If your Frigidaire upright freezer runs all the time, the usual causes are dirty condenser coils, a door gasket that lets warm air in, blocked airflow around the cabinet, or a weak condenser fan or temperature control. Some long running is normal: a hot garage, a freezer just loaded with warm food and the period after a defrost all keep the compressor on for hours. Running that never lets up, with a warm cabinet exterior and no improvement inside, is the sign that something is making the freezer work harder than it should.
Why does a Frigidaire upright freezer run all the time?
A freezer cools until it reaches its setpoint and then the compressor rests. When the compressor almost never shuts off, something is stopping the freezer from catching up, or something is adding heat as fast as it removes it. Our page on freezer running constantly lists the same short set of suspects: the door gasket, the condenser coils, the condenser fan motor, the temperature control, the evaporator fan and the start relay. Start with the cheap, safe checks at the top of that list before you suspect a part.
Keep the severity in perspective. A freezer that runs constantly burns more electricity and wears the compressor, but the food is usually still frozen if the cabinet is cold. If the food is soft, the problem is a freezer that does not freeze, and our Frigidaire freezer not freezing guide is the better starting point.
Is it normal for a freezer to run a lot?
Yes, in some cases. A freezer in a hot garage works harder in summer, and many upright models are rated for it: the Frigidaire FFFU16F2VW is a garage-ready frost-free upright rated for 0 to 110 degrees F. Right after you load warm food, the compressor runs long until the new load is cold. After a defrost or a power outage, a freezer also runs for a long stretch to catch up. If the running settles back within a day, you have nothing to fix. If it stays continuous for days with the room at a normal temperature, move on to the checks below.
How do you check the door seal on an upright freezer?
A bad gasket is one of the most common causes, and it costs nothing to check. Close the door on a strip of paper at several spots around the frame, and tug it. It should grip firmly everywhere. If it slides out easily at one corner, that part of the seal is not doing its job. Look for tears, flat spots, a gasket that has come away from the door and a thick layer of frost on one side of the frame. Wipe the gasket with warm water and a little mild soap, since dried spills keep it from sealing. Also confirm the freezer is level and nothing sticking out of a shelf holds the door slightly open. Our freezer door not sealing page explains the symptoms in more detail.
How do you clean the condenser coils and check airflow?
Dust on the coils traps heat, and the compressor then runs for hours. Unplug the freezer first. The location of the coils differs by model, so check your owner’s manual: on some uprights they sit behind a bottom grille and on others at the back, and some designs have no exposed coils. Use a vacuum with a brush attachment or a long soft brush to remove dust, and do not bend the fins or use water. While the grille is off, look for a pet-hair mat or a spilled object that blocks the airflow. Leave space around the freezer as the manual describes, because a freezer jammed against a wall or between boxes cannot shed heat.
In a garage, take a look at the room as well: a storage shelf placed tight against the back, a heater nearby or a poorly ventilated corner all push the freezer to work longer. Our Frigidaire freezer maintenance tips list a seasonal routine that includes the coils.
Could frost or a defrost problem keep the compressor running?
Yes. On a frost-free model, a frozen evaporator coil blocks the airflow, so the freezer struggles to reach its setpoint and runs and runs. If you see a thick layer of frost on the back wall, or ice around the vents, work through our guide to Frigidaire freezer frost buildup and read how a Frigidaire freezer defrost works. Do not chip at the ice with a tool, because you can damage the cabinet lining or the cooling lines; unplug the freezer and let it defrost as the owner’s manual describes.
When should you call a technician?
Call when the coils are clean, the seal is good, the airflow is clear and the freezer still runs nonstop. At that point the cause is likely a condenser fan, a temperature control, an evaporator fan or a start relay, and each of them needs testing with the power connected, which is not a homeowner job. Call sooner if the cabinet gets hot to the touch, you hear a loud buzz or click from the back, or the food is softening. Our Frigidaire freezer repair service gives a diagnosis and an honest recommendation, including whether a repair is worth it on an older unit. If the freezer is a high-mileage model, see how to weigh it in our chest versus upright freezer comparison.
