Why is my Samsung freezer not freezing?
Is your freezer not working but your fridge is? Does your frozen food have freezer burn? Has your ice cream started to melt? Whether you see signs of your freezer deteriorating or it stops working out of the blue, you’ll want to fix it as soon as possible.
Due to normal wear and tear, every major appliance breaks down at some point. Luckily, there are steps you can take when your freezer starts to malfunction. For easier fixes, you might be able to solve issues on your own, while in other cases, you might need outside help. Cinch Home Services offer three home warranty plans to help cover the cost of repairing or replacing covered major appliances, like your Samsung freezer, and built-in systems.
Regardless of whether you have a French door refrigerator or a bottom freezer, this article will explain how you can diagnose issues with your Samsung fridge/freezer. Plus, we’ll offer tips on what you can do at home for appliance repair.
Is your Samsung freezer not working? Here's the issue:
Regardless of whether the thermostat, temperature control or other parts of your Samsung freezer aren’t working like they should, you should fix any issues quickly. Often, troubleshooting can be enough to fix your Samsung refrigerator on your own. The following sections highlight key things to check for if your freezer is not freezing efficiently or at all.
Check the temperature settings
If your Samsung freezer is no longer providing sufficiently cold air, the first thing you should do is check the temperature settings. The recommended temperature for your freezer should be roughly -2 degrees Fahrenheit, although any temperature under 0 will keep your food fresh. To know what temperature your Samsung freezer should be set to, check the user manual or the control panel. If you find the temperature of the freezer keeps rising, the problem could lie with the compressor and condenser coils.
If none of these seem to be the problem, double-check to make sure the seals along the door are not worn down. Over time, the seals along the doors may break down some, letting in warm air. In this case, replacing the seals is an easy fix to the problem.
Alternatively, the temperature control could be causing the malfunction. In this case, try to change the temperature first. If this doesn’t work, you may need to replace the temperature control. To reset the freezer temperature, you’ll need to find the control panel. Depending on your model, the control panel might be located on the outside or inside of the freezer. Then, click on the freezer button until the freezer reaches the correct temperature.
Check the evaporator fan
Next, you should check the evaporator fan. This is the piece that ensures proper airflow throughout the freezer. You might notice the evaporator fan motor isn’t operating as it should if the freezer is unable to get as cold as it normally would. Additionally, you might notice loud sounds coming from the evaporator motor. In this case, you should have the motor replaced.
In addition to noticing the freezer isn’t cooling adequately or making a strange sound, there is another test you can do. To make sure the evaporator fan motor is working correctly, carefully turn the fan blades to see if the motor is defective in any way.
First, unplug the Samsung freezer and take off the evaporator fan cover. When you do this, check to see if there is anything blocking the evaporator fan. If there is nothing in the flan blade, place the cover over the evaporator fan and turn the fridge/freezer back on. Next, listen to the freezer fan. If you don’t hear the evaporator fan, the air is not circulating.
The evaporator fan is an essential piece of any freezer. If you find that yours is defective or worn down, it’s advisable to contact an expert to repair or replace it. Sign up for one of Cinch’s home protection plans, which can help reduce the cost of expensive repair and replacement bills.
Listen for and reset the compressor
Do you hear humming coming from the freezer? Humming means that the poor freezer function is not due to the compressor. However, if your freezer is very noisy or you don’t hear any humming, unplug and then re-plug it to reset the compressor. Once you’ve re-plugged in the compressor, it should be up and running again. In some cases, you might need additional help to fix the compressor.
Check the evaporator coils for frost buildup
Do you find the coils of your Samsung refrigerator freeze up? A common cause for issues with Samsung freezers is ice buildup on the evaporator coils. This occurs when warm air passes through the cold evaporator coils. First, the air condenses, and then it freezes over the coils. This results in the coils icing over, and the defrost cycle will not be able to combat this issue.
Evaporator coils can freeze up for several reasons, and depending on what the cause is; you can try troubleshooting on your own. For example, if the door isn’t properly closing, it can let humid air into the freezer, causing the coils to freeze up. This is a relatively simple fix that you can do on your own. Alternatively, the defrost timer or thermostat might be malfunctioning. In one of these instances, contacting a repair professional will help you address the issues quickly and efficiently.
Check the condenser coils behind/under the unit
If the condenser coils behind or under the freezer are dirty, they won’t function correctly. In fact, heat will be trapped in the unit, causing inadequate cooling. Although often overlooked, you should be cleaning the condenser coils between three and six months. This means you should clean the condenser coils behind or under the freezer at least twice a year.
While this might sound tedious, it’s actually an extremely straightforward process that can help you avoid more costly repairs in the future. Simply use the soft brush attachment to your vacuum and suck up any of the dust or debris lurking under the unit. Afterward, clean any of the remaining dust away with a rag.
Check that the freezer vents are open and free of debris
Just as the condenser coils can get dirty, so can the freezer vents. You should periodically check to see if there is any buildup of debris. Vents should be completely clear of debris or items to function properly.
For example, placing packages and food close to the vent causes improper ventilation. This results in hot and humid air building up and forming frost. This buildup can ultimately cause the freezer not to get cold enough and food to go to waste.
Check the freezer door seal
When you find your Samsung freezer isn’t cooling as it used to, double-check that the freezer door seal hasn’t worn down. Over time, the seals along the doors may break down some, letting in warm air. This leads to the all too familiar problem of ice buildup accumulating in your freezer due to improper airflow.
In this case, though, replacing the seals is an easy fix. First, try cleaning the seal. Sometimes, debris, dust or crumbs can cause grooves to develop in the seal. These grooves prevent the freezer door from shutting fully, which lets in humid air.
To clean the seal, you will need:
- Cloth
- Hot water
- Dish soap
- Mineral oil
- Dollar bill
- Hex head nut driver
Placing a dollar bill on the edge of the freezer door seal can help you test if the cleaning helped. Simply place the dollar bill on the edge of the freezer door and close it. Then, pull the dollar bill out of the door. If you experience resistance when pulling the dollar, you do not need to replace the seal. However, if you don’t feel any resistance, cleaning the freezer door seal isn’t enough. The solution? Replace it.
Protect your appliances from costly repairs with Cinch
At some point in every homeowner’s life, they will have to repair or replace major appliances in their home. Making cleaning and maintenance a part of your routine can help extend the longevity of your Samsung freezer, but you may still need professional help from time to time.
Normal wear and tear are exactly that — normal — which is why we recommend preparing for when things break down. With Cinch, you can choose from three affordable home warranty plans, depending on what you want to be covered. Take a look at our Appliances plan, Built-in Systems plan, and Complete Home plan to decide the best coverage for your needs.
Request a instant quote today and see how Cinch can make appliance repair that much easier.