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HomeRepair HelpEstate Refrigerator RepairEstate Refrigerator not defrosting Repair
Estate Refrigerator not defrosting
When your refrigerator is not defrosting, frost or ice builds on the evaporator coil and blocks airflow, letting the freezer or fridge get cold while frost piles up. The most common cause is a door left open for several hours, which lets humid air in and creates frost that often clears after a normal defrost cycle or by unplugging overnight or using a hair dryer to melt heavy ice. If the door is sealing properly, the defrost control board is the next likely culprit, but only replace it after testing the defrost heater and defrost thermostat. A defective defrost timer can prevent the unit from advancing into the defrost cycle. Worn or twisted door gaskets admit moisture, and a failed defrost heater or thermostat will keep ice from melting during defrost. These are the usual refrigerator defrost problems; a multimeter and a few checks will narrow the fault so you can order the right part. Enter your model number at RepairClinic.com to find the exact replacement part for your 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 - Estate 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 - Estate 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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04 - Estate 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 - Estate 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 - Estate 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 - Estate 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 Estate refrigerator not defrosting?
My freezer is cold but the fridge is warm; could a defrost problem cause that?
How do I test the defrost heater and defrost thermostat?
How can I tell if the defrost control board or defrost timer is bad?
How do I enter my model number on RepairClinic.com to find the correct replacement part?