Name: Manual for 253 - Troubleshooting and error codes + PDF Download
Brand: KENMORE

Manual for 253 - Troubleshooting and error codes + PDF Download

Brand: KENMORE

Category: Freezer

Manual Type:

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Uploaded: April 8, 2025, 1:42 p.m.

Warranty Summary

KENMORE 253 freezer includes a one-year full warranty and a five-year full warranty on the sealed refrigeration system against defects in material or workmanship.

Basic Operation Summary:

Installation: Choose a grounded electrical outlet, ensure proper air circulation space around the unit, and level the freezer for optimal operation.
Temperature Control: The freezer temperature is factory preset but adjustable using the control knob. Turn towards COLDEST for colder temperatures. Allow 4 hours for cool down before loading unfrozen food.
Loading Food: For initial loading, freeze only 3 pounds of fresh food per cubic foot of freezer space at a time. Distribute food evenly for efficient freezing.
Defrosting: Defrost when frost accumulation is 1/4 to 1/2 inch. Unplug the freezer before defrosting. Follow specific defrosting instructions based on model type (upright or chest).
Cleaning: Regularly clean the interior and exterior with mild detergent and warm water. Avoid harsh cleaners and sharp instruments.

Troubleshooting and error codes

PROBLEM	CAUSE	CORRECTION
Freezer does not run.	Freezer is plugged into a circuit that has a ground fault interrupt. Temperature control is in the OFF position. Freezer may not be plugged in, or plug may be loose. House fuse blown or tripped circuit breaker. Power outage.	Use another circuit. If you are unsure about the outlet, have it checked by a certified technician. See Setting the Temperature Control Section. Ensure plug is tightly pushed into outlet. Check/replace fuse with a 15 amp time-delay fuse. Reset circuit breaker. Check house lights. Call local Electric Company.
Freezer runs too much or too long.	Room or outside weather is hot. Freezer has recently been disconnected for a period of time. Large amounts of warm or hot food have been stored recently. Doors are opened too frequently or too long. Freezer door may be slightly open. Temperature Control is set too low. Freezer gasket is dirty, worn, cracked, or poorly fitted.	It's normal for the freezer to work harder under these conditions. It takes 4 hours for the freezer to cool down completely. Warm food will cause freezer to run more until the desired temperature is reached. Warm air entering the freezer causes it to run more. Open doors less often. See "DOOR PROBLEMS" Section. Turn control knob to a warmer setting. Allow several hours for the temperature to stabilize. Clean or change gasket. Leaks in the door seal will cause freezer to run longer in order to maintain desired temperature.
Interior Freezer temperature is too cold.	Temperature Control is set too low.	Turn the control to a warmer setting. Allow several hours for the temperature to stabilize.
Interior Freezer temperature is too warm.	Temperature Control is set too warm. Door is kept open too long or is opened too frequently. Door may not be seating properly. Large amounts of warm or hot food may have been stored recently. Freezer has recently been disconnected for a period of time.	Turn control to a colder setting. Allow several hours for the temperature to stabilize. Warm air enters the freezer every time the door is opened. Open the door less often. See "DOOR PROBLEMS" Section. Wait until the freezer has had a chance to reach its selected temperature. Freezer requires 4 hours to cool down completely.
Freezer external surface temperature is warm.	The external freezer walls can be as much as 30°F warmer than room temperature.	This is normal while the compressor works to transfer heat from inside the freezer cabinet.
Louder sound levels whenever freezer is on.	Modern freezers have increased storage capacity and more stable temperatures. They require a high efficiency compressor.	This is normal. When the surrounding noise level is low, you might hear the compressor running while it cools the interior.
Longer sound levels when compressor comes on.	Freezer operates at higher pressures during the start of the ON cycle.	This is normal. Sound will level off or disappear as freezer continues to run.
Popping or cracking sound when compressor comes on.	Metal parts undergo expansion and contraction, as in hot water pipes.	This is normal. Sound will level off or disappear as freezer continues to run.
Bubbling or gurgling sound, like water boiling.	Refrigerant (used to cool freezer) is circulating throughout the system.	This is normal.
Vibrating or rattling noise.	Freezer is not level. It rocks on the floor when it is moved slightly. Floor is uneven or weak. Freezer rocks on floor when it is moved slightly. Freezer is touching the wall.	Level the unit. Refer to "Leveling" in the First Steps Section. Ensure floor can adequately support freezer. Level the freezer by putting wood or metal shims under part of the freezer. Relevel the freezer or move freezer slightly. Refer to "Leveling" in the First Steps Section.
Moisture forms on inside freezer walls.	Weather is hot and humid, which increases internal rate of frost build-up. Door may not be seating properly. Door is kept open too long, or is opened too frequently.	This is normal. See "DOOR PROBLEMS" Section. Open the door less often.
Moisture forms on ouside of freezer.	Door may not be seating properly, causing the cold air from inside the freezer to meet warm moist air from outside.	See "DOOR PROBLEMS" Section.
Odors in freezer	Interior needs to be cleaned. Foods with strong odors are in the freezer.	Clean interior with sponge, warm water, and baking soda. Cover the food tightly.
Door will not close.	Freezer is not level. It rocks on the floor when it is moved slightly. Floor is uneven or weak. Freezer rocks on floor when it is moved slightly.	This condition can force the cabinet out of square and misalign the door. Refer to "Leveling" in the First Steps Section. Level the floor by using wood or metal shims under the freezer or brace floor supporting the freezer.
Light bulb is not on.	Light bulb is burned out. No electric current is reaching the freezer.	Follow directions under "Interior Light" in the Freezer Features Section. See "FREEZER DOES NOT RUN" Section.
Automatic ice maker not working. (some models)	Ensure the Wire Signal Arm is not in the UP position. Ice maker should produce 4 to 5 pounds of ice in a 24 hour period. Water supply is turned off. Water pressure is too low. The freezer is not cold enough.

