Freezer freezing up?
by
Bernice H
+26
I have a Whirlpool refrig and bottom freezer. I notice frost on the back of the freezer and frost in the vent areas, what does this mean? Included pictures but you can't really see the frost, however at least you can see where I am indicating. HELP! What can I do, what does this mean?????
frost is on the back, and inside the vents.
ditto...
24 answers
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Is it a self sefrosting unit? If not frost will build up and you will need to defrost every few months.
Cynthia E
on Jan 12, 2014
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You need to check your coils! You have to vacuum and remove hair and dust from your refrigerator's coils and motor about every 6months to a year! If you let hair build up you can cause this to happen when the motor gets too hot and the unit will not work properly. JUST BE CAREFUL WHEN VACUUMING-JUST MAKE SURE NOT TO TOUCH ANY MOTOR, FAN, COILS, OR FRIG PARTS. yOU WILL HAVE TO TAKE OFF THE BACKING ON THE BACK AND BOTTOM OF FRIG AND CLEAN THIS OUT. good luck. Try this first.
The Garden Frog with C Renee
on Jan 12, 2014
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yes, it is a frost free bottom freezer...
Bernice H
on Jan 12, 2014
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@KMS Woodworks what do you think?
Bernice H
on Jan 12, 2014
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Here is what is online about a whirlpool frost free freezing up and how to fix http://www.ehow.com/how_7376012_do-refrigerator-frost-frost-freezer_.html and some causes of freezing Frost inside freezer can be caused from any of the following:High humidity - Humidity refers to the amount of moisture in the air. The higher the humidity, the more moisture in the air. When humid air enters the inside, it forms condensation or frost.Doors blocked - If the doors are blocked partially open, the humid air will move inside. Moist air always moves toward a cold area or surface.Doors left open - The longer the doors are left open, the more moist air will enter.Doors not sealing - If doors are not fully closed, the door gaskets may not seal completely allowing moist air to enter.Blocked air vents - If air vents inside refrigerator are blocked by food products, the cold air becomes trapped around the vent causing frost to buildup.Hot food being added - Hot food releases a lot of moisture in the form of steam causing condensation or frost.To Defrost Upright Models with Defrost Drain:Remove the drain plug on the inside floor of the freezer by pulling it straight out.To access external drain tube on models with a base panel, first remove the two screws from the base panel. Locate the drain tube near the left center under the freezer.Place a shallow pan under the drain tube. Defrost water will drain out. Check the pan occasionally so water does not overflowA 2inch garden hose adapter can be used to drain the freezer directly into a floor drain. If your model is not equipped with an adapter, one can be purchased at most hardware stores.Replace the drain plug when defrosting and cleaning are completed. If the drain is left open, warm air may enter the freezer.Defrost water will drain out. Check pan occasionally so it doesn,t overflow.
Cynthia E
on Jan 12, 2014
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Maybe the unit that controls the defrosting cycles is bad and it's not being defrosted. This happened to ours recently.
Van Randall
on Jan 12, 2014
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you need to replace the defrost timer.
Sherrie
on Jan 13, 2014
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It could be one of a few things. It sounds like your coil is freezing up. There is a defrost heater that keeps your coil clear of frost, A defrost timer puts it in to a defrost every so many hours to do its job. There is usually a defrost thermostat that terminates the defrost if it clears the coil before the timer tells it to turn off so it does not overheat things. So that being said, it most probably is one of those three items, defrost timer, termination thermostat or the heater. The one other possibility is that your drain is plugged but usually you end up with water in the bottom. So you either need to call a appliance repair person or if your handy and can read a meter try tackling it yourself.
Certified Inspection Services
on Jan 13, 2014
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@Certified Inspection Services thank you, after reading the link provided above by a poster and several articles in it, I have concluded the same thing. No, we are not handy by any means, I even looked for the "thermostat in plastic" as was indicated, and didn't find it either! ha! There is ice on the floor of the freezer, but I am assuming it is from water from ice tray. so , I will call a repairman. Thanks everyone.
Bernice H
on Jan 13, 2014
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Mine did the same thing, the fan had gone out. Simple fix for a handyman.
Melinda
on Jan 13, 2014
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We found an ice dam and a crack in the bottom of the cabinet inside on our barely 3 yr. old freezer .. anyone have an idea why this would happen?
Linda
on Jan 14, 2014
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We are having the exact same issue! My repairman said to try the following first to see if it is a drain tube that is clogged with ice. this will save you the cost of a repairman visit. First, empty the entire refrigerator and freezer. Hopefully you are in a cold region where your garage is as cool as a refrigerator! Unplug the appliance. Let it sit open at room temperature for 24 hours. You need this long for the tube to thaw! We had water coming from inside the freezer for about 18 hours! Wipe up water from the bottom of the freezer as it melts. After 24 hours, plug it in and refill with food items. This has worked for us so far. It has been about a week and a half since restarting it.
