Why does a fridge freeze and what can be done about it?


Especially in older refrigerators is sometimes ice, even modern devices with automatic defrosting are not completely immune from it. The reasons for this are manifold, as well as the possibilities to fight the causes, which prevent the icing in the future or at least slow it down. But the real symptom, the ice, you fight only by defrosting!

Causes of an iced refrigerator

Inside the refrigerator there are different temperature zones, at the back wall it is the coldest. Even though most of the middle compartment is at the recommended 7 degrees Celsius, it can be quite cold in the back area.

In addition to the cold, ice formation needs another component to get going: the water. The more moisture in the fridge, the faster the ice will form on the coldest.

How does the water get into the fridge? There are several causes for this, some of which can be turned off quite easily. A source of this could be too much heat, because from warm air precipitates in cool places condensation.

Cause of water formationmeasure
hot food in the fridgeLet the food cool down first
Refrigerator door opens too oftenAlways open the door briefly and close it quickly
Refrigerator is next to heat sourceDo not place the appliance next to the heater, oven or dishwasher
Sun shines on the fridgeEclipse device
Electrical appliances are on the fridgeHeat sources with cork inferior
Trough in the fridge is cloggedThoroughly clean the gutter and drain

How to defrost your fridge thoroughly

You have fixed the causes of ice formation, now only the ice has to disappear? To defrost, remove the refrigerator from the mains and remove all food. Then proceed as follows:

  • place absorbent cloths in the refrigerator to absorb the water
  • possibly show pots and baking tray
  • Thaw ice with hair dryer faster (Attention: keep a distance of about 30 cm!)
  • Gently remove ice floes with a soft scraper
  • After defrosting, thoroughly clean the refrigerator
  • use vinegar water for disinfection and odor neutralization
  • Dry all refrigerator elements carefully
  • Put the device back in, connect to the mains, close the door

Now you can enjoy an ice-free, clean fridge again! Another nice side effect is that the unit consumes less power after defrosting, removing heat sources also helps.

Tips & Tricks

Ensure the greatest possible order in the refrigerator interior, pay attention to the different temperature zones when sorting. So you only have to open the door for a very short time and quickly find everything again - this prevents further ice formation.
Why does a fridge freeze and what can be done about it?

FAQ - 💬

❓ How do I get my fridge to stop freezing?

👉 Tips for Reducing Ice Buildup in Fridge

  1. Keep the doors closed as much as possible. ...
  2. Ensure your fridge is level so the doors stay closed.
  3. Check the hinges and gaskets. ...
  4. Let hot dishes cool before you store them to reduce moisture in the fridge.

❓ What would cause a refrigerator to freeze up?

👉 Frost builds up primarily due to the interaction from letting warm air into the fridge freezer. To avoid this, try not to open the door too often, and don't leave the doors open for very long. The cold air inside your appliance needs to be properly isolated from the outside temperature.

❓ What do you do when your fridge freezes everything?

👉 The problem could be that there is too much food blocking the air vents inside your fridge. If this is the case, some food may have become exposed to more cold air and frozen. You can fix this by removing some of the food in your fridge.

❓ How do I get rid of ice in my fridge without defrosting it?

👉 Use Hot Water to Melt Wall Ice Get rid of it without defrosting by using your pitcher of hot water. Place a folded or rolled towel along the base/entrance of the freezer floor. Then pour hot water over every ice mound and watch them melt.

❓ How do you prevent ice build up?

👉 How To Prevent Ice Build-up In Your Refrigerator and Freezer

  1. Stop humidity getting into your fridge. ...
  2. Make sure the freezer is set at the right temperature. ...
  3. Make sure the door is closed properly. ...
  4. Keep your freezer full. ...
  5. ​Clean your freezer regularly. ...
  6. Clean the defrost drain. ...
  7. Clean the condenser coils regularly.

❓ How do you clean a refrigerator without turning it off?

👉 If you can't turn off the fridge or remove the bins and shelves, use cool water to wash them, Forte says. Wash the parts with a mild detergent and water, rinse thoroughly and wipe dry. For stuck-on messes, Forte says to cover them with a warm, damp dish towel to soften them enough to be able to wipe or scrape off.

❓ How do I get rid of ice in my freezer without turning it off?

👉 Place towels on the floor to soak up any excess water and place bowls of boiling water in the freezer. The steam and heat from the water should soften the ice, making removal easier.

❓ How do you melt ice without turning off a fridge?

👉 Step #4 Use a Bowl of Boiling Water If you have a bowl of boiling water, you should start by throwing a little bit of boiling water on the ice sheets inside the freezer. Even though you don't want to simply throw the bowl inside the freezer, you do need to be generous with the boiling water you apply.

❓ Will defrosting fridge fix it?

👉 In most cases, correcting the issue that caused the frost buildup and allowing the freezer to go through a couple of defrost cycles will clear up the excessive frost, and the appliance will be back to normal.

❓ How do you defrost a fridge without turning it off?

👉 To defrost a freezer without turning it off, first remove all the items from your freezer, and pack them tightly into the fridge, being careful to shut the door properly. Then cover the floor with towels to soak up excess water that comes from the freezer during the defrosting process.

❓ Why is my fridge warm and freezer cold?

👉 The most common cause for this condition is a problem with the defrost system. If the refrigerator freezer is cold but the refrigerator is warm, the evaporator fan motor might have failed. Every refrigerator has a set of coils called an evaporator. These are the coils that get cold.

❓ Why is my Refrigerator freezing everything?

👉 There could be several reasons that your refrigerator is freezing everything. The cold air in your refrigerator comes from the evaporative coils located behind the freezer compartment. The refrigerator is a separate compartment, and cold air circulates between the two compartments through an opening.

❓ How to keep your refrigerator from freezing food?

👉 How to keep your refrigerator from freezing food 1 Reset your refrigerator’s temperature. If your refrigerator is too cold, locate the temperature gage and adjust it accordingly. ... 2 Rearrange your food. Make sure that the food in your refrigerator isn’t touching any of the air vents. ... 3 Check your refrigerator’s door seals. ...

❓ How does a refrigerator work?

👉 How Refrigerators Work. A refrigerator works on the same basic system as an air conditioner in your house or car. A closed loop of refrigerant absorbs heat and humidity from the interior storage compartments (mostly in the freezer) and passes through a series of coils that draw off and dissipate the heat into the air.

❓ What causes a refrigerator to freeze when the damper is broken?

👉 Defective Damper. When your fridge is freezing your food, the air damper may either be broken or stuck in the open position. An air damper opens and closes to allow the proper amount of cold air to enter your appliance. If it’s not operating correctly your refrigerator can grow too cold, causing the food inside of it to freeze and become inedible.


Video Board: Refrigerator Repair - Freezer Coils Frozen - Refrigerator Is Warm - GardenFork