Amana Refrigerator: not freezing properly

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Is your Amana refrigerator not freezing properly? If the freezer isn't reaching temperatures below 0°F, you might notice food thawing or uneven cooling. Common causes include a malfunctioning evaporator fan, dirty condenser coils, or issues with the thermostat. Take action to restore proper freezing functionality.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Amana Models

  • Amana official guidance includes location and installation checks (not too hot/cold environment) and proper door sealing.

Possible Causes

Evaporator fan motor failure or obstructed airflow

How to Identify: Freezer not freezing while refrigerator may still be cold; lack of airflow or fan noise absent when door switch activated. Manual spin of fan blade reveals resistance.

Part: Evaporator fan motor / internal air vents

Condenser fan motor not running properly

How to Identify: Compressor runs but condenser fan doesn’t spin; unit feels hot at back; condenser coils warm.

Part: Condenser fan motor

Dirty condenser coils reducing cooling efficiency

How to Identify: Visible dust/debris, coils warm but inefficient; cleaning improves performance.

Part: Condenser coils

Faulty start relay or start device preventing compressor operation

How to Identify: Compressor fails to start or runs intermittently; clicking noises at compressor.

Part: Start relay / start device

Defrost system failure (heater/timer) leading to frost buildup

How to Identify: Excess frost buildup on evaporator coils visible after panel removal; freezer loses cooling over time.

Part: Defrost heater / defrost timer

Thermostat or thermistor failure leading to improper temperature control

How to Identify: Unit doesn’t call for cooling appropriately; multimeter shows no continuity or anomalous resistance changes.

Part: Thermostat / thermistor

Door gasket seal failure causing warm air influx

How to Identify: Warm spots, frost pattern on edges, dollar bill test shows poor seal; frequent door openings exacerbate warming.

Part: Door gasket / seal

DIY Solutions

Clean Condenser Coils

Easy 20–40 minutes
Tools Needed: condenser coil brush or vacuum with brush attachment
  1. Unplug refrigerator.
  2. Access coils (rear/bottom).
  3. Use brush/vacuum to remove dust and debris.
  4. Restore power and monitor temperatures.
⚠️ Safety First: Unplug before cleaning coils.

Clear Air Vents and Reorganize Freezer Items

Easy 10–15 minutes
  1. Remove obstruction from air vents inside freezer and fridge.
  2. Ensure items aren’t blocking airflow.
  3. Rearrange contents to allow unobstructed airflow.
  4. Close door and check if cooling improves.

Check and Replace Door Gasket if Faulty

Moderate 30–60 minutes
Tools Needed: screwdriver, gasket replacement
  1. Perform dollar bill test around door seal.
  2. If seal weak, remove old gasket.
  3. Install new gasket following manufacturer instructions.
  4. Check for improved sealing and temperature control.

Test and Replace Evaporator Fan Motor

Advanced 1–2 hours
Tools Needed: multimeter, screwdrivers
  1. Unplug fridge.
  2. Remove freezer interior panel to access fan.
  3. Check fan spins freely and test with multimeter.
  4. Replace motor if defective.
  5. Reassemble and power on.
⚠️ Safety First: Ensure power is disconnected and follow part-specific instructions.

Next step

Choose the next step for not freezing properly

Confirm the diagnosis before ordering. An error code can identify the system involved, but it does not prove that a specific part has failed.

Check during diagnosis

Most relevant component to inspect

Evaporator Fan Motor

Circulates cold air from the evaporator through the refrigerator or freezer compartments.

Typical part-only price
$35 - $110
DIY difficulty
Medium
Estimated time
30-60 mins
Where can I find the model number?

Check the rating label around the door, lid, frame, rear panel, or inside the appliance cabinet. Use the complete model number, including suffixes.

Find a part that fits my model

Verify the complete model and part number on the retailer's compatibility page before ordering.

Other parts options

Check related components first; use model search as a fallback.

Possible related component

Condenser Fan Motor

Moves air across the condenser and compressor compartment to remove heat.

