Danby digital freezer shows E3 and may not defrost properly (ice buildup on back wall).

Safety first: Unplug the freezer. Do not chip ice with sharp tools; you can puncture refrigerant lines.

Steps to address E3:

• Inspect for heavy frost: Remove food and the interior rear panel. If the evaporator is encased in ice, the defrost system is likely at fault.
• Locate defrost components: Identify the defrost thermostat/bi-metal clipped to the evaporator tubing and the defrost heater at the bottom or woven through the coil.
• Test the defrost thermostat: With the evaporator cold (below freezing), disconnect the thermostat and check continuity with a multimeter. It should read closed (0 ohms). If open when cold, replace it.
• Test the defrost heater: Disconnect the heater leads and measure resistance. A typical heater will show some resistance (e.g., 20–150 ohms). Infinite resistance indicates an open heater that must be replaced.
• Check wiring: Inspect connectors and wires from the heater and thermostat back to the control board for burns, breaks, or corrosion.
• Control board check: If both heater and thermostat test good, the main control board's defrost relay or logic may be faulty and require replacement.
• Manual defrost: While waiting for parts, you can manually defrost by unplugging the unit and letting ice melt, using towels to catch water. Do not use heat guns near plastic.

Warning: If you see any signs of melted plastic or burnt wiring, stop and call a technician.