KitchenAid Freezer Not Working? Troubleshoot with These Simple Steps

Published: 
August 30, 2023
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Kitchenaid Freezer Troubleshooting: Identifying the most common causes

Official KitchenAid Support Resources

Support Phone Number

KitchenAid Major Appliances & Microwaves Service & Support Phone Number: 1-800-422-1230

Support Page and Chat

Support Home Page and Online Chat: https://www.kitchenaid.com/service-and-support.html

Owners Center

Using this link, you can look up your KitchenAid model number and get access to your owner’s manual, quick start guide, feature sheet and more.

KitchenAid Troubleshooter

This page serves as a troubleshooter for all major KitchenAid appliances

If your KitchenAid refrigerator freezer is not working, it can be frustrating and inconvenient.

There are several reasons why your freezer might not be functioning properly, including power issues, dirty condenser coils, evaporator fan failure, and start relay malfunction.

Here are some possible causes and troubleshooting tips to help you diagnose and fix the problem.

Power Issues

If your KitchenAid freezer is not working, the first thing you should check is the power supply. Make sure that the freezer is properly plugged in and the outlet is functioning.

If the outlet is not working, try plugging the freezer into a different outlet. Still not working? It could be your circuit breaker.

A circuit breaker cuts off electricity when an overcurrent is present. Check to see if your circuit breaker has been tripped and reset it if that’s the case.

Reset the circuit breaker or replace the fuse if necessary.

Dirty Condenser Coils

Another common cause of a KitchenAid freezer not working is dirty condenser coils. Condenser coils extract heat from your freezer and releasing it into the air outside of your fridge.

If your freezer is approaching room temperature, dirty condenser coils are a possible culprit.

If the coils are dirty or clogged with dust and debris, they cannot perform this function effectively. The result is that the cool air in your freezer is replaced by warm air.

To fix this problem, unplug the freezer and clean the coils. A soft cloth, soft brush or a shop vac or household vacuum with an appropriate nozzle attachment is ideal for cleaning the coils.

You may also need to use a coil cleaning solution to remove stubborn dirt and grime.

Bad Condenser Fan

Related to the condenser coils mentioned above, a condenser fan forces air across the condenser coils which enhances the dissipation of the captured heat to the surrounding air.

If your condenser fan motor isn’t operating, heat that is extracted from your freezer compartment may not be effectively dissipated to the air outside of your freezer.

An appliance repair technician will be able to properly diagnose and repair or replace your condenser fan.

Evaporator Fan Failure

Your evaporator fan makes sure that air freely flows throughout your freezer to maintain a constant temperature. If the fan is not working, the freezer will not cool properly.

Testing the evaporator fan is best left to an appliance repair professional. Don’t try this at home.

They will remove the back panel from inside the freezer compartment to access the evaporator fan. From there they will use a device called a multimeter to evaluate the evaporator fan to determine if it needs to be replaced.

KitchenAid Ice Maker Problems

If you’re noticing a reduced volume of ice production or no ice is coming out when you use the ice dispenser, there are a few different things that you can do.

  • Make sure your freezer temperature is set to Zero degrees Fahrenheit or below. If it is too warm, the ice maker may not be able to produce ice cubes.
  • Next, make sure that the ice maker switch hasn’t been accidentally turned off.
  • Another thing to check would be your water supply line. Make sure the water line is connected and isn’t kinked or frozen.
  • Make sure your water filter doesn’t need to be replaced. When a water filter has reached the end of its useful life, it can prevent water from flowing through to the ice maker and making ice.

Start Relay Malfunction

The start relay is responsible for powering the compressor that cools the freezer. If the start relay is malfunctioning, the compressor will not turn on, causing the freezer to stop working.

This will again require an appliance repair person who will unplug your fridge freezer and use a multimeter to test it. If necessary, the part will need to be replaced.

Checking the Thermostat

Your freezer’s temperature control thermostat keeps the freezer at your required temp. Your freezer temperature should be set to zero degrees Fahrenheit or slightly lower.

If your thermostat is not working correctly, your freezer may stop cooling. Check the temperature setting on the thermostat or the main control board on your KitchenAid fridge and ensure it is set to the correct temperature.

Testing the Defrost Heater

Moisture may be present in your freezer. The amount of moisture can increase, especially if you put warm or hot food in your freezer.

It is the job of the defrost heater to melt off any of this excess moisture that ends up accumulating on the evaporator coils in your freezer.

If it is not working correctly, frost will build up and block the airflow, causing the freezer to stop cooling. An appliance repair professional will be able to conduct a test on the defrost heater to determine whether or not it should be replaced.

This video shows step-by-step instructions on how an appliance repair pro will replace your defrost timer.

Inspecting the Door Seal

The door seal is responsible for keeping the cold air inside the freezer. If it is damaged or not sealing correctly, warm air can enter the freezer, causing it to stop cooling. Inspect the door seal for any cracks or damage. If it is damaged, you may need to replace it.

When to Call a Professional

If you have tried all of the troubleshooting steps and your Kitchenaid freezer is still not working, it may be time to call a professional.

A professional will have the knowledge and experience to diagnose and fix the issue quickly and efficiently.

Unless your part is extremely rare, an appliance repair tech should have the appliance part your need to get your freezer running again.

Some signs that you should call a professional include:

  • Your freezer is not cooling at all;
  • Your freezer is making strange noises;
  • The lights in your freezer are not turning on;
  • Your freezer is leaking water; and
  • Your freezer is freezing over or frosting up.

When looking for a professional, be sure to choose a qualified and experienced technician. Check their credentials and read reviews from previous customers to ensure that they have a good reputation.

It is also important to ask about pricing and warranties before hiring a technician. Make sure you understand the costs involved and what kind of warranty or guarantee is offered for the work that is done.

Remember, you suffer injury or even death by attempting to fix your freezer - or any electrical appliance - by yourself. You could also damage or destroy your freezer. Call an appliance repair technician if you have any doubts about making repairs yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my KitchenAid freezer not freezing?

If your KitchenAid freezer is not freezing, there could be a few reasons why. One common reason is that the condenser coils are dirty and need to be cleaned.

Another reason could be that the temperature control thermostat is faulty and needs to be replaced. You can also check if the evaporator fan motor is working properly. Seek help from a qualified appliance repair professional if these steps aren’t solving your problem.

How do I reset my KitchenAid freezer?

To reset your KitchenAid freezer, unplug it from the power source for at least 30 seconds. After 30 seconds, plug it back in and wait for it to start up again.

This should reset the freezer and hopefully fix any issues you were experiencing.

Why does my KitchenAid freezer keep icing over?

If your KitchenAid freezer keeps icing over, it could be due to a few reasons. One reason could be that the door seal is not working properly and is letting warm air into the freezer.

Another reason could be that the defrost thermostat is faulty and needs to be replaced. If none of these solutions work, it may be time to call a professional.

Frank Salvatore

Hey there - I'm Frank Salvatore. I created this site as a comprehensive kitchen resource. You'll find everything you need to know about everything in your kitchen. From appliances to utensils and layout - it is covered on this site!

About Me
Frank Salvatore
I created this site as a comprehensive kitchen resource. You'll find everything you need to know about everything in your kitchen. From appliances to utensils and layout - it is covered on this site!
Learn More About Me
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