Troubleshooting and error codes

PROBLEM	CAUSE	CORRECTION
Freezer does not run.	Freezer is plugged into a circuit that has a ground fault interrupt. Temperature control is in the OFF position. Freezer may not be plugged in, or plug may be loose. House fuse blown or tripped circuit breaker. Power outage.	Use another circuit. If you are unsure about the outlet, have it checked by a certified technician. See Setting the Temperature Control Section. Ensure plug is tightly pushed into outlet. Check/replace fuse with a 15 amp time-delay fuse. Reset circuit breaker. Check house lights. Call local Electric Company.
Freezer runs too much or too long.	Room or outside weather is hot. Freezer has recently been disconnected for a period of time. Large amounts of warm or hot food have been stored recently. Doors are opened too frequently or too long. Freezer door may be slightly open. Temperature Control is set too low. Freezer gasket is dirty, worn, cracked, or poorly fitted.	It's normal for the freezer to work harder under these conditions. It takes 4 hours for the freezer to cool down completely. Warm food will cause freezer to run more until the desired temperature is reached. Warm air entering the freezer causes it to run more. Open doors less often. See "DOOR PROBLEMS" Section. Turn control knob to a warmer setting. Allow several hours for the temperature to stabilize. Clean or change gasket. Leaks in the door seal will cause freezer to run longer in order to maintain desired temperature.
Interior Freezer temperature is too cold.	Temperature Control is set too low.	Turn the control to a warmer setting. Allow several hours for the temperature to stabilize.
Interior Freezer temperature is too warm.	Temperature Control is set too warm. Door is kept open too long or is opened too frequently. Door may not be seating properly. Large amounts of warm or hot food may have been stored recently. Freezer has recently been disconnected for a period of time.	Turn control to a colder setting. Allow several hours for the temperature to stabilize. Warm air enters the freezer every time the door is opened. Open the door less often. See "DOOR PROBLEMS" Section. Wait until the freezer has had a chance to reach its selected temperature. Freezer requires 4 hours to cool down completely.
Freezer external surface temperature is warm.	The external freezer walls can be as much as 30°F warmer than room temperature.	This is normal while the compressor works to transfer heat from inside the freezer cabinet.
Louder sound levels whenever freezer is on.	Modern freezers have increased storage capacity and more stable temperatures. They require a high efficiency compressor.	This is normal. When the surrounding noise level is low, you might hear the compressor running while it cools the interior.
Longer sound levels when compressor comes on.	Freezer operates at higher pressures during the start of the ON cycle.	This is normal. Sound will level off or disappear as freezer continues to run.
Popping or cracking sound when compressor comes on.	Metal parts undergo expansion and contraction, as in hot water pipes.	This is normal. Sound will level off or disappear as freezer continues to run.
Bubbling or gurgling sound, like water boiling.	Refrigerant (used to cool freezer) is circulating throughout the system.	This is normal.
Vibrating or rattling noise.	Freezer is not level. It rocks on the floor when it is moved slightly. Floor is uneven or weak. Freezer rocks on floor when it is moved slightly. Freezer is touching the wall.	Level the unit. Refer to "Leveling" in the First Steps Section. Ensure floor can adequately support freezer. Level the freezer by putting wood or metal shims under part of the freezer. Relevel the freezer or move freezer slightly. Refer to "Leveling" in the First Steps Section.
Moisture forms on inside freezer walls.	Weather is hot and humid, which increases internal rate of frost build-up. Door may not be seating properly. Door is kept open too long, or is opened too frequently.	This is normal. See "DOOR PROBLEMS" Section. Open the door less often.
Moisture forms on ouside of freezer.	Door may not be seating properly, causing the cold air from inside the freezer to meet warm moist air from outside.	See "DOOR PROBLEMS" Section.
Odors in freezer	Interior needs to be cleaned. Foods with strong odors are in the freezer.	Clean interior with sponge, warm water, and baking soda. Cover the food tightly.
Door will not close.	Freezer is not level. It rocks on the floor when it is moved slightly. Floor is uneven or weak. Freezer rocks on floor when it is moved slightly.	This condition can force the cabinet out of square and misalign the door. Refer to "Leveling" in the First Steps Section. Level the floor by using wood or metal shims under the freezer or brace floor supporting the freezer.
Light bulb is not on.	Light bulb is burned out. No electric current is reaching the freezer.	Follow directions under "Interior Light" in the Freezer Features Section. See "FREEZER DOES NOT RUN" Section.
Automatic ice maker not working. (some models)	Ensure the Wire Signal Arm is not in the UP position. Ice maker should produce 4 to 5 pounds of ice in a 24 hour period. Water supply is turned off. Water pressure is too low. The freezer is not cold enough.