Ever opened your deep freezer, expecting rock-hard ice cream, but instead, it’s half-melted mush? Or grabbed frozen chicken only to find it softer than your couch cushion? If your deep freezer isn’t freezing properly, don’t worry your food isn’t doomed just yet. Most of the time, the problem is something small that you can fix yourself. Let’s go through the most common reasons why your freezer isn’t working and how to get it back to freezing like it should.

1. Is It Even Getting Power? (Yes, You Should Check)

This might sound silly, but sometimes the freezer just isn’t plugged in properly or the power is off. 

What to Do:

• Check the plug: Make sure it’s plugged in properly.

• Test the outlet: Try another device to check if the outlet works.
• Look at the circuit breaker: If it tripped, reset it.

If your freezer isn’t getting power, it won’t freeze.

Make sure the plug is actually in, sounds obvious, but sometimes it gets loose without you noticing. Try plugging in another appliance to the same outlet if that doesn’t work, your freezer isn’t the problem, the outlet is. If the outlet is dead, check the circuit breaker it might have tripped.

2.Did Someone Mess with the Temperature Dial?

Maybe the dial got bumped when someone was grabbing ice cream. Or maybe a curious kid decided to turn it down just for fun.

What to Do:

• Set the dial to the coldest setting.
• Wait a few hours to see if it starts freezing again.

Sometimes, a simple turn of the dial is all it takes.

3.The Door Isn’t Closing Properly

If warm air is sneaking in, your freezer can’t stay cold enough. This happen when:

• Food is blocking the door from closing.
• The rubber seal (gasket) is worn out or cracked.
• The door is slightly loose or misaligned. 

What to Do:

• Rearrange food so nothing sticks out and prevents the door from sealing.
• Check the rubber seal, if it’s damaged, replace it.
• Press the door firmly to ensure it’s closed.

Even a tiny gap can let in warm air and ruin your freezer’s cooling.

4. Too Full or Too Empty? Both Can Be a Problem

Did you stuff your freezer like a packed suitcase? Or is it nearly empty, with just a couple of ice trays inside? Both can mess up the cooling.

What to Do:

• A packed freezer is great until nothing can breathe. If it’s too full, cold air gets trapped in corners, and some spots might not stay cold enough. So, shuffle things around and give that air some space to move
• If your freezer looks like a ghost town, that’s a problem too. An empty freezer warms up faster every time you open the door. Easy fix? Throw in a few bottles of water. They help keep everything chilly and make your freezer work less.

Deep freezers work best when they’re not too stuffed and not too empty, keeping them about 70-80% full is just right. Less effort. More cold. Win-win.

5. Dirty Coils Are Making It Work Too Hard

Your freezer’s job? Simple. Keep things cold. Your freezer removes heat through condenser coils, usually at the back or bottom. If these coils are covered in dust and dirt, they can’t do their job properly. Like trying to run a marathon while wearing a winter coat. Not fun. Dirty coils make your freezer work way harder than it should. That means bigger energy bills and a higher chance of something breaking. Less effort. More chill.

 What to Do:

• Unplug the freezer (safety first!).
• Use a vacuum or brush to clean the coils.
• Do this every few months to keep your freezer working well.

Dirty coils = less freezing power.

6. The Freezer Fan Isn’t Running

There’s a small fan inside your freezer that circulates cold air. If that fan isn’t working, cold air stays in one spot while the rest of the freezer warms up.

 What to Do:

• Open the freezer and listen, if you don’t hear a fan running, it might be broken.
• Try spinning the fan blades by hand, if they’re stuck, they may need replacement.

No fan = no proper freezing.

7. Too Much Ice Build-up (Yes, That’s a Problem!)

Ironically, too much ice inside your freezer can block airflow, making it warmer instead of colder.

 What to Do:

• Unplug the freezer and let it fully defrost.
• Wipe away the water, plug it back in, and let it restart.
• Sometimes, a quick defrost is all it needs.

When to Call a Technician

Tried everything and it’s still not freezing? It might be a bigger issue that needs professional help. Call a pro if:

• The freezer is running, but not cooling at all.
• There’s a burning smell coming from the back.
• It makes weird clicking or buzzing sounds.
• The compressor (the motor) isn’t running properly.
• And if your freezer is old and beyond repair, maybe it’s time to get a new one.

Check out Generaltec for high-quality deep freezers that actually freeze.

Final Thoughts

A deep freezer that doesn’t freeze is just a big, useless box. But don’t rush to replace it yet, most of the time, the fix is easy.

• Check the power.
•  Adjust the temperature.
•  Make sure the door is sealing properly.
•  Clean the coils and check the fan

If all else fails, call a technician or upgrade to a new freezer. And if you’re looking for a reliable deep freezer that actually does its job, check out Generaltec. Our deep freezers. Because nobody wants melting ice cream and soft frozen fries. 

FAQs

1. Why is my Deep Freezer Running But Not Freezing?

It could be dirty coils, a broken fan, or a temperature setting issue. Try adjusting the settings and cleaning the coils first.

2. How Do I Know if my Freezer’s Compressor is Bad?

If your freezer isn’t making any noise, or if it clicks but doesn’t stay on, the compressor might be failing.

3. Can too Much ice Stop my Freezer from Freezing?

Yes! Thick ice build-up can block airflow and reduce cooling. Defrost your freezer if you see too much ice inside.

4. How Long Should a Deep Freezer Last?

A good deep freezer can last 10-15 years with proper maintenance.

5. What Temperature Should My Deep Freezer Be Set To?

The best setting is -18°C (0°F) for proper freezing.