Display shows HI or High; temperature alarms may sound; food may be thawing or spoiling.
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: Unplug the refrigerator before cleaning coils or accessing fans. Avoid using sharp tools on gaskets or plastic parts.
Step 1 – Check doors and gaskets:
- Ensure all doors and drawers are fully closed and aligned.
- Inspect gaskets for tears, gaps, or debris. Clean with warm soapy water and dry.
- Perform the dollar-bill test: close the door on a bill and gently pull; resistance should be felt all around the gasket.
Step 2 – Consider recent events:
- If there was a power outage or large load of warm groceries, allow 24 hours for temperatures to recover.
- Minimize door openings during this period.
Step 3 – Clean condenser coils:
- Pull the unit away from the wall and remove the rear lower panel.
- Vacuum and brush dust from the condenser coils and fan area.
Step 4 – Check evaporator fan operation:
- Listen for fan noise in the freezer when the compressor is running.
- If silent, access the evaporator fan and inspect for ice blockage or motor failure.
- Replace the evaporator fan motor if defective.
Step 5 – Clear alarm:
- Most models allow you to silence the alarm by pressing an Alarm Reset or similar button.
- Do not ignore repeated HI alarms; they indicate unsafe food temperatures.
When to call a technician: If HI persists after addressing airflow, doors, and fans, a sealed system or control issue may exist and requires professional service.
Repair Difficulty
Required Part
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