Freezers are invaluable appliances when it comes to food preservation in your home. However, they may pick up problems down the line, and this could mean your food going bad or excessive energy being used. In either case, it would be a waste of money. For this reason, it is essential to understand the causes behind some of the common freezer problems to find best possible solutions. One issue you are likely to experience with the freezer compartment of your refrigerator is the inability to freeze. Here are the possible culprits for such cases. 

Dirty Condenser Coils

Condenser coils that are covered with dust and other dirt can prevent your freezer from cooling efficiently. Dirty condenser coils do not disperse heat as efficiently, which affects the cooling capacity of the freezer. Condenser coils on most refrigerator models are usually located behind the unit, which can expose them to a lot of dirt. If your refrigerator is one such model, inspect the coils for dirt and clean them thoroughly using a condenser brush. Your owner's manual should have the instructions for cleaning the condenser coils, but remember to unplug your refrigerator first before accessing, inspecting and cleaning the condenser coils. Also, make it a habit to clean the coils routinely to prevent the problem from recurring. 

Faulty Start Relay

The start relay supplies power to the compressor, a very crucial component of your freezer. If the start relay is problematic, the compressor won't receive the proper voltage it requires to operate properly, which means it may not function at all or at best; it will only do so intermittently. In either case, your freezer won't work correctly. Inspect the start relay for damages and replace if necessary. If it smells burnt, you should also replace it. If you are unsure, you can test for continuity using a multimeter, focusing on the start as well as run terminals. This step will be easier if you are slightly electronic savvy. Otherwise, call a freezer repair professional. You should replace the start relay if there is no continuity. 

Defective Evaporator Fan Motor

The evaporator fan motor works by drawing air over the evaporator coils and dissipating it throughout your unit. If it fails, your freezer won't cool. Fortunately, it is easy to troubleshoot a faulty evaporator fan motor. Open your freezer door and try to activate the door switch by manipulating it. If the motor doesn't run even after the switch is activated, consider replacing it.