How To Defrost Your Maytag Refrigerator [Quick Guide]

If you are looking for how to defrost your Maytag refrigerator, this guide will show you how to do so easily…

Table of Contents

Where Is the Adaptive Defrost Control Board in a Maytag Refrigerator Located?

The adaptive defrost control board, or defrost timer, in a Maytag refrigerator is located in the housing of the control panel. It is inside the fridge section, on the ceiling part of the refrigerator.

What to Do if the Automatic Defrost in a Maytag Refrigerator Is Not Working

If the automatic defrost system in your unit is not working, check the heater assembly. A faulty heater means frost will pile up on the coils, and airflow will reduce, leading to increased frostiness. Use a multimeter to run a continuity test on the heater and replace it if you find no continuity.

Also, check the defrost timer. The timer determines when to advance the entire system into a defrost cycle. If it is broken or stuck in the cooling mode, that will explain the poor defrosting cycle.

Use a small flat-head screwdriver to turn the timer counterclockwise and manually advance it into a defrost cycle. If it does not automatically advance the system out of the cycle within thirty minutes, replace the timer.

You must also check the defrost thermostat because it typically closes contacts to allow voltage to flow to the defrost heater. That is when the heater can warm the evaporator coils to prevent an ice buildup.

But if the contacts remain open, the heater will fail to function, and the coils will accumulate frost, causing the defrost cycle not to run. Check the thermostat’s continuity using a multimeter and replace it if there is no continuity.

Additionally, the control board could be the problem, but this is rare. Still, let a professional look at your refrigerator to determine if this is the case.

How to Force Defrost a Maytag Refrigerator

To force defrost a Maytag refrigerator, do the following:

1. Open the doors or door, depending on the model, of your refrigerator.

2. Hold the door switch or switches down until the display in front goes blank. Next, press the key that decreases the refrigerator temperature (-) 3 times within 10 seconds before releasing the door switch.

3. The display screen will show ’f’ and ‘d’, which means forced defrost. Press the temperature decrease key (-) again to confirm you want to force defrost your refrigerator. The letter ‘s’ will appear, and it stands for ‘short cycle.’ You can change it to a long cycle by pressing the key that increases the refrigerator temperature (+).

4. Press the temperature (-) key again so the defrost cycle can start. Then, close the door or doors of the unit.

How to Defrost a Maytag Refrigerator

To defrost a Maytag refrigerator, take the following steps:

Step 1: Disconnect power to the refrigerator by unplugging it or shutting off the circuit breaker.

Step 2: Remove all the edible items, along with every other item, inside the refrigerator. Wrap the edibles up in paper to keep them cool for a longer period.

Step 3: Place a pan or tray with rags at the edge of the refrigerator. This is to effectively absorb water that forms from melting frost.

Step 4: Give the unit time to defrost. But check from time to time so you can empty the water tray. Depending on the amount of frost, the tray will need to be emptied to avoid water spillage.

Step 5: When all the ice is melted, clean the unit thoroughly. Set the temperature you want and put the items you removed back into it. Then, turn it on.

Remember to set the refrigerator temperature to the lowest about 6 hours before you start the defrost process. This will freeze edible items and preserve them for longer.

How to Defrost a Maytag Freezer

The method above also works for defrosting a Maytag freezer. But you must turn the freezer’s temperature to the coldest point about six to eight hours before you start the manual defrost process. Seetingit to the coldest point will help the foods to freeze properly and preserve them for longer when you remove them from the freezer to defrost the unit.

Some freezer models have a drain system, while others do not. If your model comes with a drain, remove the drain over and pull out the rubber stopper from inside the freezer. Place a tray under the drain hole and turn the drain downwards so that the defrost water can easily flow out.

You will have to check the tray constantly and empty it during the defrost process, so it does not overflow. Also, consider placing bowls of hot water inside the freezer to speed up the defrosting process. Scoop ice chunks as they melt and fall off, so you do not have excess water to drain. But if there is no drain system, you will have to mop up the water or scoop it out manually.

Newer Maytag refrigerators and freezers should have an automatic defrost system. So, you do not have to defrost them manually unless there is a problem with the defrost function. Contact the Maytag Service Center if your refrigerator has this problem.

How to Unclog the Defrost Drain on a Maytag Refrigerator

To unclog the defrost drain on this unit, first find out what is clogging it. If the water in it is frozen, then thaw it by squirting hot water into it with a syringe. You should know, though, that this also means the defrost heater is faulty and needs replacement.

But if it is dirt clogging it, use a stiff wire to gently prod it to get the dirt out. Pour a mixture of water and bleach down the drain to thoroughly clean it out. Keep pouring until clear water runs out.

Learn how to effectively unclog the drain line of your refrigerator from this video…

Check out these other in-depth articles on defrosting other refrigerator brands…

How to Defrost Your Maytag Refrigerator – Related FAQs

1. Where Is the Defrost Heater Assembly in a Maytag Refrigerator?

The defrost heater assembly is right under the cooling coils, behind the back panel of the freezer section.

2. Where Is the Defrost Drain in a Maytag Refrigerator?

The defrost drain in this unit is found on the rear wall of the freezer section. It is in the middle of the point where the floor of the freezer slopes to meet the back of the freezer.

3. Where Is the Defrost Thermostat in a Maytag Refrigerator?

The defrost thermostat in this unit is found right on the end of the evaporator. It is there so it can regulate the coolness of the evaporator to keep it from getting warm. This will make the airflow good and regular.

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4. How Long Does It Take to Defrost a Maytag Refrigerator?

An automatic defrost cycle takes between 25 and 30 minutes once or twice a day. But a forced defrost cycle will depend on the refrigerator and the ice buildup. Some could take hours, while some will need to be left overnight.

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