My Frigidaire Is Not Defrosting

Air Circulation

• In order to defrost properly, your Frigidaire freezer’s coils and air vents need enough space around them to circulate both cool and warm air. Frigidaire recommends 3 inches of space around all sides of your freezer for adequate air circulation. If the freezer is pushed against a wall or located in an area where boxes or furniture are placed directly next to it, this can affect how well it defrosts. To avoid excessive frost buildup, make sure the freezer is in the coolest part of the room, away from heating appliances and ducts.

Improper Leveling

• Frigidaire recommends verifying that the freezer is level before calling a service technician. A freezer that is not level may cause the door to seal improperly, which can lead to cooling, moisture and frost issues inside. Place a carpenter’s level on the top of the freezer to check that it is level, both front to back and side to side. Turn the leveling feet at the bottom front of the freezer to adjust it if necessary. Generally, you can be sure the appliance is level when the half-open freezer door swings shut on its own. If the floor has heaved or dipped, making leveling impossible with the leveling feet, slide metal or wood shims beneath the appliance until it is level.

Manual Defrosting

• To manually defrost the freezer, turn the thermostat off and leave the door open for a minimum of 24 hours. You will have to store the freezer contents in another location during this time. The moisture that results from the melting frost should go down the drain, which empties into a pan beneath the freezer. If there is a pool of water as the frost thaws, this may indicate that the drain line is clogged. If the water drains properly, turn the freezer back on once it is fully defrosted, close the door and allow it several hours to cool to the preset temperature.

Faulty Defrost System

• If your Frigidaire freezer forms frost on the evaporator coils, it can’t draw air over them. Your freezer will still cool because the coils are frozen and provide cool air, but the cooling will be limited due to the lack of air circulation. Low temperatures caused by frozen coils can result in frost buildup on the walls, ceiling, and floor of your freezer. If you’ve tried the troubleshooting steps mentioned above and your freezer still doesn’t defrost, then the issue may be within the components of the defrost system and this requires repair or replacement by a qualified technician.