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HomeRepair HelpRefrigerator RepairRefrigerator has frost or ice buildup Repair
Refrigerator has frost or ice buildup
If your refrigerator has frost or ice buildup, start with the defrost system—most often the defrost control board has failed and the fridge is not defrosting. Before you replace the board, test the defrost heater and defrost thermostat; if those parts work and the heater never runs, the control board is likely at fault. The next likely culprit is a bad defrost timer; slowly advance it into the defrost cycle and the compressor should stop while the heater runs—if the timer does not advance or send power, replace it. A stalled evaporator fan motor can also let cold air migrate into the defrost drain and cause ice to form, so spin the fan blade by hand and listen for noise. Missing drain straps increase the chance of a defrost drain clogged condition further down the drain tube. Less commonly, a faulty water inlet valve can cause ice from an overflowing ice maker. Enter your model number on RepairClinic.com to find the exact replacement part you need for your refrigerator.
01 - Refrigerator Defrost Control Board
The defrost control board determines how often to run the defrost cycle. If the board fails, the refrigerator will not go into the defrost cycle. Before replacing the defrost control board, first test the defrost heater and defrost thermostat. If the defrost heater and defrost thermostat are working properly, the defrost control board is likely defective.
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02 - Refrigerator Defrost Timer
The defrost timer turns on the defrost heater several times throughout the day to melt any frost that may have accumulated on the evaporator coils. If the defrost timer is defective, it may not advance into the defrost cycle, or it may not send power to the defrost heater during the defrost cycle. To determine if the defrost timer is defective, slowly advance the dial into the defrost cycle. The compressor should turn off and the heater should turn on. If the timer does not send power to the defrost components or advance out of the defrost cycle within 30 minutes, this indicates that the defrost timer is not advancing. If ...
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03 - Refrigerator Water Inlet Valve
The water inlet valve requires a minimum of 20 psi to shut off properly. If the water pressure is too low, the valve may not close fully once the power is shut off. As a result, the valve will leak water into the ice maker and cause the ice maker to overflow. Check the water pressure to determine if it is at least 20 psi. If the water pressure is sufficient, the water inlet valve is likely defective. The valve may not shut off all the way or may be stuck open, causing water to leak through the valve. If the water pressure is sufficient, but the ice maker is still overflowing, replace the water inlet valve.
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04 - Refrigerator Fan Motor
If the refrigerator's defrost drain is clogged, it's possible the evaporator fan motor is not working. If the evaporator fan is not running, cold air from the evaporator can migrate to the defrost drain causing ice buildup in the drain. To determine if the evaporator fan motor is defective, try turning the fan blade by hand. If the fan blade does not turn freely, replace the fan motor. Additionally, if the motor is unusually noisy, replace it. Finally, if the motor does not run at all, use a multimeter to test the motor windings for continuity. If the windings do not have continuity, replace the evaporator fan motor.
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05 - Refrigerator Drain Strap
Some defrost drains are outfitted with a drain strap. The drain strap is a small piece of copper or aluminum that attaches to the defrost heater and extends partway into the defrost drain. When the defrost heater turns on, heat is conducted through the drain strap to melt away any ice that may have accumulated further down in the defrost drain. If the drain strap is not in place, the defrost drain may be more likely to freeze over.
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06 - Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Motor
If the refrigerator's defrost drain is clogged, it's possible the evaporator fan motor is not working. If the evaporator fan is not running, cold air from the evaporator can migrate to the defrost drain causing ice buildup in the drain. To determine if the evaporator fan motor is defective, try turning the fan blade by hand. If the fan blade does not turn freely, replace the fan motor. Additionally, if the motor is unusually noisy, replace it. Finally, if the motor does not run at all, use a multimeter to test the motor windings for continuity. If the windings do not have continuity, replace the evaporator fan motor.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my refrigerator have frost or ice buildup?
Freezer is cold but fridge is warm; can ice buildup cause that?
How do I clear a clogged defrost drain and stop it from freezing again?
My ice maker is overflowing and adding to the ice buildup. Could the water inlet valve be the problem?
How do I use my model number to find the right replacement part on RepairClinic.com?