Your freezer freezing only at the bottom can cause food to spoil. There are many causes, including fan issues and a frozen evaporator.
While most causes are technical, following the user manual’s troubleshooting guide can help. This article looks at the most widespread causes of freezer freezing at the bottom and offers practical solutions.
Fan Issues
An underlying fan problem can cause your freezer to freeze at the bottom. Often, the most common cause is a blocked or faulty fan motor. Blockage can be due to clogged debris or ice while wiring issues can cause the engine to malfunction.
Solution
- For safety reasons, unplug the refrigerator from the power source.
- Check for visible obstructions, such as ice and debris, which can prevent the fan from spinning correctly. If any, remove them. You may also melt ice in hard-to-reach areas.
- Plug the refrigerator into the power source and check if the freezer works appropriately. If the problem persists, you may need to check the refrigerator wiring.
- Check for loose or damaged wires between the fan and the control board.
- Use a multimeter to test the motor’s continuity.
- To test the fan motor, disconnect its wires and use the multimeter to test the continuity between the motor’s terminals.
- If neither of the above solves the problem, you may need to replace the motor. Make sure to consult the manual so you can buy a compatible option. Alternatively, you can consult a technician for a better diagnosis.
Faulty Defrost Timer
Another reason your freezer is only freezing at the bottom could be due to a broken defrost timer. This essential component of your freezer regulates the automatic defrosting cycles.
Corrosion, mechanical wear and tear, manufacturing defects, and electrical surges can cause a faulty defroster. If you suspect a faulty defrost timer is the cause, you may need to replace it.
Solution
- First, disconnect the freezer from the power source.
- Use the freezer’s user manual to locate the defrost timer. It can be found near the compressor, in the control panel, or behind a meeting in the freezer compartment.
- Once you locate its position, remove the panel or cover to access it. Make sure to remove all clips or screws securing the cover.
- Identify the wires to the defroster timer and mark them for easier reconnecting. Most defrost timers have four terminals: Line (L), Defrost (D), Compressor (C), and Ground (G). You may also take a picture of the wiring.
- With a vivid picture of the wiring, it is time to disconnect the wires. Use a screwdriver to loosen the terminal screws and carefully slide them off.
- Use a screwdriver to unmount the defrost timer from its location.
- Install the new defrost timer in the exact location as the previous one. Depending on the freezer’s design, secure it with brackets, screws, or clips.
- Reconnect the wires to the correct terminals on the new timer. Make sure they are tightly held in place.
- Use the freezer’s user manual to set the defrost cycle.
- Reattach the cover or panel and reconnect the freezer to the power source.
Faulty Defrost Heater
If your freezer is only freezing at the bottom, it could be due to a defective defrost heater. It can cause the evaporator to build up with ice and frost, preventing the freezer from working efficiently. To fix this, you must replace the defrost heater with a new one.
Solution
- Unplug the freezer from the power outlet.
- Remove the evaporator cover located at the back of the freezer. This is usually behind the food compartment.
- Locate the defroster heater near the evaporator coils in the freezer. You may need to release it from the clips or use a screwdriver to unscrew it.
- Disconnect the electrical wires from the defrost heater. It would help if you took a picture or drew a rough diagram of the wiring layout for easier reconnection. It will typically have two wires connected to it.
- Once you disconnect the wires, remove the old defrost heater. Depending on the freezer’s design, you may need to remove brackets, clips, or screws.
- Install the new defrost heater in the exact location as the old one. Secure it with screws, clips, or brackets.
- Replace the evaporator cover.
- Plug your freezer back into the power outlet.
Overloaded Freezer
Another overlooked but common cause for your freezer freezing only at the bottom is overloading your unit. This is especially true for homeowners who need to learn how much food their freezer can handle.
Overloading can cause the temperature to rise in the freezer. As such, the ice at the top melts and sinks at the bottom of the freezer.
To mitigate this, avoid overloading your freezer with more than recommended. You can find how much your unit can handle in the user manual.
Frozen Evaporator
An evaporator is an essential freezer component that removes heat from the air, cooling your food. If the evaporator is frozen or dirty, it may not transfer heat away effectively. As such, your freezer may freeze at the bottom only.
Solution
- To avoid electrocution, unplug the freezer from the power outlet.
- Remove the food in the freezer. Make sure to place it in a more relaxed place.
- Open the freezer door and allow the evaporator coils to thaw. This may take several hours. You can use a fan to speed up the defrosting process.
- Once the ice has melted, you can start cleaning the coils. Use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush to remove debris or dirt. Make sure to clean them gently to avoid damaging the locks.
- If the coils are filthy, use warm, soapy water to remove the stubborn stains.
- Once the evaporator coils are clean and dry, you can replace the food in the freezer.
- Plug your freezer back into the power outlet.
Clogged Filters
Clogged filters can also cause your freezer to freeze only at the bottom. This is caused by lint and dust blocking air from passing through it. If this is the cause, you’ll need to clean or replace it with a new one.
Solution
- Unplug the freezer from the power outlet
- Remove the dirty filter from the freezer.
- Rinse the filter with cold water to remove any debris or dirt.
- For thorough cleaning, soak it in warm water and vinegar for at least 30 minutes.
- Rinse the filter with cold water and allow it to air dry.
- Replace it in the freezer.
If the filer is very clogged, you can replace it with a new one. Consult the user manual so you can buy a compatible option.
Final Thought
As you can see, several factors can cause your freezer to only freeze at the bottom. Overloading your freeze is the most manageable problem you can solve with minimal technical input.
All you need is to load it with the amount it can handle. Luckily, every freezer has a maximum capacity sticker. If the cause is clogged filters or a frozen evaporator, follow the above steps or consult a qualified technician.