New freezers do their job marvelously — until they start to age. Your freezer may start to act strange and slow down in performance. The freezer’s parts are often the first to go. Fortunately, repair jobs can help a freezer extend its lifespan. Your freezer may need repair if you notice any of these six signs.

1. Spoiled or Thawed Food

A freezer with thawed or spoiled food is a notable sign that you need to schedule freezer repair. You can tell by the foul odor or the softness of formerly frozen food. The primary cause of this issue is a thermostat not working or a temperature-control system reading a warmer temperature. Dirty condenser coils and a broken seal are other possibilities.

2. Excessive Ice Buildup

Frost on the walls comes from warm and cold air interacting. The cause is the door failing to keep cool air inside and warm air outside. A broken seal or a broken door hinge are likely culprits. Another cause of excessive ice buildup is the defrost cycle. Defrost parts like the heater, thermostat, sensor, or timer could be faulty. Two more reasons are a clogged freezer drain tube and a ripped gasket.

3. Water Around the Freezer

Finding water around the freezer is concerning. Potential causes include a faulty defrost drain or a leaky water line. The defrost drain could deteriorate because of wear, or it may have a clog. The water line connects the water supply to the ice maker, adding the device to the list of issues. A faulty door seal can also cause water to form.

4. Unfamiliar Noises

A freezer makes humming sounds to keep the temperature at zero degrees. If you hear unfamiliar sounds coming from the freezer, that’s problematic. Hissing, banging, buzzing, rattling, knocking, screeching, or thumping sounds relate to one of several possibilities. It could be a fan motor malfunction, a dirty condenser coil, a compressor issue, a freezer motor problem, or an ice maker malfunction. If the noise gets louder, the freezer is probably nearing the end of its useful lifespan.

5. Not Following the Cycle

A freezer turns on and off to keep the temperature consistent. If the freezer stays on, it uses too much energy, keeping the unit excessively cold. This results in a costly energy bill and freezer burn on food. The primary causes of this are an issue with the compressor, control board, or temperature sensor. Secondary issues include dirty condenser coils or an overstuffed freezer.

6. Touchpad or Button Errors

Some freezers respond to button or touchpad controls. They’ll tell you what’s wrong through error codes and warning lights. Your manual will tell you their meaning. Serious errors and warnings will need a technician’s help. Conversely, if the touchpad or buttons are unresponsive or acting strangely, the cause is an electrical or control board problem. A technician can fix that, too.

We want your freezer to last beyond its lifespan, and calling us for appliance repair will go a long way. Our team combines technology with expertise to test, diagnose, and repair freezer issues. Contact Col-Tech Appliance Repair for more information on refrigerators and freezers in Oklahoma City, OK.