Looking for how to defrost a Viking refrigerator and how to find the different defrost components? You have come to the right place.
Table of Contents
How to Force Defrost a Viking Refrigerator
To force defrost a Viking refrigerator, press the Alarm Off keypad and hold it for about 3 seconds. This will cause the program to become permanently saved in EEPROM.
The unit will exit Program mode and enter Run mode. Once the defrost terminator closes, the defrost heater will begin to operate. This tells you that the refrigerator is now in defrost mode.
How to Defrost a Viking Refrigerator
To defrost the freezer of a Viking refrigerator, do the following:
1. Power down the refrigerator by unplugging it from the power outlet. If you cannot reach the outlet, shut off the circuit breaker.
2. Empty the freezer by removing food items. To preserve the frozen food, store it in a cooler after wrapping it in newspapers. Alternatively, you can store it in a freezer if you have access to another one.
3. Place towels or clean rags in the freezer or around the edge of the unit on the floor to absorb water. Leave the door of the freezer open as it starts defrosting.
4. Depending on the level of ice or frost buildup, you may need to leave the freezer unplugged for about 24 hours for it to fully defrost. However, if you would rather speed up the process, place bowls of hot water in the freezer to quickly defrost the ice. You can also scrape the ice with a wooden spatula.
5. After the defrosting process, clean up the freezer to dry it completely. Remove every moisture with a dry cloth or towel.
6. Power up the refrigerator by plugging it back into the power outlet or switching on the circuit breaker.
7. Give the unit about 24 to 48 hours to fully cool and freeze again. Then, store the food you removed earlier back in it.
It is important to note here that refrigerators or fridges don’t need to be defrosted. Only freezers defrost. This is because refrigerating sections or fridges don’t have an ice buildup to the point of needing defrosting. If they do, then something is wrong with the unit.
Note that these steps apply to defrost a Viking freezer. However, you must drain the water from the drain port at the bottom front of the unit. You can check the freezer’s user manual for specific steps for defrosting the freezer.
Drain Pan of a Viking Refrigerator Overflows – How to Fix
If the drain pan or the defrost pan of a Viking refrigerator overflows, it is possible there is ice in it. If this is the case, then the water in it is not evaporating. It could also be that there is debris in it, making it difficult to clear the water.
Empty the pan and clean it. Then, diagnose why the water is not being evaporated. Contact the Viking service center or chat with any of our experienced refrigerator technicians to fix the problem.
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Viking Refrigerator Defrost Problem – What to Do
If your Viking refrigerator has a defrost problem, something is wrong with one or all of the defrost components.
Test the defrost heater with a multimeter to check for continuity. If there is no continuity, replace the heater. A faulty heater won’t turn on to heat the cooling coils when frost accumulates on it.
If the heater is working, then check the defrost timer. A faulty defrost timer cannot advance into the defrost cycle. And if it is stuck in the defrost cycle, then it cannot advance into the cooling mode.
To check the timer, turn it counterclockwise until it clicks. If it clicks and the heater turns on, the timer is faulty and should be replaced. The timer should not have to be turned manually if it is working fine.
However, if the heater and timer are working, then check the defrost control board or the defrost thermostat. The defrost system won’t work if the control board is defective and the heater won’t turn on if the defrost thermostat is faulty. This is because the thermostat has to sense the temperature of the coils before allowing the heater to turn on.
To cut down the time it will take to troubleshoot, call a refrigerator repair agent to accurately diagnose the cause of the defrost problem and fix it.
How to Replace the Defrost Heater in a Viking Freezer
To replace the defrost heater in a Viking freezer, start by unplugging the appliance from the wall outlet. Remove the shelves and racks in the freezer and release the rear panel by unthreading the screws. Locate the heater under the evaporator coils and unplug the wires connected to it.
Next, loosen the aluminum straps securing the heater to the coils and gently lift the heater out from under the coils. Now, slide a new heater into the place of the old one and secure it with the aluminum straps to the evaporator. Reconnect the wires to the heater and fix the ground wire to the evaporator cover to secure the fan.
Not every refrigerator model connects the evaporator fan wire to the rear panel, so this may not apply to your refrigerator. Ensure all the wires are corrrectly reconnected and in place before pushing the cover back into position and securing it with the screws. Put the shelves and racks into the freezer and plug the appliance back into the wall outlet.
Important Note
It is important to consult the manual of the Viking refrigerator model or series you own when there is a defrost issue. You can also contact the Viking service center for assistance.
Always unplug the refrigerator before fixing any part of it. Doing this is a safety step to prevent electrocution. And if you have good work gloves, wear them to protect your hands.
How to Defrost a Viking Refrigerator – Related FAQs
1. Where Is the Defrost Drain in a Viking Refrigerator?
The defrost drain in a Viking refrigerator is located at the bottom of the refrigerator, behind the unit, just where the coils are.
2. Where Is the Defrost Heater in a Viking Refrigerator?
The defrost heater in a Viking refrigerator is found under the evaporator coils, behind the inside back panel of the freezer section.
3. Where Is the Defrost Thermostat in a Viking Refrigerator?
You will find the defrost thermostat in this refrigerator at the top of the evaporator coils, behind the inside rear wall of the freezer section. It is usually clipped to the copper tubing or refrigerant line.
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