Freezer Problems

Not draining

0.6% of freezer problemsFix rate: 38%

Most Likely Causes

Temperature Control Thermostat

Most common causeappliancepartspros

When your freezer's defrost drain freezes up, it might be because the freezer's temperature is excessively cold, far below 0° Fahrenheit. To troubleshoot this, you can use a tool called a multimeter to measure the resistance changes in the temperature control thermostat as it cools and heats. If the resistance remains the same or if there's no resistance at all, it means your thermostat isn't working properly and you will need to replace it.

Repair Steps

  1. 1.Unplug freezer - Unplug the freezer before starting to avoid electric shock.
  2. 2.Remove control knob - Carefully pry off the temperature control knob to access the mounting screws.
  3. 3.Unscrew thermostat - Unscrew and remove the mounting screws to detach the old thermostat from the freezer wall.
  4. 4.Disconnect wires - Disconnect the wiring harness from the old thermostat terminals.
  5. 5.Install new thermostat - Attach the wiring harness to the terminals on the new thermostat. Position it on the wall and secure with the mounting screws.
  6. 6.Replace knob - Line up the knob correctly and snap it back onto the new thermostat shaft.
  7. 7.Plug in freezer - Plug the power cord back in once the new thermostat is fully installed.
  8. 8.Set temperature - Turn the control knob to set the freezer to the desired temperature.
  9. 9.Allow time to cool - Let the freezer run for a few hours to reach the set temperature before returning food.
  10. 10.Test operation - Monitor the temperature and adjust as needed to confirm the new thermostat maintains the proper freezer temperature.

Hose

41.7% of casesamazon_reviews

Ice Maker Assembly

33.3% of casesamazon_reviews

Fuse

25% of casesamazon_reviews

Clogged or Freezing Defrost Drain

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You should defrost the drain to ensure it's unblocked. A quick way to do this is by using a turkey baster filled with warm water to melt the ice and break down any blockages. The water should easily flow into the tray near the compressor. If the drain is blocked, even a functional drain strap won't prevent the water from freezing.

Control Board

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If your freezer's defrost drain is freezing up and the temperature of the freezer is well below 0° Fahrenheit, even though the thermistor (temperature sensor) shows suitable resistance changes when tested with a multimeter, it might be due to a malfunctioning control board. This board might be sending uninterrupted voltage to the compressor. To confirm this, inspect the board for any signs of burn marks or a shorted component. If you find any such signs, you may need to replace the control board.

Repair Steps

  1. 1.Safety Precautions:
  2. 2.Prepare the Workspace:
  3. 3.Locate the Control Board:
  4. 4.Disconnect Wiring:
  5. 5.Remove the Old Control Board:
  6. 6.Replace with a New Control Board:
  7. 7.Reconnect Wiring:
  8. 8.Secure the New Board:
  9. 9.Restore Power:
  10. 10.Test the Freezer:
  11. 11.Final Checks:

User Control and Display Board

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A frozen defrost drain in your freezer could happen if the freezer's temperature is too low, dropping well below 0° Fahrenheit. If tests with a multimeter show the thermistor (temperature sensor) is responding correctly, the issue could lie with the user control and display board. This board might be malfunctioning, which would prevent it from properly controlling the cooling circuit. This means that even when the freezer is cold enough, the cooling doesn't stop as it should.

Repair Steps

  1. 1.Safety Precautions:
  2. 2.Prepare the Workspace:
  3. 3.Locate the User Control and Display Board:
  4. 4.Disconnect Wiring:
  5. 5.Remove the Old Control and Display Board:
  6. 6.Replace with a New User Control and Display Board:
  7. 7.Reconnect Wiring:
  8. 8.Secure the New Board:
  9. 9.Plug the Freezer Back In:
  10. 10.Test the Freezer:
  11. 11.Final Checks:

Temperature Sensor

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If your freezer's defrost drain is freezing, it could be because the freezer is too cold, likely much below 0° Fahrenheit. To figure this out, you can use a multimeter to check the temperature sensor. This involves observing changes in resistance as the sensor heats up and cools down. If the resistance remains constant or if there's no resistance, it signifies that the temperature sensor is not working properly. In that case, you'll need to replace it.

