Display shows dF; refrigerator may run defrost too often or not cool properly
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.
Possible Causes
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety: Unplug the appliance before accessing the evaporator or heater. The heater operates at mains voltage and can be hot.
Procedure:
- 1. Visual inspection: Remove freezer drawers and inner rear panel to expose the evaporator and heater. Look for burnt or broken heater elements and melted wiring insulation.
- 2. Test the heater: With the unit unplugged, disconnect the heater terminals and measure resistance. A typical heater will show a finite resistance (often 50–300 Ω). Infinite resistance indicates an open heater that must be replaced.
- 3. Check the defrost sensor/thermostat: Verify continuity or NTC resistance as appropriate. Replace if out of specification.
- 4. Wiring and connectors: Inspect all connectors in the defrost circuit for corrosion or looseness. Repair any damaged wires.
- 5. Control board: If heater and sensor are good but dF persists and the evaporator ices up, the defrost relay or control logic on the main board may be faulty. Replace the board via a professional.
Important: After replacing components, fully defrost the evaporator before returning the unit to service to avoid immediate re-icing.
Repair Difficulty
Required Part
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