Have you adjusted your fridge’s temperature?
Regardless of how many times you do it…
Your Frigidaire fridge still freezes everything inside.
So, why does this happen?
And how can you fix this problem?
Read on to find out:
- Steps on how to replace a broken fridge thermistor.
- What is an air damper and how it helps your fridge in air circulation.
- 7 reasons why your Frigidaire refrigerator keeps freezing everything.
- 7 quick and proven fixes for each cause that you can do by yourself.
- And many more…
Why does my Frigidaire refrigerator keep freezing everything?
Your Frigidaire refrigerator keeps freezing everything because its temperature might be too low. A broken air damper is also possible. Due to this, there’s too much cold air in your fridge. But, this can be due to a faulty part as well. Say, an air damper, thermostat, thermistor, or control board.
Frigidaire refrigerator keeps freezing food: 7 causes & solutions
#1: Low fridge temperature
First off, have you double-checked your fridge’s settings?
This is because the temperature might have been set too low. And this is the reason why your refrigerator keeps freezing food.
“But wait. I’m sure that I set it at the right temperature.”
If so, the dial must have been adjusted by accident. Either someone may have bumped or turned the controls.
If this is the reason, the fix is super easy.
How?
Solution:
Adjust your fridge’s temperature. And set it to the normal setting.
“What temperature is ideal for my refrigerator?”
Frigidaire says that it’ll be different for every model.
So, what kind of fridge do you have?
Those with dial controls should be set at “Normal Mode.”
While the fresh food section in multi-door models must be at 39° F (3.9° C). But for fridges with electronic controls, this niche should be at 37° F (2.8° C).
You might also want to check out: 15 Refrigerator Do’s And Don’ts (Avoid #7 At All Times)
#2: Broken air damper
“What’s an air damper?”
It’s a tiny flap that regulates the cold air inside your refrigerator.
The air comes from your freezer. And then, the damper will open its flap. Letting the cold air enter the fresh food section.
It’s also connected to the thermostat.
This is why it opens and closes by itself. And this will depend on the temperature inside your fridge.
But if your damper is broken, it’ll be closed or stuck open.
If the latter happens, it’ll allow too much cold air in your fridge. So this could also be the reason why your fridge freezes everything.
Solution:
Step 1: Inspect your air damper.
This is usually near the freezer. So it’s often placed at the upper left side of your fridge wall.
But sometimes, this can also be on the upper rear part.
If the flap doesn’t close, it might be faulty so…
Step 2: Replace your old damper
Is your air damper connected to the fridge’s thermostat and timer?
If so, it may be difficult to change it on your own. So contact a repairman to help you fix the problem.
But if you’re quite handy, here’s a video tutorial you can watch:
You may also wonder: Why is Frigidaire refrigerator making noises?
#3: Your food is near a vent
If your damper isn’t stuck, it might be that some of your items in the fridge are too close to the vents.
“What are those?”
These also help the cold air circulate in your unit. And the damper might be within them as well.
So if only a certain part of your fridge freezes a lot, it could be near a vent.
Solution:
The fix for this is simple.
Locate all the vents inside your fridge. Like the damper, these are also found close to the freezer.
And then, move all your food away from them.
By doing this, you’ll avoid your items from getting frozen. And also, you’ll also help the cold air circulate better inside your Frigidaire.
#4: Dirty condenser coils
Do your vents and damper work properly?
If so, the issue can be due to dirty condenser coils.
“How is this connected to my frozen food problem?”
If your coils are filled with dust and debris, it’ll make the compressor work extra hard.
When this happens, your fridge will be too cold.
Also, this is one of the reasons why a refrigerator buzzes.
Solution:
Inspect your condenser coils first. Then, clean them if needed.
How to do this?
Read the steps below:
- Unplug your fridge from the power outlet to avoid electrocution.
- Pull your fridge away from the wall. (This is so that you have enough space to access and clean the coils.)
- Find the condenser coils. (You can refer to your manual to verify the location.)
Note: In some models, these black coils are found at the back. While in newer fridges, they’re under the units. For the latter, remove the bottom panel of your Frigidaire. Normally, pulling it upwards and grabbing it towards you will do the work.
