Why the Side of a Refrigerator Freezes

Basic Cleaning

• The first place to start when your refrigerator is icing up on the side is to clean the condenser coils and fan. These components easily get covered in lint and dirt and can interfere with proper temperature management. Disconnect power to the refrigerator and then lift off the bottom front grille. Clean the condenser coils inside the refrigerator base with a vacuum cleaner attachment and then continue cleaning the condenser coils on the refrigerator rear. Clean the condenser fan above the coils as well.

Freezer Fan

• Another possible source of the icing problem is the freezer fan. You may hear a loud groaning, whining or even roaring sound when the fan is operating. Open the freezer door and push in on the light switch to see if the noise changes. If so, the freezer fan may be iced up. You can either contact a service professional to have the freezer fan and motor inspected and repaired, if necessary, or you can take the food out of the freezer and remove the back panel. Find the freezer fan on the back wall in the middle and use a hair dryer to melt ice that has developed on the fan. Restore the panel and power to the refrigerator. If the icing problem returns, the fan motor will need to be replaced.

Defrost System

• A failure in the automatic defrost system can also cause ice to build up on refrigerator surfaces. Test the defrost system by taking all food out of the refrigerator and open the doors. Turn off the thermostat and put towels down on the floor to catch any melting water. Let the refrigerator manually defrost for 24 to 48 hours and then turn the thermostat back up and restore power. If the ice develops again when the refrigerator is connected, the defrost system should be inspected for faulty components by a service professional.

Thermostat and Control Panel

• Try changing the refrigerator or freezer thermostat to a warmer setting once the refrigerator has been cleaned. Let the refrigerator adjust for at least 24 hours and keep the doors shut as much as possible to limit the influx of air into the unit. After performing cleaning and troubleshooting efforts, if the refrigerator side still freezes up, contact a service technician.