What to Do If Your Chest Freezer Is Not Freezing at the Top?

When a chest freezer isn’t freezing correctly, it’s not appreciated. There are many ways to resolve the issues that may cause your freezer to not freeze.

If you execute some simple procedures, you can have your chest freezer functioning in no time at all.

We consulted experts in the repair and maintenance sector to help with the problem.

It’s possible that your chest freezer isn’t freezing at the top because of issues such as dirt on the condenser coil, frost on the evaporator coil, or malfunctioning parts. 

The fan motor, thermostat, or start relay are important. There are some basic steps you can follow to find your chest freezer issue.

1. You need to check if the temperature control thermostat is set to an Optimal or appropriate temperature.
2. You need to check if the condenser coil is dirty.
3. You need to check if the evaporator coil is frozen.
4. You need to check if the evaporator fan motor is working correctly.
5. You need to check if the start relay is working well.

There are a variety of reasons that your chest freezer can malfunction.

Even though you may be able to locate and correct some of the faults, some may need the assistance of a certified expert.

If your chest freezer isn’t freezing at the top, you should keep reading to learn what to do.

Why Isn’t My Freezer Freezing At The Top?

The chest freezer is not freezing at the top due to the inability of the freezer to distribute heat effectively.

These underlying causes need to be looked into before you can fix the problem.

The Condenser Coil May Be Dirty

There is a chance that your freezer isn’t freezing at the top because of the dirty coil.

When the inside of the freezer reaches the appropriate temperature, this coil cools the refrigerant and expels heat from the freezer.

The effectiveness of the condenser coils is affected by dirt. Dirt causes your freezer to work harder to release the heat, which increases wear and tear.

There May Be Frost On The Evaporator Coil

The heat from the chest freezer is absorbed by the coil and added to the refrigerant. The heat is rejected by the condenser coil.

The freezer won’t work correctly if the warm air in the chest freezer doesn’t pass over the coil.

Any frost that accumulates on the coil of your freezer’s evaporator coil is melted by a defrost heater. The evaporator coil may freeze due to the heater not working correctly.

Some Parts Of The Chest Freezer May Be Faulty

The freezer will not absorb heat from the box if the thermostat, start relay, and evaporator fan are not working.

The fan draws air over the coil and circulates it throughout the chest freezer. The air doesn’t move or flow over the coils when the fan is malfunctioning.

Warm air is not drawn from the box and the freezer will not freeze at the top.

The temperature control thermostat regulates the flow of electricity to the compressor to maintain the desired temperature of the chest freezer.

The freezer won’t cool if the thermostat isn’t functioning correctly. It is not appropriate for the thermostat settings to be used for freezing food.

The compressor of your chest freezer can be started by the start relay.

If the start relay is damaged, the compressor may not work, which will cause your chest freezer to not freeze at the top.

How To Troubleshoot A Chest Freezer?

You Need To Check If The Temperature Control Thermostat Is Set To An Appropriate Or Optimal Temperature

The thermostat can be found on top of the chest freezer. It can be found in the rear compartment or underneath the floor compartment.

Make sure to check the thermostat settings. Wait for a few minutes, then check to see if the freezer is cold. A multimeter can be used to confirm if the thermostat is current.

If the freezer is connected to a power source, it’s getting power. When you open the door, the light comes on if the freezer is getting power.

You Need To Check For Dirt On The Condenser Coil

The condenser coil is located under the chest freezer. You can check the user manual to find the coil in the freezer.

If it is covered by dirt, you should check it. The Dirt reduces the effectiveness of the coil. The freezer might be not freezing at the top.

You Need To Check If The Evaporator Coil Is Frozen

There is a connection between the evaporator coil and the condenser coil. If the freezer is covered in frost, it will not be able to freeze at the top.

If the vents at the back of your freezer are not blocked, the free flow of air in your freezer would be hampered.

You Need To Check If The Evaporator Fan Motor Is Working Correctly

If the door switch is manually activated, you can check if the fan motor is working. It is most likely faulty if the fan does not run when the door switch is activated.

Also, confirm that the fan spins freely to maintain the correct temperature in the freezer and that nothing is stuck on the fan.

You Need To Check If The Start Relay Is Working Well

The relay should be removed from the freezer to make sure it isn’t malfunctioning. Underneath the terminal cover is the relay located at the lower bottom of the chest freezer.

The relay terminals can be tested using a multitester. If the start relay is damaged, the readings on the multitester will not be zero if tested upside down or right side up.

Final Troubleshooting Steps

Clean The Condenser Coil With A Soft Brush And A Vacuum Cleaner

The ability of the chest freezer to freeze at the top can be restored if the condenser coil is cleaned with a soft brush and a vacuum cleaner.

It’s important to clean the coil to make sure it functions correctly. If you clean the coil every six months, it would be beneficial.

You mustn’t damage the coil when cleaning. Refrigerants will escape if the coil breaks, and it will be costly to repair it.

Defrost The Chest Freezer

If the freezer is frozen, it’s a good idea to manually open it. The number of steps involved in defrosting the chest freezer makes it take a significant amount of time.

Replace The Faulty Parts

To restore it to optimal working condition, you need to replace the faulty parts. Make, model and part number are important for your chest freezer.

It is a rather technical procedure to replace the start relay and fan. The experts or the manufacturer’s recommended service location could be used to replace the parts for you.

Is It Possible That Chest Freezers Have A Reset Button?

Most models of chest freezers do not have a reset button. It is possible to reset the freezer’s control board if the chest freezer is unplugged for more than 30 seconds.

How To Reset My Chest Freezer Compressor?

These steps will reset your chest freezer compressor:

• Turn off and unplug the chest freezer.
• The controls inside the freezer should be turned off or set to zero if you follow the instructions in the user manual.
• To adjust the chest freezer controls, you have to do it. Follow the guidelines of the user manual to do this.
• It is recommended to allow the chest freezer some time to adjust to a stable temperature.

Conclusion

You don’t need to buy a new chest freezer just because it doesn’t freeze at the top. You can solve the problem by following the steps outlined in this post.