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HomeRepair HelpRefrigerator RepairRefrigerator not defrosting Repair
Refrigerator not defrosting
If your refrigerator is not defrosting, you’ll notice frost or ice building on the evaporator coils, around the door opening, or on food while the unit never completes a defrost cycle. The most common cause is simple moisture entry from a door left open or a bad seal, so start by closing the door and checking the gasket; a heavy ice buildup may need the unit unplugged for a day or a controlled hair-dryer melt. If the problem persists, a failed defrost control board is a frequent culprit, but test the defrost heater and defrost thermostat first before replacing the board. A faulty defrost timer can also prevent cycles; manually advance it to see if the compressor stops and the heater comes on. Finally, test the defrost heater assembly and defrost thermostat for continuity and replace any parts that fail. Whether you need a defrost control board, defrost timer, gasket, heater or thermostat, enter your model number on RepairClinic.com to find the exact replacement part for your specific refrigerator.
01 - Door left open
If the freezer or refrigerator door was left open for an extended period of time (more than 4 hours), frost or ice may have accumulated on the food, evaporator coil and evaporator fan motor, or around the door opening. Frost should go away after the door is closed and the refrigerator goes through a defrost cycle. More significant ice buildup may require the refrigerator to be unplugged for a day to allow the ice to melt, or a hair dryer may be able to be used to assist in melting the ice.
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02 - 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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03 - 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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04 - Refrigerator Door Gasket
A twisted or worn gasket can keep the door from closing properly. Inspect the door gasket for kinks or twists. You can use a hair dryer to try smoothing out the kinks. If the door gasket is damaged it will need to be replaced.
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05 - Refrigerator Defrost Heater Assembly
The defrost heater assembly turns on several times throughout the day to melt away any frost that may have accumulated on the evaporator coils. If the defrost heater assembly is defective, the defrost system will not work, and frost will continue to accumulate on the evaporator coils. To determine if the defrost heater is defective, use a multimeter to test it for continuity. If the defrost heater does not have continuity, replace it.
Common
06 - Refrigerator Defrost Thermostat
The defrost thermostat monitors the temperature of the evaporator coils. When the coils drop below a set temperature, the thermostat contacts close to allow power to flow to the defrost heater during the defrost cycle. In the defrost cycle, the defrost heater melts away any frost that may have accumulated on the evaporator coils. If the defrost thermostat is defective, the thermostat contacts will not close. As a result, the thermostat won’t provide power to the defrost heater. To determine if the defrost thermostat is defective, use a multimeter to test it for continuity. If the defrost thermostat does not have continuity...
Common
07 - Refrigerator Thermistor
A thermistor monitors the temperature of the evaporator coils. If the coils are below a set temperature, the thermistor will alert the defrost control to allow power to flow to the defrost heater during the defrost cycle. In the defrost cycle, the defrost heater melts away any frost that may have accumulated on the evaporator coils. If the thermistor is defective, the defrost control will not be alerted to allow voltage to be sent to the defrost heater.
Common
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my refrigerator not defrosting and frost keeps building up?
Freezer is cold but the fridge is warm — could a defrost problem cause that?
How do I test the defrost heater, defrost thermostat, and defrost timer?
Can a door gasket or leaving the door open cause defrosting problems?
How do I enter my model number or part number on RepairClinic to get the right defrost part?