Frigidaire Refrigerator freezer not freezing

Frigidaire manufactures high-quality fridges and freezers. But even the best appliances can sometimes become faulty and will need to be repaired.

One common problem people have with their freezers is when they stop freezing properly. This problem is usually caused by one of the components in your freezer becoming defective, which will need to be repaired or replaced.

Please note that to be able to check the components in this guide, you will need a  multimeter device. If you don’t have a multimeter, call a technician to come and inspect your freezer or go and buy one if you know how to use it.

Step 1 – Clean and defrost the condenser coils

One of the most common causes of a freezer not working properly is when the condenser coils at the back of your refrigerator unit become covered in dust or frost. Thankfully, this is also the easiest cause to solve.

Here’s what to do:

1. Slowly pull your fridge/freezer unit out from the wall and then turn the power off.
2. If the condenser coils unit has a cover over it, remove it.
3. Once you have access to the condenser coils, check if they are dirty or covered in frost. If dirty, clean them with a vacuum cleaner and damp cloth. If frosted over, leave your refrigerator turned off until defrosted.
4. Once the condenser coils are clean and/or defrosted, turn your fridge back on and check if it now freezes correctly. If not, proceed to step 2.

Step 2 – Inspect the temperature control thermostat

Another reason your Frigidaire freezer might not be working properly is if the temperature control thermostat has stopped working. The point of this thermostat is to keep track of the temperature in your freezer and then tell the control board how much voltage to send to the evaporator fan motor and compressor so your freezer can freeze.

Here’s how to inspect the thermostat:

1. Open your freezer door and find the thermostat.
2. Attempt to move the thermostat from the lowest setting to the highest setting. When it goes into the highest setting, you should be able to hear a clicking sound, which means it’s working correctly so you can move on to the next step.
3. If you don’t hear a clicking sound, test the thermostat with a multimeter.
4. If the thermostat is defective, replace it. If it is fine, move on to the next step.
5. Once replaced, turn your freezer back on and check if the problem has been solved. If not, move on to the next step.

Step 3 – Inspect the condenser fan

The next step is to inspect the condenser fan unit. If the fan or the motor that powers the fan is faulty, your Frigidaire freezer might not freeze.

Here’s what to do:

1. Switch the power off.
2. Open the freezer door and locate the evaporator fan (it’s at the back of the freezer).
3. Once located, take the cover off the fan.
4. Start by attempting to turn the fan around manually. If anything is blocking the fan from moving around, remove it. If the fan has frozen over, defrost your freezer before turning it back on.
5. If the fan is not obstructed or frozen, test the fan motor with a multimeter.
6. If the fan is defective, replace it. If fine, move on to the next step.
7. If you install a new fan, turn your freezer back on and check if it now freezes. If not, move on to the next step.

Step 4 – Inspect the start relay

The next step is to inspect the start relay. The start relay is an important component within your freezer as it helps the compressor to operate. When the start relay becomes faulty, the compressor won’t be able to work.

Here’s what to do:

1. Switch the power off if you haven’t already.
2. Locate the start relay and test it with a multimeter. You can find the start relay next to the compressor.
3. If the start relay is defective, replace it. If fine, move on to the next step.
4. If you install a new start relay unit, turn your freezer back on and check if it now freezes. If not, move on to the next step.

Step 5 – Inspect the compressor

If your Frigidaire freezer still isn’t working, the next step is to check the compressor. The compressor produces and then circulates refrigerant around your freezer, so if it has become faulty, your freezer won’t freeze.

Here’s what to do:

1. Switch the power off if you haven’t already.
2. Locate the compressor and test it with a multimeter.
3. If the compressor is defective, replace it. If fine, move on to the next step. Please note that replacing a compressor is a difficult task so don’t attempt this repair if you’re not qualified to do so.
4. If you install a compressor, check if your freezer is working. If not, move on to the next step.

Step 6 – Replace the temperature control and main control boards

Your freezer unit has two control boards. A temperature control board and the main control board that is like the brains of your appliance as they send signals to all of the components. If repairing or replacing the other components in this guide hasn’t solved your freezer’s problems, then your last option is to replace both control boards. However, replacing them is no guarantee that your freezer will start working again, so you might decide buying a new freezer is a better investment.