I love using my KitchenAid freezer both for the automatic ice maker and the water dispenser. But, there was one time I noticed that the freezer compartment wasn’t working and it got too warm, so I did some research into how to fix it, and based on everything I’ve learned and tried I thought I’d summarize exactly what causes the issue and how to get it working.
A KitchenAid freezer may stop working due to a faulty thermostat. The thermostat controls the temperature, and if it’s not functioning correctly, the freezer won’t cool properly. To fix this, first, try adjusting the thermostat to a colder setting. If this doesn’t work, the thermostat may need to be replaced.
Another common issue could be a buildup of frost or ice, hindering the freezer’s ability to cool efficiently. This often occurs when the freezer door is left open frequently or seals are not tight. Defrosting the freezer manually by turning it off and letting the ice melt, then turning it back on can solve this problem. Ensure the door seals are clean and intact for proper closure.
Overall, it can occur for the following reasons:
- The fridge was installed within the last 24 hours
- The power is on, but the freezer is off
- Vents are blocked
- Condenser coils need to be cleaned
- Wrong temperature setting
- Wrong fridge location
- Demo or showroom mode is enabled
- The freezer door isn’t closing
You need to check for each of these issues until you find what is causing it and it begins working again. So, below I will provide step by step details on how to check for each of the issues in order from the easiest to check to the hardest.
KitchenAid Refrigerator Freezer Not Freezing
Before I get into each of the issues that can be causing your KitchenAid freezer not to freeze, I’ll briefly cover the most common reasons why it’s not working.
As a general rule, the most common issue is a coolant leak. However, the chances that it can be caused by a range of other issues is very high. Therefore, it’s best to attempt the recommended fixes outlined below one by one.
I compiled some data from the most common suggestions suggested by people as to what can be causing the issue:
|
Reason why it’s not freezing |
Number of people suggested |
|
Freezer door not closing all the way |
1 |
|
Auto defrost enabled |
2 |
|
Build up of ice on the evaporator fan |
2 |
|
Wrong temperature setting |
1 |
|
Coolant leak |
5 |
|
Fan broken |
1 |
|
Condenser coils |
2 |
|
Compressor |
3 |
As you can see there are a diverse range of issues, which shows it could be anything, and so it’s best to follow each of the steps below to see what’s causing the issue. Here’s how to apply the recommended fixes one by one:
The Fridge Was Installed Within the Last 24 Hours
When a fridge is first installed it takes up to 24 hours for it to get to the temperature it needs to be. Therefore, if it was installed within the last 24 hours then check the temperature of your freezer again once it’s been 24 hours. If it’s not not freezing then proceed to step 2.
The Power Is On, but the Freezer Is Off
There is a button on the inside of the fridge that turns the fridge on and off. When the fridge is clean it can have been clicked off on accident. After the power goes out, some KitchenAid fridges will turn off automatically to safeguard the electrical components, and you need to turn it back on again.
The button to turn it back on is unique to each KitchenAid fridge so you should refer to your user manual. If you can’t find your manual you can search the KitchenAid website by the model number. The model number for all KitchenAid fridges is located on the interior of your fridge on the left wall.
Vents Are Blocked Allowing No Air or Limited Cool Air Flow
A KitchenAid fridge works by blowing air from the freezer to the fridge, and there are vents that connect the freezer to the fridge. When they’re blocked by a food item, or ice the air can’t flow freely and it can confuse the thermostat in your fridge causing it to not cool correctly.
The vents are easy to identify. They are located on the sides and bottom of the freezer and in the fridge. They look like
Condenser Coils Need to Be Cleaned to Work Properly
The condenser coils are located at the rear of the fridge. They need to have contact with the air to work properly. But, over time they can accumulate dust and pet hair. They can be vacuumed and dusted to remove any debris.
However, each KitchenAid model is different, and some can only be cleaned by a qualified technician. To see whether you can clean the condenser coils yourself, and where they’re located refer to the owners manual for your specific fridge.
Wrong Temperature Setting, Needs to Be Turned Down
KitchenAid fridges can have a high, medium, and low setting. Or, have a specific temperature you can set it to. Refer to your owners manual and turn the temperature for your freezer down.
