Why Your Freezer is Starting to Frost Over
Find expert tips for finding the cause of excessive frost inside your freezer. Learn how to fix common problems that cause the frosty conditions. Get expert advice on when to schedule a service call to have your freezer or refrigerator repaired.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Excessive frost in the freezer is caused by the invasion of warm, moist air into the freezer compartment.
- The water vapor in the moist air forms ice crystals on the cold surfaces inside the freezer to create the frost.
- When the freezer door or lid is shut and the door and cabinet are properly sealed, little frost will form inside the freezer.
Excessive frost in the freezer is caused by the invasion of warm, moist air into the freezer compartment. The water vapor in the moist air forms ice crystals on the cold surfaces inside the freezer to create the frost.
When the freezer door or lid is shut and the door and cabinet are properly sealed, little frost will form inside the freezer.
Your freezer won’t remain shut and perfectly sealed forever. Eventually, frost will form inside the freezer. Excessive frost points to problems that need correcting to prevent cooling problems in the freezer. Recognizing and addressing excessive frost issues will help you keep the freezer operating efficiently and smoothly.
Here are the common ways that warm, moist air enters the freezer and causes excessive frost.
Freezer Door or Lid Left Open
Opening the door or lid of the freezer allows the most air to invade the freezer. When the air is warm and moist, excessive frost inside the freezer will quickly form.
Keep the freezer door or lid shut. Upgrade to a smart refrigerator or freezer that alerts you on your phone or other smart device when the door is left open.
For an upright freezer, make sure that the cabinet is properly leveled with a slight backward tilt so the freezer door swings gently shut when released. Follow the instructions in the owner’s manual or installation guide for your model if the freezer door doesn’t swing shut properly.
Damaged Door Seal or Lid Seal
A loose, torn, cracked or damaged lid or door seal gasket will allow warm, moist air to enter the freezer. Check the lid or door seal when excessive frost appears in the freezer. Adjust or replace the seal to prevent air leaks into the freezer.
Replacing the door or lid seal gasket can be complicated depending on the type of freezer that you have. If you have a freezer with a door or lid gasket that just pushes into a channel in the door, you can likely replace that part yourself. If lid or door gasket is more complicated, schedule service to have a Sears Home Services Technician replace the part.
Unsealed Food Containers
Loading foods in the freezer that aren’t tightly sealed can allow moisture to escape into the freezer and cause frost. Let foods cool completely before loading them in the freezer and make sure contained are sealed tightly to prevent moisture from escaping.
Leaky Ice Dispenser
For freezers with an ice dispenser, a worn or damaged ice door on the dispenser can allow warm, moist air to enter the freezer. An ice cube stuck in the ice door can cause the same issue. When you see frost buildup around the ice dispenser or ice bucket in the freezer, check the ice door for damage or an obstruction. If you need to replace the ice dispenser door, schedule service to have a Sears Home Services Technician complete the repair.
High Humidity in the Space Where the Freezer is Located
No matter how infrequently you open the freezer door or lid, high humidity in the storage location of your freezer will cause frost. When you have the freezer in the garage during summer, frost buildup will typically appear quickly when you open the lid or door to remove food. When possible, locating the freezer indoors will help minimize frost buildup.
No Automatic Defrost System
When your freezer doesn’t have an automatic defrost system, frost will definitely build up over time. Follow the instructions in the owner’s manual to manually defrost the freezer. Be sure that you replace the drain plug after defrosting the freezer and returning it to service or frost will build up inside the freezer quickly.
Freezer Needs Repair
When excessive frost builds up quickly in your freezer and you’re unable to find and fix the cause yourself, it’s likely time to schedule service and have a service technician repair the freezer. An internal air leak or other malfunction could be causing excessive frost in the freezer.
When the freezer is over 15 years old and in need of repair, you may consider replacing the freezer instead of repairing it. If you decide to replace the freezer, take advantage of special offers and financing available on our Sears.com Upgrade page.
We’ve consolidated all help, financing offers and savings into one location on our Upgrade page to make it easy for you to replace your freezer now. No hassles and no waiting. Check out Quick Delivery options from top brands and get a replacement freezer installed in a matter of days.
Getting an efficient and durable freezer will give you the peace of mind that your food is staying safely frozen without running up your electric utility bill.
Schedule your freezer maintenance now!
Sears technicians know all the top freezer brands. We can maintain your appliance no matter where you bought it.
Was this information helpful?
Schedule your freezer maintenance now!
Maintain Freezer Resources
Can a freezer be too full? Get the facts and expert tips from Sears Home Services.
Get expert tips for maintaining your freezer during ice cream season at Sears Home Services.
Learn how to defrost your freezer with expert tips from Sears Home Services.
Is it worth repairing a freezer? Explore the pros and cons and make the right choice for your budget with Sears Home Services.
Glossary Terms
A manual defrost freezer is an appliance that needs to be switched off and allowed to thaw periodically to remove accumulated ice, ensuring efficient operation and storage space maximization.
A furnace filter is a component installed in HVAC systems to trap and remove dust, pollen, and other airborne particles from the air, enhancing indoor air quality and protecting the furnace's inner workings.
Hard water is water that contains high levels of dissolved minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium. It contrasts with soft water, which has lower concentrations of these minerals.
A garbage disposal is a device installed under a kitchen sink that shreds food waste into small enough pieces to pass through plumbing, facilitating an easier and more hygienic kitchen waste management process.
Common Repair Freezer Symptoms
The most common reasons your Whirlpool freezer won't make ice are a failed compressor, old water filter or a faulty dispenser.
The most common reasons your Whirlpool freezer is not working are a failed compressor, malfunctioning electronic control board or a faulty condenser fan motor.
The most common reasons your Whirlpool freezer is not cooling are a failed compressor, malfunctioning electronic control board or a bad evaporator.
The most common reasons your Whirlpool freezer light is not working are a malfunctioning electronic control board, broken LED light assembly or a bad power supply board.
The most common reasons your Whirlpool freezer is leaking water are a clogged drain tube, cracked water tubing or a bad evaporator.
The most common reasons your Whirlpool freezer is leaking are a clogged drain tube, dead ice maker assembly or a bad evaporator.