The Solution to My Refrigerator Not Freezing

Frost Build-Up

• Your refrigerator won't freeze foods like it should if there is frost on the evaporator coil in the freezer. Although this ice build-up might seem to add more cold to the freezer, it actually hinders the refrigerator’s ability to cool properly. Frost build-up on the evaporator obstructs airflow and keeps the fans and the coil from working efficiently. This issue might be caused by a refrigerant leak, which will require repair by a service technician and a refrigerant recharge. It could also be caused by a failure in the auto-defrost system. The defrost timer, thermostat or heater could be malfunctioning, causing the frost to build up into thick layers on the coil. Replacing these components is the best solution to the problem.

Dirty Condenser Coils

• Sometimes simple housekeeping can solve your refrigerator’s inability to freeze foods. Overall cooling is affected when the condenser coil on the backside of the refrigerator gets dirty. When it is caked in dust, the coil can not release heat from the refrigerant. This, in turn, weakens the overall cooling ability of the refrigerator, which could lead to thawing in the freezer section. To prevent this problem, occasionally clean the coil with a condenser brush made specially for this purpose.

Freezer Settings

• Check the settings on your refrigerator and freezer to make sure that you simply haven’t turned the temperature down too low to be effective. Just as you can adjust the temperature too low and cause items in the fresh-food compartment to freeze slightly, turning it too high can make the freezer unable to freeze properly. Check your owner’s manual for the suggested temperature settings for the best results. If the temperature doesn’t appear to respond to your adjustments, you could have a problem with the thermostat.

Compressor Issues

• The compressor is a powerful motor located on the lower back of the refrigerator. This device compresses the refrigerant, raising its temperature and liquefying it, then forces it through an expansion chamber into the freezer section, where it vaporizes and cools rapidly. If the compressor is not working properly, then the refrigerant will not be able to create the cold needed to freeze food. Repairing a compressor can be quite expensive, and you might prefer to buy a new refrigerator.