Residential and commercial
Freezer Repair in Northern Virginia, DC & Maryland
A freezer that is warming up gives you a short window. Across Northern Virginia, Washington DC and Maryland, most freezer repair comes down to a handful of things: a defrost system that quit and let ice choke the airflow, a fan that stopped, a compressor that clicks and will not start, or a door that no longer seals. This page walks through those faults in the order our technician checks them, for chest freezers, upright freezers and the freezer side of your refrigerator.
- $89 visit, credited to the repair
- 90-day parts & labor warranty
- Same-day most days
- Someone answers 24/7
What usually goes wrong
Freezer problems, in the order we see them
The symptom you notice, and what it most probably is.
- 1
Nothing is freezing, or everything is slowly going soft
Most probably
- The start relay, which kicks the compressor on, has failed: a click every few minutes and no steady hum
- The compressor runs but no longer pumps, a known failure of LG's linear compressor
- The condenser coils are packed with dust or pet hair, or the condenser fan has stopped
- A refrigerant leak somewhere in the sealed system
- The thermostat, a sensor or the control board is not calling for cooling
- 2
Ice on the back wall inside the freezer, and it keeps getting warmer over weeks
Most probably
- The defrost heater, which melts frost off the cooling coil, has burned out
- The defrost thermostat, a small switch clipped to the coil, no longer lets power reach the heater
- The board, timer or sensor that starts the defrost cycle has failed
- The defrost thermal fuse blew after the system overheated
- 3
Freezer is cold but the refrigerator side is warm
Most probably
- The evaporator fan, which pushes freezer air into the fridge, has stopped or is frozen in place
- The air damper between the freezer and the fridge is stuck closed
- The defrost system failed and ice has buried the coil, so the fan has nothing to push
- 4
A sheet of ice on the freezer floor, or water on the kitchen floor in front of it
Most probably
- The defrost drain is frozen or clogged, so meltwater runs down instead of out
- The drain heater or the drain tube is not doing its job
- The door gasket lets humid air in, and there is more frost than the drain can carry
- 5
Frost on the food, ice crystals along the door edge, or the door will not stay shut
Most probably
- The door gasket is torn, hardened or pulled out of its channel
- A drawer or a bag keeps the door from closing, or the unit is not level
- The ice dispenser chute is stuck open with a cube in it
- The door was left ajar overnight, and nothing is actually broken
- 6
Loud buzzing, rattling or a scraping noise from inside the freezer
Most probably
- The evaporator fan blade is hitting ice or its housing; the noise stops when you open the door
- The bearings in the evaporator or condenser fan motor are worn out
- A compressor mount is loose, or the start relay is buzzing
- 7
A garage or basement freezer that thaws in winter or struggles in summer
Most probably
- An ordinary freezer in a cold garage: its thermostat thinks the box is cold enough and stops running
- The compressor overheats in a hot garage, usually with dusty coils
- The lid or door gasket on a chest freezer has hardened in the cold
- 8
Temperature swings up and down, or the freezer runs without stopping
Most probably
- A temperature sensor is giving the control board a wrong reading
- The condenser coils are dirty, so the unit never reaches temperature and never rests
- The gasket leaks, or the light stays on behind the closed door and warms the box
- The refrigerant charge is low
By brand
Freezer brands we work with
Independent repair for every major make. We are not affiliated with or authorized by any manufacturer.
Freezer repair by brand
Frigidaire freezer repair
Frigidaire makes manual-defrost chest freezers and frost-free uprights, and built the Kenmore freezers whose model starts with 253. On the uprights the defrost heater, its thermostat or the timer fails: the back wall frosts over and the food softens. On the chests it is a start relay that clicks without starting the compressor, or a hardened lid gasket.
Frigidaire appliance repairGE freezer repair
On a GE fridge-freezer one main board runs the compressor, both fans and the defrost, so a failing board can look like a dead heater or fan. GE's temperature sensors also drift with age, and the freezer swings between too warm and too cold. Its garage-ready chest and upright freezers are rated for rooms from 0 to 110 degrees F; the ordinary ones are not.
GE appliance repairWhirlpool freezer repair
On Whirlpool bottom-freezers the defrost drain freezes shut: a slab of ice grows under the bottom basket, then water runs onto the floor. When the defrost heater fails, ice covers the back wall and the fridge side warms first, as described under Whirlpool refrigerator repair. Kenmore models starting 106 take the same parts.
Whirlpool appliance repairSamsung freezer repair
The usual Samsung freezer fault is frost spreading over the back panel when the defrost heater or its sensor fails. The fan starts scraping ice, then both sections warm. The ice maker freeze-ups these French-door models are known for happen in the fresh-food side, not the freezer, and we cover them under Samsung refrigerator repair.
Samsung appliance repairLG freezer repair
When an LG freezer and fridge go warm together while the unit still hums, the linear compressor is the first suspect: it runs but no longer pumps. That is sealed-system work, worth doing or not depending on age and on whether LG still covers the part; see LG refrigerator repair. Frost alone is an ordinary defrost fault.
