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Product Help | Maytag

Preventing Food from Freezing in the Refrigerator

How to Prevent Food from Freezing in your Maytag Refrigerator?

If items in your refrigerator are freezing, try these items:

  • Check the controls.
  • Check to make sure the vents are not blocked.
  • See if the ice maker is turned on and connected to a water supply.

Are the Controls Set Correctly?

The best temperature for food storage is 38° F to 40° F in the refrigerator section and 0° F to 2° F in the freezer section. If food in the refrigerator section is freezing, adjusting the refrigerator and the freezer controls may be necessary. Begin adjustment with the freezer control, one temperature level at a time. Allow 8 hours for temperature adjustment before setting the control to the next level. Refer to Owner's Manual for further instructions on temperature adjustment.

Are the Air Vents Blocked? 

To ensure proper temperature, you must allow room for airflow between the freezer and refrigerator compartments. Cool air enters and exits the refrigerator compartment from the freezer compartment through vents. Depending on your model, these vents are in different locations. In the refrigerator compartment, items placed directly in the path of the freezer air flow may freeze.

  • Locate the vents in both the freezer and refrigerator compartments and ensure that nothing is blocking the airflow.
  • If vents are blocked, airflow will decrease. Temperature and moisture issues may arise due to blocked vents.
  • Items placed directly in the airflow from the freezer compartment to the refrigerator compartment may freeze. Do not place temperature-sensitive items, such as eggs and liquids, in these areas.

Locate the vents in both the freezer and refrigerator compartments and ensure that there is nothing blocking the air flow.Temperature and moisture issues may arise due to blocked vents.Items placed directly in the air flow from the freezer compartment to the refrigerator compartment may freeze. Do not place temperature sensitive items, such as eggs and liquids, in these areas.

Is the Ice Maker Turned On?

Verify that the ice maker is turned on. If the water supply is not connected to the water supply line, turn the ice maker off.  

If the ice maker remains on and not connected to the water supply, the following could potentially happen:

  • The ice maker will continue to try to make ice, causing a buzzing sound. 
  • The refrigerator section may be too cold.
  • The freezer section may be too cold.
  • The food in the crisper drawers may freeze.

CLICK HERE for more information on how to turn the ice maker on

Blocked Vents Could Cause the Following Issues: 

  • Moisture build-up or excessive frost
  • Temperature issues such as inconsistent or fluctuating temperatures

CLICK HERE for additional information

If you would like to download or view product literature for your appliance, please visit our Manuals and Literature page.