Freezer forming heavy frost or ice on back wall, airflow reduced, temperatures rising.
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
Manual defrost:
- Unplug the refrigerator and open doors. Allow 12–24 hours for all ice to melt. Use towels to absorb water.
Short-term result: Cooling will usually return to normal for several days to weeks until frost builds up again.
Component inspection:
- After defrosting, remove the freezer rear panel and visually inspect the heater, thermostat, and wiring.
- If you are comfortable with a multimeter, check continuity of the heater and thermostat. Replace any open components.
Note: If all components test good, the main control board may not be triggering defrost and should be evaluated by a technician.
Repair Difficulty
Required Part
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