Freezer Not Freezing? A Viking Repair in Bridgewater, NJ

Why is my freezer not freezing?

A failed defrost system is the most common cause of a freezer's failure to freeze. When the defrost heater burns out, ice forms on the evaporator coil behind the back panel. The ice blocks the cold air, so the freezer runs but gradually warms up.

Other common causes include an evaporator fan that has stopped spinning, a dirty condenser coil, a worn door gasket, or a refrigerant leak. On a recent call in Bridgewater, the defrost system was the source of the problem, exacerbated by a dirty condenser.

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A recent repair: Viking built-in freezer in Bridgewater

A family in Bridgewater called us about their Viking Professional built-in refrigerator. It is a bottom-freezer model built into the kitchen cabinets, the kind you find in many newer Somerset County homes.

Ice cream had softened, and frozen foods were beginning to thaw. The fridge section on top was also running warmer than usual. The freezer was still humming, so the owners didn't know what was wrong.

What we checked

1. We measured the temperature in both sections. The freezer was far above 0°F, and the fridge was warm too.
2. We checked the door gaskets on the fridge door and the freezer drawer. Both were sealing well.
3. We removed the freezer drawer and the back panel. The evaporator coil was covered in a solid block of ice.
4. We tested the defrost parts with a meter. The defrost heater had no continuity, which means it had burned out.
5. On a Viking built-in, the compressor and condenser sit on top of the unit. We opened the top grille and found the condenser coil packed with dust.

What we fixed

• Melted the ice: we fully defrosted the evaporator coil so air could move through it again.
• Replaced the defrost heater: we installed a new heater and tested the defrost thermostat and control at the same time.
• Cleaned the condenser coil: we brushed and vacuumed the top condenser so the system could release heat.
• Tested the fans: we confirmed both the evaporator fan and the condenser fan were running.
• Checked the temperature: we watched the unit start to cool down before we left and told the owners what to look for over the next day.

The owners were relieved they did not need to replace a built-in unit. Repairing a high-end refrigerator like this is almost always worthwhile, because replacing one necessitates fitting it into custom cabinets.

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Why ice on the coil stops a freezer from freezing

Every frost-free freezer has a coil behind the back panel that gets very cold. A fan blows air across the coil and sends it into the freezer and fridge. Moisture from the air turns into frost on that coil.

A few times a day, a small heater melts that frost so the coil stays clear. If the heater fails, the frost keeps building until the coil is buried in ice. Then the fan has nothing cold to blow, and the freezer warms up even though everything sounds normal.

In models where the fridge gets its cold air from the freezer, the fridge section warms up too. That is why a freezer problem often shows up as a warm fridge first.

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Signs your freezer needs service

• Ice cream is soft and meat feels less than rock hard
• Frost or ice covers the back wall inside the freezer
• The fridge section is warmer than usual
• The freezer runs all the time and almost never shuts off
• You hear a clicking, buzzing or scraping fan noise
• Water pools under the freezer drawer or on the floor

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What you can check before you call

• Check the temperature: a freezer should be at 0°F. Put a thermometer between frozen packages and check it after a few hours.
• Look at the settings: make sure the temperature dial or control was not changed by mistake.
• Test the door seal: close the drawer on a dollar bill. If it slides out easily, the gasket is not sealing.
• Do not overfill it: leave space near the vents so cold air can move.
• Listen for the fan: open the door and press the door switch. You should hear the fan inside.

If you see heavy ice on the back wall, unplug the unit and let it defrost with the door open, with towels on the floor. If it works for a few days and then warms up again, the defrost system has failed and needs a technician.

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When to call a technician

Call a technician if the freezer stays warm after you check the settings and the door seal, if ice keeps coming back on the back wall, or if the fan is not running. A freezer and fridge that both run warm is a sign of a cooling or defrost problem, not a setting issue.

If the fridge section is the main problem, our guide on a refrigerator not cooling covers more causes. A unit that never stops running is another warning sign, explained in our article on a refrigerator running constantly.

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How to keep your freezer working well

• Clean the condenser coil every 6 months, and more often if you have pets
• Wipe the door gaskets and check them for cracks
• Keep the freezer full but not packed against the vents
• Let hot food cool down before you put it in the freezer
• Call early when frost builds up on the back wall

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Freezer and refrigerator repair in Bridgewater

ProFix repairs freezers and refrigerators from Viking, Sub-Zero, Thermador, Samsung, LG, Whirlpool and other major brands across Bridgewater, Hillsborough, Somerville, Raritan and Branchburg. Learn more on our refrigerator repair page. For businesses, we also repair walk-in freezers.

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Frequently asked questions

What temperature should my freezer be?

A freezer should be at 0°F. The fridge section should be between 35 and 38°F.

Why is my freezer running but not freezing?

The most common cause is a failed defrost heater that lets ice build up on the evaporator coil. Other causes are a stopped evaporator fan, a dirty condenser coil, a bad door seal or a refrigerant leak.

Why is my freezer not freezing but the fridge is cold?

This usually points to an evaporator fan problem, a partly iced coil, or a freezer door that is not sealing. In models where the fridge cools from the freezer, the fridge will warm up next.

Can I fix a freezer that is full of ice myself?

You can unplug it and let it defrost to get it working for a short time. If the ice comes back in a few days, a defrost part has failed and needs to be replaced.

Is it worth repairing a built-in Viking refrigerator?

In most cases, yes. Built-in units cost a lot to replace and must fit custom cabinets. Repairs like a defrost heater, a fan motor or a coil cleaning bring them back to normal.

Do you repair freezers in Bridgewater, NJ?

Yes. We repair freezers and refrigerators in Bridgewater and across Somerset County, including built-in and high-end models.