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Electrolux Refrigerator not defrosting

If your Electrolux refrigerator is not defrosting, you’ll usually see frost or ice building on the evaporator coils, in the freezer or around the door. The most common cause is a door left open long enough for frost to accumulate, so close the door and let the unit cycle, or unplug and melt heavy ice with warm air. If the problem isn’t simple ice buildup, the next suspects are the defrost control board, then the defrost timer; both control whether the defrost cycle runs, so test the defrost heater and defrost thermostat first before replacing the control board. A worn or twisted door gasket can also keep the door from sealing and cause repeat icing. If the heater assembly or defrost thermostat fails, the system will never melt accumulated frost and your fridge not defrosting will persist. You can test continuity with a multimeter and advance the timer into the defrost position to check operation. Enter your model number on RepairClinic.com to find the exact replacement defrost parts for your refrigerator.

01 - Door left open

If the freezer or refrigerator door was left open for an extended period of time (more than 4 hours), frost or ice may have accumulated on the food, evaporator coil and evaporator fan motor, or around the door opening. Frost should go away after the door is closed and the refrigerator goes through a defrost cycle. More significant ice buildup may require the refrigerator to be unplugged for a day to allow the ice to melt, or a hair dryer may be able to be used to assist in melting the ice.
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02 - Electrolux Refrigerator Defrost Control Board

The defrost control board determines how often to run the defrost cycle. If the board fails, the refrigerator will not go into the defrost cycle. Before replacing the defrost control board, first test the defrost heater and defrost thermostat. If the defrost heater and defrost thermostat are working properly, the defrost control board is likely defective.
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03 - Electrolux Refrigerator Defrost Timer

The defrost timer turns on the defrost heater several times throughout the day to melt any frost that may have accumulated on the evaporator coils. If the defrost timer is defective, it may not advance into the defrost cycle, or it may not send power to the defrost heater during the defrost cycle. To determine if the defrost timer is defective, slowly advance the dial into the defrost cycle. The compressor should turn off and the heater should turn on. If the timer does not send power to the defrost components or advance out of the defrost cycle within 30 minutes, this indicates that the defrost timer is not advancing. If ...the defrost timer is not advancing, replace it.
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04 - Electrolux Refrigerator Door Gasket

A twisted or worn gasket can keep the door from closing properly. Inspect the door gasket for kinks or twists. You can use a hair dryer to try smoothing out the kinks. If the door gasket is damaged it will need to be replaced.
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05 - Electrolux Refrigerator Defrost Heater Assembly

The defrost heater assembly turns on several times throughout the day to melt away any frost that may have accumulated on the evaporator coils. If the defrost heater assembly is defective, the defrost system will not work, and frost will continue to accumulate on the evaporator coils. To determine if the defrost heater is defective, use a multimeter to test it for continuity. If the defrost heater does not have continuity, replace it.
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06 - Electrolux Refrigerator Defrost Thermostat

The defrost thermostat monitors the temperature of the evaporator coils. When the coils drop below a set temperature, the thermostat contacts close to allow power to flow to the defrost heater during the defrost cycle. In the defrost cycle, the defrost heater melts away any frost that may have accumulated on the evaporator coils. If the defrost thermostat is defective, the thermostat contacts will not close. As a result, the thermostat won’t provide power to the defrost heater. To determine if the defrost thermostat is defective, use a multimeter to test it for continuity. If the defrost thermostat does not have continuity... when it reaches the low temperature of its operating range, replace it.
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Frequently Asked Questions

My Electrolux refrigerator is not defrosting. What should I check first?
The freezer is cold but the fridge section is warm. Can a defrost issue cause that?
How do I test the defrost heater and defrost thermostat with a multimeter?
Is a clogged defrost drain a likely cause and how do I clear it?
How do I enter my model number on RepairClinic.com to find the correct replacement part?

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