- Vacuum the coils briefly. Insert a narrow nozzle for easier cleaning. (Try to remove only some of the dust on the surface. Don’t clean it thoroughly yet.)
- Use a long flexible coil brush to scrape all the dirt and debris on the coils.
Note: If the condenser coils are under the fridge, use a flashlight to see better.
- Finish the cleaning process by vacuuming any dirt left on the coils.
- If you removed the bottom panel, reattach it to your fridge.
- Plug its cord back in the wall outlet.
- Allow it to cool for a bit and check if it still freezes your food or not.
You can repeat steps #5 and #6 until the condenser coils are free from dust and dirt.
Also, remember to clean your condenser coils twice a year.
This is only the minimum so feel free to vacuum them if necessary.
Note: This will not only fix your fridge’s cooling issue. But, it’ll also help lessen your electricity bill. As well as extend your refrigerator’s life.
Reading recommendation: 15 Best Ways To Maintain Your Refrigerator (Checklist)
#5: Faulty thermostat
Aside from freezing your food…
Do you notice other unusual things in your fridge?
“Like what?”
Say, its freezer is colder than before. Or its compressor is running longer than usual.
If so, you might need to get a new thermostat.
“What’s a fridge thermostat?”
It monitors the temperature of your fridge.
For example, when it detects that it’s getting hot inside…
It switches the compressor on. This is to bring back the coolness inside your unit.
And when the desired temperature is reached…
The thermostat will turn the compressor off.
So if it’s not functioning well, your unit can get too cold. And all your goods inside will freeze.
This is because your compressor will work extra hard. And nothing will control or stop it from doing so.
If this is the case, you’ll also notice that the coolness inside your fridge won’t change. This is even after adjusting the temperature so many times.
Solution:
Check first whether your thermostat is defective or not.
To know this, do the following:
- Set your Frigidaire fridge at the lowest temperature.
- Then turn the dial to the highest setting.
- Observe your unit for a while.
If you hear a clicking noise, your thermostat is fine.
But if it’s silent, it could be broken. And the only solution for it is a replacement.
#6: Defective thermistor
Inside a thermostat is a thermistor.
“What does it do?”
The thermistor also detects the temperature inside your fridge.
But unlike the thermostat…
It transmits this info to the temperature control board.
Then that part will now control the voltage given to the cooling system.
This includes the compressor. As well as the evaporator fans.
So if this doesn’t work, you’ll also have a frozen fridge. As a result of the constant cooling.
Solution:
Like the previous tips, inspect your thermistor first.
How?
Get a multimeter. Then turn your Frigidaire dial to a different temperature.
Look if the resistance in your thermistor changed after doing this.
If not, then it needs to be replaced.
How to replace a thermistor on a Frigidaire refrigerator
- Unplug your fridge from its power source.
- Remove the drawers and shelves since the thermistor is at the back of the wall. (As well as their contents.)
- Unhinge the screws that secure the rear duct cover.
- Pull and detach the cover.
- Take out the thermistor. (It’s the wire with a thin, white cylinder on one of its ends.)
- Install the new thermistor by plugging it into the duct.
- Reattach the rear duct cover if you’re done replacing it.
- Put the screws back in and ensure that they’re tight.
- Return all the shelves and drawers that you took out.
- Close your fridge and plug it back into a power source.
Then, see if your Frigidaire is cooling properly now or not.
#7: Main control board
Lastly, this is usually not a common cause for this problem.
But if all the parts I said above are working fine in your unit…
Then, your main control board might be at fault.
“What does a main control board do?”
It’s like the ‘brain’ of your refrigerator.
Some of its important functions are the following:
- It’s responsible for the fans and compressor.
- It monitors the sensors found in the food and freezer sections.
- It collects information about your fridge. (E.g., how frequently you open the doors).
So if this is broken, the compressor may also work harder.
Then the temperature inside your fridge will be too low. Considering the temperature sensors have issues as well.
Solution:
To fix this, the only option is to get a new main control board.
You can search for and buy the suitable one for your fridge at this link. (This is the official page of Frigidaire for its appliances’ parts.)
Enter your fridge’s model number. Then look for the main control board.
To replace it, you can contact your trusted repairman. But you may also send your concerns to the Frigidaire Service Center.