Amana Refrigerator: not defrosting

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

If your Amana refrigerator is not defrosting, you may notice frost and ice buildup on the freezer evaporator coils. This can restrict airflow and lead to cooling issues. A malfunctioning defrost heater or blown fuse could be the culprit. Understanding the causes and solutions is essential for effective repairs.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Amana Models

  • Defrost sensor fuse is non‑resettable; blown fuse requires sensor replacement
  • Thermistor/temperature sensor faults can prevent defrost control from activating heater

Possible Causes

Defrost heater assembly failure

How to Identify: Heavy frost build‑up on evaporator coils; heater shows no continuity when tested with multimeter

Part: Defrost heater

Blown defrost sensor fuse

How to Identify: Defrost system completely inoperative; continuity test of sensor and fuse fails

Part: Defrost sensor with fuse

Main control board failure affecting defrost circuit

How to Identify: Everything else tests OK; control board doesn’t send power to defrost circuit

Part: Main control board

DIY Solutions

Visually inspect frost and manually defrost

Easy 1–24 hours
Tools Needed: none, hair dryer (optional)
  1. Unplug refrigerator and remove food
  2. Leave doors open or use warm air to melt ice buildup
⚠️ Safety First: Always unplug first

Test defrost heater and thermostat continuity

Moderate 30–60 minutes
Tools Needed: multimeter, screwdriver
  1. Unplug refrigerator and access evaporator back panel
  2. Disconnect and test defrost heater and thermostat for continuity with multimeter
⚠️ Safety First: Unplug before testing

Professional Repairs

Replace defrost control board or timer

Estimated Cost: $100–$300

Replace main control board

Estimated Cost: $200–$600

When to Call a Professional

Unable to access internal components safely
Defrost heater or thermostat tests inconclusive
Control board/thermostat replacement beyond DIY skills

Preventive Maintenance

  • Clean condenser coils: Improves efficiency and reduces strain on defrost system
    Frequency: every 6 months
  • Inspect door gaskets: Reduces moisture ingress that increases frost buildup
    Frequency: monthly

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Amana Refrigerator not defrosting?
The most common causes include a defrost heater assembly failure, a blown defrost sensor fuse, or a control board issue.
How do I fix Amana Refrigerator not defrosting myself?
You can manually defrost and test the defrost heater and thermostat for continuity with a multimeter.
How much does it cost to fix not defrosting?
Professional repairs can range from $100 to $600, depending on whether you need to replace the defrost control board or the main control board.
When should I call a technician for not defrosting?
If DIY solutions don't resolve the issue or if you're uncomfortable with electrical components, it's best to call a technician.

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

50%
DIY Success Rate Difficulty: Professional

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Defrost timer malfunction (1 mentions)
  • Faulty door seals (1 mentions)

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Check and replace the defrost timer if faulty

    Success rate: 50.0%

  2. Inspect and replace door seals if damaged

    Success rate: 0.0%
Analysis based on 2 community discussions
View Sources

Data compiled from real discussions on r/appliancerepair and r/Appliances:

  1. Love my 24 year old amana fridge but....
  2. Amana refrigerator not defrosting

Community Discussions

freezer is not defrosting

Check door seals and defrost timer; consider replacing the defrost timer if faulty.

DIY View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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