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Why is my Refrigerator Not Defrosting: Causes and Solutions

Your fridge may not be defrosting due to these factors: malfunctioning defrost thermostat, a broken defrost heater, or an unresponsive defrost timer or control board.

All these components are vital for the successful defrosting of your freezer. Failure of any single component can cause frost accumulation. To identify the precise cause of the problem, you can use a multimeter for testing these components or consider the assistance of an experienced technician.


Defrosting Refrigerator


My Refrigerator Is Not Defrosting


Are you noticing excessive frost build-up in your freezer? Is your fridge seeming more like an igloo than a home for your perishables? If you're asking the questions why is my refrigerator not defrosting, then you might be dealing with a defrosting issue. When your refrigerator doesn't defrost properly, it can lead to a whole host of problems including reduced cooling efficiency and potential food spoilage. This guide will answer your pressing questions, like "How do I force my refrigerator to defrost?" and "What causes a freezer to stop defrosting?" So let's dive in and see if we can de-ice your situation.


 
 

The best temperature for your fridge and freezer


Most modern refrigerators have an automatic defrost cycle that kicks in when the frost buildup becomes too thick. The refrigerator should be between 32 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and the freezer should be between 0 and 5 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are seeing ice build up, the refrigerator isn't defrosting.



How the defrost system works


The refrigerator's automatic defrost feature melts frost from the evaporator to increase heat transfer. This happens when the compressor shuts down, and the defrost heating element switches on. The frost melts from the evaporator fins, and the condensate drips into an evaporator tray below it. The water then flows through a defrost drain tube to a drain pan next to the compressor in the machine compartment. If there are any malfunctions, you should check for and repair them during this process.



Defrosting ice build up on refrigerator


How Do I Force My Refrigerator to Defrost?


If your refrigerator or freezer has a lot of ice build up you will need to manually defrost the unit. Manually defrosting your fridge is a simple process. Unplug your fridge, remove all the food and store it in a cool place such as an ice box or cooler filled with some ice, then leave the doors open to allow the frost to melt naturally. Make sure to place towels around the base to catch any water runoff. Remember, this can be a time-consuming process, so be prepared for it to take several hours.



How Long Does It Take for a Refrigerator to Defrost?


A full manual defrost can take anywhere from 4 to 6 hours. This gives enough time for the ice to melt and for the fridge to return to its normal operating temperature. Remember, rushing this process could potentially damage your appliance, so it's best to be patient.



What Are the Symptoms of a Bad Defrost Thermostat?


If your fridge isn't defrosting automatically as it should, the defrost thermostat might be to blame. This handy device triggers the defrost heater to melt away any frost accumulation on the evaporator coils. If it's faulty, it won't trigger the defrost cycle, and you'll start noticing symptoms such as a fridge that's constantly running, rising freezer temperature, or excessive frost buildup.


Click Here to learn how to test your defrost thermostat.



Checking Evaporator coils

The first thing you should do is check the coils. These coils are responsible for releasing heat, and if they're clogged with dirt or dust, they won't be able to do their job properly. If the coils are dirty clean them thoroughly. This fix is just regular maintenance on your machine, most people don't even think about refrigerator maintenance until it becomes a real issue and something has gone wrong.



Do you need a Control Board replacement?:


If you have checked all the previous noted issues and still stuck with a fridge that won't defrost at all, it's time to bring in the pros for help. Something like a failing control board can cause your refrigerator not to defrost. Luckily Appliance Pro USA is here to get you a high quality replacement refrigerator control board at an affordable price, and the best part is we ship fast - most orders ship the same day with priority shipping automatically included.


Refrigerator Control Board by Appliance Pro USA

How do I replace my refrigerator control board?


With this final step, if your problem is indeed a faulty control board, you should be back to having a perfectly defrosted fridge within a few days after you place your order with Appliance Pro USA.


Step 1:

Go to www.ApplianceProUSA.com and input your part number. Not sure what part number to you need? Just click the "How to find your part number" link to learn where to locate your part number or just ask them via chat and get your answer immediately.


Search appliance parts search bar for www.applianceprousa.com

Step 2:

Select your control board from the search results.



Step 3:

Check out with your discount code and save 15%.

Use code at checkout: APHC15


Discount Code for www.applianceprousa.com


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