Appliance repair in Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery counties · Mon–Fri 9 AM–6 PM (832) 345-9300
Call (832) 345-9300

Repair guide

Freezer Not Freezing or Running Constantly

A freezer should hold 0°F. When ice cream turns soft or the unit runs without a break, it is either losing cold faster than normal or making less of it. Stand-alone freezers come in two main types. Manual-defrost chest and upright freezers have coils in the walls or shelves. Frost-free uprights use a fan, an evaporator and a defrost system, much like a refrigerator.

Published · Freezer repair

Upright freezer with the door open in a garage

What usually causes it

  • Door or lid gasket. A worn gasket lets warm, humid air in all day. The unit runs longer and builds frost quickly.
  • Condenser coil and fan. Dirty coils, or a stalled condenser fan on uprights, keep heat from leaving the cabinet.
  • Thermostat or temperature control. A failing mechanical thermostat or sensor can stop the compressor too early or never let it cycle off.
  • Defrost system (frost-free models). A failed heater, defrost thermostat or timer lets the evaporator ice up and choke airflow.
  • Start relay and compressor. Clicking with no cooling usually points to the start relay or overload.
  • Sealed system. A leak or restriction leaves the unit running nonstop with only part of the evaporator cold.
  • Location. Many freezers are not built to run in a garage that passes 100°F in summer. Check the climate class on the model plate.

Freezer not freezing

The thermostat, a defrost part, a fan, or the sealed system can all leave a freezer above 0°F.

Check first: Check the control setting, make sure the door closes fully, and feel whether air is moving inside on frost-free models.

Freezer running constantly

A freezer that never cycles off is often fighting a bad seal, a dirty coil, or a hot room.

Check first: Clean around the unit, check the seal, and give it a few inches of clearance.

Safe checks you can do

  • Read an appliance thermometer placed between packages after several hours.
  • Check the gasket all the way around with a dollar bill, and look for cracks at the corners.
  • Make sure the temperature dial has not been bumped.
  • Unplug the unit and clean the coil if it is exposed on the back or bottom.
  • On chest freezers, check that the lid closes flat and the hinges are not sprung.
  • Give the unit space around it, especially in a garage.

Parts that fail most often

  • Gaskets on chest freezers crack at the corners with age.
  • Mechanical thermostats on older units drift and stop cycling correctly.
  • Garage freezers fail more often in July and August, when the room is hottest.

How your home affects it

In older homes

Older homes in the Houston area often have smaller kitchens and laundry closets built for smaller appliances, older wiring, and shut-off valves that have not been turned in years. Check that the refrigerator has its own outlet and a few inches of space behind it for the coil to breathe.

In new construction

Newer homes in the Houston area usually come with builder-grade appliances, and many early problems are installation issues rather than failed parts. Kinked water lines behind the fridge and units pushed too tight against the wall are common finds.

In apartments and condos

In apartments, condos and townhomes around the Houston area, space is tight and the building often has its own rules for access, parking and shut-off valves. Refrigerators in tight alcoves run hotter and longer; clearance matters.

In garages

Plenty of homes in the Houston area keep a second fridge, a freezer or the laundry in the garage, where summer heat regularly passes 100°F. Check the model plate for its rated temperature range; many refrigerators are not built for a hot Houston garage.

During storm season

Storm season around the Houston area brings power outages, surges and sometimes flooding, and appliances often show problems right after the lights come back on. After an outage, keep the doors shut and use a thermometer to decide about food. If the unit does not cool within a few hours of power returning, call us.

When to call for repair

  • The freezer reads above 10°F for several hours.
  • The unit runs nonstop with the gasket and coil in good shape.
  • You hear clicking but the compressor does not start.

If the freezer is warming, keep the lid or door closed and move food to a working freezer or a cooler with ice. Do not chip frost with metal tools.

Need help? We do freezer repair across Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery counties. Call (832) 345-9300, Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM. Every repair comes with a 1-year warranty on labor.

Common questions

What usually causes this?

The most common causes are door or lid gasket, condenser coil and fan, thermostat or temperature control, defrost system (frost-free models), start relay and compressor, sealed system and location.

Is it safe to keep using the freezer?

If the freezer is warming, keep the lid or door closed and move food to a working freezer or a cooler with ice. Do not chip frost with metal tools.

When should I call for freezer repair?

The freezer reads above 10°F for several hours. The unit runs nonstop with the gasket and coil in good shape. You hear clicking but the compressor does not start.

Do you repair this in my area?

We repair freezers in homes across Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery counties. Call (832) 345-9300, Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM. Every repair comes with a 1-year warranty on labor.

Appliance acting up?

Call us with the brand, model and what it is doing. We will find a time that works. Every repair comes with a 1-year warranty on labor.

Call (832) 345-9300