My Kenmore Side-by-Side Refrigerator Is Stuck in the Defrost Cycle

Cause

• A malfunctioning timer affects the duration of the defrost cycle, and can be manually adjusted to power off the defrost feature. The timer is typically located under the control panel inside of the refrigerator. Manually turning the timer knob forces the refrigerator to stop running the maintenance cycle.

Preparation

• Operating the refrigerator requires unplugging it prior to making any changes to prevent electrocution. Any physical changes to the refrigerator's configuration may void the warranty, and should be performed with caution. Once unplugged, the refrigerator's motor continues to run for a few minutes, and comes to a complete stop once the power cord is removed from the electric outlet. Wait until the motor stops before opening the refrigerator to avoid damaging the appliance.

Advanced Troubleshooting

• Persistent problems with the refrigerator after forcibly stopping the defrost cycle require resetting the refrigerator to its original factory settings. The refrigerator's factory settings are the default configuration that clears out errors that may be causing the refrigerator to become unresponsive. The reset button is typically located on the back of the refrigerator, and should only be used when the refrigerator is unresponsive to troubleshoot performance issues.

Temperature Control

• Adjust the refrigerator's temperature control to avoid the need to frequently defrost the freezer. A high cooling temperature causes ice to quickly build up in the freezer, and triggers the automatic defrost cycle. Contact an authorized Kenmore service technician to professionally diagnose the problem and replace any malfunctioning electronic controls that may be affecting your refrigerator's ability to properly cool and defrost its interior.