Freezer Not Getting Cold Enough? Here’s What to Do

Having a freezer is something most of us take for granted nowadays, that is, until it stops working. Unfortunately, with so many different makes and models of freezers, it is impossible to create a short, concise guide that covers every issue that could be causing your freezer to warm up. Thankfully, there are a few common issues that you can check to try and get your freezer back down to temperature. 

This is a general guide that is not specific to any one make or model. Instead, it covers the most common causes behind your freezer not being cold enough. 

1. Check your appliance is plugged in 

This may seem like an obvious suggestion, but it is a surprisingly common reason for freezers getting too warm. If they do not have a constant and reliable power supply, then they will not be able to keep your food cold. There are a few ways to check if your appliance has power. You can put your ear or cheek on the side and see if you can hear the appliance working. If it has a light, open the door and make sure the light comes on.

These options are useful, but the easiest thing to do is to pull your appliance out from the wall and physically check the plug. If you don’t think your freezer is the issue, you can plug another appliance in, like a lamp, to ensure the power socket is working correctly. If it is not, then you will need to call an electrician and not an appliance repair technician.

2. Give your appliance time to cool down

Most freezers will be equipped with a high-temperature alarm or a red light indicator. It is normal for these to come on when your freezer is connected to the mains for the first time; this is nothing to worry about. It simply means that the temperature inside your appliance is still getting down to temperature. All you need to do is keep your freezer door closed, and the light will go out in a few hours once it reaches temperature.

3. Ensure there is no hot food inside the appliance

You should always allow your food to cool down before putting it into the appliance when possible. It takes more time for your freezer to regulate its inner temperature when it is loaded with hot food. This can result in it not being cold enough. 

4. Check the door seals

The process your freezer undergoes to create a cool environment is very complex. As a result, it is a lot easier to keep the cold air inside your appliance rather than cooling room temperature air. The way your appliance does this is by having door seals. 

If you are having issues with your freezer temperature, you should check the door seals thoroughly. You are looking for any cracks, damage, leaks, or tears. One way to do this is to put a torch into your appliance and turn the lights off. If you see light through the door seals, they may need to be readjusted or replaced.

If the doors are not sealing properly, you can also try cleaning the rubber with a soft cloth and warm water. Make sure you avoid using abrasive products as they can damage the seals. If you decide you do need to replace a damaged or worn seal, make sure you consult an expert to get the right replacement. 

5. Make sure you are keeping the door closed

As you might expect, leaving the door open for long periods will let all of the cool air out and allow warm air inside. It can take your fridge a while to cool back down after leaving the door open. For this reason, you should always keep the door closed when possible. Another result of leaving the door open for longer than necessary is frost build-up.

6. Check for frost build-up

Check your freezer for frost build-up. It is generally a result of letting warm air into the fridge freezer. Frost build-up can prevent your freezer from running at optimal temperature.  

Visually check to see if the inside of your freezer has frost. If so, you may need to manually defrost your freezer to solve your problem. You will need to find somewhere to store your frozen goods during this time. 

Make sure you read your owner’s manual before manually defrosting your freezer. Once you have finished reading, start by emptying your freezer. Next, you should place a towel under the door to catch the melting ice. Then disconnect your freezer from its power source. Make sure you have removed everything from the inside, including racks. Prop the door open and wait for the ice to melt. 

This can take up to 24 hours, and you will need to wait until the entire freezer has completely defrosted for this to be worthwhile. Once your freezer has completely defrosted, clean up all the water and wipe down the interior walls. It is a good chance to give your freezer a thorough clean. Ensure you have wiped away and dried any remaining water; you don’t want it to refreeze. 

Once your freezer is clean and dry, you can plug it in again and restock it. Remember to keep the door closed and allow it to regulate its temperature. 

The bottom line 

If you are still having issues with your freezer not being cold enough, you should read a make and model-specific article. If that doesn’t help, then check if you are still under warranty and contact a qualified technician.