$35 - $100 · Medium · 30-60 mins

Check fit & price
Possible related component

Compressor

Compresses refrigerant within the sealed cooling system and requires specialized service equipment.

$180 - $600 · Hard · 120-240 mins

Check fit & price
Possible related component

Defrost Heater

Melts frost buildup on the evaporator coils during the defrost cycle.

$25 - $60 · Medium · 30-45 mins

Check fit & price
Model number required

Model-compatible Refrigerator parts

Enter the complete model number to browse compatible replacement parts. This is a model-based parts search, not a diagnosis that a specific component failed.

Find a part that fits my model

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We may earn a commission from other qualifying purchases or service requests made through links on this page, at no additional cost to you. Recommendations are based on repair relevance, not commission rate.

Optional routine care

Maintenance supplies

These products support cleaning or routine upkeep. They are separate from the possible repair components above and are not claimed to fix this error code or symptom.

Maintenance supply

Refrigerator Condenser Coil Brush

For routine cleaning of accessible condenser areas where the manufacturer permits it. It does not repair a sealed-system or compressor fault.

View maintenance supply
Maintenance supply

Model-Compatible Refrigerator Water Filter

A routine replacement item on models with a water filter. Match the complete appliance model and existing filter number before ordering.

Compatibility check required: use the complete appliance model and compare the existing filter, bag, or specification before ordering.

Find one that fits my model

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Recommendations are based on routine-care relevance, not commission rate.

Professional Repairs

Replace Compressor Start Relay/Device

Estimated Cost: $40 - $120 for parts, $150 - $300 with labor

Replace Defrost System Components

Estimated Cost: $50 - $200 parts, $200 - $400 with labor

Replace Thermostat/Thermistor or Control Board

Estimated Cost: $30 - $300 parts, $150 - $500 with labor

When to Call a Professional

Compressor does not run or starts and stops repeatedly
Visible frost ice buildup persists despite defrost
Diagnostic multimeter testing indicates electrical component failure

Preventive Maintenance

  • Clean condenser coils: Reduced cooling efficiency due to dust buildup
    Frequency: annually or biannually
  • Inspect door gaskets: Warm air leaks reducing freezer performance
    Frequency: monthly
  • Ensure airflow is unobstructed: Airflow issues leading to improper cooling
    Frequency: ongoing

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Amana Refrigerator not freezing properly?
Common causes include evaporator fan failure, dirty condenser coils, and thermostat issues.
How do I fix Amana Refrigerator not freezing properly myself?
Clean condenser coils, clear air vents, and check the door gasket for proper sealing.
How much does it cost to fix not freezing properly?
Professional repair costs range from $150 to $500 depending on the issue.
When should I call a technician for not freezing properly?
If DIY solutions don't resolve the issue, or if you suspect a compressor or defrost system failure.

References & Sources

Community Analytical Insights

Guidance from available sources; statistical claims are shown only for samples of at least 10 discussions

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Dirty condenser coils
  • Faulty thermostat
  • Blocked air vents
  • Damaged door seals
  • Low refrigerant levels

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Clean the condenser coils. Unplug the refrigerator, locate the coils (usually at the back or beneath), and use a vacuum or brush to remove dust and debris.

  2. Check and replace the thermostat if faulty. Use a multimeter to test the thermostat for continuity; if it fails, replace it with a new one.

  3. Clear any blockages in air vents. Inspect the freezer and refrigerator compartments for ice buildup or obstructions and remove them.

  4. Inspect and replace damaged door seals. Close the door on a piece of paper; if it pulls out easily, the seal may need replacement.

  5. Check refrigerant levels. If low, contact a professional technician to recharge the refrigerant, as this requires specialized tools.

Limited-source guidance; percentages and success-rate claims are not shown
View Sources

Data compiled from real discussions on r/appliancerepair and r/Appliances:

  1. Amana Side by Side Refridgerator - Freezer Temp is too Warm

User Comments (0)

Share your experience or solution below.

Be the first to comment!