Does your Frigidaire refrigerator have frost buildup? This article explains why it has this problem and how to fix it.
Table of Contents
Frigidaire Refrigerator Frost Buildup – Causes
The following are possible reasons why your Frigidaire refrigerator has a frost buildup:
1. Faulty Defrost System
The defrost system runs a defrost cycle several times a day to melt the frost off the evaporator coils. This process prevents an accumulation of frost or ice on the coils. It also regulates the temperature of the coils so they don’t get too warm or too cold.
But if any or all of the components of the defrost system fail, frost will build on the coils. And over time, the refrigerator will stop cooling. Another way this failure manifests is in the accumulation of ice in the freezer.
The defrost system is made up of the defrost timer, which is the most likely to fail, defrost heater, defrost thermostat, and defrost control board.
2. Broken Door Gasket
If the refrigerator’s door has a broken gasket, it makes the refrigerator fair play to moisture-laden air. The gasket seals the door and prevents warm air from entering the unit. Usually, warm air carries moisture. And if you live in a humid area, it is much worse.
Once the moisture enters the refrigerator, it settles as condensation and freezes, forming frost. If this trend continues, you will discover your refrigerator has a buildup of frost.
This same rule applies if the gasket is loose on the frame or is dirty.
3. Refrigerator Usage
Opening and closing the door of the refrigerator too often aids in frost buildup. Much like a broken door gasket, frequently opening the door lets cold air out and warm air in easily.
With the warm air comes moisture which freezes as it enters the unit and forms ice or frost. Also, holding the door open for too long has the same effect.
Storing hot food or wet food adds moisture that should not be. If you constantly put hot or water-rich foods into the refrigerator, frost would form easily from all the water that comes from the food or the melted ice.
4. Poor Door Alignment
The hinges of the door may be fixed wrongly during the installment or the doors may not be properly aligned.
If you recently purchased the refrigerator or had cause to dismantle it, the hinges may be off, causing the doors to be skewed.
Humid air seeps into the refrigerator from the tiniest hole or crack. So if the hinges are not tight and the doors are sagging, that is one possible cause of frost buildup in the unit.
5. Poor Leveling
If the refrigerator is not leveled properly, it will affect the doors. You will find that the doors don’t close automatically. And when you do close them, they may not seal tightly if you don’t give them a push.
6. Low-Temperature Setting
Setting the refrigerator and freezer temperatures too low affects frost buildup. It is easy for items and even water from the defrost cycle to freeze, melt, and refreeze if the temperature is below the recommended point.
Frigidaire Refrigerator Frost Buildup – Solutions
Below are ways to fix the causes of frost buildup in a Frigidaire refrigerator:
1. Troubleshoot the Defrost System
With a multimeter, run a continuity test on the defrost heater. If you don’t find infinite resistance or continuity on the heater, replace it.
You will find the heater attached to the bottom of the evaporator coils, where it easily warms them. The defrost timer advances into the defrost cycle and turns on the heater a few times every day. If the heater is faulty, it cannot turn on.
But if the heater is working fine, then check the defrost timer. With a small screwdriver. Turn the timer to manually advance it into the defrost cycle. The compressor should turn off as the heater turns on if it is working.
After about 25 to 30 minutes, the timer should automatically advance out of the cycle into the cooling mode. If it remains in the defrost cycle, replace it.
The defrost thermostat may be faulty, thereby putting a stop to the cycle. Test it with a multimeter to check for continuity. If there is no continuity even when the thermostat is set to different temperature ranges, replace it.
The thermostat senses the temperature of the evaporator coils, closes its contacts, and allows power to flow to the defrost heater. If its contacts don’t close automatically, it is defective and must be replaced.
Finally, check the defrost control board. It rarely fails so it is important to check other components first. There could be wire disconnections or burns on the board, causing it to fail.
2. Fix the Door Gasket
Open the door of the refrigerator and close it again on a sheet of paper. If you would rather go with a dollar bill, that works. Now, see if you can successfully pull the paper out with the door closed.
