Match your symptom to narrow down the likely cause before calling us.
These checks are safe for homeowners. Do not attempt to open sealed refrigerant systems, touch electrical components behind access panels, or work on gas lines — always call a licensed technician for those.
Open the freezer door and press the door switch (the small button or plunger the door presses when it closes). This simulates the door being closed. Listen for the evaporator fan inside the freezer. If you don't hear a fan running, it has either stopped or the defrost system has blocked it with ice. A non-running fan means your freezer is circulating no cold air.
If you see a thick wall of frost at the back of the freezer, the defrost system has failed and frost is blocking the evaporator coil. Unplug the freezer and leave both doors open for 24–48 hours to melt all frost. If the freezer returns to proper temperature after this, the defrost heater, thermostat, or timer needs replacement.
Condenser coils on upright freezers are usually at the back of the unit or underneath. Unplug the freezer, pull it forward, and vacuum the coils thoroughly. Heavily coated coils can prevent the freezer from reaching target temperature even with a perfectly functional compressor.
This is a classic defrost system failure. When the automatic defrost heater, thermostat, or timer fails, frost accumulates on the evaporator coils without being melted back. Eventually the frost wall is so thick it blocks airflow entirely — you get frost everywhere except actual freezing temperature. A manual defrost (24–48 hours unplugged) followed by normal operation confirms the diagnosis.
If the freezer isn't freezing but the refrigerator section works, the most likely cause is the evaporator fan motor inside the freezer compartment. The refrigerator uses a separate airflow path. A failed freezer fan stops air circulation in the freezer but doesn't immediately affect the refrigerator section.
A properly functioning freezer should maintain 0°F (-18°C). At this temperature, most pathogens are inhibited and food quality is preserved. Ice cream should be firmly frozen. If your freezer is consistently above 10°F, food safety is compromised and repair is urgent.
Evaporator fan motor replacement runs $120–$220. Defrost heater and thermostat replacement is typically $100–$200. These are the most common freezer repairs. Compressor replacement, if needed, ranges from $350–$600 — at that price point, replacement is often more economical on older units.
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