Why is my Maytag refrigerator freezer frosting up?

Category: home and garden home appliances
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A common cause for ice buildup is a faulty door seal. If a refrigerator has a bad door seal, the outside air will pass into the fridge and cause the ice build up problem you are experiencing. If the ice build up is only happening in the freezer, the freezer drain is probably clogged.



In this regard, why is my Maytag freezer frosting up?

Small ice droplets on the freezer walls and on the back panel are normal. Humid room air causes moisture to build, especially when the doors are frequently opened. To avoid excess moisture buildup, minimize door openings.

Secondly, why is my freezer frosting up and fridge not working? Be sure the vents on the back of the freezer compartment aren't blocked by boxes of ice cream or frozen vegetables—the vents have to be clear for cold air to circulate. Vacuum the coils under or behind the fridge. Clogged coils can cause poor cooling. To do this, unplug the fridge and pull it out.

Just so, why does my freezer keep frosting up?

Frost inside your freezer is caused by moisture coming into contact with the coils inside the appliance and freezing. This is caused by several factors, including dehydration from changes in temperature within your freezer, exposure to air and food being in the freezer for too long.

Where is the drain in a Maytag freezer?

Your Maytag fridge has an automatic defrost system that melts the ice from the freezer coils. As the ice melts, it drips to the bottom of the freezer, exits through a drain and collects in a drain pan beneath the body of the refrigerator where the heat from the condenser and motor evaporates the water.

27 Related Question Answers Found

How do you unclog a freezer drain?

Unclogging the drain prevents water from building up inside the unit and leaking out onto the floor.
  1. Unplug the refrigerator/freezer unit.
  2. Remove any food or objects, like a sliding drawer, that are blocking your access to the drain hole.
  3. Clear the ice from the drain hole with a screwdriver or a piece of stiff wire.

Where is the freezer drain located?

Defrost drain hole located on the back wall of the freezer, just up from where the floor slopes up to the back, in the center. Plastic panel held in place by a screw. Remove screw and panel, and the drain hole will be visible.

How do you unclog a Maytag freezer drain?

How to Unclog the Drain Plug on Maytag Refrigerators
  1. Disconnect your Maytag refrigerator from the power supply by unplugging it.
  2. Disconnect the terminal plug on the icemaker from the freezer and remove it.
  3. Remove the two screws on the bottom panel and the remaining screws (between 2 to 6) that hold the back panel in place over the freezer fan mount.

What number should my freezer be on?

Kitchen Fact: The ideal temperature range for your freezer is 0° Fahrenheit or below (-18° Celsius or below).

How do I stop my freezer from frosting up?


Eight simple-to-do strategies to prevent ice build-up in your freezer
  1. Keep the freezer inside and away from a hot water heater or furnace.
  2. Don't overstock the freezer or leave it too empty.
  3. Break up large packages into smaller, airtight packages.
  4. Limit the amount of time the freezer is open.

Can you put too much food in freezer?

It's true that a full freezer works more efficiently than an empty one. But there can be too much of a good thing. Overfilling the freezer can block air vents, restrict the flow of cold air, and overtax your refrigerator's condenser, which could lead to a burn out.

Why does my freezer look like it snowed?

Snow on the walls is a sign of a problem with the auto defrost system. This would make your freezer compartment unable to shed the snow which would then insulate/block the evaporator coils from the air in the fridge/freezer compartments. Check for frost/snow on the back wall or floor of the freezer compartment.

How do you know if your freezer is going bad?

Signs Your Refrigerator Is About to Die
  1. Your food is spoiling before its expiration date.
  2. Your freezer is too cold.
  3. You can hear the motor.
  4. The back of the fridge feels hot.
  5. Your electric bill goes up unexpectedly.
  6. You're seeing condensation or frost.
  7. You have the fridge-repair guy on speed dial.
  8. Your fridge is more than 10 years old.

How do I clean my freezer coils?

Cleaning Condenser Coils On Refrigerator
  1. Unplug refrigerator.
  2. Remove base grille if necessary.
  3. Use a refrigerator coil brush (part number PM14X51) to brush any dust, dirt, pet hair, etc. from the coils.
  4. Sweep or vacuum up any dirt, dust, pet hair, etc. on the floor.
  5. Replace grille.
  6. Plug refrigerator back in to the wall receptacle.

How do you keep ice crystals off food in the freezer?


To prevent freezer crystals, avoid leaving the door open for more than a few seconds, since this lets warm air inside. You can also squeeze the air out of any bags you keep in the freezer. Keep your freezer relatively full, since empty space can cause more freezer crystals to form.

Why is my freezer not getting cold enough?

Defrost system problems, dirty condenser coils, fan failures, leaky door gaskets or control problems can lead to your freezer not getting cold enough. The frost buildup blocks cooling air paths through the evaporator so the freezer doesn't cool well.

Why does a frost free freezer iced up?

Moisture in the air collects on cold surfaces inside the freezer, forming frost. Frost, or ice, is an effective insulator as shown by igloos designed to keep Eskimos warm during Arctic winters. This insulating ice layer impairs refrigerator performance and can be caused by several factors.

Can a refrigerator go out and the freezer still work?

Another possible problem is a bad evaporator fan motor, which circulates the air from the freezer to the refrigerator. If that motor stops working, it could be the result of a failure with the defrost system, allowing frost to build up, which could block air flow and prevent the fan from turning.

What number should a fridge be on?

The settings on the fridge temperature dial show refrigerant power. Normally the numbers range from one to five. Number one is the least cool setting and number five the coldest. When your fridge is always full you need to select a number four setting.

Can the refrigerator work and not the freezer?


The evaporator fan motor draws air over the evaporator coils and circulates it throughout the freezer. If the evaporator fan motor is not working, the freezer will not cool. On most refrigerators, the If the door switch is activated, but the evaporator fan motor won't run, replace the evaporator fan motor.

Where are the evaporator coils on a fridge?

The evaporator is the aluminum coil hidden behind a panel in the freezer compartment that makes all the cold air in your fridge. Side x Side, Top 'n Bottom, French Door– doesn't matter what kind of refrigerator you have, it will have an evaporator coil.

What causes a refrigerator evaporator to ice up?

When this humid air passes over the cold evaporator coils, it condenses and freezes on the coils. If humid air is continually leaking into the freezer, the evaporator coils ice over too quickly, and the defrost cycle isn't able to keep up.