Electrolux Refrigerator: not defrosting

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Is your Electrolux refrigerator not defrosting? You may notice persistent frost buildup on the evaporator coils or in the freezer compartment, leading to poor cooling performance. This issue often arises from a malfunctioning defrost timer, clogged defrost drain, or a failed defrost control board. Addressing these problems promptly can restore your refrigeratorâ€™s efficiency and prevent further damage.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Electrolux Models

Electrolux refrigerators may locate defrost timer and thermostat in specific control housing areas; model manuals should be referenced for exact positions.

Possible Causes

Faulty defrost timer

How to Identify: Evaporator coils are iced up; fridge runs continuous cooling with no defrost cycle; manually advancing timer does not engage defrost heater.

Part: Defrost timer

Defrost control board or main control board failure

How to Identify: All other defrost components test good but defrost cycle still not initiated.

Part: Defrost control board / main control board

Clogged defrost drain

How to Identify: Water from defrost cannot drain, refreezes in drain causing ice buildup.

Part: Defrost drain line

DIY Solutions

Manual defrost and drain cleaning

Moderate 2-4 hours

Tools Needed: towels, hot water, pipe cleaner or turkey baster

Unplug refrigerator and empty freezer contents
Leave doors open and place towels to absorb water
Pour hot water into defrost drain hole to clear any ice clog
Allow full melting of ice and dry interior

⚠️ Safety First: Unplug appliance before starting to avoid shock

Test and replace defrost timer

Advanced 1-2 hours

Tools Needed: screwdrivers, multimeter

Unplug fridge
Locate defrost timer per model manual (usually behind control panel)
Use multimeter to test continuity and manual advance to defrost position
Replace timer if it fails tests

⚠️ Safety First: Electrical safety when accessing internal components

Test and replace defrost thermostat

Advanced 1-2 hours

Tools Needed: screwdrivers, multimeter

Unplug fridge
Access thermostat near evaporator coils
Test continuity at low temp; replace if failing

⚠️ Safety First: Ensure correct replacement part

Professional Repairs

Replace defrost heater assembly

Estimated Cost: $40 - $120

Replace thermistor or temperature sensor

Estimated Cost: $20 - $80

Replace defrost control board or main control board

Estimated Cost: $150 - $400

When to Call a Professional

Fridge continues not defrosting after testing and replacing basic components

User is uncomfortable performing electrical tests or accessing internal parts

Control board replacement suspected

Preventive Maintenance

Regularly check and clean defrost drain: Ice buildup that blocks drain and causes refreeze
Frequency: monthly
Inspect door gaskets: Warm air ingress that increases frost accumulation
Frequency: monthly

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Electrolux Refrigerator not defrosting?

Common causes include a faulty defrost timer, a clogged defrost drain, or a failed control board.

How do I fix Electrolux Refrigerator not defrosting myself?

You can manually defrost and clean the drain or test and replace the defrost timer and thermostat.

How much does it cost to fix not defrosting?

Professional repairs can range from $40 for a defrost heater to $400 for a control board replacement.

When should I call a technician for not defrosting?

If DIY solutions don't resolve the issue, or if you're uncomfortable with advanced repairs, 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?

65%

DIY Success Rate Difficulty: Either

Common Issues Reported by Users

Faulty defrost timer
Broken defrost heater
Defrost thermostat malfunction

User Suggested Solutions

Test and replace the defrost timer. Unplug the refrigerator, locate the timer (usually near the control panel), and use a multimeter to check for continuity. If defective, replace it with a new one.
Inspect and replace the defrost heater. Access the heater by removing the back panel inside the freezer, check for continuity with a multimeter, and replace if necessary.
Check and replace the defrost thermostat. Locate the thermostat in the freezer compartment, test it for continuity, and replace if it fails the test.