Why Frigidaire Refrigerator Is Not Defrosting?

If you’re always scraping off large blocks of ice to access your frozen food, your Frigidaire refrigerator likely has a defrosting issue. Like most refrigeration systems, Frigidaire refrigerators often fall victim to ice formation on the evaporator coils. This will make it difficult to move things in and out of the freezer and cause it to work harder to keep your food cold.

Frigidaire refrigerator is not defrosting because the defrost heater is not working properly. The defrost heater melts the frost on the evaporator coils. Other times, the defrost timer could be faulty. The defrost timer controls the time the refrigerator spends in the defrost cycle.

In this article, we look closely at the most common reasons why your frigidaire refrigerator is not defrosting and what you can do to fix it.

Before we further troubleshoot your unit, make sure you disconnect the unit from the main power supply to avoid electric shocks. 

The defrost thermostat controls the amount of frost build-up in your system by signaling the defrost heater to turn on or off. It activates the defrost heater when the unit’s temperature falls below a certain threshold.

When the coil reaches the correct temperature, the defrost thermostat will prompt the heating element to shut down. This prevents your frozen food from getting warm.

How To Fix?

A malfunctioning defrost thermostat needs to be replaced.

1. First, locate the thermostat inside the fridge and detach it from the wiring harness. It is usually mounted on control housing in the fresh food section. 
2. Once you have located it, unplug the fridge and remove the thermostat from its housing.
3. Next, insert a new thermostat for your specific unit model into the housing.
4. Make sure that it is correctly positioned (preferably at the exact spot you found your old thermostat) so that it can properly sense the temperature inside the fridge. 
5. Finally, plug the refrigerator back in and turn it on. 

The new thermostat should now function properly.

Read: How To Fix Frigidaire Refrigerator Vibrating Noise?

A thermal fuse is a device that protects electrical appliances from overheating. It is a safety device that trips when the refrigerator gets too hot. Thermal fuses are common in refrigerators, as they help to prevent the fridge’s defrost heater from overloading and overheating. 

While a thermal fuse can be a lifesaver, it is not infallible. If the thermal fuse trips, you should replace it. Fortunately, replacing the thermal fuse is a simple process that you can do in about 30 minutes.

How To Fix?

First, you need to test and confirm that you’re dealing with a blown-out thermal fuse:

1. Find the fuse at the back of the refrigerator and use a digital multimeter to test for continuity. Hold the two multimeter probes against each terminal while set to continuity. Depending on your multimeter, you may register a value of 0 or 1. The latter means there is no continuity, and you need to replace the fuse. Some multimeters display “O.L” to display an open loop (no continuity).
2. The thermal fuse may be inside an electrical box or the rear panel, in the control board, or next to the compressor. You will need a Phillips screwdriver to unscrew any screws holding it in place.
3. Next, install the new fuse and make sure it is firmly seated. 
4. Turn the power to the refrigerator back on and test it to ensure it works properly. 

If the defrost heater does not restore normal function after replacing the thermal fuse, there may be another issue that needs to be addressed.

Read: How To Fix The Frigidaire Refrigerator Ice Maker Clicking Noise?

A refrigerator’s defrost timer is a small device that controls the refrigerator’s defrost cycle. It turns the defrost heater on and off at set intervals to melt any frost built up on the evaporator coils. Without this crucial component, your fridge’s defrost heater would be unable to turn on and off at set intervals. 

Fortunately, this is a relatively easy repair that can be completed in a few minutes.

How To Fix?

If you notice that your fridge is not cooling properly or that ice is building up on the coils, it’s likely that the defrost timer has gone bad and needs to be replaced immediately.

1. First, confirm that the timer is indeed the problem. You can do this by marking the timer shaft and leaving it for a couple of hours. Watch the movement of the timer’s shaft by observing the location of the mark. Alternatively, you could try turning the shaft with a screwdriver and listen for a “click.”
2. Once you’re certain that the motor is the problem, disconnect the unit from the main outlet.
3. Next, you will need to purchase a replacement timer. Be sure to get a Frigidaire timer or one that is compatible with your unit.
4. Once you have the new timer, connect it in place of the old one and replace the cover. 
5. Turn on the power to the freezer and check to see that it is now working correctly.

If the unit still doesn’t defrost, you may need to consult a professional for further assistance.

