Sharp
Defrost System Failure
Ice buildup on the back wall of the freezer, reduced cooling and noisy fan.
Advertisements
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.
Advertisements
Possible Causes
Failed defrost heater, Defective defrost thermostat or sensor, Faulty defrost control on main PCB
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety: Unplug the refrigerator before removing freezer panels. Do not use sharp tools to remove ice.
Steps:
- Manual defrost: Empty the freezer and remove the rear panel. Allow all ice to melt using towels to catch water.
- Test defrost heater: With the heater exposed and disconnected, measure resistance. Replace if open.
- Test defrost thermostat/sensor: When cold, it should be closed (low resistance). Replace if it remains open.
- Check wiring: Inspect connectors and wires for burns or breaks.
- Evaluate control board: If heater and thermostat are good, the main control board may not be initiating defrost and may need replacement.
Advertisements
Repair Difficulty
Hard
4/5
Required Part
Defrost Heater Assembly
Check Price on Amazon
We may earn a commission from links on this page.
Advertisements