Freezer not cold enough. Any idea why and who to call to repair?

We have a relatively new LG Fridge (~5yo) that lately the freezer is not getting cold enough. The fridge temp is fine but the freezer just won't get cold. It's still working and cold enough to keep things relatively frozen, but not cold enough to keep the ice cream frozen or for the ice maker to work. It happened last month for ~3-4 days and then magically it started working again, but now the problem is back.

Any idea what this problem is? It's still cold, just not cold enough. Who do we call to check this out? Any randoms on Kijiji?

Check the pilot light.

No idea what would cause it, but I had some warranty work done on my fridge a few weeks back. The work was done by Totem appliance repair; wouldn't hesitate to recommend. Guy was considerate, on time, and left me with his cell number to reach out for any questions. No idea what prices were like, since it was warranty work.

Pull it out and vacuum and clean all the black radiator fins behind the unit (don't know the actual name) and check the door seals properly.

The fins need to dissipate the heat and if they are supper dirty/dusty they cannot do their job.

My freezer is a pullout drawer and I noticed my temps were going up because the seals were not contacting properly when closing.

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Originally Posted by The_Rural_Juror

Check the pilot light.

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No, the thermocouple. It's always the thermocouple.

How full is the freezer though? They don't operate well if it's completely stuffed.

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Originally Posted by The_Rural_Juror

Check the pilot light.

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I'm confused. Freezers have pilot lights? And thermocouples? ARe yall just playing?

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Originally Posted by dj_rice

I'm confused. Freezers have pilot lights? And thermocouples? ARe yall just playing?

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Of course they do. And co-pilot lights. How do you think frost-free freezers work?

Check to see if there is excessive frost even if it is probably a frost-free freezer.

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Originally Posted by dj_rice

I'm confused. Freezers have pilot lights? And thermocouples? ARe yall just playing?

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Yes.

They are just joking and they know all freezers have been updated to thermopiles by now.

The few times I have noticed what you describe, it has always been because the kids jammed a bunch of shit right to the back and covered up the area where the vent (for lack of a better word) is and as soon as I cleared some room around it would work perfect again.

Thanks guys. there isn't that much stuff in the freezer (maybe 70% capacity) but because this problem happened just a month or so back, and then went to normal overnight, I figured it's not something permanently broken. Luckily we have a deep freeze so we are going to move as much stuff as we can down, clean out the area, and see if it gets better before we call someone.

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Originally Posted by nissanK

Pull it out and vacuum and clean all the black radiator fins behind the unit (don't know the actual name) and check the door seals properly.

The fins need to dissipate the heat and if they are supper dirty/dusty they cannot do their job.

My freezer is a pullout drawer and I noticed my temps were going up because the seals were not contacting properly when closing.

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The heat rejection coil is called the condensing coil. The lines running thru the freezer and refrigerator would be considered the evap coil. A thermocouple would control the on/off cycle of the refrigerant pump.

Put everything into a cooler/freezer unplug prop the doors open and let it thaw / give it all a good scrub. About 6hrs or so.

There's a vent that runs top to bottom that often ices over. That's usually the starting point of checking what's wrong.

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Originally Posted by AndyL

Put everything into a cooler/freezer unplug prop the doors open and let it thaw / give it all a good scrub. About 6hrs or so.

There's a vent that runs top to bottom that often ices over. That's usually the starting point of checking what's wrong.

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I agree. Take the opportunity to check the dielectric nipple for signs of corrosion.

I can't help, but I enjoy your thread title as it reminds me of this:
Attachment 93115

Are you trying to make light of this situation? This is a serious matter!

Lol that's quite accurate. This is the first time we've ever had any major appliances breaking on us so we have NO clue what to do. Even growing up it was at most stuff like the fridge stopped working but it's 20 years old anyway so time for a new one.

Home ownership sucks.

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Originally Posted by RX_EVOLV

Lol that's quite accurate. This is the first time we've ever had any major appliances breaking on us so we have NO clue what to do. Even growing up it was at most stuff like the fridge stopped working but it's 20 years old anyway so time for a new one.

Home ownership sucks.

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Yep, being a homeowner can suck, but a little bit of knowledge and a few tools can save a shit-ton of money over the years.

More reason to live with mom. Who's the stable genius now?