Why the freezer in the refrigerator defrosts: reasons and what to do

Have you opened the freezer, and instead of the usual cold, there are puddles on the shelves and melted food? The situation is familiar to many: the freezer is in the refrigerator defrosts for no apparent reason, although the compressor is working, and everything is in order in the main compartment. In 80% of cases, the problem is solved without calling a technician, but to do this you need to correctly diagnose the source of the problem.

In this article we will analyze all possible causes - from the banal evaporator icing to serious breakdowns such as freon leaks or failure of the electronic module. You will learn how to independently check the thermostat, sensors and seals, as well as when repair cannot be delayed (for example, if there is a loss of refrigerant - this threatens complete failure of the equipment). For convenience, we have collected symptoms, diagnostic methods and step-by-step instructions into tables and checklists.

If your refrigerator NoFrost, drip or with a system Low Frost, the principles of troubleshooting will be different - we will also tell you about this. And at the end of the article we will answer frequently asked questions: is it possible to save food after defrosting and how to prevent the problem from recurring.

1. Violation of tightness: sealing rubber and door

The most common reason for defrosting a freezer is inflow of warm air from the outside. Even a small gap of 1-2 mm between the door and the body leads to the formation of condensation, which then turns into ice on the back wall. Over time, this disrupts the operation of the cooling system.

How to check the tightness:

• 🔍 Visual inspection: close the door and shine a flashlight along the seal. If light is visible, there is a gap.
• 📏 Test with paper: insert a sheet of paper between the door and the body. If it pulls out easily, the seal is worn out.
• 🧊 Ice on the walls: abundant frost along the edges of the freezer is a sign of moisture ingress.

What to do:

• 🧽 Cleaning: wash the seal with soapy water (dirt and grease disturb the seal).
• 🔧 Adjusting the hinges: if the door sag, tighten the fasteners or adjust the height of the legs.
• 🛒 Replacing the seal: for models Samsung, LG or Indesit select the original rubber according to the model number (located on the sticker inside the chamber).

⚠️ Attention: Do not use abrasive agents or solvents to clean the seal - they destroy the structure of the rubber. A mixture of water and vinegar (1:1) is optimal.

2. Malfunction of the thermostat or temperature sensor

The thermostat (or thermostat) is responsible for turning the compressor on/off. If it breaks, the freezer either stops freezing at allor works non-stop, becoming covered in ice. In modern refrigerators (for example Bosch Serie 6 or Liebertelectronic sensors are used instead of a mechanical thermostat - their breakdown manifests itself in the same way.

Symptoms malfunctions:

• ❄️ The compressor does not turn on, although the light inside is on.
• 🔄 The freezer either defrosts or refreezes (the cycles are chaotic).
• 📉 The temperature in the chamber does not correspond to the set one (check thermometer).

How to check the thermostat:

1. Unplug the refrigerator.
2. Remove the thermostat protective cover (usually located next to the temperature control knob).
3. Ring the contacts with a multimeter in resistance mode. At room temperature, the resistance should be 0 Ohm, when cooling (for example, ice from the freezer) - ∞ (open).

⚠️ Attention: In refrigerators with electronic control (for example, Samsung RB37J5200) temperature sensors are often built into the board. Replacing them requires soldering work - it is better to entrust this to a specialist.

3. Clogged drainage system: why water accumulates in the freezer

In refrigerators with a system NoFrost or drop defrosting condensate is discharged through the drainage hole. If it becomes clogged with crumbs, food particles, or ice, water will begin to accumulate inside the freezer and then drip onto the floor. This not only leads to defrosting, but also creates ideal conditions for the growth of bacteria.

How to clean the drain:

1. Turn off the refrigerator and defrost it completely (at least 12 hours).
2. Find the drainage hole (usually at the bottom of the back wall of the freezer).
3. Rinse it with warm water using a syringe or syringe without a needle.
4. To remove the blockage, use a wire or a special brush (not metal!).

Prevention:

• 🧊 Regularly (once every 3 months) rinse the drainage with a soda solution (1 tablespoon per 1 liter of water).
• 🥩 Store food in airtight containers to prevent crumbs from getting in.
• 🔄 After defrosting, check if there is any ice left in drainage channel.

4. Failure of the NoFrost system: fan, heater, timer

Refrigerators with the system NoFrost (for example, ATLANT XM 4625-101 or BEKO GNE114620X) are defrosted automatically due to the operation of the fan, heater and defrost timer. If at least one of these elements fails, the freezer becomes covered with ice and then begins to defrost.

Causes of failure NoFrost:

• 🌀 Fan: if it does not rotate, the cold is not distributed throughout the chamber. Sign - the freezer freezes weakly, and the compressor works without stopping.
• 🔥 Defrost heater: if it breaks down, the ice on the evaporator does not melt, blocking air circulation.
• ⏱️ Defrost timer: if it is jammed, the system either constantly defrosts or does not turn on the heating.

Diagnostics:

1. Turn off the refrigerator and defrost it.
2. Remove the back panel of the freezer (in most models it is secured with latches or screws).
3. Check the fan: it should rotate freely with a slight push. If not, a replacement is needed.
4. Test the heater with a multimeter: the resistance should be within 20–50 Ohm.

⚠️ Attention: In refrigerators NoFrost it is strictly forbidden to chip remove ice from the evaporator with a knife or other sharp objects. This can damage the freon tubes, which will lead to a leak and expensive repairs.

