WHY IS FOOD FREEZING IN MY FRIDGE AND HOW CAN I FIX IT?
You may not expect to reach into your fridge and find food that needs defrosting, but some refrigerator issues can cause cold zones that freeze foods. Use this guide to learn possible causes for a fridge freezing food, as well as how to troubleshoot them and tips for preventing food from icing up in the fridge.
WHAT CAUSES A REFRIGERATOR TO FREEZE UP?
Issues like poor refrigerator organization, a blocked air vent or a leaky door gasket can be the cause of a refrigerator freezing food. You may also discover that your refrigerator parts—like the temperature sensor or control panel—are in need of a replacement to help maintain consistent temperatures.
TROUBLESHOOT A FRIDGE THAT KEEPS FREEZING
Most problems that cause food to freeze in the refrigerator have quick and simple solutions. See 7 possible reasons for a refrigerator that freezes below, ranging from misset temperature or blocked air vents to more complex issues like a faulty control panel.
1. BLOCKED AIR VENT
Air vents in the refrigerator are typically found on the back wall and help circulate air to help keep the temperature consistent throughout the fridge. You may notice food freezing toward the back of the refrigerator if items are blocking this air vent. Be sure to keep your refrigerator well organized and leave space around the air vent for more even airflow.
2. MISSET TEMPERATURE
Refrigerators perform best when set between 32º–40ºF, with 38º–40ºF being ideal for most fresh foods. Check that your refrigerator’s cooling settings are in an optimal range. If not, reset the temperature settings manually and wait 24 hours for the refrigerator to adjust. If you notice food continuing to freeze, your refrigerator’s temperature sensor or control panel may be the cause.
3. FAULTY TEMPERATURE SENSOR
The temperature sensor in your refrigerator gauges the internal temperature of the compartment, signaling the fridge’s cooling system to kick on and off when temperatures fluctuate. A faulty temperature sensor doesn’t accurately gauge the fridge’s internal temperature, which can cause food to freeze in your refrigerator.
You can manually test the temperature sensor by placing a glass of water on the top shelf of your refrigerator for 24 hours, then checking the water’s temperature with a cooking thermometer. It may be time to replace the temperature sensor if the water temperature isn’t within 2 degrees of your refrigerator’s cooling settings.
4. CONTROL PANEL ISSUES
If you’ve double-checked that the refrigerator temperature is set properly but food continues freezing, a defective control panel may be the problem. A control panel that doesn’t appear to be responding may be in showroom, demo or Sabbath mode.
You can troubleshoot your control board by resetting the refrigerator. Simply unplug the fridge, then wait 5–10 minutes before plugging it back in. Set the temperature settings and test the control panel to see if it’s responsive. Contact a professional if you suspect a faulty control panel is causing food to freeze in the refrigerator.
5. BROKEN DOOR GASKET
A refrigerator door gasket is the rubber seal that helps keep cold air inside of the compartment. A warped or torn gasket will release cold air into the room, forcing the refrigerator to work overtime to maintain temperature settings and may ultimately freeze food.
You can test your refrigerator door gasket by closing a flat piece of paper inside the refrigerator door. Pull at the paper once the door is closed. If it’s removed with little to no resistance, it may be time to replace the door gasket. Be sure to test the seal from top to bottom to find any problem areas.
6. DIRTY COILS
Condenser coils are typically located across the bottom front of the refrigerator or in the back and release heat absorbed from the refrigerator compartment. Dirty condenser coils may force your refrigerator’s compressor to work harder to cool, which could lead to excessive cooling and food freezing in the fridge.
Learn more about cleaning your refrigerator’s condenser coils in this refrigerator cleaning guide, and always consult your owner’s manual before accessing condenser coils.
7. ICE MAKER ON BUT DISCONNECTED
Your ice maker will continually try and fail to make ice if it’s set to the “on” position but not connected to a water source. This can cause the ice maker to release too much cold air into the refrigerator compartment, freezing fresh foods.
You can remedy this problem by connecting your ice maker to a water source to generate ice successfully, or by switching the ice maker into the “off” position.
WHY IS MY FRIDGE FREEZING UP AT THE BACK?
Blocked air vents may cause food to freeze over in the back of the fridge. The refrigerator’s air vents push cold air into the compartment and circulate it throughout, but a blocked vent can expose food directly in its path to more cold air, which may lead it to freeze up over time. You can help solve this problem by giving your air vents plenty of space to distribute air evenly.
WHY DO MY VEGETABLES FREEZE IN THE CRISPER DRAWER?
Crisper drawer settings need to be customized to suit the contents inside, so a drawer set to inappropriate humidity levels may impact the vegetables inside. Crisper drawers holding thin-skinned vegetables like leafy greens, lettuce, broccoli or cucumbers perform best when set to high humidity (closed vents for less airflow).
Food in your crisper drawer may also be freezing if your ice maker is in the “on” position but not connected to a water supply.
TIPS TO PREVENT FOOD FROM FREEZING IN THE FRIDGE
Promote airflow in the fridge by regularly organizing your refrigerator and tossing out any leftovers that may be crowding shelving, drawers or venting in the back of the refrigerator.
Keep your refrigerator between 32º–40ºF to help prevent food from freezing.
Some areas of the fridge get colder than others, so consider where you’re placing each item. Reserve your door bins for items like condiments and drinks that can withstand slightly warmer temperatures, and use the back of the fridge and deli drawer for more perishable items like lunch meat and dairy products that require colder, more stable temperatures.
If you’ve identified problem areas in your refrigerator but can’t get food to stop freezing, try storing items you prefer chilled—like single-serve beverages—in that space until the problem is resolved.
SHOP MAYTAG® REFRIGERATORS
Maytag® refrigerators work around the clock to help make sure food stays at an optimal temperature. The PowerCold® feature on select models rapidly drops the fridge temperature to quickly cool foods. Plus, select models feature Bottom-Mounted FreshLock™ crispers with Humidity Controls that carry weight from the bottom, so they glide open smoothly every time.
