Freezer Not Freezing — A Different Problem From Not Cooling
When your fridge is still cool but the freezer section has stopped freezing, this is a distinct fault pattern with specific causes. Unlike a fridge that's completely warm (usually a gas or compressor issue), a warm freezer alongside a cool fridge often points to a defrost system problem or an airflow issue — and it's highly repairable.
5 Most Common Causes of a Freezer Not Freezing
1. Defrost System Fault (Ice Build-Up on Evaporator)
Modern fridges have an automatic defrost system that prevents ice from building up on the evaporator coils. When this system fails (usually a defrost heater, defrost thermostat, or defrost timer), ice accumulates on the coils, blocking airflow and preventing the freezer from reaching freezing temperatures.
Signs: The freezer gradually gets less cold over several days or weeks. You may hear the fan running but the freezer isn't cold. If you open the back panel inside the freezer, you'll see heavy frost or ice on the evaporator.
Temporary fix: Switch the fridge off for 24 hours with doors open to manually defrost. This often restores function temporarily, confirming the fault. The underlying defrost system component then needs professional replacement (Ksh 2,000–4,000).
2. Faulty Evaporator Fan
The evaporator fan circulates cold air from the freezer into the fridge and throughout the compartments. If the fan motor fails, cold air doesn't circulate — the freezer may still generate some cold but can't maintain freezing temperature across the compartment.
Signs: The fridge is less cold than usual. The freezer runs but doesn't freeze solid. You may notice the fan noise has stopped.
Fix: Evaporator fan motor replacement costs Ksh 2,500–5,000.
3. Thermostat Set Incorrectly
This is the simplest fix. If someone accidentally turned the temperature dial to a warmer setting, the freezer won't reach freezing temperature. Check that the freezer thermostat is set to the coldest or -18°C position. Also check for a separate "Eco" or "Holiday" mode that may have been activated.
4. Refrigerant (Gas) Leak
If the refrigerant has been leaking slowly, you may notice the freezer losing effectiveness before the fridge section is noticeably affected (the fridge section needs less cooling to stay cool). A partial gas leak manifests as the freezer being too warm while the fridge feels just cool enough.
Fix: Gas refill and leak repair costs Ksh 2,000–4,000.
5. Failing Compressor
The compressor pumps refrigerant through the system. As it ages, its efficiency reduces — it may still be able to cool the fridge section to acceptable temperatures but not achieve the deeper cold needed for freezing.
Signs: Compressor runs longer than usual. Fridge runs constantly. Energy bills increase. Fix: Compressor replacement (Ksh 5,000–10,000).
How to Diagnose the Problem Yourself
- Check the temperature setting — ensure the freezer dial is set correctly.
- Listen for the evaporator fan — put your ear near the freezer; if the fan isn't running, that's the likely fault.
- Check for ice build-up — open the back panel in the freezer (if accessible) to see if evaporator coils are iced over.
- Try a manual defrost — switch off for 24 hours and see if the freezer recovers.
Repair Costs for Freezer Problems in Nairobi
- Thermostat replacement: Ksh 2,500 – 4,500
- Defrost heater replacement: Ksh 2,000 – 4,000
- Evaporator fan motor: Ksh 2,500 – 5,000
- Refrigerant refill: Ksh 2,000 – 4,000
- Compressor replacement: Ksh 5,000 – 10,000
RepairTech Kenya provides same-day fridge and freezer repair across Nairobi. Call 0742 539 455 or book a repair online.