Freezer not freezing food

Usually a failed evaporator fan, dirty condenser coils, or a sealed-system issue. We diagnose all three on the first visit.

Heavy frost buildup on back wall

Defrost heater, defrost thermostat, or defrost timer failure. The auto-defrost cycle has stopped running. Repair is typically $180–$280.

Freezer running constantly

Door gasket leaking warm air, dirty condenser coils, or low refrigerant charge. We test all three and recommend the most cost-effective fix.

Water leaking onto the floor

Clogged defrost drain refreezing and overflowing — common on Whirlpool, GE, and Samsung models. We clear the drain and install an upgraded drain heater clip when applicable.

Built-in Sub-Zero or Thermador column freezer warm

Most often the evaporator fan motor or the defrost system. We're factory-certified on both brands and stock the high-failure parts.

Garage freezer not maintaining temperature in summer

Standard freezers aren't rated for 90°F+ ambient. We diagnose whether the unit can be repaired or recommend a garage-rated replacement.

Freezer Repair

Name: Top Appliance Repair — Freezer Repair
Address: San Jose, CA, 95112, US
Telephone: (510) 930-0404
Rating: 4.9

Expert freezer repair for chest, upright, drawer, and built-in column freezers. Same-day service.

Call (510) 930-0404

Top Appliance Repair technician performing freezer repair in a Bay Area home

Chest, Upright & Built-In Column Freezer Repair

When your freezer stops freezing, builds up frost on the back wall, runs nonstop without cycling off, or starts puddling water on the floor, your food is on the clock. Most freezer failures trace to a small set of common causes: a failed evaporator fan motor, a faulty defrost heater or thermostat, a worn door gasket leaking cold air, a sealed-system refrigerant leak, or a tired compressor. Our factory-trained Bay Area technicians provide same-day freezer repair across San Jose, Sunnyvale, Fremont, and the entire region. We service all freezer types — upright freezers, chest freezers, drawer freezers in French door fridges, built-in column freezers (Sub-Zero, Thermador), and garage-rated units — from every major brand including Sub-Zero, Whirlpool, GE, Frigidaire, Samsung, LG, Maytag, and Kenmore. Most freezer repairs are completed in 1–2 hours with costs typically ranging from $150 to $500 depending on the part. We use only genuine OEM components and back every repair with a 90-day parts and labor guarantee. Licensed under CA License #49404.

Bay Area Freezer Repair Tips & Symptom Guide

Garage freezers are an underappreciated category in the Bay Area. South Bay garages in San Jose, Milpitas, and Fremont can hit 110°F+ during summer heat waves, and most standard upright freezers are NOT rated for ambient temperatures above 90°F. When a non-garage-rated freezer is forced to work in a hot garage, the compressor runs continuously, the thermostat fails to cycle properly, and food temperature actually rises. We see at least 15–20 of these calls every summer. The fix is usually a garage-rated freezer (Frigidaire, Whirlpool) or relocating the unit indoors. Built-in column freezers — Sub-Zero IC-30FI, Thermador T36IF — are a luxury staple in Los Altos Hills, Atherton, and Monte Sereno kitchens. These units cost $7,000–$12,000 new and absolutely should be repaired rather than replaced. The most common failure in 5–10 year old columns is the evaporator fan motor or the defrost heater — both under $300 in parts. We're factory-certified on both brands and stock the high-failure parts for next-day service across the Peninsula and South Bay. Freezer diagnostic guide: ✓ Freezer warm, fridge cold (in combo unit) → evaporator fan motor failure in the freezer cavity; the #1 freezer-side repair we perform. ✓ Frost buildup on back wall → defrost system failure (heater, thermostat, or timer); auto-defrost no longer running. ✓ Running constantly → dirty condenser coils, failing door gasket, or low refrigerant. ✓ Water on the floor → clogged defrost drain refreezing and overflowing. ✓ Loud humming or clicking → compressor start relay failure; relay is a $40 part, compressor is $400+. ✓ Chest freezer not cooling → most often a failed cold control thermostat or a refrigerant leak; we pressure-test the sealed system.