Why isn't my freezer freezing? Expert advice on how to fix it

To keep your food fresh for longer, our freezers need to be at their best. As soon as there's an issue and your freezer isn't able to maintain its temperature, you're at risk of losing all of those precious home-cooked meals and frozen goods that would otherwise keep for months.

A freezer that isn't sufficiently freezing could be caused by a number of different issues. Some are simple, such as making sure the thermostat works, or avoiding over-filling the appliance. But some require more focused care, which is why I've consulted the experts on what to do.

If your freezer has ever frosted up, or if you've stored the wrong items in your freezer, you might already know where the issue is. But read on for the full list of potential issues that cause your freezer to not freeze properly.

Why isn't my freezer freezing?

1. Overpacking

'Sometimes, the cause could be something as simple as an over-packed freezer,' says Anthony Smith, director of Midland Air Conditioning. 'While it won't cause the freezer to stop working altogether, it will cause it to perform poorly since the evaporator fan can be blocked.'

For a freezer to work optimally, you need to be allowing enough space for the cool air to properly circulate around the appliance. Blocking certain areas and over-packing the shelves and drawers will prevent airflow.

James Longley, managing director at Utility Bidder says that this is 'one of the most common reasons' for you freezer to stop freezing. 'It can lead to your items being unevenly frozen or not freezing at all,' he adds.

Anthony recommends keeping your freezer no more than 70% full, 'to allow enough clearance for proper airflow.' He also recommends brushing up on how to organize a freezer to allow enough space between items.

2. Thermostat issues

'Often it’s due to a faulty thermostat – if it’s not registering the proper temperature, the freezer won’t know to keep cooling,' explains Al Fouz, owner of Abaco Air Experts.

The thermostat is responsible for regulating the temperature, so if something's faulty, the compressor won't receive the right signals to begin cooling. Daniel Anderson, CEO of Gorubbishgo, has advice for troubleshooting this issue:

'Test this by turning the dial – if it makes no sound, and there is no drop in temperature, install a new one. This repair is often taken for granted but is one of the most important functions to restore freezer operation.'

You'll need to visit the manufacturer's website to find out about replacement thermostats. Installing a new one should be fairly straightforward, but it's always a good idea to consult the professionals to make sure it's done right.

3. Iced or dusty evaporator coils

Checking the evaporator coils is a trickier fix, but not impossible to do yourself at home. As with most appliances, they can stay in good condition with regular cleaning and proper maintenance.

Daniel explains that the evaporator coils, responsible for absorbing the heat and redistributing cold air, can become 'iced-over or dusty' which, in turn, 'makes the freezer inefficient.'

'Try using a hair dryer or a soft brush after removing the covering panel on the coils behind the back side of the freezer,' he recommends. 'Proper cleaning restores coils and assures optimal operation.'

4. Worn out seals and gaskets

Worn-out seals and gaskets can also lead to insufficient freezing. They're responsible for creating the air-tight environment required for the freezer to stay cold throughout so, when damaged, the cold air is allowed to escape.

'Seal and gasket failures are another common culprit. Damaged seals allow warm air in, preventing the freezer from maintaining a low enough temperature,' explains Al.

Anthony has advice on finding out whether this is the problem: 'o test if the gasket has become faulty, open your freezer door and close a small piece of paper on it. Tug on the piece of paper and see if there's resistance. If there's no resistance or if the paper drops to the floor, then the seal is not working as it should.'

It's possible to replace your freezer gasket yourself, but you'll need to check the dimensions of your freezer and make sure you're choosing the right one. There's a variety of freezer gaskets available at Home Depot, then all you need to do is follow the product's instructions to install it.

5. Electrical issues

If you've checked all of the above and your freezer still isn't freezing, it might be an issue with the electrical components.

'If your freezer is experiencing any electrical issues or temperature fluctuations, we recommend you do not attempt to fix these issues yourself, as you may risk further damage,' advises James.

At this point it's best to call in a professional. Always make sure to check your warranty info before paying for a callout.

How to prevent your freezer from insufficient freezing

Once you've figured out what the issue is, it'll save you a lot of pain down the line if you remind yourself of how to prevent it from happening in the future.

Reynaldo Rios, technician and HVAC expert at Texas Strong Mechanical, knows all the tips to properly maintain your freezer:

'Clean the condenser coils every few months to keep the cooling system of your freezer in perfect working condition. Check the door seal every now and then for any wear and tear, and replace it if worn out. Overloading the freezer may create an airflow problem, making it difficult for the unit to retain a given temperature. You may also want to defrost your freezer once in a while, especially if you see it icing up.'

'Another tip is to determine the temperature inside the freezer at regular intervals. You probably want to invest in a little product like a thermometer made for freezers, which will tell you in advance any minute temperature fluctuations before they become a bigger problem,' he adds.

The AcuRite Digital Thermometer from Amazon is a great choice. It's completely wireless, easy to read and has an alarm to alert you of any temperature spikes.

Next, learn how to properly defrost your freezer, and follow these freezer storage and organization hacks to double your space.