How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety first: Unplug the freezer before removing interior panels. Do not chip ice with sharp tools.

Steps:

Manual defrost: Empty the freezer, unplug it, and leave the door open for several hours to melt ice. Use towels to catch water.
Access evaporator: Remove the rear interior panel and inspect the evaporator coil and heater.
Test heater and thermostat: Use a multimeter to check continuity of the defrost heater and thermostat as described in earlier entries. Replace any open components with Hotpoint-compatible parts.
Check drain: Clear the defrost drain hole at the bottom of the evaporator area using warm water and a flexible tube or pipe cleaner.
Reassemble and monitor: After repairs and full defrost, reassemble and plug in. Monitor for several days to ensure frost does not return.

Freezer interior warm at top, cold at bottom, ice buildup on rear wall

Possible Causes