If you cannot, the gasket is working fine. But if you can, replace the gasket because it is weak. You can also inspect it to see if it is sticking out of the frame in places. Push it into position using a small screwdriver. But do this carefully to avoid puncturing it.
Additionally, check to see if the gasket is dirty. Food crumbs and spillage plus other contaminants cause dirt to stick to the gasket.
If it is, no matter how little, mix some soap in warm water, dip a sponge or cloth in it, and clean the gasket. Scrub it to remove the dirt because it can keep the gasket from sealing tightly.
3. Avoid Opening the Door Often
Making a mental or written-down list of what you need from the refrigerator helps. You won’t have to open it numerous times. Plus, you won’t have to hold it open for too long.
Additionally, leave hot food out to cool to room temperature before you store it in the refrigerator. Not only does this prevent frost buildup but it also saves the compressor the stress of working too hard to maintain a cool temperature.
Allow water-rich food to drip dry before putting it in the unit. Better still, put them in vegetable drawers or suitable containers to catch the dripping water.
4. Level the Refrigerator
Consult the user manual of your refrigerator to determine how to correctly level your refrigerator model. But usually, you should turn it clockwise or counterclockwise to raise or lower it.
Remove the grille at the base to find the leveling legs. When you turn it left or right in order to raise or lower it, check the leveling with a level gauge. Place it on the refrigerator’s top and if it is flat, the leveling is correct.
This article explains how to correctly level a Frigidaire refrigerator.
5. Fix the Hinges
Make sure the hinges of the door are fixed properly and are tight. Your manual should show you how to determine this. However, if you are not sure, you may have to hire a professional to fix it.
Ensure the doors align one to the other, especially if it is a side-by-side model. Then, tighten the hinges. Otherwise, you may have to start the process from the beginning.
6. Adjust the Temperature Setting
Find out if the setting in both compartments is too low. If they are, adjust them to a higher setting but not too high.
For the freezer, keep the setting between 0 degrees and 5 degrees Fahrenheit. And for the refrigerator, keep the setting between 37 degrees and 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Exceeding these points affects the unit adversely.
It also helps to check the temperature of the room where the refrigerator is. If it is too cold, you can use a heater or adjust the refrigerator’s internal temperature to a slightly higher point. And if it is too warm, use a humidifier or adjust the temperature within the unit to a slightly colder point.
In addition, keep the refrigerator away from heat sources and direct sun rays. The heat causes the compressor to work harder in order to keep the unit cool. But it could also mean an ice buildup and short compressor life since it would be running constantly to maintain the right temperature.
Here is a video demonstrating why there is frost in your refrigerator and how to fix it…
Check out these other articles…
Frigidaire Refrigerator Making Noise [How to Fix]
Frigidaire Refrigerator Is Hot [How to Fix]
How to Clean a Frigidaire Refrigerator [Quick Guide]
Frigidaire Refrigerator Does Not Turn On [How to Fix]
How to Fix a Frigidaire Refrigerator Door Handle [Quick Guide]
Recap
Fix a Frigidaire refrigerator frost buildup as quickly as you can to prevent undue damage to the refrigerator.
We would like to point out here that under the wrong circumstances, frost-free refrigerators can also accumulate frost. The circumstances may be too overwhelming for the defrost system, hence the accumulation. But it can be fixed if you follow the guide in this article.
However, if none of the fixes works, you may have a bigger problem that needs professional hands. Contact Frigidaire, report the issue, and request service. This is especially true if your refrigerator is new and has an active warranty.
You can opt to use any of our appliance technicians. Chat with them. You don’t need an appointment and there is no waiting period.
Get Instant Help — Ask An Experienced Verified Appliance Technician
Need expert help? Click here to use the chat box on this page to speak with a verified appliance technician right away. No need for expensive in-home service calls. No appointments. No waiting.