LG appliance repairKenmore freezer repair
Kenmore is a store label, and the first three digits of the model number say who built the freezer: 253 is Frigidaire, 106 is Whirlpool, 795 is LG. That decides the parts and the likely fault. A 253 upright frosts over when its defrost parts fail; a 795 fridge-freezer carries LG's linear compressor.
Kenmore appliance repairSub-Zero freezer repair
A Sub-Zero built-in gives the freezer its own compressor and coil, sharing no air with the fridge. So the freezer can fail alone while the fridge stays cold, and the fault sits in its own fan, defrost parts or sealed system. A dusty condenser behind the top grille makes both sides run warm; see Sub-Zero refrigerator repair.
Sub-Zero appliance repairMaytag freezer repair
Maytag refrigerators are Whirlpool-built, so the freezer uses the same defrost heater, thermostat and drain. What you notice is frost across the back wall with a fridge side that warms first, or on bottom-freezer models a sheet of ice under the bottom basket and water on the floor in front. Both are ordinary repairs, not a reason to replace the machine.
Maytag appliance repair
The visit
What happens when the technician comes
A start relay, a fan, a defrost part or a gasket is usually about an hour of work. A coil buried in ice has to be thawed first, which adds time, and a gasket or board made for your exact model may be ordered and fitted on a second trip.
An upright or a fridge-freezer is rolled out from the wall to reach the compressor and coils. A chest freezer stays put, but clear whatever is stacked on and around it, and a path to it if it lives in the garage or basement. For a frost fault the food has to come out while the back panel is off, so have coolers or a second freezer ready.
The arrival window is two hours, and the technician phones about 15 minutes before pulling up. Nothing is replaced until you have heard what failed and seen the full repair price.
What waiting costs you
A closed, full freezer holds its temperature for about 48 hours and a half-full one for about 24, and a failing freezer has used part of that before you notice. Often the first warning is an ice maker not making ice, because it will not cycle once the freezer warms a few degrees. Frost on the coil chokes the airflow a little more each day: food along the back softens first. A frozen drain becomes a slab of ice, then water under the door onto hardwood or laminate. A compressor fighting dusty coils runs hot until it quits, and a small repair becomes a sealed-system one.
$89 visit, credited to the repair. 90-day parts-and-labor warranty.
Repair or replace
Repair your freezer, or replace it?
Repair it when
- A start relay, fan motor, defrost heater, defrost thermostat, sensor, gasket or frozen drain failed. These are everyday fixes, worth doing on almost any sound freezer.
- It frosts over but still cools. That is a defrost part, not the end of the machine.
- It is the freezer section of a built-in or a good French-door refrigerator with years left in it. Even sealed-system work usually makes sense there.
- The cabinet is dry and free of rust, and the door or lid still closes square.
Replace it when
- The compressor failed or refrigerant leaked on a plain chest freezer or a basic upright, where that repair often runs to more than half the price of a new one.
- The leak is inside the walls of a chest freezer. The cooling lines are foamed into the cabinet and cannot be reached.
- The cabinet is rusting through, or the insulation is wet and the outside sweats or ices up.
- A regular freezer keeps thawing in an unheated garage. Nothing is broken; that spot needs a garage-ready model.
- The control board for a discontinued model can no longer be bought.
Whichever way it goes, decide quickly: the food inside is on the 24-to-48-hour clock. You get the answer at your home with the full repair price in front of you, and the $89 visit fee counts toward the repair if you go ahead.
Chest, upright, or the freezer in your refrigerator
A chest freezer is the simplest: a lid gasket, a thermostat, a start relay and a compressor, with the cooling lines inside the walls and no fan. Most are manual defrost, so frost on the walls is normal upkeep, not a fault. An upright is usually frost-free, which adds a defrost heater, a thermostat, a timer or board, a fan and a drain, and frost on its back wall means one of them has failed. The freezer in your refrigerator makes the cold for the whole box on most models, so its faults often show up as a warm fridge first; our refrigerator repair page covers that side.
Garage and basement freezers
In an unheated garage in winter an ordinary freezer runs less, because the cold air around it masks the need for cooling, and the food can thaw with nothing broken. In summer the same garage overheats the compressor, and dusty coils make it worse. Garage-ready models from GE and Frigidaire are built for rooms from 0 to 110 degrees F; a regular freezer is not. Basements are easier on the compressor, but humid summer air frosts a freezer with a tired gasket faster than it would upstairs. If yours thaws, frosts or never stops running, it may be a gasket, a relay or a defrost part, or simply the wrong type for the room.
Safe to check before you call
Check that it has power. Garage and basement outlets are usually the kind with a reset button, and a tripped one looks exactly like a dead freezer. Look at the temperature dial; on a chest freezer it sits low on the outside and gets bumped. Make sure the lid or door closes all the way with nothing inside holding it open, and that the cabinet has a few inches of air around it. After a power cut, give it several hours to pull down before judging it. Never chip at ice with a knife or a screwdriver: the cooling lines run just behind the liner, and a punctured one usually cannot be repaired.
