Kenmore Freezers are renowned for their reliability. They provide freezers of excellent quality at a decent range of prices. But over time, it can start malfunctioning. One of the major problems you may face is, your Kenmore freezer is not freezing.
To troubleshoot the Kenmore freezer not freezing problem, you have to make sure the air circulation is well maintained, doors are locked properly, hoses are intact, defrost drain is clear, start relay is working, and the thermostats are functioning properly. The problem can be caused by any one of these.
Since there is no specific root cause for this problem, you’ll have to diagnose the root first. Once you’ve done that, the job is half done. Read this article to learn the troubleshooting methods.
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Why Is My Kenmore Freezer Not Freezing?
A freezer is an essential part of your appliances since you store extra food or reserve food here. Any problem in the freezer will ruin your stored foods and sundries. The biggest problem you’d face with a Kenmore freezer is that it’s not freezing.
Many reasons are responsible for this problem. If you’ve been using your refrigerator for a long time, let’s say a decade, then there’s a high possibility that your Kenmore freezer will stop freezing at some point. Because they are electronic appliances, and electronic appliances certainly malfunction.
The possible reasons could be:
- Any leakage of air from the freezer
- Evaporator coils are clogged with ice.
- Condenser coils are jammed with dirt.
- Damaged evaporator or condenser fan
- Thermostat not working properly
Troubleshooting Kenmore Freezer Not Freezing Problem
There are some simple troubleshooting methods to fix this problem. You do not need to have much knowledge about electronic appliances to apply these. If you fail, just follow the steps properly and do not hesitate to ask a professional repairman for help if you fail.
Maintain Proper Air Circulation
The freezer’s capability will be harmed by poor air circulation. You must not overfill your Kenmore freezer to the point where even air can not travel freely. Allow enough room for the cold air to be released from the vents so that they can travel freely. If you fill your freezer over its capacity, it will not freeze even if the refrigerator is in fine condition.
Make Sure The Doors Are Sealed Properly
So don’t open the doors of the freezer frequently or leave them open for a long time. If you do so, the relative humidity from outside will condense within the refrigerator, allowing the colder air from the freezer to leave.
The freezer’s freezing ability will be reduced as a result of this. Once you’re done checking it, make sure the doors are tightly locked. You’ll get the exact same consequence if it’s weak, tattered, or ripped because of the circulation of humid air from outside.
Install a new door seal as quickly as you can. Or else the freezer will put more pressure on the compressor to keep it cold, consequently damaging it.
Make Sure The Hoses Are Intact
There can be multiple leakages inside the hoses of the freezer, allowing chilled air to escape. This will cause the cold air to leave the freezer instead of circulating inside, keeping the freezer heated.
Finding a leak inside the system is a tough job. If you cannot access the leak, hire a professional to fix this problem. It will cost you as little as a Big Mac meal!
Clean The Defrost Drain
If the defrost drain is clogged, it will force the water to climb down and eventually freeze in the pipes. The ice will keep on accumulating and, at some point, block the fans.
The ice accumulation will worsen over time, freezing the fan as well. As a result, the flow of cold air into the freezer will be disrupted. Remove any dirt that is blocking the drains and defrost them. You can also use the automatic defrost system found in many refrigerators.
Fix The Start Relay
The compressor is powered by the activation of the start relay. As a result, a bad start relay will not be able to turn on the compressor.
Check the start relay from where it’s connected to the compressor for a connection between its beginning and termination. Reinstall a new start relay if there is no connection or if it smells burnt.
Fixing The Evaporator Fan Motor
The evaporator fan motor is activated only when the doors of the freezer are closed. But there is a switch at the door that can activate the evaporator fan even if the doors aren’t closed.
In this way, you can start the fan manually to check for continuity. If the fan fails to start, you will have to install another evaporator fan.
The main job of an evaporator fan is to maintain the circulation of cold air throughout the freezer before pushing the refrigerants into the cooling coils. The motor is the most damage-prone part of the fan.
Clean The Condenser Coils
This is a common reason for a malfunctioning freezer. The condenser coils are essential for circulating hot air from the inside of the freezer to the environment. They are located in the rear or under the refrigerator.
Have a good look at the coils and clean them well if you find any dirt. Cleaning the condenser coils might just solve the problem of your Kenmore freezer not working.
Check The Thermostat
Usually, the coordination of temperature and the amount of cold air that’s circulating inside the freezer is regulated by the temperature control thermostat. It detects the requirements and allows the flow accordingly. It also starts the cooling process after closing off the freezer door.
