Display shows flashing 'H' or 'HI', audible alarm, freezer interior is warm
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: No immediate electrical danger, but avoid leaving food at unsafe temperatures.
- Check door closure: Ensure the door is fully closed and the gasket is sealing all around. Remove any items obstructing closure.
- Allow recovery time: If you recently loaded a large quantity of warm food or had a power cut, allow 12–24 hours for the freezer to pull down to temperature. Use the fast-freeze function if available.
- Verify temperature: Place a freezer thermometer inside to confirm actual temperature. If it remains above -18°C after 24 hours, further diagnosis is needed.
- Listen for compressor: Check if the compressor is running. If it is silent and warm food persists, inspect start relay and capacitor as described in compressor fault procedures.
- Check for frost pattern: On no-frost models, remove the rear inner panel and inspect the evaporator. A partial frost pattern (only at one corner) may indicate a sealed-system issue.
If the compressor runs continuously but the freezer does not cool, there may be a refrigerant leak or internal blockage. Sealed-system repairs must be performed by an F-gas certified refrigeration engineer.