Gaggenau freezer alarm and not freezing: a dust-clogged condenser
When a built-in Gaggenau freezer keeps sounding its alarm and stops freezing, a dust-clogged condenser can be the cause. That is what LE Company engineers found in a home in Belgravia this October: three Gaggenau Vario built-in units, a freezer, a fridge and a wine fridge, had overheated because their condensers were packed with dust, and the heat had damaged their electronics. Here is what we found, how we repaired them and how to stop it happening to yours.
Why is my Gaggenau freezer alarm going off and the freezer not freezing?
The customer told us the freezer alarm kept going off and the freezer was not freezing. On arrival the freezer (model RF461200) was overheated, and the fridge beside it (RC472200) was in the same condition. Behind the grille, the condenser and its fan were buried in dust and fluff.
A condenser carries the heat away from the freezer. Covered in dust, it cannot do that, the machine compartment overheats and the freezer warms up and raises the alarm.
What happened to the inverter and the control board
We cleaned the condenser, fan and grille. We then tested the compressor directly with an external inverter test tool, bypassing the freezer’s own electronics: the compressor started, so the compressor itself was fine. The freezer’s own compressor inverter did not respond, and plastic on the control board had melted from the heat. Our engineers concluded that the overheating from the clogged condenser had caused both failures.
Can a Gaggenau freezer be repaired after it overheats?
Yes. On the return visit we fitted a refurbished control board and a replacement compressor inverter to the freezer, and replaced one light transformer. The compressor started on the freezer’s own inverter and the freezer cooled normally. The fridge got a replacement inverter and control board, programmed in our workshop before the visit, and it also cooled normally. No further work was needed on either.
Why is my Gaggenau wine fridge not cooling?
The wine fridge (RW414261) on the same installation had the same problem: a condenser and fan heavily clogged with dust.
Its main control board had failed completely and was beyond repair. That board is discontinued by the manufacturer and no replacement is available, so the wine fridge could not be repaired with original parts. We gave the customer two options: replace the wine fridge, or have a custom control board made, measured and specified from the original, then fitted and tested. The compressor can only be tested once a working board is in place.
Gaggenau fridge not cooling: the same cause in another home
In November we were called to a built-in Gaggenau refrigerator that was not cooling in another London home. Its condenser was completely blocked with dirt and overheated, the evaporator had iced up and the evaporator fan was frozen in ice. We replaced the control board, the evaporator fan motor and the cracked defrost drip plate, and the refrigerator was running at the end of the visit, with a final check of the inverter and refrigerant still to come.
How do I stop my Gaggenau fridge or freezer overheating?
Keep the condenser, fan and grille clear of dust, as part of the regular fridge freezer maintenance tasks. In every case described here, our engineers recommended regular condenser cleaning, because the dust-clogged condenser was what caused the overheating and the failures that followed. Dust builds up slowly and out of sight, so it is easy to miss until the alarm goes off, and hot weather makes an overheating fridge worse. Cleaning a condenser costs far less than a new inverter and control board, and much less than losing a wine fridge whose board can no longer be bought.
Book a Gaggenau fridge or freezer repair in London
LE Company’s call-out is from £175 + VAT and includes the first 30 minutes on site, when the engineer finds the cause of the fault. The cost of the repair is agreed with you before any work starts, and we fit only original manufacturer parts where they are still available. See our Gaggenau fridge repair in London page or call +44 20 3603 7172, Monday to Saturday, 8am to 8pm. For ovens, coffee machines and other appliances, see Gaggenau repair in London and our Gaggenau service guide. For other makes, see fridge repair in London. Prices, parts warranty and insurance are covered in our frequently asked questions.