If the thermostat is broken, your Kenmore freezer will stop freezing. The temperature will keep on fluctuating and may even over freeze sometimes.
Unfortunately, the only solution that’s available is to replace the thermostat. You have to buy one according to the model of your freezer and get professional help.
Kenmore Elite Bottom Freezer Not Freezing
Kenmore elite bottom freezers are so popular in households. They work in the same way as other bottom freezer refrigerators. If you notice your freezer is not freezing, go through the above troubleshooting methods.
The bottom freezers have a more complex cooling process compared to the top freezers. The assembly of the components makes it difficult to repair. Make sure you go through the user’s manual to understand it better.
Additional Tips for Maintaining Your Kenmore Freezer Performance
By following these simple yet effective tips, you can keep your Kenmore freezer in excellent working condition, prolong its lifespan, and enjoy reliable freezing performance for years to come.
Regular Cleaning
You must keep your freezer clean to prevent the buildup of ice and frost. Make it a habit to wipe down the interior surfaces regularly using a mild cleaner. Apart from that, promptly remove any spills or food debris that could obstruct proper airflow.
Mind the Temperature
It’s important to avoid placing hot or warm items directly into the freezer. Allow the food to cool down before storing it to maintain optimal freezing conditions. By doing so, you can prevent overworking the freezer and ensure efficient cooling.
Close the Door
It’s essential to keep the door closed as much as possible to maintain the desired temperature inside the freezer. Each time you open the door, cold air escapes, and warm air enters which causes the freezer to work harder.
By minimizing door openings, you help maintain a consistent temperature and improve energy efficiency.
Check Door Gaskets
Damaged or worn-out gaskets lead to air leaks and reduce freezer’s performance. If you notice any issues, it’s important to replace the faulty gaskets promptly. This ensures a tight seal, preventing air leakage and promoting efficient cooling.
Schedule Professional Maintenance
Don’t forget to schedule regular maintenance checks with a professional technician. These routine inspections and servicing by a trained technician can help identify any underlying issues with your freezer.
You can prevent major breakdowns and ensure optimal performance by staying proactive and addressing potential problems early on.
Frequently Asked Question
Q. What causes a freeze to run but not freeze?
Sometimes the freezer fails to freeze even though it’s running. The freezing process includes a number of components that do not take part in running the freezer. Here are some possible reasons your freezer is not freezing:
- Thermostat not working
- Defrost timer malfunction
- Clogged condenser coils
- Loose door seal
- Jammed Evaporator Coil
- Condenser fan motor not working
Q. How do I know if my freezer compressor is working?
A compressor is a necessary part of the freezer. To check if your freezer compressor is properly working, you need to know the signs of a bad compressor. They include:
- Loud noises
- The freezer is not functioning or freezing.
- Freezing does not stop when the freezer is already cold.
- Bad relay start
- Overheating of the compressor
If you do not notice any of these problems or any abnormality in the function of your compressor, you are good to go.
Q. Is it worth replacing the compressor on my Kenmore freezer?
There can be many problems with your Kenmore freezer compressor. The answer to this question depends on the type of damage that has been done to your compressor. If the relay start is broken, you can easily fix it with a hundred bucks.
But if the whole compressor is broken, you may have to pay almost $350 for it, which might not be worth it. So, before replacing the compressor, make sure to check your compressor with a professional.
Q. Will an empty freezer get cold?
Yes. An empty freezer will get cold. The amount of contents inside the freezer is related to the required energy, but there’s no such thing that will cause an empty freezer to not get cold.
If your freezer is empty, it will use more energy. It won’t be ready enough to freeze other stuff except for water.
Q. Why is my freezer icing up?
Sometimes the freezer starts over with frosting. This is a big concern since it blocks the doors and other stuff. It also causes the over-freezing of some foods, eventually ruining their quality. There are many reasons why your freezer is icing up. They are:
- The door seal is broken.
- If the freezer door is left open for a long time,
- Malfunction of the defrost timer
- Defrost heater is broken.
- Defrost thermostat not functioning
Conclusion
Kenmore freezer not freezing is an issue that should be fixed as soon as it’s noticed. Any delay in the fix will lead to rotten food. So, once you’ve confirmed that your freezer is not working, find out what the responsible part is.
You can easily troubleshoot this problem by following the steps mentioned above. Keep a composed head while doing so. The methods are easy, but not understanding them properly may cause additional problems.
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