Dian Barnes
on Jan 14, 2014
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I have a model similar to yours. Ours froze up to the point that it just wasn't cooling anymore. The first time, we had a repairman come. He said that the freezer-on-the-bottom units are prone to this problem, just because of the laws of physics. We had to unplug it and let it thaw itself. Wiped up the water on the floor. Have had to do it another time or two, but not recently. Ours is a 2006 model. Hopefully the newer ones don't have this problem.
Linda
on Jan 14, 2014
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I appreciate everyone's input. Called our repairman., he said he could defrost it in no time anyway, sooo while he is here, I will have him put a bulb in the oven, take out some innards from the freezer drawer that are just taking up room they are supposed to"organize" contents but doesn't, also see if he can take out the ice cube maker, I hate it, the arm is always a worry, down is off, up is on, well, down is a pain and uses room. then I may find other things....I am assuming I am paying him by the hour and not by the little task. ha. I cant bend down to get the new bulb in the oven, who DESIGNS this stuff!!!
Bernice H
on Jan 14, 2014
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Update...bummer! Well this has been very interesting. Just like our cars the thing is all controlled by a computer type thing, the whole control has to be replaced, there must have been 2 thick inches of ice in the bottom back . what a job pulling the drawers out too. Again; who designs this stuff. I don't know anything about this stuff but I can see design is way over kill. The control is in the refrig on the top, but the whole bottom had to come off to test which thingys are not working. Yes he agreed with @Linda
Bernice H
on Jan 15, 2014
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To be continued...having so much trouble with posting, very aggravating. Can't finish what I was typing and can't edit! anywaaayyy, as I was saying, repairman agreed with Linda, frost free refrigs and freezers are very prone to troubles. He is coming back wed with a new control unit, I will ask him again what in particular stopped working.
Bernice H
on Jan 15, 2014
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We bought a Samsung Fridge w/ bottom freezer -- drain plug clogged and computer board died. Thank goodness it was still under warranty and that we bought extended warranty, I worry every day that it will die again day after warranty ends! .
Cynthia E
on Jan 15, 2014
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UPDATE...FYI. Who knew? Don, the repairman was just here with computer part. It was the timer..HOWEVER...on the newer appliances, timer, thermostat and heater are all integrated and on the same computer control board. His service call and labor was very reasonable imho, HOWEVER the computer part,( board,) was almost 200.00. soooo save your pennies ,planned obsolescence is a part of life nowadays. And additionally..i asked about those real pretty washers, front loaders, he has had a lot of trouble with them too.Thankfully I don't have any computer stuff on my old old fine washing washer! ha! And freezer is working well now. Yes I could have defrosted the ice, and continued to use it until it happened again.but who knows how much more damage would have happened to food etc. Thanks everyone for the input . Live long and prosper!
Bernice H
on Jan 15, 2014
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Wow! My friend lost a whole freezer of meat one time..you just look at that mess with a sinking heart! Glad you were able to resolve at a modest cost!
Bernice H
on Jan 17, 2014
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If your freezer or fridg is freezing up so much it isnr cooling your fan has probably frozen too..Unplug it and let it completely thaw out..It if works then that was the problem
Gail lichtsinn
on Jan 17, 2014
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Help answer this question...oh good grief..some repairs are expensive because they are one unit or you have to replace more than one thing..Sorry
Gail lichtsinn
on Jan 18, 2014
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Just a helpful hint for the future if you have a freezing up freezer. Sometimes it is the coils on the back of the fridge that are to blame. If you clean those coils off and defrost the ice inside, it should fix the problem. No heat exchange on those coils if they are dusty. You should vacuum the coils once every six months if you have pets, once a year if no pets.
Carol Oswald
on Feb 05, 2014
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I understand, but how do you clean the coils if they are enclosed? In this case it was the computer board, but this is good to know. thanks.
Bernice H
on Feb 05, 2014
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I was also going to say defrost timer. The new ones you can't clean the coils or fan because the kick plates aren't removable. Every appliance that goes out has a life line of it. Some are made to last up to 8 years and not much longer. Stuff made today is throw away. Just as they make washers you can't remove any parts they have them they are the cheaper ones, this stuff they use to sell in third world countries now we sale them here. Before it was due to lack of parts being able to be shipped. Now it's because it is throw away.
Sherrie
on Sep 07, 2014
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