Sub-Zero Excess Moisture Infiltration / Frosting

Refrigerator or freezer compartment has heavy frost on walls, ceiling, or food items.

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Possible Causes

Damaged or misaligned door gasket, Door not closing fully due to obstruction, Door hinge sagging, Frequent or prolonged door openings

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety first: Unplug the unit if you need to remove panels or use heat to clear frost.

Step 1 – Inspect door closure

  • Check that nothing is blocking the door from closing fully (food packages, shelves, bins).
  • Verify that the door closes smoothly and latches without needing to be pushed hard.

Step 2 – Examine door gaskets

  • Look for tears, gaps, or hardened sections in the door gasket.
  • Use a flashlight inside the compartment with lights off in the room; look for light leaks around the door.

Step 3 – Adjust or replace gasket

  • Warm the gasket with a hair dryer on low and gently reshape it to improve sealing.
  • If the gasket is damaged or will not seal, replace it with an OEM Sub‑Zero gasket.

Step 4 – Defrost and dry

  • Manually defrost heavy frost by unplugging the unit and leaving doors open until ice melts.
  • Dry all surfaces before restarting.
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Repair Difficulty

Easy 2/5

Required Part

Door Gasket
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