Swan
Defrost/Harvest Failure
Evaporator plate or ice-making fingers become heavily iced over and do not release ice properly.
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Safety Warning
This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.
If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.
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Possible Causes
Faulty hot gas valve or harvest heater (on some models), Incorrect ice thickness sensor setting, Scale buildup on evaporator, Weak compressor causing slow freeze and poor release
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety first: Unplug the unit before defrosting or cleaning the evaporator.
- Manual defrost: Turn off the ice maker and allow all ice to melt naturally. Place towels to catch water. Do not use sharp tools to chip ice off the evaporator.
- Clean evaporator: Once defrosted, wipe the evaporator surface with a soft cloth and a mild vinegar solution to remove scale. Rinse with a damp cloth and dry.
- Check ice thickness sensor: Ensure the sensor or probe is correctly positioned and not telling the unit to over-freeze the ice.
- Restart and observe: Run a cycle and watch the harvest phase. Ice should release cleanly from the evaporator.
If ice continues to stick and the unit appears to over-freeze, the harvest system (hot gas valve or heater) or control timing may be faulty and require professional service.
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Repair Difficulty
Medium
3/5
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