Then give it 24 hours to get to the new temperature. The dials to change the temperature are usually located around the edge of the fridge where the door seals touch when the door is closed. But, it’s best to refer to your owners manual to see where they are, and how to operate them.
Wrong Fridge Location Too Warm Your Fridge to Function
A fridge pulls in air from the surroundings and then cools it and pumps it into the fridge. So, if the fridge is located where it’s too warm, such as in direct sunlight, or next to a heat source when the fridge and freezer can have trouble getting cold enough.
KitchenAid recommends that the air temperature be no greater than 110°F (43°C). Double check where your fridge is located doesn’t get too warm, and move it as necessary.
Demo or Showroom Mode Is Enabled Which Doesn’t Cool
These modes are used when a fridge is displayed in an appliance store, and sometimes they can be left on by accident. When they are on, all of the lights and features work except it won’t cool at all.
How to disable it differs by model, and therefore you should refer to your owners manual to see first whether it has showroom or demo mode enabled, and secondly if it does how to disable it.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on September 7, 2021.
The Freezer Door Isn’t Closing Properly, So Cool Air Leaks Out
For the freezer to operate properly the door needs to create an airtight seal. If the seals are damaged, air can leak out and the freezer won’t be able to get cool enough. Visually inspect the seals. And also look to see if the door remains closed when you close it.
If the fridge is on a slight angle it can stop the door from closing all the way, or create too much force which makes the door pop open when it closes on it’s own or when you push it closed.
To check it’s level use a bubble level on the top of the fridge to see if it’s slanting in one direction. To fix your fridge if it’s unlevel to get the door to close properly each time, you’ll need to level your fridge by propping up one of the feet using a small piece of card.
New seals can be ordered online, good ones can let you search by model number. That way you can be sure the seals you get will fit your fridge.
KitchenAid Refrigerator Freezer Cold but Not Freezing
Apart from not working, it’s possible that a KitchenAid fridge will get cold but not cold enough to freeze items you put in the freezer. When this happens, to get it working again, here’s what’s involved.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on September 7, 2021.
Generally, where the fridge is kept can be too warm. This can be fixed by ensuring the fridge is in a location where the temperature does not exceed 110°F (43°C). As well as, turning the freezer temperature down to a lower temperature.
The outside air temperature which you can find online can be a good gauge as to what the temperature is. But, specific rooms such as garages, and attics can tend to get really hot. And much hotter than the air temperature outside.
So, if you think that’s what’s causing the issue it can be worthwhile getting a thermometer. Or, simply move the fridge into a room that you know is a lot cooler. Since that’s a bit of a major undertaking, in my opinion start by turning the temperature of your freezer down.
Instructions on how to do that are in the steps I’ve listed at the top of this article under step ‘Step 5. Wrong temperature setting’.It can be worthwhile to go through all of the steps as it’s likely one of them is causing the issue.
KitchenAid Refrigerator Freezer Door Not Sealing
In troubleshooting when your KitchenAid fridge freezer isn’t working, you can discover that the door isn’t sealing as it should. For that specific issue, here’s what to do.
The seal can be dirty or sticky and you can simply clean it with some soapy water, and then dry it thoroughly. The fridge can also not be level, or the doors may need adjusting to make the square with the fridge.
For detailed instructions for how to solve these issues, as well as, some additional solutions refer to the official KitchenAid website. Once on that page click on ‘Door Concerns’, and then ‘Door Not Sealing’.
Related Articles
KitchenAid Refrigerator Lights Not Working
KitchenAid Refrigerator Ice Dispenser Not Working
KitchenAid Fridge Not Working/Cooling
KitchenAid Water Dispenser Not Working
How to Reset KitchenAid Refrigerator
KitchenAid Refrigerator Not Turning On (How to Fix)
KitchenAid Refrigerator Water Dispenser Troubleshooting
KitchenAid Refrigerator Alarm Going Off Won’t Stop Beeping
KitchenAid Refrigerator Door Not Closing/Sealing
KitchenAid Refrigerator Ice Maker Troubleshooting (Not Working/Need A Fix)
How To Use KitchenAid Refrigerator Ice Maker
KitchenAid Fridge Freezer Door Not Closing / Sealing
KitchenAid Refrigerator Odor Problems (How to Fix)
ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on September 7, 2021.