RCA freezer display shows dF or "DEF" periodically; compressor may be off while fans run intermittently.

Safety first: No immediate repair is needed if dF appears briefly. Unplug the unit before removing any panels.

Steps:

• 1. Determine duration: If dF appears for 20–40 minutes and then clears, this is usually a normal defrost cycle and requires no action.
• 2. Check for heavy frost: If dF remains for several hours and the freezer warms, inspect the evaporator area for heavy frost buildup that may be prolonging defrost.
• 3. Power reset: Unplug the freezer for 10 minutes, then plug it back in. If dF clears and normal cooling resumes, monitor for recurrence.
• 4. Inspect defrost components: If the unit repeatedly gets stuck in defrost, test the defrost thermostat and heater as described for E4. A thermostat that never closes can prevent proper termination of defrost.
• 5. Replace control board if needed: If all defrost components test good but the control remains stuck in defrost, an RCA-compatible main control board may be required.

Note: dF by itself is not a fault code unless it persists abnormally long or the freezer fails to cool afterward.