What will happen if you ignore the breakdown of NoFrost?

If the fan or heater malfunction is not repaired, ice will completely block the evaporator. The compressor will wear out, trying to cool the chamber, which will lead to its overheating and failure (the cost of replacing a compressor is up to 70% of the price of a new refrigerator).

5. Freon leak: how to recognize and what to do

Refrigerant leak is one of the most serious breakdowns, in which the freezer stops freezing, and the compressor works almost without interruption. Freon can leak through microcracks in the tubes (often due to corrosion or mechanical damage) or in solder joints.

Signs of a leak:

• ❄️ The freezer does not freeze, but the compressor is hot and does not turns off.
• 🔊 Extraneous noise (hissing) from the rear wall.
• 🛠️ Oily stains are visible on the tubes or at the bottom of the refrigerator (freon mixes with the compressor oil).

What to do:

• 🚫 Do not try to repair it yourself — To refill freon, you need special equipment and a certificate.
• 🔧 Contact a service center. The technician will find the leak (often using ultraviolet dye), seal the tube and fill in new refrigerant.
• 💰 Repair cost: from 3,500 to 8,000 rubles (depending on the model and volume of freon).

In 90% of cases, freon leaks are due to corrosion condenser tubes (especially in refrigerators older than 10 years). If your unit is no longer under warranty, consider buying a new one - repairs can cost half of its cost.

6. Failure of the compressor or start relay

The compressor is the “heart” of the refrigerator. If it fails, the freezer stops cooling, and in some cases the refrigerator does not turn on at all. Frequent causes of compressor breakdown:

• 🔌 Power surges (especially relevant for country houses and old houses).
• 🕒 Natural wear (compressor service life - 10–15 years).
• 🔥 Overheating due to a clogged condenser or faulty fan.

How to check the compressor:

1. Unplug the refrigerator.
2. Remove the back cover (in most models the compressor is located below).
3. Test the windings with a multimeter:
   • Resistance between contacts C-S (starting winding): 20–40 Ohm.
   • Resistance between C-R (working winding): 10–20 Ohm.
   • Resistance between S-R: the sum of the two previous values.

If the readings are equal 0 or ∞ —the compressor is faulty.

The starting relay is responsible for starting the compressor. If it breaks down, the refrigerator can:

• 🔄 Turn on for a few seconds and immediately turn off.
• 🚫 Not respond to the network connection at all.
• 💥 Make clicks without starting the compressor.

The relay is cheaper than the compressor (from 800 rubles), and you can replace it yourself. The main thing is to choose an analogue according to the refrigerator model.

7. Electronic faults: control board and display

In modern refrigerators (for example, Samsung RB33J3200 or LG GA-B489YGQZ) an electronic module is responsible for the operation of the freezer. If the program malfunctions or board elements fail, the following problems may occur:

• 📱 The display shows an error (for example, Er IF y Indesit or FF y Bosch).
• ❄️ The freezer is defrosting, although the compressor is working.
• 🔄 The temperature fluctuates for no apparent reason.

Frequent causes of board failure:

• ⚡ Voltage surges (especially if the refrigerator is not connected through a stabilizer).
• 💧 Moisture ingress (for example, during defrosting).
• 🕒 Natural wear of capacitors or tracks.

What to do:

• 🔌 Reboot the refrigerator (unplug for 10 minutes).
• 📋 Check the error code in the instructions - sometimes the problem is solved by resetting the settings.
• 🛠️ If the board is burned, a replacement is needed (cost from 2,500 to 15,000 rubles).

⚠️ Attention: Parts on control boards are often specific to each model. Do not buy used modules. - they may be incompatible even with refrigerators of the same series.

Frequently asked questions about defrosting the freezer

Is it possible to save food if the freezer has defrosted?

If the food has not had time to completely thaw (the temperature inside did not rise above +4°C), they can be re-frozen. The exception is meat, fish and ready-made dishes: it is better to cook them within 24 hours. Check the packages for the presence of ice - if it has melted, the products could be subject to bacterial contamination.

Why does the freezer defrost, but the refrigerator works normally?

This is typical for two-compressor models. (for example, ATLANT MHM. 2835), where the freezer and refrigeration chambers are cooled separately. Reasons: a breakdown of the freezer compressor, a freon leak in its circuit, or a malfunction of the thermostat. In single-compressor refrigerators, the problem may lie in a clogged capillary tube or a malfunction of the magnetic valve.

How long can food be stored without refrigeration?

At room temperature (+20°C):

• 🥩 Meat and fish - up to 2 hours.
• 🥛 Dairy products - up to 4 hours.
• 🍎 Fruits/vegetables - up to 6 hours.
• 🍦 Ice cream - up to 30 minutes.

To extend the period, wrap the products in a cloth soaked in cold water, or place them in a bowl of ice.

How often do you need to defrost the freezer manually?

Depends on the type of refrigerator:

• 🧊 NoFrost: defrosting is not required, but once a year you need to wash the chamber.
• ❄️ Drip system: once every 6-12 months (if ice forms > 5 mm thick).
• ⏳ Old models (with manual defrosting): every 1-3 months.

Can the refrigerator be used if the freezer is defrosting?

Short-term - yes, but with caveats:

• 🔌 If the compressor works without stopping, turn off the refrigerator after 6-8 hours to avoid overheating.
• 🧊 Do not load the freezer with new products.
• ⚡ If freon leaks or the compressor breaks down, further operation will worsen problem.