Google reviews
What people said after a freezer repair
- SD
Stuart Dornfeld
August 2026 · gas stove
The is my 2nd time using FixDaddy. The first time was to repair my LG washing machine. This time it was to repair my Creda gas stove. Scheduling was easy. They showed up on time. Provided excellent service. I will use them again.
- GH
Gary Hauler
June 2026 · dryer
Very professional service. Quick to respond to request and came when they said. Though I didn't have them fix my issue (I realized I should probably just buy a new dryer as there were some unknowns) there was no hard sell of any extra service.
- KI
Kemale Ismayilli
February 2026 · Bosch dishwasher
I was looking for a local Bosch specialist near me in Arlington, and found FixDaddy. They fixed my Dishwasher on the spot! Super fast and professional. If you need a reliable technician in the DMV, this is the one!
- TW
Troy Wilson
June 2026 · Perlick refrigerator
Scheduled same day service to troubleshoot my Perlick Refrigerator. The technician came out in under 2 hours and diagnosed the problem quickly. Very impressed with the service.
5.0Every review on this page is copied from our public Google profile, word for word.
Guides
Freezer guides: what to check before you call
Some of these will save you the visit.
Freezer
Freezer Not Freezing? Here's What's Wrong
A freezer that stops maintaining 0°F puts your food supply at immediate risk. Most freezer failures have identifiable causes — and many can be diagnosed without a technician. Here's a systematic…
Read the guideFreezer
Why Is My Freezer Making a Loud Noise?
Freezers are not completely silent — normal operation involves the hum of the compressor, the occasional click as the thermostat cycles, and the gurgle of refrigerant. But new or unusually loud…
Read the guideFreezer
Freezer Too Cold and Freezing Everything? Here's Why
A freezer that's too cold — turning everything into a rock-solid block, including items that should stay pliable like ice cream — is less common than a freezer that won't freeze, but it's a…
Read the guide
FAQ
Freezer repair: frequently asked questions
My freezer is frosting up. Can I just defrost it and be done?
If it is a manual-defrost chest freezer, yes, that is normal upkeep, and our guide on how to defrost a freezer shows the safe way. If it is a frost-free upright or the freezer in your refrigerator, the frost is a symptom. Melting it clears the airflow for a few weeks, then the heater, thermostat or board that failed lets it build again until that part is replaced.
How much does a freezer repair cost?
No repair price is quoted before the visit, because the price depends on the part. Our visit fee is $89. The technician finds exactly what's wrong and gives you the full repair price at your home — no pressure. If you go ahead, the $89 counts toward the repair.
Do you repair chest freezers and stand-alone uprights, or only the freezer in a fridge?
All three. Chest freezers, upright freezers, and the freezer side of a top-freezer, bottom-freezer, side-by-side or French-door refrigerator, in homes, offices and rentals, across Northern Virginia, Washington DC and Maryland.
The freezer is cold but the fridge is warm. Which part is broken?
Usually a freezer part. The freezer makes the cold for both compartments, and a fan pushes it into the fridge through a damper. A dead evaporator fan, a stuck damper or a coil buried in ice from a failed defrost system all leave the fridge warm while the freezer still feels fine. All three are ordinary repairs.
Can I refreeze food that thawed while the freezer was down?
The FDA's rule: if the food still has ice crystals or is at 40 degrees F or below, it is safe to refreeze or cook. If it has been above 40 degrees F for more than four hours, throw it out. When in doubt, it goes.
Is the repair covered if the same thing happens again?
Every repair has a 90-day parts-and-labor warranty. If the part we replaced fails or the same fault comes back within those 90 days, you call and our technician comes back.
Can you come today?
Most days, yes. Someone answers the phone 24/7, you get a two-hour arrival window, and our technician calls about 15 minutes before arriving. A freezer that has stopped cooling is worth calling about early in the day.
Do you fix freezers that live in the garage?
Yes, and part of the visit is telling you whether the freezer is faulty or just the wrong model for an unheated garage. A regular freezer in a cold garage can warm and thaw with nothing broken. If it is a gasket, a relay or dusty coils, that is an ordinary repair.
Near you
Freezer repair, town by town
- Appliance repair in Alexandria Northern Virginia
- Appliance repair in Annandale Northern Virginia
- Appliance repair in Arlington Northern Virginia
- Appliance repair in Ashburn Northern Virginia
- Appliance repair in Bethesda Maryland
- Appliance repair in Burke Northern Virginia
- Appliance repair in Centreville Northern Virginia
- Appliance repair in Chantilly Northern Virginia
- Appliance repair in Chevy Chase Maryland
- Appliance repair in Fairfax Northern Virginia
- Appliance repair in Fairfax Station Northern Virginia
- Appliance repair in Falls Church Northern Virginia
Freezer not doing its job?
Someone answers now. The visit is $89, credited to the repair, and most days we are out the same day.