About the Issue

If your Whirlpool refrigerator forms heavy frost on the freezer panel or stops cooling after a few days, the automatic defrost system likely failed. Ice blankets the evaporator, blocks airflow, and starves the fresh-food section while the freezer may still feel cold near the panel.

We identify whether the root cause is the defrost heater, defrost thermostat/bimetal, defrost timer/control board, thermistor drift, or drain blockage that promotes re-icing. Our repair clears the ice safely and fixes the failed component to prevent quick recurrence.

Symptoms → What You May Notice

• Thick frost or “snow” behind the freezer’s rear panel
• Fridge gets warm after a few days; freezer slowly loses performance
• Evaporator fan starts to scrape ice or stops altogether
• Water on the floor during thaw; ice under bottom drawers
• Cooling returns after unplugging/defrosting, then fails again

Causes → Whirlpool-Specific Patterns

• Failed defrost heater (open element) — ice never melts during the cycle
• Defrost thermostat/bimetal open — heater never energizes
• Timer/control board fault — never initiates or exits defrost correctly
• Thermistor out of range — wrong temps lead to short or skipped defrost
• Clogged defrost drain — meltwater re-freezes and builds ice faster
• Door gasket leaks — warm, moist air accelerates frost growth

Tests → How We Pinpoint the Fault

• Frost pattern read to assess coil coverage and airflow health
• Heater continuity and live test during forced defrost (where supported)
• Bimetal/thermostat check at evaporator temperature
• Control outputs to heater/fan; timer advance/board diagnostics
• Thermistor resistance vs actual temperature curve
• Drain path & pan inspection and flush to prevent re-icing

Repairs → What We Do to Fix It

• Safe de-ice of evaporator and fan area to restore airflow
• Replace failed heaters, bimetals/thermostats, or control/timer as required
• Correct thermistor readings or placement; update harness if applicable
• Clear/heat-trace the defrost drain; verify full runoff to the pan
• Form or replace door gaskets; recalibrate temps to spec

We finish with a full airflow check, temperature verification, and a forced-defrost run to ensure the cycle starts and ends on schedule.

Prevention → Keep Ice From Coming Back

• Clean condenser and ensure rear panel installed for proper airflow
• Limit long door-open times and large warm loads
• Keep return/supply vents clear; avoid overpacking shelves
• Replace door gaskets when torn, hardened, or warped
• Change filters on schedule to reduce moisture entry during purges

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