Display shows H1 or "HI" and an audible alarm sounds; interior feels warm and food may be soft or thawing.
Safety Warning
This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.
If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.
Possible Causes
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety: No immediate electrical danger, but protect food safety. If you need to work on electrical parts, unplug the freezer first.
Steps to respond to H1 / high temperature alarm:
- 1. Check door and gasket: Ensure the door is fully closing and the door gasket is intact, clean, and not warped. Remove any items blocking closure.
- 2. Recent usage: If you recently loaded large amounts of unfrozen food or frequently opened the door, allow 12–24 hours for temperature to recover. Silence the alarm if possible, but monitor temperature with a thermometer.
- 3. Listen for compressor and fan: Confirm the compressor is running (gentle hum) and the evaporator fan is operating when the door switch is closed. If silent, investigate start relay, overload, or fan motor.
- 4. Check for frost pattern: If accessible, remove the rear inner panel and inspect the evaporator. A light, even frost over most of the coil is normal. Heavy ice on only part of the coil or no frost at all may indicate a refrigerant leak or blockage, which requires a refrigeration technician.
- 5. Clean condenser: On models with external condenser coils or a condenser fan, clean dust and ensure good airflow around the freezer.
- 6. Test start components: If the compressor is not running, test and replace the compressor start relay/PTC and overload protector as needed.
When to call a professional: If the compressor runs continuously but the freezer does not cool, or if you suspect a sealed system issue (leak, blockage, weak compressor), contact a qualified refrigeration engineer.