Thermistor

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If your freezer's defrost drain is freezing over, it could be because the freezer's temperature is way lower than 0° Fahrenheit. In such a case, use a multimeter to check the thermistor, which is a sensor responsible for detecting temperature changes. By measuring the resistance as the sensor cools and warms, you can assess its functionality. If the resistance stays the same or there's no resistance detected, it indicates that the thermistor isn't working properly and should be replaced.

Repair Steps

  1. 1.Unplug freezer - Unplug the power cord before starting to avoid electric shock.
  2. 2.Locate thermistor - The thermistor is usually mounted to the side wall inside the freezer compartment. Consult the freezer manual if unsure.
  3. 3.Disconnect wiring - Remove the thermistor wiring harness connector by gently pulling it off the thermistor pins.
  4. 4.Remove mounting screws - Unscrew and remove any mounting screws securing the thermistor bracket to the freezer wall.
  5. 5.Install new thermistor - Secure the new thermistor to the wall using the mounting screws. Reconnect the wiring harness to the thermistor pins.
  6. 6.Check connections - Make sure the wiring connections are fully secured and any loose wires are tucked away neatly.
  7. 7.Plug in freezer - Plug the electrical cord back into the outlet once the new thermistor is installed.
  8. 8.Allow freezer to cool - Let the freezer reach its set temperature before returning any food items.
  9. 9.Test operation - Monitor the temperature over time to confirm the new thermistor is giving accurate readings.
  10. 10.Contact support - If temperature issues persist, unplug the freezer and contact support for troubleshooting.

Drain Strap

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Sometimes, the cause of a frosted-over defrost drain in a freezer could be a faulty or missing drain strap. This small piece, often made of copper or aluminum, is attached to the defrost heater and dips into the defrost drain. When the heater is active, it sends heat down the strap to melt any ice build-up in the drain. However, if this strap is damaged or has fallen off, it can't help to melt the ice, leading to a frosty defrost drain.

Repair Steps

  1. 1.Unplug freezer - Unplug the power cord to shut off electricity while you work.
  2. 2.Remove food and shelves - Take out all food items and removable shelves to clear the work area.
  3. 3.Locate drain strap - The drain strap is a thin metal band clipped around the drain tube at the bottom rear of the freezer.
  4. 4.Remove old strap - Use pliers to detach the old rusted or broken drain strap from the drain tube.
  5. 5.Attach new strap - Clip the new drain strap securely around the drain tube using pliers.
  6. 6.Confirm fit - Make sure the new strap fits snugly in place and is not obstructing the drain tube opening.
  7. 7.Replace shelves and food - Return the shelves and food to their positions in the freezer.
  8. 8.Plug in freezer - Reconnect power once the new drain strap is fully installed.
  9. 9.Check for leaks - Let the freezer run for 1-2 hours then check beneath for any water leaks from the drain tube area.

Main Control Board

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If your freezer's defrost drain is freezing up, one reason could be that the freezer's temperature is excessively low—considerably below 0° Fahrenheit. If the thermistor (the temperature sensor) shows correct resistance changes when tested with a multimeter, the problem might be with the main control board. This board could be malfunctioning, continuously sending voltage to the compressor. To verify this, you can check the board for any signs of burn marks or shorted components. If such signs are present, replacement of the board might be necessary.

Repair Steps

  1. 1.Safety Precautions:
  2. 2.Prepare the Workspace:
  3. 3.Locate the Main Control Board:
  4. 4.Identify Wiring Connections:
  5. 5.Release the Old Main Control Board:
  6. 6.Replace with a New Main Control Board:
  7. 7.Reconnect Wiring:
  8. 8.Secure the New Board:
  9. 9.Plug the Freezer Back In:
  10. 10.Test the Freezer:
  11. 11.Final Checks: