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Freezer not Defrosting/Ice Buildup

01 - Freezer Defrost Thermostat

The defrost thermostat monitors the temperature of the evaporator coils. When the coils drop below a set temperature, the thermostat contacts close to allow power to flow to the defrost heater during the defrost cycle. In the defrost cycle, the defrost heater melts away any frost that may have accumulated on the evaporator coils. If the defrost thermostat is defective, the thermostat contacts will not close. As a result, the thermostat won’t provide power to the defrost heater. To determine if the defrost thermostat is defective, use a multimeter to test it for continuity. If the defrost thermostat does not have continuity... when it reaches the low temperature of its operating range, replace it.
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02 - Freezer Defrost Control Board

The defrost control board determines how often to run the defrost cycle. If the board fails, the freezer will not go into the defrost cycle. Before replacing the defrost control board, first test the defrost heater and defrost thermostat. If the defrost heater and defrost thermostat are working properly, the defrost control board is likely defective.
Highly Likely

03 - Freezer Defrost Timer

The defrost timer turns on the defrost heater several times throughout the day to melt any frost that may have accumulated on the evaporator coils. If the defrost timer is defective, it may not advance into the defrost cycle, or it may not send power to the defrost heater during the defrost cycle. To determine if the defrost timer is defective, slowly advance the dial into the defrost cycle. The compressor should turn off and the heater should turn on. If the timer does not send power to the defrost components or advance out of the defrost cycle within 30 minutes, the defrost timer is likely defective and should be replace...d.
Highly Likely

04 - Freezer Defrost Heater Assembly

In a self-defrosting freezer, the defrost heater assembly turns on several times throughout the day to melt away any frost that may have accumulated on the evaporator coils. If the defrost heater assembly is defective, the defrost system will not work, and frost will continue to accumulate on the evaporator coils. To determine if the defrost heater is defective, use a multimeter to test it for continuity. If the defrost heater does not have continuity, replace it.
Common

05 - Freezer User Control and Display Board

On some models the user control and display board may also control the defrost system. Control boards are frequently misdiagnosed—before replacing the user control and display board, first test all of the defrost system components. If none of the defrost system components are defective, consider replacing the user control and display board.
Common

06 - Freezer Control Board

The control board has relays that send power to the freezer components. If the control board is defective, it may stop sending voltage to the defrost system. Control boards are frequently misdiagnosed—before replacing the control, first test all of the defrost system components. If none of the defrost system components are defective, consider replacing the control board.
Common