5 Reasons Why Your Freezer Isn’t Getting Cold Enough

Having a freezer is something most of us take for granted nowadays, that is until it stops working. Unfortunately, with so many different makes and models of freezers, it is impossible to create a short, concise guide that covers every issue that could be causing your freezer to warm up. Thankfully, there are a few common issues that you can check to try and get your freezer back down to temperature. 

This is a general guide that is not specific to any one make or model. Instead, it covers the most common causes behind your freezer not being cold enough. 

1. Check your appliance is plugged in 

Now, before you move on to the next step, take a second to check that your appliance is plugged in. While it may not seem like something you would ever overlook, it is a surprisingly common reason for freezers getting too warm. If a freezer does not have a reliable and constant power supply, then it will not be able to function as it should, resulting in a warm freezer. There are a few ways to check that your refrigerator and freezer have power. If it has a light, check if the light is coming on when you open the door. Another option is to put your cheek on the side and make sure you can hear the appliance running. 

These options are all good, but the simplest thing to do is to slide out your appliance and physically check the plug. If you can see it is plugged in but don’t think it is getting any power, your freezer may not be the issue. Plug another appliance in, like a lamp, so you can check the power socket. If the newly plugged-in appliance doesn’t work, you know it’s the power socket, and you will need to call an electrician, rather than an appliance repair technician.

2. Check for frost build-up

Frost build-up is most commonly caused by letting warm air into the fridge freezer. It is a common cause of warm freezers because it prevents your freezer from running at optimal temperature.  

You can visually check the inside of your freezer to see if there is built-up frost. If there is, you will need to defrost your freezer to solve your problem. During this process, you will need to find somewhere to store your frozen items. 

Ensure you read the owner’s manual before you manually defrost your appliance. Once you have finished reading, start the process by emptying your freezer. You will need to place something like an old towel under your freezer to catch the melting ice. Next, you can disconnect your freezer from its power source. Double check you have completely emptied your appliance, including removing racks and shelves. You can prop the door open to help with melting the ice. 

It is important to note that it can take up to 24 hours to defrost a freezer, and you will need to wait until the entire freezer has completely defrosted for this to be worthwhile. 

After your freezer has completely defrosted, you will need to clean up all the water and wipe down the interior walls. While it is empty, it is a good time to give your freezer a clean. Once you are finished, check you have wiped away and dried any remaining water, so it doesn’t refreeze. 

After your freezer has been cleaned and dried, you can plug it in again and restock it. It is important to keep the door closed and allow it to regulate its temperature. 

3. Give your appliance time to cool down

Nowadays, there are high-temperature alarms or red light indicators equipped on most freezers. When your freezer is connected to a power source for the first time it is expected that these should come on and it is nothing to worry about. They are doing their job and indicating that the temperature inside the appliance is too high. To troubleshoot this issue, keep your freezer door closed. Once the freezer reaches temperature, the light will go off. 

4. Check the door seals

In order to create a cool environment to keep your food frozen, your freezer undergoes a complex process of cooling. While this process is necessary, it is more work to cool down room temperature air than to keep cool air inside the appliance. Door seals are a vital part of this process. 

Checking your door seals thoroughly should be the first step when you are having issues with your freezer temperature. You should inspect the length of your door seals for damages, tears, leaks and cracks. If the deal seals appear fine, put a torch inside the freezer and close the door. Turn off the lights and check to see if there is any light leaking from the door. If so, your seals will need to be replaced. 

Another thing to check if your doors are not sealing properly is if they are dirty. Cleaning them with warm water and a soft cloth may fix the issue. Be aware that using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaning products may damage the seals. If your seals are too far gone and need replacing, make sure you get the correct seals for your make and model, or they won’t be effective. 

5. Make sure you are keeping the door closed

This one is common sense. When you leave the door open for extended periods of time, the cool air will escape and the warm air will get in. This means your fridge has to work harder and it will also take a while to cool back down. To prevent overworking your freezer, and to keep it at the correct temperature, make sure you keep the door closed when you don’t need to have it open, like when you’re grabbing something out. 

The bottom line 

If you have checked all the steps above and you are still having issues with the temperature of your freezer being too warm, you may need a professional.  Check if your appliance is still under warranty and contact a qualified technician.