Freezer runs but is not cold enough; temperature hovers above 10–20°F (-12 to -6°C).

Safety: Unplug the freezer before cleaning coils or removing panels.

Steps:

• Clean condenser coils: Pull the freezer away from the wall, remove the rear access panel if needed, and clean the condenser coils with a coil brush and vacuum.
• Check condenser fan: Ensure the fan near the compressor runs whenever the compressor is on. Replace the fan motor if it is slow, noisy, or not running.
• Inspect evaporator frost pattern: Remove the interior rear panel and look at the evaporator coil. A normal coil has a light, even frost. A solid block of ice indicates a defrost problem; a small frost patch indicates a sealed system issue.
• Defrost system repair: If the coil is iced over, test and replace the defrost thermostat, heater, or control as needed.
• Sealed system issues: If only part of the coil frosts or there is no frost at all while the compressor runs, the system may be low on refrigerant or restricted. This requires a licensed technician.