The Fan in the Freezer Compartment of the Fridge Is Not Working

Troubleshooting

• Do some preliminary troubleshooting before calling a technician about an evaporator fan not working. Start by completely unplugging the refrigerator from the wall to avoid electric shock. Remove all food from the freezer department for clear access to the evaporator fan. Use a screwdriver to remove the plastic or metal housing covering the evaporator fan -- if the screws are easily accessible.

  Do not proceed if the job appears too complex for your skill level. After confirming again that the refrigerator is unplugged, try spinning the fan to see if it will turn freely. If it will not turn the problem could be a defrost issue, meaning the fan could be stuck because of a buildup of ice.

Bearings

• Bad bearings could also be a culprit. Failed bearings can cause the evaporator fan to occasionally emit a high-pitched whine before complete failure. Recall if you heard strange noises from the freezer compartment before the fan stopped working. Bad bearings in the fan are not serviceable, and will require installation of a new fan.

Advice

• Contact the service department for the manufacturer before scheduling a repair call. Report your findings from testing the evaporator fan. The service representative may offer suggestions for self-defrosting the refrigerator to remove any ice buildup. That could be just a temporary fix if the fan ices up again, but it is worth a try before paying for a service call.

Replacement

• Also ask the service representative about the cost of a replacement evaporator fan motor and the complexity involved in replacing it. You may elect to proceed with making the repair yourself if the manufacturer can provide clear and simple printed directions. Check to see if the refrigerator is still under warranty before ordering a part or scheduling a service call. One advantage in scheduling a service call is that the technician can use special equipment to test the evaporator fan and confirm the exact source of the problem. The technician can also use the visit to test other parts of the refrigerator, such as the compressor.