Kenmore Refrigerator Freezing Up (How to Fix)

Kenmore is a trusted American brand making high-performance refrigerators, which are highly efficient and provide powerful cooling at all times.

However, the cooling can become a little too powerful sometimes, which causes all the items in the fridge compartment to freeze up. When that happens, all the foodstuff that you have stored inside the fridge will become unusable.

Such a problem is pretty annoying, and not to mention, extremely wasteful. And if it keeps occurring frequently, it might be an indication that there is something wrong with the cooling system of your Kenmore refrigerator.

Hence, we recommend getting this problem fixed as soon as possible. But people who aren’t familiar with refrigerators, you may not know what to do. That is why we have prepared this guide so that you can resolve this issue quickly.

Let’s get right to it!

Why Is Your Kenmore Refrigerator Freezing?

The issue of a Kenmore refrigerator freezing up is fairly common and is generally caused due to problems in the cooling cycle. However, it can affect the different components of the unit pretty quickly.

There are quite a few reasons why your Kenmore refrigerator keeps freezing up constantly. It can be due to an issue in the temperature control system. Or, it can be attributed to a faulty component in the refrigerator. 

Hence, the solution will largely depend on the part of the appliance that is affected. 

While problems in the temperature control mechanism are relatively easier to deal with, fixing or replacing other components can take more time and effort. In any case, we have discussed some possible solutions that you can implement to keep the unit from freezing up.

What Can You Do If The Kenmore Fridge Chamber Freezes Up?

If you observe your Kenmore refrigerator freezing food or other items in the primary fridge compartment, then:

1. Check The Thermistor

You can try testing the thermistor to see if it is responsible for your fridge freezing up. This is a temperature-sensitive device that indirectly helps in regulating the temperature inside the refrigerator. It does so by detecting any changes in the ambient temperature. If that fluctuates, it sends signals to the temperature control board, which modifies the internal temperature accordingly.

Usually, this device is situated on the top or side walls of the fridge, covered by a removable panel. Once you remove this panel, you can take out the thermistor.

We suggest that you run the refrigerator without the thermistor for a while. If you notice that the freezing issue has been resolved, then you need to replace this component. On that note, the fridge can run without a thermistor, but we wouldn’t recommend doing it for a long time, as that will irreversibly damage the cooling system.

2. Check The Temperature Control Thermostat

The thermostat is another device like the thermistor that helps in maintaining the internal temperature of the unit. 

However, unlike a thermistor, it is directly responsible for controlling the temperature inside the fridge. If you set the thermostat to a certain temperature, it will be maintained in the refrigerator, regardless of the ambient temperature changes. 

In ideal cases, the temperature control thermostat in your Kenmore refrigerator will function automatically. But if you notice that the fridge keeps freezing up, you’ll need to adjust it manually.

You can find the temperature control thermostat inside the fridge compartment itself. In most cases, it will come in the form of an adjustable knob or dial. So, check if the dial has been set too low because that may be the reason behind the issue.

 If that’s the case, then you can manually increase the temperature by turning the knob, which might resolve the freezing problem.

3. Check The Air Damper

Air dampers are components that control and regulate the airflow inside the refrigerator chamber. They are usually located at the back, between the fresh food and freezer sections. The flaps are controlled automatically by the main circuit board, which in turn, distributes cold air from the freezer to the rest of the fridge.

Therefore, we suggest checking the metal flaps of the air damper to see if they are fully opened. If they are, then that would explain why your refrigerator is freezing up. Adjust these plates accordingly to regulate the flow of cold air from the freezer section.

What Should You Do If The Kenmore Refrigerator Freezer Freezes Up?

If you notice the Kenmore refrigerator freezer freezing up, it may indicate problems with the defrost cycle. And here are some solutions that may help you fix them properly.

1. Check The Defrosting Timer

The defrost timer starts up the heater at fixed time intervals so that excess frost and ice buildup can be prevented. Usually, this function is automatic, but when you encounter freezing issues in the freezer, that typically implies that the defrost timer has malfunctioned.

