost system, or dirty condenser coils.
Unplugging a fridge does reset it. It clears minor electronic glitches, reboots the control board, and resets sensors.
How to Tell if Your Refrigerator Compressor is Bad
The average lifespan of a fridge freezer is typically 10 to 15 years. Because they combine two appliances into one, the fridge section and its compressors usually experience more wear and tear than the standalone freezer, dictating the overall life expectancy.
The compressor, coils and control board are the most expensive repairs. Your fridge's brand, model and size, plus your location, will impact repair costs. If your refrigerator is more than 6 years old and it will cost you more than half its original price to repair it, consider replacing it instead.
A broken fridge freezer typically shows signs like food spoiling, excessive frost buildup,, constant loud noises, or the motor running constantly. The most critical indicators are inconsistent temperatures (fridge too warm/freezer not freezing) or the appliance being completely silent, which often indicates a failed compressor.
To quickly fix a freezer that is not freezing, check the temperature settings (set to 0°F / -18∘negative 18 raised to the composed with power−18∘C) and ensure vents are not blocked by food. Next, test the door seals with a piece of paper, and clean or vacuum the dusty condenser coils at the bottom or back of the unit.
The national average price to have a freezer repaired ranges from $100 to $400. The average homeowner spends around $200 to repair an upright freezer with a broken seal. Replacing a light bulb in a simple chest freezer is about $50, but fitting a built-in drawer freezer with a new compressor can cost up to $650.
To reset a fridge freezer, perform a power cycle: unplug the unit (or flip the circuit breaker), wait 5 to 10 minutes to allow the compressor and control board to reset, and plug it back in. This clears minor errors and recalibrates the system.
The most common refrigerator problems involve inadequate cooling, excessive noise, and leaks. These issues often stem from clogged coils, worn door seals, or failing internal fans, which can usually be diagnosed and corrected with basic maintenance.
Discard refrigerated perishable food such as meat, poultry, fish, soft cheeses, milk, eggs, leftovers, and deli items after 4 hours without power or 2 hours after the temperature rises above 41 °F. At any time, discard spoiled, moldy food and anything that does not look or smell right.
A continuous hum is usually a sign your fridge is safely keeping food cold. However, it shouldn't run endlessly. Modern, energy-efficient compressors are designed to run 80% to 90% of the time to maintain consistent temperatures, but if the motor never shuts off, you may have an underlying mechanical issue.