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HomeRepair HelpMaytag Refrigerator RepairMaytag Refrigerator not defrosting Repair
Maytag Refrigerator not defrosting
If your Maytag refrigerator is not defrosting, start by checking the obvious: a door left open or a poorly sealed gasket often lets warm air in and lets frost build up on the evaporator so the unit never completes a defrost cycle. If the doors and seals look fine, the next most likely culprits are the defrost control board or the defrost timer, which tell the heater when to run; before replacing the board, test the defrost heater and defrost thermostat for continuity since those parts fail too. A faulty defrost heater will not melt accumulated ice, and a bad thermostat will prevent the heater from receiving power. You can often remove heavy ice by unplugging the fridge for several hours or using a hair dryer around the coil, but for a repeat problem you will need to diagnose and replace the failed component. If you need a replacement, enter your model number on RepairClinic.com to find the exact defrost control board, timer, heater, thermostat, or gasket that fits 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 - Maytag 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 - Maytag 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 - Maytag 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 - Maytag 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 - Maytag 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 - Maytag 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
My refrigerator is not defrosting. What parts should I check?
Freezer is cold but fridge is warm. Could this be a defrost problem?
How do I test the defrost heater and defrost thermostat?
Could a bad door gasket cause defrost or cooling problems?
How do I enter my model number to find the right replacement part on RepairClinic.com?