In this case, you can check the timer with a multimeter. If you notice a break in its continuity, then you should get it replaced. 

2. Check The Heater For Defrosting

The heater blows warm air inside the freezer compartment, which thaws out the excessive frosting. This heater is located below the coils of the evaporator and is controlled by the timer and the thermostat.

You can check the continuity of the heating filaments with the help of a multimeter. In case you notice any discrepancies, consider replacing the heater.

3. Adjust The Defrost Thermostat

If the thermostat is not adjusted properly, it will fail to regulate the freezer temperature. Moreover, it is connected to the evaporator and condenser fan motor, as well as the compressor. So, any issues with the thermostat will send the entire cooling system into overdrive, which will ultimately result in your freezer freezing up.

To fix this issue, you can start by turning the knob of the thermostat from a low to a higher temperature. You will hear a clicking sound, which is the sound of the compressor turning off, thereby initiating the defrosting process. However, if there’s no such sound, then you might need to get the thermostat replaced.

How Can You Fix A Kenmore Refrigerator Evaporator Freezing Up?

It is not uncommon for the evaporator to freeze up, so if you have noticed frosting on the evaporator fan motor or the coil, you need to check the defrosting heater and thermostat. Adjusting the latter to a higher temperature will eventually heat the evaporator coil and remove the frosting. 

Additionally, you can fix a frozen evaporator by turning off the fridge for a while. This will defrost the coil and the fan motor, which will restore their normal functions. However, make sure to remove all the perishable food items from the fridge and store them somewhere else for a while. Otherwise, the food might become spoiled and start to smell inside the refrigerator.

How Can You Fix A Frozen Up Kenmore Refrigerator Ice Maker?

Your Kenmore fridge model may come with an inbuilt ice maker, which is quite vulnerable to freezing up. And this can, in turn cause the ice fill tube, water filter, or the water inlet valve to get clogged, thereby disrupting their functionality.

In most cases, you can solve this issue by turning up the freezer temperature with the help of the thermostat. You can also address it by turning off the power supply to the fridge for a couple of hours (depending on the intensity of the clog). This will thaw out the ice clogging these components.

However, if only one of the components has frozen up, you need to fix it individually. For instance, if the inlet valve is damaged, the water may start to leak out of it. This leaked water will eventually freeze in the cold temperature, thereby clogging the valve. In that case, you’ll need to fix the leak.

Similarly, if the ice fill tube or water filter gets clogged with ice, thaw them out to restore their functionality.

Kenmore refrigerator evaporator coils freezing

As a Kenmore refrigerator owner, you may have noticed that your refrigerator’s evaporator coils are freezing. This can be a frustrating problem, but the good news is that it’s often easy to fix.

One common cause of this issue is a blocked defrost drain. When the defrost drain gets clogged, the water that melts during the defrost cycle can’t flow away properly. This water can then freeze and form a block of ice, which can cause the evaporator coils to freeze up.

To fix this problem, locate the defrost drain, usually located on the back of the freezer, and clear it out with a straightened-out coat hanger or a pipe cleaner. If this doesn’t solve the issue, you can contact Kenmore customer service for further assistance.

Another tip is to check the defrost timer, if it’s malfunctioning the coils will freeze. A defective thermostat can also cause this problem.

Final Words

The best way to keep your fridge working optimally for long is to focus on its maintenance. 

This includes getting rid of frosting and freezing issues, which is what we have discussed above. And most of the solutions we have provided in this guide are easy enough to follow, so you won’t need to go through any hassles.

However, if some of the components, such as the thermostat or evaporator coils need to be replaced, then you can always seek help from a qualified technician. Also, make sure to use authentic replacement parts from Kenmore to avoid compatibility issues later on.

That brings us to the end of this brief guide. So, the next time your refrigerator freezes up, we hope that you will find the information here to be helpful enough.

With that, it’s a wrap for now. See you next time!