Detection ice crust or massive icicles on the inner surface of the refrigeration chamber - this is always a signal that a malfunction occurred. Owners of equipment moisture removal systems There has been a breakdown. Equipment owners Ariston often face a situation where the back wall turns into a block of ice, preventing normal access to products and occupying useful volume. Ignoring this problem can lead to more serious damage, including failure of the compressor or violation of the tightness of the seals.
Modern models of refrigerators Ariston are equipped with a No Frost system or drip defrosting, which are designed to minimize human participation in maintenance. However, if you see abundant ice, it means that the automation cannot cope or some structural element has ceased to perform its function. It is important not to panic, but to consistently analyze the possible causes, ranging from the simplest operating errors to complex technical malfunctions.
In this article we will analyze in detail why condensation forms and freezes, how to correctly diagnose the problem and what steps need to be taken to eliminate it. Understanding the operating principles of evaporator and the air circulation system will help you avoid costly repairs at a service center.
Violation of the rules of operation and storage of products
Before looking for complex technical faults, it is worth analyzing exactly how you use the refrigerator. Often the reason lies in a banal failure to follow the manufacturer's instructions. For example, if you place hot or even just warm dishes in the chamber, the moisture from them actively evaporates. Meeting cold air at the back wall, the steam instantly condenses and freezes, forming a dense layer of ice.
Another common factor is a loose door fit. If sealing rubber band the door is dirty, damaged, or simply not closed completely, warm air from the room constantly enters the chamber. The cooling system tries to compensate for the temperature increase by working in increased mode, which leads to active frost freezing. Check to see if there are any crumbs or sticky spots on the seal that are preventing a tight seal.
⚠️ Attention: Never try to remove frozen ice with a knife or sharp objects! You can accidentally puncture the evaporator tubes, which will lead to a freon leak and costly repairs that you cannot do yourself.
It is also worth paying attention to the location of the products. If you store vegetables and fruits in open bags or without packaging at all, they actively release moisture. In low temperature conditions, this moisture settles on the coldest surfaces, which are the back wall and the shelves located closer to it. Proper packaging of food is not just a matter of hygiene, but also a way to extend the life of your refrigerator.
Problems with the condensate drainage system
In models with a drip defrosting system (as well as in the freshness zone of some No Frost models), melt water is removed through a special drainage hole. It is usually located at the bottom of the rear wall of the refrigerator compartment. Over time, debris, crumbs, mold or mucus can accumulate in this hole, which leads to its complete or partial blockage. When the drainage is clogged, melt water does not have time to drain into the tray above the compressor and remains inside the chamber. Since the back wall is the coldest zone, the water freezes there, building up layer after layer of ice mass. Over time, this process can cause the bottom of the chamber to turn into an ice pan. blockage.
When the drainage is clogged, melt water does not have time to flow into the tray above the compressor and remains inside the chamber. Since the back wall is the coldest zone, the water freezes there, building up layer after layer of ice mass. Over time, this process can cause the bottom of the chamber to turn into a tray of ice.
To clear the drainage, you can use a soft wire, a cotton swab or a special brush. Carefully insert the tool into the hole and try to push through the blockage. After this, it is recommended to pour a little warm (not hot!) water into the hole to make sure that it flows freely. Regular maintenance of this unit will avoid the formation of ice plugs.
☑️ Checking the drainage system
Malfunction of the defrost sensor or heating element
If your refrigerator Ariston operates on the No Frost system, then ice will form on the back wall of the refrigeration chamber (if it is structurally provided there) or freezer often indicates a malfunction in the defrost cycle. The Defrost heating element (heating element) and defrost sensor (thermostat) are responsible for this process. If the heating element is burnt out, the ice does not melt, but builds up on the evaporator, which is located behind the rear panel.
The defrost sensor is used to control the temperature: it gives the command to turn on the heating element when the evaporator is covered with ice, and turn off the heating when the ice has melted. If the sensor is lying or is faulty, the system may not start the defrost cycle at all. As a result, the evaporator becomes overgrown with a “fur coat,” which blocks the air circulation channels, and the cold ceases to be distributed normally throughout the chambers.
Diagnostics of these elements requires the use of a multimeter to test the continuity of the circuit. It is necessary to check the resistance of the heating element and the integrity of the sensor contacts. Often the malfunction lies precisely in a broken heater circuit or sticking sensor contacts. Replacing these parts usually returns the refrigerator to normal operation.
