How to Know If the Motor on Your Freezer Has Seized Up

Check the Outlet

• Unplug your refrigerator from the electrical outlet to make sure the problem isn't a poor connection. Plug another electrical appliance, like a small lamp or a can opener, into the outlet to determine if it's working properly. If the outlet isn't functioning properly, check your circuit breaker to see if you have blown a fuse. Hire an electrician to examine the outlet if you are unable to restore power. Use a power strip or a three-prong extension cord to plug your refrigerator into another power source until the outlet is repaired. The problem isn't your freezer motor.

Examine the Compressor

• Pull your refrigerator away from the wall to examine the compressor motor, located near the bottom of the freezer. If your compressor is humming but isn't cooling the freezer adequately, appliance parts distribution company AP Wagner suggests that you may have a problem with the components in your compressor. If the compressor motor is running but isn't cooling the freezer at all, the problem could be the condenser or evaporator coils. If you hear a clicking or a buzzing noise, the overload relay switch is signaling that you have a problem with either the compressor motor or the compressor's internal components. Contact your local appliance repair shop to discuss fees for evaluating and fixing the compressor motor.

Manually Defrost the Freezer

• Store your perishables in an ice cooler or another freezer, and turn your problematic freezer off for 24 to 48 hours. Sometimes evaporator coils don't defrost properly and condensation disrupts the cyclical pattern of cooling and defrosting. The 24- to 48-hour timespan allows your freezer to manually defrost. Turn your freezer back on to determine if it is cooling properly. If so, your freezer motor hasn't seized up.

Adjust the Thermostat

• Adjust the thermostat slightly to lower the temperature in your freezer. If the freezer motor suddenly stops working and seizes up, but your freezer stays cool, the compressor motor has temporarily shut down to regulate the internal temperature of the air. Purchase a freezer thermometer if you have difficulty determining the exact temperature you want to maintain in your freezer. A standard thermostat knob doesn't provide enough detail to precisely set your freezer at a desirable temperature. If the compressor doesn't eventually cool the air again, your freezer may be low on coolant or your thermometer may be malfunctioning. Consult a professional to assess the problem.