It’s aggravating and inconvenient to have an ice cream freezer that doesn’t keep your ice cream frozen, especially on a hot summer day. So, why isn’t the ice cream staying frozen in the freezer?
 
Because ice cream is less dense than other frozen meals, melted ice cream usually indicates that your freezer has a minor cooling problem or that a freezer component has failed and needs to be repaired or replaced.
 
Fortunately, if the basic procedures do not resolve the problem, you should be able to locate and replace the portion of your refrigerator or freezer that is causing the problem using this tutorial and some basic DIY skills.
 
So, let’s get started!
 

1. HAS THE TEMPERATURE BEEN SET ACCURATELY?

You’ve probably already double-checked that the freezer temperature is below 15 degrees Fahrenheit, but just in case you haven’t, ice cream requires a temperature below 15 degrees Fahrenheit. If you have a dial or slider control, the coldest temperature setting should be the highest number or position.
 
It can take up to 24 hours for the freezer temperature to stabilize after changing the setting or adding or removing hot or cold goods.
 

2. ARE THE VENTS IN THE FREEZER BLOCKED?

Air must be allowed to circulate in order for the freezer to function correctly, which will not be possible if the freezer’s vents are clogged or iced over. Rearranging your freezer, discarding forgotten, now freezer-burned food, and defrosting any ice accumulation around the vents may be all that’s needed to keep your ice cream from melting.
 

3. IS THE FREEZER OVERFILLED?

If your freezer is only stocked with ice cream and a few other products, you may need to add some extra food to keep it at the proper temperature.
 
Most freezer manufacturers recommend maintaining your freezer 70-85 percent full to keep the temperature consistent and provide adequate airflow.
 
When the freezer door is opened, less cold air escapes and less warm air enters since the freezer is 70-85% filled. Keeping additional frozen goods in the freezer helps to keep the temperature down as well.
 

4. IS THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE TOO HOT OR TOO COLD?

It’s possible that the ice cream is melting due to the placement of your freezer. The outdoor temperature may wreak havoc on freezers in places like garages.
 
The outdoor temperature should not exceed 110 degrees Fahrenheit or dip below 55 degrees Fahrenheit, according to most freezer makers.
 
Moving the freezer or giving some ventilation if the outside temperature is too low or too high could fix your ice cream problem.
 

5. DOES THE DOOR SEAL NEED TO BE REPLACED?

The door seal (gasket) in the freezer keeps the cold air inside and the warm air out. Even a tiny door seal rupture can cause the freezer to struggle to maintain a cool and consistent temperature.
 
If your freezer door seal has cracks, tears, or gaps that prevent it from sealing properly, replacing it will improve the freezer’s function.
 
Close the door on a $1 note and then see whether you can easily pull the bill out as a test. If the bill is easily removed, your door seal will most likely need to be replaced.
 

6. IS THE AIRFLOW BEING RESTRICTED BY FROST BUILDUP?

The vents and evaporator coils will not work well if there is too much frost or ice buildup in the freezer, just as they will not work properly if there are too many items in the freezer.
 
Frost and ice buildup must be removed from the freezer to guarantee proper operation. If your freezer doesn’t have an auto-defrost option, you’ll have to take everything out of it and turn off the electricity for 8-12 hours to let it defrost.
 

7. DO YOU NEED TO CLEAN YOUR CONDENSER COILS?

The freezer is kept cold by condenser coils, which are positioned at the bottom or back of the refrigerator. Dirt and dust can accumulate on the condenser coils over time, causing them to overheat and struggle to maintain an ideal freezer temperature.
 
The condenser coils in your refrigerator will either be underneath or behind the appliance, depending on the model you have. If the coils are located beneath the refrigerator, a condenser coil cleaning kit, which includes a specific brush for cleaning beneath the refrigerator, can be used to clean them. By removing the back access panel, you can clean the coils in the back of the refrigerator. Cleaning the coils can be done using a brush or a vacuum attachment.
 

8. DOES THE EVAPORATOR FAN NEED TO BE REPLACED?

To remove heat from the air, the evaporator fan draws air across the evaporator coils. The evaporator fan and motor are normally positioned on the back wall of the freezer chamber, depending on the refrigerator model.
 
If the evaporator fan or motor fails, the temperature in the freezer will rise, causing your ice cream to melt. When an evaporator fan fails, it becomes louder and makes peculiar high-pitched noises.
 
Remove goods from the freezer and remove the panel around the evaporator fan to make sure it’s not broken and the motor is running. If there is an issue, you should be able to see or hear it, but the evaporator fan motor can also be examined for continuity with a multimeter. The motor will need to be replaced if there is no continuity.
 

9. DOES THE START RELAY HAVE A DEFECT?

The compressor of the refrigerator is connected to the start relay. The purpose of the start relay is to supply electricity to the compressor. If the start relay fails, the compressor may only run infrequently or not at all, causing the freezer temperature to rise above the freezing point of your ice cream.
 
By removing the refrigerator’s back access panel, you may find the start relay. Whether you’ve worked on a refrigerator before, you may remove the start relay and test it with a multimeter to see if it’s broken and needs to be replaced. If you’re not sure, a qualified refrigerator technician should check and replace the start relay.
 

10. DOES THE COMPRESSOR NEED TO BE REPLACED?

A faulty compressor is the most likely cause of your freezer not cooling properly. The compressor is the most crucial component of a refrigerator since it pumps refrigerant throughout the system, maintaining the appropriate temperature.
 
If you discover that the compressor is generating more noise than usual or that it is not working at all, it should be checked and possibly replaced. Refrigerator compressor repairs can be dangerous and difficult, so it’s better to hire a professional who specializes in them.
 
This article is accurate and true to the best of SmartLiving’s knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.