If you’re always scraping off large blocks of ice to access your frozen food, your Frigidaire refrigerator likely has a defrosting issue. Like most refrigeration systems, Frigidaire refrigerators often fall victim to ice formation on the evaporator coils. This will make it difficult to move things in and out of the freezer and cause it to work harder to keep your food cold.

Frigidaire refrigerator is not defrosting because the defrost heater is not working properly. The defrost heater melts the frost on the evaporator coils. Other times, the defrost timer could be faulty. The defrost timer controls the time the refrigerator spends in the defrost cycle.

In this article, we look closely at the most common reasons why your frigidaire refrigerator is not defrosting and what you can do to fix it.

Before we further troubleshoot your unit, make sure you disconnect the unit from the main power supply to avoid electric shocks. 

The defrost thermostat controls the amount of frost build-up in your system by signaling the defrost heater to turn on or off. It activates the defrost heater when the unit’s temperature falls below a certain threshold.

When the coil reaches the correct temperature, the defrost thermostat will prompt the heating element to shut down. This prevents your frozen food from getting warm.

How To Fix?

A malfunctioning defrost thermostat needs to be replaced.

1. First, locate the thermostat inside the fridge and detach it from the wiring harness. It is usually mounted on control housing in the fresh food section. 
2. Once you have located it, unplug the fridge and remove the thermostat from its housing.
3. Next, insert a new thermostat for your specific unit model into the housing.
4. Make sure that it is correctly positioned (preferably at the exact spot you found your old thermostat) so that it can properly sense the temperature inside the fridge. 
5. Finally, plug the refrigerator back in and turn it on. 

The new thermostat should now function properly.

Read: How To Fix Frigidaire Refrigerator Vibrating Noise?

A thermal fuse is a device that protects electrical appliances from overheating. It is a safety device that trips when the refrigerator gets too hot. Thermal fuses are common in refrigerators, as they help to prevent the fridge’s defrost heater from overloading and overheating. 

While a thermal fuse can be a lifesaver, it is not infallible. If the thermal fuse trips, you should replace it. Fortunately, replacing the thermal fuse is a simple process that you can do in about 30 minutes.

How To Fix?

First, you need to test and confirm that you’re dealing with a blown-out thermal fuse:

1. Find the fuse at the back of the refrigerator and use a digital multimeter to test for continuity. Hold the two multimeter probes against each terminal while set to continuity. Depending on your multimeter, you may register a value of 0 or 1. The latter means there is no continuity, and you need to replace the fuse. Some multimeters display “O.L” to display an open loop (no continuity).
2. The thermal fuse may be inside an electrical box or the rear panel, in the control board, or next to the compressor. You will need a Phillips screwdriver to unscrew any screws holding it in place.
3. Next, install the new fuse and make sure it is firmly seated. 
4. Turn the power to the refrigerator back on and test it to ensure it works properly. 

If the defrost heater does not restore normal function after replacing the thermal fuse, there may be another issue that needs to be addressed.

Read: How To Fix The Frigidaire Refrigerator Ice Maker Clicking Noise?

A refrigerator’s defrost timer is a small device that controls the refrigerator’s defrost cycle. It turns the defrost heater on and off at set intervals to melt any frost built up on the evaporator coils. Without this crucial component, your fridge’s defrost heater would be unable to turn on and off at set intervals. 

Fortunately, this is a relatively easy repair that can be completed in a few minutes.

How To Fix?

If you notice that your fridge is not cooling properly or that ice is building up on the coils, it’s likely that the defrost timer has gone bad and needs to be replaced immediately.

1. First, confirm that the timer is indeed the problem. You can do this by marking the timer shaft and leaving it for a couple of hours. Watch the movement of the timer’s shaft by observing the location of the mark. Alternatively, you could try turning the shaft with a screwdriver and listen for a “click.”
2. Once you’re certain that the motor is the problem, disconnect the unit from the main outlet.
3. Next, you will need to purchase a replacement timer. Be sure to get a Frigidaire timer or one that is compatible with your unit.
4. Once you have the new timer, connect it in place of the old one and replace the cover. 
5. Turn on the power to the freezer and check to see that it is now working correctly.

If the unit still doesn’t defrost, you may need to consult a professional for further assistance.