Why Your LG Freezer is Not Freezing | How To Fix It

Freezers are designed to keep food in storage for longer, but if your freezer stops freezing or just doesn’t get cold enough, it can be a frustrating, and potentially costly problem. If you have recently discovered that your LG freezer is not freezing, the reason may be one of the seven reasons listed below. Unfortunately, most of these reasons require repair or replacement, which a licensed repair person can help you with if you aren’t able to do or comfortable doing it yourself. 

7 Reasons Your LG Freezer is Not Freezing

With each issue listed below, I will give a brief overview of the problem and what you can do to resolve it. 

1. Faulty Condenser Coils

The first thing to check if your LG freezer is not freezing is the condenser coils. These coils are located on the back of the appliance and their job is to disperse the heat created as the refrigerant travels through them. If these coils get dirty or are covered in ice, the heat can’t escape efficiently, which can cause the freezer to not cool well. 

To check your freezer’s condenser coils, follow these steps. 

1. Turn off or unplug the freezer.
2. Pull the appliance away from the wall to access the bottom panel. 
3. Open the panel and locate the condenser coils. 
4. If the coils are dirty, clean them. If they are caked with frost, allow the unit to defrost. 
5. Once the coils are cleaned and/or defrosted, put the panel back on and push the appliance back into place. 
6. Plug it back in and wait two hours to determine if the freezer is freezing. If not, move on to the next section. 

2. Faulty Temperature Control Thermostat

The temperature control thermostat’s job is to monitor the temperature inside the fridge or freezer and then direct the right voltage to its various parts to ensure it cools sufficiently. If this part becomes faulty, your freezer can fail to freeze. 

To check this part:

1. Open the appliance and locate the temperature control thermostat. If you have a refrigerator/freezer combo, it is usually in the refrigerator. 
2. Turn the thermostat to its highest setting. You should hear a clicking sound as the freezer kicks in. If you hear a click, the thermostat is working fine. If you do not hear a click, it might be faulty. Use a multimeter to check for continuity. If there is none, the thermostat will need to be replaced. 
3. If this part is working fine, try checking the condenser fan motor. 

3. Condenser Fan Motor

The condenser fan motor blows warm air over the condenser coils to keep them from freezing up. If this motor stops working, however, your freezer can stop freezing. 

Checking the condenser fan motor is easy. 

1. Pull the appliance out from the wall so you can access the back panel. 
2. Unplug it from the wall. 
3. Take off the lower back panel and find the condenser fan motor. 
4. Try turning the fan blades by hand. If they turn all the way around without getting stuck, this part is likely working well. 
5. If the fan blades are difficult to turn or don’t turn at all, unplug the wires from the motor and test the unit with a multimeter. If there is no continuity, it will need to be replaced. 
6. If this part is working fine, move on to the next check: the start relay. 

4. Defective Start Relay

The start relay and the start winding work together to make sure the compressor functions properly. If this component fails, your LG freezer may not get cold enough. 

You can test the start relay by following these steps. 

1. Unplug the freezer.
2. Locate the start relay. Your freezer’s owner’s manual will tell you where to find it. 
3. Unplug the relay and use a multimeter to test it. 
4. If there is no continuity, replace the start relay. 

5. Faulty Compressor

The compressor is a vital part of your LG freezer. It is responsible for pumping the refrigerant through the appliance’s system. If the compressor fails, the refrigerant can’t circulate, and the freezer cannot freeze. 

Here are the steps for checking the compressor.

1. Unplug the appliance.
2. Pull it out from the wall and remove the lower back panel. 
3. Locate the compressor. 
4. There are two pins on the side of the compressor. Use a multimeter to test the circuit between them. If there is an open circuit, the compressor is faulty and needs to be replaced. If the circuit is closed, the compressor is functioning properly. 

Note: Replacing the compressor is a difficult task and should only be done by an experienced professional. 

6. Temperature Control Board Failure

The temperature control board directs voltage to the main parts of your LG freezer, namely the compressor and fan motors. If this part fails, your freezer cannot cool properly. 

Unfortunately, it is difficult to test the temperature control board. If you have already checked each of the components listed above and found them to be functioning properly, replacing the temperature control board is the best course of action. 

7. Main Control Board Failure

The main control board in your freezer is the “brain” of the appliance. If this part goes out, the freezer won’t freeze. This part is impossible to test, and it is expensive to replace, so if you haven’t figured out yet why your LG freezer is not freezing, it might be best to buy a new freezer rather than replace this part. 

LG Freezer Not Cold Enough

The ideal temperature for any freezer compartment is zero degrees Fahrenheit, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Many modern freezers have built-in thermometers to make it easy to monitor the internal temps inside the appliance. If your freezer does not have a built-in thermometer, you can purchase an appliance thermometer to make sure your freezer is working properly. 

By default, LG freezers and refrigerators come with pre-set temperatures of zero degrees for the freezer and 37 degrees for the refrigerator. If, for some reason, you need to adjust these temperatures, you can do so by following this guide on the LG website. Each type of appliance is a little different, so choose the one that best matches your freezer to find out how to adjust the temperature accordingly. 

Maintaining Your LG Freezer to Extend Lifespan

There are a few things you can do to help make your LG freezer last longer. 

• Clean your freezer once a month to reduce odours. 
• Wipe up spills immediately. 
• If your freezer is a stainless-steel model, avoid using any abrasive cleaners on its exterior. Purchase a residential stainless-steel cleaner designed to gently clean and shine the outside of your freezer. 
• Avoid using cleaning waxes, or products containing petroleum on the plastic parts of your freezer. Instead, make a solution of two tablespoons of baking soda to one-quart warm water. Stir until the baking soda dissolves completely to avoid scratching the surfaces you are cleaning. 

FAQs LG Freezer Faulty

Why is my freezer not freezing but my fridge works

If the refrigerator is working, but the freezer isn’t getting cold enough, the gasket around the freezer door may be faulty. Over time, these gaskets can dry out and crack, causing the freezer door to not seal properly, and thus, not get cold enough. Replacing the door gasket should fix the issue. 
Maybe you would also like to read this article How Long Does It Take a Fridge To Get Cold

How do I reset my LG freezer?

You can reset your LG freezer by unplugging it from the power source. When you plug it back in, you should hear the compressor kick in and the appliance should start cooling. The freezer should cool completely within 24 hours. If not, you may need a service technician.