Display shows H1 or HI and an alarm sounds; internal temperature is too high 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 internal electrical work is required for basic checks, but unplug the unit if you remove panels.
Immediate actions:
- Check door seal: Ensure the door is fully closed and the gasket is not obstructed by food packages. Inspect for torn or deformed gasket sections.
- Allow recovery time: If you recently loaded a large quantity of unfrozen food or had the door open for an extended period, allow 12–24 hours for the freezer to recover. Avoid frequent door openings.
- Verify cooling system: Listen for the compressor and internal fan. Both should cycle on and off. If the compressor is silent or only clicks, investigate the compressor start components.
- Check for frost pattern: If accessible, remove the rear interior panel and inspect the evaporator. A normal system will show a light, even frost across most of the coil. Heavy ice only at the inlet or no frost at all can indicate a sealed system issue.
- Fan operation: Confirm that the evaporator fan runs when the door is closed (press the door switch). Replace the fan motor if it does not run and has proper voltage.
When to call a technician: If the compressor runs continuously but the freezer does not cool, or if you suspect a refrigerant leak or sealed system problem, contact a licensed refrigeration technician. Sealed system repairs require specialized tools and certification.