Freezer interior heavily frosted; thick ice on shelves and walls; door difficult to close.

Safety: Unplug the freezer before defrosting or adjusting hinges.

• Manual defrost: Remove food, unplug the unit, and allow all ice to melt. Use towels to collect water. Do not use sharp tools to chip ice.
• Inspect door gasket: Clean the door seal with warm soapy water. Check for splits, hardening, or deformation. Replace if damaged.
• Check door alignment: Ensure the door sits squarely on the cabinet. Adjust hinges or leveling feet so the door closes firmly and does not swing open.
• Limit door openings: Avoid leaving the door open for long periods, especially in humid environments.
• Verify defrost system: On no-frost models, if frost quickly returns behind the rear panel, test the defrost heater, thermostat, and sensor as described in defrost-related entries.