Why Is My Kenmore Elite Refrigerator Freezing Food?

By - Hs Saini

Updated -

Usually, Kenmore refrigerators are known to be among the largest self-regulating refrigerators and have different models and specs.

So when they start freezing food in every compartment, you should look into the problem. 

Most times, the Kenmore elite refrigerator begins to freeze food when the self-defrosting feature of the fridge has an issue. This problem could result from the malfunctioning circuit boards, heater, thermostat, and defrost timer.

Why Is My Refrigerator Freezing My Food All Of A Sudden? 

The refrigerator’s purpose is to store food by keeping them cold, so cold that microorganisms do not have the chance to react and spoil the food.

However, it should not freeze every part of the refrigerator. Instead, different compartments work to cook food at different temperature levels. 

When you notice that food in your refrigerator begins to freeze suddenly, there’s a problem with the thermostat.

Whenever the thermostat becomes faulty, it doesn’t switch off but keeps running. This can make the fridge freeze up every single thing stored inside it.

Nonetheless, a few other things can result in your refrigerator freezing food; they include: 

#1. Setting The Thermostat Too High To A Point All The Food Can Freeze

The thermostat on refrigerators is relatively easy to move accidentally. For example, you may have accidentally turned it in a while unloading groceries into the fridge.

If this thermostat is turned high by error, you will likely experience your refrigerator freezing food. 

Sometimes, kids can also play with the thermostat if they reach the refrigerator.

This is why whenever you notice your refrigerator freezing food, you should first check the position of the thermostat.

Some fridges have numbers or temperatures designed on the thermostat knob. This way, you can know where to turn up and turn down coolness. 

It would be best if you also took it upon yourself to learn which way the thermostat turns for which temperature.

This will come in handy when the marks on the thermostat clean over time. 

#2. Bad Fridge Gasket

The gasket is that rubber lining on your refrigerator door that stops it from exchanging temperature with the room.

Whenever the gasket is damaged, the fridge will keep running to compensate. This will result in severe freezing of the refrigerator if not appropriately handled. 

Checking to see if you have a terrible fridge gasket is very easy. You must get a long piece of paper, fix it close in the gasket, and then pull it out. 

If the paper comes out, you have a bad gasket, and it’s time for a change. 

#3. Dirty Coils. 

The heat condenser and exchanger coils inhabit the exterior of the refrigerator, and the evaporator coil is found inside the unit.

Nonetheless, you can find these things in the evaporator fan motor behind the fridge. 

These coils are used solely to let the refrigerator fluid carry out its heat exchange function.

Whenever these coils become dirty, they force the refrigerator to work harder to maintain the temperature.

This can eventually lead to overcooling inside your refrigerator, causing everything to freeze. 

The coils are not very difficult to clean whenever you notice they have become dirty. Please turn off the refrigerator or unplug it from the supply unit to be safe when cleaning.

This way, you can avoid getting shocked in the process of cleaning. 

To know what parts of the evaporator fan motor to clean, ensure you read the manual that came with the fridge.

This way, you can avoid damaging parts of the evaporator fan motor and the coils. 

#4. Damper Issues. 

If you use a fridge with a freezer, you must be conversant with the damper.

The damper is a compartment needed to regulate the amount of cool air that passes from the freezer to the refrigerator. 

If the damper begins to malfunction, it can allow excess airflow from the freezer to the refrigerator.

As a result, there is a gradual reduction in temperature inside the fridge, causing everything to freeze. 

You cannot fix dampers with initiative and DIY videos. So, when you suspect a problem with your muffler, try to get the help of an expert.

You can take your fridge to the professionals for repairs or call them over.

But, of course, all these options depend on your time, money, environment, and a bit of other related factors. 

Why Is My Kenmore Refrigerator Freezing Everything?

Aside from the freezer and refrigerator ice maker, your Kenmore elite refrigerator shouldn’t freeze up. Whenever this happens, then be sure there’s a problem. 

One of the most common reasons a Kenmore elite refrigerator would begin to freeze is when there’s a problem with the temperature control thermostat.

The thermostat of every refrigerator controls the temperature regulation of that refrigerator. 

Kenmore refrigerator isn’t left out. First, check the thermostat condition if you notice your Kenmore elite refrigerator is beginning to freeze everything.

If it does not have damage, then it must have been turned. This is always the first reason a Kenmore refrigerator is freezing food. 

Other things that may result in your Kenmore refrigerator suddenly freezing everything include: 

  • Frosts gather up behind the freezer section. 
  • A malfunction from the defrost cycle. 

Consult a professional when your Kenmore elite refrigerator is freezing up, and there’s a fault with the thermostat.

However, do keep in mind that Kenmore refrigerators are self-regulating. This means you’ll experience less freezing up of the entire refrigerator often. 

What Is The Best Temperature For A Kenmore Elite Refrigerator?       

A refrigerator shouldn’t be freezing up everything. However, that doesn’t mean the fridge shouldn’t be cold.

All you have to do is ensure that the Kenmore elite refrigerator is set to the right temperature

From consumer reports and company assurance, the best temperature to set the Kenmore refrigerator is 37 degrees Fahrenheit (37°F). 

However, the coolest temperature for the Kenmore refrigerator is 33 degrees Fahrenheit (0°celsius).

The Kenmore freezer compartment temperature can go as low as -9 degrees Fahrenheit (-23°c).

This temperature is for the refrigerator ice maker. 

How Do I Run Diagnostics On My Kenmore Elite Refrigerator?       

Running diagnostics on your Kenmore refrigerator is as simple as following these steps: 

  • First, press and hold the lock button for about 3 seconds. 
  • Next, you press down and hold the refrigerator and freezer buttons while simultaneously pressing the Acela ice button five times. 

After you do this, the digital display will show you the operating time of the refrigerator. 

Diagnostic mode helps you know the rate at which the refrigerator is working. However, this feature is most common in digital refrigerators like the Kenmore.

Unfortunately, this means you can scarcely find it on regular refrigerators. 

Conclusion

The Kenmore elite refrigerator is considered the biggest refrigerator brand. However, you may sometimes face challenges like refrigerators freezing food.

All you have to do is check your thermostat and reset it at times like this.

In cases where the thermostat seems not to be the problem, you can contact a professional to look at it.

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