Display shows H1 or HI; freezer interior is too warm and may be above freezing; alarm may sound.
Safety Warning
This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.
If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.
Possible Causes
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety first: Do not leave the door open longer than necessary; protect perishable food by moving it to another freezer if temperatures are unsafe.
Steps:
- Check door seal: Inspect the door gasket for gaps, tears, or debris. Clean the gasket and cabinet mating surface with warm soapy water and dry thoroughly. Ensure the door closes fully and is not obstructed by shelves or food.
- Allow recovery time: If you recently loaded a large quantity of unfrozen food, allow 12–24 hours for the temperature to stabilize. Avoid frequent door openings.
- Verify compressor operation: Listen at the back for the compressor running (a low humming sound) and feel for slight warmth on the condenser coils or compressor shell. If the compressor is not running at all, investigate the start relay and control board.
- Check for frost pattern: Remove the interior rear panel and inspect the evaporator coil. A normal system will have an even frost pattern across most of the coil. A partial frost pattern or no frost may indicate a sealed system issue (refrigerant leak or restriction).
- Sensor/control check: If the freezer feels cold but still shows H1, test the cabinet thermistor and replace if out of spec. A faulty cabinet temperature sensor can falsely trigger high-temp alarms.
When to call a technician: If the compressor runs continuously but the freezer does not cool, or if you suspect a refrigerant leak, contact a certified refrigeration technician.