How To Repair A Freezer That's Frosting Over
- Rated as REALLY EASY
- 28 repair stories
- 3 step by step videos
Defrost Thermostat
If your freezer is a frost free model and you have noticed a frost buildup around the evaporator, then the defrost thermostat may be defective. These models use a defrost heater to melt any frost that accumulates on the evaporator coil. The defrost thermostat is part of this circuit and is used to supply power to the defrost heater and to terminate the defrost cycle when the heater has melted the frost from the evaporator. The defrost thermostat should have continuity when it is at freezing temperatures and should change to open circuit when the temperature rises above approximately 37 degrees Fahrenheit. If the thermostat does not have continuity then the heater will not get energized and the evaporator will become blocked with frost or ice and cause the freezer temperature to rise.
Door or Lid Gasket
If you are getting a frost buildup on the inside of your freezer, you may have a damaged or defective lid or door gasket. The gasket needs to maintain a tight seal to the cabinet in order to prevent room air from entering the cabinet. When warm moisture laden air comes in contact with a surface that is at freezing temperatures, frost will form and begin to accumulate, reducing the efficiency of the appliance. On frost free models, a leaky gasket will also create more frost on the evaporator and restrict the air flow, causing the compressor to run almost continually. Inspect the gasket to ensure that it is making a tight seal, and look for areas where there is a frost build up where the gasket contacts the cabinet. If it is damaged or has deteriorated, it should be replaced. To prolong the life of the gasket, keep it clean and wipe up any spills as they occur.
Defrost Timer
If your freezer is a frost free model and you have noticed a buildup of frost on the evaporator, then you may have a problem with the defrost timer. These models use a defrost heater to melt any frost that accumulates on the evaporator coil. The timer is part of this circuit and should cycle the heater on at regular intervals to maintain a frost free evaporator. If the timer fails, the heater may not get energized and the evaporator will become blocked with frost or ice. This will also cause the compressor to run almost continuously to try and maintain the set temperature. You can manually advance the defrost timer to start the defrost cycle and if the evaporator defrosts normally, then you will need to replace the timer.
More Repair Parts
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