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Is your freezer alarm going off?
You’re not alone! A beeping alarm can be concerning, especially when you don’t know what it’s indicating.
But don’t worry; I’m here to help!
If your freezer alarm keeps going off, the door is probably open, there’s a power issue, or the temperature is high. Inspecting the door seals and switch, adjusting the temperature, and resetting your freezer can help solve the problem.
Read on to learn how to reset your freezer alarm!
Why trust us? This article was written by Craig Anderson and Andy Fulenchek.
Craig has helped thousands of other homeowners repair their appliances since 2016.
Andy is one of our resident appliance repair experts with over a decade of experience. He currently runs his appliance repair company with a team of trusted technicians.
Freezer Alarm Keeps Going Off? Try These 6 Fixes
Different reasons can explain why your freezer alarm keeps going off and producing a beeping sound. Luckily, there are various solutions you can try.
#1 Reset Your Freezer
I tend to find that a freezer beeping sound typically indicates a power failure, such as a power outage.
When your freezer alarm goes off due to a power failure, you’ll often notice a red light too.
In such cases, you must press the “Alarm Reset” button. But, if you can’t find the reset button, you can also unplug your freezer from the power source, wait for a few minutes, and plug it back in.
However, if your freezer alarm keeps beeping after performing a reset, you’ll need to check the door. Please read the next fix to learn how to do it.
#2 Check the Door
In my experience, a freezer alarm will often go off and produce a beeping sound when the door is open for a few minutes.
Please open the door only when necessary to keep warm air from entering your freezer. If, despite your efforts to close the door properly, the alarm continues to beep, it’s possible that the door seal is damaged or dirty.
Start by taking a warm cloth and dipping it in some soapy water. Wipe down the seals thoroughly to remove any dust, dirt, or debris. If the freezer still beeps at you, check if the gasket is damaged. If it is, please replace it.
Tip: You can check your freezer’s door seal by putting a piece of paper or a bill between the gasket and the fridge and closing the door. Then, pull the piece of paper. If it slips out easily, it means that the door seal isn’t tight enough, and you need to replace it.
You should check the manufacturer’s manual to see how big the seals are so you can order the right replacement.
If you want to get any replacement part – or see how much one would cost – click to enter your model number in the search bar below. Our partners at AppliancePartsPros stock almost every part with free guides on how to install them.
#3 Check the Temperature
Is your freezer beeping when closed? Then you’ll need to check the temperature.
From what I’ve seen, a beeping sound or alert indicates your freezer is too warm. Your freezer should be set to 0 °F (ca. -18 °C), so please check the temperature knob and adjust it if necessary.
Tip: You can measure your freezer’s temperature by placing a thermometer in ice cream that has been in the freezer for at least 12 hours.
If the outside of your freezer feels warmer than usual, though it’s set to the correct temperature, please check for airflow issues. Here’s how:
- Clean the condenser coils. If they’re dirty, your freezer will struggle to maintain the internal temperature. Unplug your fridge and use a narrow vacuum attachment to remove dust and debris.
- Check the vents. The vents allow the air to circulate inside your freezer to maintain the desired temperature. Organize your freezer and ensure nothing is blocking the vents.
- Inspect the condenser fan. Ensure it’s not stuck or damaged. If you notice any signs of damage, please replace it with a new one.
- Ensure it’s not overfilled: If you overfill your freezer, it must work significantly harder to stay cold. Therefore, your utility bills will increase, and your engine can burn out sooner. So, please make sure it’s not too full. You can spread out the food more or remove the external packaging.
#4 Replace the Door Switch
If your freezer alarm keeps beeping even when closed, I recommend inspecting the door switch.
The door switch detects whether the freezer door is open or closed to coordinate different functions. If the switch is malfunctioning, it could trigger the alarm because it thinks the door is open even when it’s closed.
In my opinion, one of the easiest ways to rule out the door switch as the possible culprit is by placing your phone inside your freezer while recording a video. If the interior light goes off when the door is closed, then the door switch is working correctly.
But you must replace the door switch if the light stays on even when the door is closed.
#5 See if the Freezer Has To Be Defrosted
Your freezer alarm can also go off and beep if the unit needs to be defrosted.
Over time, the inside of your freezer can develop a thick layer of ice, which can cause cooling issues. So, if there’s frost buildup, your freezer can produce a beeping sound to let you know you have to defrost it to maintain the proper temperature.
The easiest way to defrost your freezer is to unplug it and let the ice melt. During the defrosting process, you need to put a bunch of towels underneath your freezer to prevent your freezer from damaging your floor. You will also have to move your food somewhere else so it does not spoil.
#6 Check the Control Board
If you’ve tried the fixes above, but your freezer alarm keeps beeping, there’s probably an issue with the control board.
The control board coordinates your freezer’s functions. It can trigger alerts (like beeping) when there’s an issue.
Unfortunately, if the control board isn’t processing signals from sensors, it can think there’s an issue when there isn’t one, resulting in a beeping alarm.
To fix the control board, you’ll need to call a professional. However, it’s worth mentioning that replacing a faulty control board can cost over $400. So you should consider the age of your freezer. Sometimes it’s more cost-effective to replace the entire unit.
Even though you can look at the circuit board yourself, I recommend against it. First, it’s a safety hazard, and you don’t want to get electrocuted. Second, if you mess with the circuit board, you could void your warranty.
Wrapping Up: Fixing A Freezer Alarm That Keeps Beeping
Hopefully, now you know how to fix your freezer alarm issues.
Remember to start by looking at the temperature of the freezer, the air vents, and the door seals. Don’t forget to check the door switch, defrost the unit, and inspect the control board.
Thank you so much for reading! Please check out our other related articles if you found this post helpful.
Have a great day.
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