Refrigerator not cooling in fresh food compartment but freezer seems cold or frosty.

Safety: Unplug the refrigerator before removing interior panels. Do not use sharp tools to remove ice.

Steps:

• 1. Check airflow: Feel for cold air coming from vents in the fresh food compartment. Weak or no airflow suggests frost blockage.
• 2. Inspect freezer back panel: Look for heavy frost or ice buildup on the inside rear wall of the freezer. This indicates a defrost problem.
• 3. Manual defrost: Unplug the unit and leave doors open for 12–24 hours with towels to catch water. This will temporarily restore cooling if the defrost system is the issue.
• 4. Test defrost components: After defrosting, access the evaporator, heater, and thermostat (see defrost heater fault). Replace any failed components with Ikea-compatible parts.
• 5. Control board: If heater and thermostat are good, the main control board may not be initiating defrost and may need replacement.

Tip: If the problem recurs every 1–2 weeks, the automatic defrost system is not working correctly and must be repaired, not just manually defrosted.