Frigidaire Freezer Repair

Frigidaire is one of the biggest names in standalone freezers, making both upright and chest models. Uprights are often frost-free, using a defrost heater, a sensor and a fan, while others are manual-defrost with coils in the shelves. Chest freezers are almost always manual-defrost, with cooling coils wrapped inside the cabinet walls. Many end up in garages, sheds or utility rooms. Frigidaire also sells garage-ready uprights built to tolerate a wider range of temperatures, which matters a great deal in this climate.

The most common problem is a freezer working in conditions it was not built for. A standard freezer in a summer garage can run constantly and still fail to hold temperature, or in a cold snap the thermostat may stop calling for cooling. On frost-free uprights, defrost failures let frost block airflow. Fans wear out. Gaskets harden and tear, especially on chest lids that are opened often. Start relays on compressors can fail.

Check where the freezer sits and how hot the space gets. Make sure there is airflow around the unit and the condenser coils are not packed with dust. Inspect the gasket and close the lid or door on a piece of paper to test the seal. On a manual-defrost model, more than about a quarter inch of ice on the walls is a sign it is time to defrost. Unplug the freezer before cleaning around the compressor or coils.

During diagnosis, we test the thermostat or control, defrost components on frost-free models, fans and the compressor start components. We look at the environment and ask how the freezer is used. If the sealed system has a leak or the compressor has failed, we explain the cost relative to replacement.

Thermostat, fan, defrost, relay and gasket repairs are usually worthwhile. A sealed-system repair on a basic chest freezer often costs more than a new one, and we will tell you when that is the case.