How to check the heating element with a multimeter
To check the heating element, you need to unplug the refrigerator, remove the back panel in the freezer, find the heating element and measure its resistance. If the device shows infinity (break), the heating element is faulty and requires replacement. Normal resistance is usually from 200 to 500 Ohms.
Failure of the blower fan
In refrigerators with the No Frost system, the fan is responsible for circulating cold air. If it does not work correctly, stops or rotates at low speed, the moisture does not have time to evaporate and settles on the walls in the form of frost. Over time, this frost turns into solid ice. The reason the fan stops may be mechanical damage to the blades, icing of the axle, or failure of the electric motor.
Often users notice that ice freezes locally, precisely in the area where the fan should blow, or, conversely, in the far corners where cold air stops flowing. Extraneous noise, humming or complete absence of sound from the fan running are clear signs of a problem. Sometimes the fan can jam due to ice getting in there, which requires complete defrosting of the unit.
To check, you need to remove the plastic panel in the freezer (usually it is located behind the drawers). Visually inspect the blades for cracks and check that they rotate easily. If the fan does not spin when the refrigerator is on, it will need to be replaced. It is also important to check the fan power circuit, as the problem may be in the wiring.
| Symptom | Possible cause | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Ice only at the bottom of the chamber | Drain hole clogged | Clean the drainage |
| Ice coat all over the wall | The defrost sensor is faulty | Replace the sensor |
| The refrigerator does not freeze, but it hums | The fan is jammed | Defreeze and check |
| Ice and water on the floor | The tray is displaced or the hose is cracked | Check the evaporator tray |
Freon leak and problems with the compressor
One of the more serious reasons why ice appears on the back wall (often in the form of one large "tongue" or, conversely, a complete lack of cold with partial icing) is refrigerant leak. When there is little freon in the system, the compressor works almost non-stop, trying to gain temperature. This leads to severe overcooling of the evaporator in one zone, where moisture condenses from the air.
In such cases, the ice may have a specific shape - for example, it may freeze only in a corner or around the entrance of the tubes into the chamber. The compressor may become very hot and hum louder than usual. If you notice that the refrigerator is running around the clock without turning off, and the food in the upper part of the chamber has begun to deteriorate, this is a sure sign of a lack of freon.
⚠️ Attention: A freon leak is a technical malfunction that requires the intervention of a specialist. It is impossible to independently find the location of the leak and fill the system without a vacuum pump and a pressure gauge station. Trying to do this yourself can be dangerous.
Also, the problem may lie in the compressor itself. If its valves are worn out, it does not create enough pressure for normal gas circulation. As a result, cooling efficiency decreases, but local freezing may occur in the compressor outlet area. Compressor diagnostics require professional equipment to measure the pressure in the circuit.
Proper defrosting as a diagnostic method
Before disassembling the refrigerator and buying spare parts, you should try the complete defrosting method. This is not only a hygienic procedure, but also an excellent diagnostic method. If, after defrosting, the refrigerator worked normally for several days or weeks, and then ice appeared again, then the problem is in the operating mode or a slowly accumulating malfunction (for example, the drainage is clogged).
For proper defrosting, you must completely unplug the appliance, remove all food and leave the doors open for at least 24 hours. Do not use a hairdryer or hot water to speed up the process - sudden temperature changes can damage the plastic and evaporator tubes. All moisture should evaporate naturally.
After turning on the refrigerator, monitor its operation. If ice appears again within the first 2-3 days, then the reason lies in a malfunction of the components (heating element, sensor, fan). If the device works cleanly for several weeks, perhaps it was a one-time electronics failure or improper operation.
Frequently asked questions and answers (FAQ)
Why does ice freeze in only one corner of the rear wall?
Local freezing of ice often indicates a freon leak in this place or that this is where the outlet of the evaporator tubes is located. This may also be a consequence of the fact that the door does not fit tightly on this side, and warm air gets in there.
Is it possible to use a refrigerator if there is ice on the wall?
Short-term use is possible, but undesirable. Ice reduces the usable volume, impairs heat transfer (the compressor wears out) and can damage food. In addition, melting ice can cause a short circuit if it gets on electrical contacts.
How often do you need to defrost an Ariston refrigerator?
Models with the No Frost system do not require manual defrosting, but preventive cleaning is recommended 1-2 times a year. It is advisable to defrost models with a drip system completely at least once every 6-8 months, even if there is no visible ice.
What to do if, after defrosting, ice appears again a day later?
This is a sign of a technical malfunction. Most likely, the defrosting system (heating element, timer or sensor) is not working or the drainage is clogged. It is necessary to diagnose these components or call a specialist.