Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty of why your KitchenAid freezer isn’t cooling. If you’re lucky, you can diagnose and remedy this warm freezer issue on your own. Take a look at our list of top reasons why your freezer is warm.

#1 Freezer Condenser Coils Dirty
This is a pretty common cause for a KitchenAid freezer not cooling. The condenser cools are responsible for dispersing heat. However, if they develop a thick layer of dust, hair and other debris, they cannot do their job. Thus, the freezer has to pick up the slack and work much harder to keep cool. When the freezer has to run constantly, the internal temperature climbs, warming your food and drink.

If this is the problem, clean the freezer condenser coils so they can get back to work. You’ll typically find the coils underneath the freezer. Wipe them off with a long bottle brush or use a vacuum hose to clear the debris. To avoid future problems, we recommend cleaning your condenser coils once or twice each year. Here’s KitchenAid’s coil cleaning guide for your quick reference.

#2 Freezer Thermistor Broken
The freezer thermistor keeps track of the internal temperature. It signals the control board, which in turn dictates what the compressor and evaporator fan should do to maintain a cool reading. A faulty thermistor may send an incorrect reading to the control board, throwing everything out of whack. If the compressor and evaporator fan don’t run when they’re supposed to, the freezer temperature will continue to increase.

You can test the thermistor with a multimeter and determine if it is accurate. It will need to be replaced if there is no continuity or if the reading is incorrect. You can purchase a new thermistor from an appliance parts store or have a professional replace it for you.

#3 Defective Freezer Evaporator Fan Motor
The evaporator fan motor is a crucial part of your freezer . It pulls air over the evaporator coils and disperses this cool air through the freezer , keeping everything at the perfect temperature. You may notice that your KitchenAid freezer is warm but the freezer is cold if the evaporator fan motor isn’t working.

Locate the evaporator fan and try to spin the blade. If it doesn’t move, then the motor needs to be replaced. A loud noise is indicative of a faulty motor as well. If this is the case, replace the evaporator fan motor with a new one.

#4 Faulty Freezer Start Relay
Another possible cause of a KitchenAid freezer not cooling is a faulty start relay. The start relay helps to start the compressor, and thus cool the freezer . If this relay isn’t working, the compressor won’t run and temperatures will rise.

You can test the start relay with a multimeter and replace it if necessary.

If you run through this whole list of freezer troubleshooting ideas and your KitchenAid freezer is warm still, it may be time to call in the professionals. A freezer repair tech, like Service Care Appliance Repair, will be able to accurately diagnose the problem and repair it so no more food goes to waste, and you can finally have that cold treat you’ve been craving!