Last updated on August 14th, 2022 at 01:25 pm
It isn’t unusual for you to notice some wetness at the back of your refrigerator. This phenomenon is advantageous because it allows for the better preservation of your food materials.
However, this only becomes a nuisance when the moisture starts freezing in that location. So, why does the back of your fridge freeze up?
Your refrigerator freezes up at the back when the device’s internal humidity increases, leading to higher condensation. While your fridge works, the condensed water droplets quickly freeze up, causing an accumulation of ice on the back wall. Also, frozen water in the defrost drain or a failure in the defrost system can cause this problem.
Main Reasons Why Is Fridge Freezing Up At The Back?
Several reasons account for freezing at the back of refrigerators. First, this freezing most times occurs rapidly due to the cold nature of the refrigerator’s back wall.
Also, the process is accelerated when enabling conditions such as high humidity.
Therefore, here are the main reasons why your refrigerator freezes at the back:
#1. Air Leaks In the Appliance
Usually, the back of your fridge should not to frozen. But when this happens in some instances, the cause is not necessarily a damaged component.
So, beginning the troubleshooting process without considering this can be a futile activity.
First, you should inspect the fridge for possible air leaks. And this is because the fridge is supposed to be airtight at all times; an air leak can cause several issues.
Here, the issue starts when heated air from the surrounding seeps into the fridge and blends with the cool air.
This process aids the frost formation in the back compartment and on the backboard. As the accumulation grows by the hour, it forms ice which is what causes freezing.
A few reasons account for the leakage of air into the fridge:
- Damaged or worn seal gasket.
- Unclosed refrigerator door.
#2. Blocked Defrost Drain
A tiny opening at the back of your fridge functions as a defrost drain. This drain offers a passage for water to flow through the refrigerator.
This feature is an essential part of the device’s auto-defrost function that runs severally during the day.
So, when the device melts frost or ice buildups, the resulting water goes out through this opening.
Therefore, a problem results when this frost accumulates in the hole and blocks it.
Nonetheless, this can quickly occur because the outflowing water is usually at a temperature close to freezing.
Unfortunately, refrigerator defrosts drains do not carry heating elements to avert freezing.
Therefore, it’s tricky to notice when this occurs, and the accumulation worsens. It only becomes noticeable when the back of your fridge begins to freeze.
#3. Faulty Defrost System
Usually, fridges have to defrost systems that melt frost and ice several times daily. This defrost system comprises a defrost thermostat and a defrost heater.
And these work hand in hand to prevent the accumulation of ice in your fridge. Therefore, when these components develop faults, ice could build up at the back wall of your fridge.
Firstly, the defrost thermostat actively measures the temperature of your fridge’s back compartment.
It nudges the defrost heater to come back on when the temperature is cold, or ice begins to pile. So, when this component develops a fault, it may not notice temperature drops.
The defrost heater comes on when the defrost system is turned on. It works to melt the buildup of ice and frost in the fridge.
Most refrigerator models place the heater behind the fridge’s rear panel. Therefore, the defrost system may be the culprit when your fridge freezes at the back.
The failure of this component to melt the ice could be the leading cause of this issue.
How Do I Stop My Fridge From Freezing On The Back?
There are several ways to stop your fridge from freezing at the back. However, it all boils down to finding out the problem and taking steps that would deal with it.
So, here are some ways to stop your fridge from freezing this way:
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Air leaks | Check the refrigerator’s door gasket and replace it if you notice any rips, tears, or deformations. Always ensure the refrigerator door is closed; avoid keeping it open. |
| Blocked defrost drain | Melt the ice with heated water by slowly putting the water on the drain using a baster. |
| Faulty defrost system | Replace the defrost thermostat if it is damaged. Replace the defrost heater if it isn’t working. |
My Beko Fridge Is Freezing At The Back
It is normal to see drops of water or tiny chunks of ice at the back of your Beko fridge as they form a regular part of the device’s design.
However, you shouldn’t relax when ice accumulates to an uncomfortable level on the rear of your fridge.
So, Beko recommends that you prevent food items from coming in contact with your fridge’s back wall as they aid in faster freezing.
Also, if the ice buildup on the rear wall of your refrigerator rises to problematic levels, here are a few things to do.
#1. Check the Temperature of Your Beko Fridge
Usually, you should always keep your refrigerator at temperatures between 39 to 41 degrees Fahrenheit.
This is because large blocks of ice at the back of your fridge sometimes indicate an excessively low temperature.
#2. Keep The Beko Fridge’s Door Closed As Often As You Can
When warm air interacts with cold air, frost can form, accumulating at the fridge’s rear.
So, keeping your refrigerator door on more often allows for more chances of the first formation.
#3. Inspect The Beko Refrigerator For Seal Tears And Cracks
Seal rips and cracks also allow for the influx of warm air into the refrigerator.
When the warm air mixes with the cool air inside the fridge, frost forms and deposits on its back wall.
#4. Avoid Placing Items In Contact With The Back
When food or any item touches the back wall of your Beko refrigerator, ice balls can form on the wall.
Also, this situation allows water puddles to collect on the shelves. So, it’s best to avoid this situation entirely.
Why Is My Samsung Fridge Freezing Up At The Back?
Like other refrigerators, Samsung refrigerators can freeze at the back due to several circumstances.
Firstly, when the magnetic seal that holds the door shut fails, warm air seeps into the device’s internal compartment and mixes with cool air.
Then it settles at the back of the fridge, causing the formation of ice and frost on the back wall. Also, pushing items to rest on the rear wall could trigger this in Samsung fridges.
Usually, this prevents the free flow of air through the fridge, promoting stagnation and eventually accumulating ice.
In addition, if the door latches on your refrigerator’s door are worn, a replacement is ideal as this may be the reason behind the problem.
Usually, air seeps into your refrigerator when you do not keep it tight, creating issues of ice and frost formation in various compartments.
Another reason your Samsung refrigerator’s back wall freezes is a damaged defrost system.
This system works by melting ice in different parts of the fridge. However, when this system is faulty, there is no frost removal, so the refrigerator’s components collect ice on them unchecked.
Why Is My Indesit Fridge Freezing Up At The Back?
The condensate drain is likely blocked when your Indesit refrigerator freezes up at the back.
Faulty power supply components like plugs, fuses, switches and circuit breakers also cause this issue.
Also, this occurs when the evaporator freezes over and does not melt all the ice. This can occur due to excessive evaporation.
It’s advisable to clear the drain at the refrigerator’s bottom and use a hair dryer to melt the ice to deal with this problem.
Also, free up the condensate drain by squirting hot water into the drain using a turkey baster.
Next, take out the board at the back of the fridge to reach the drain pan. However, ensure that it does not overflow while you squirt some hot water into the drain.
But if this problem does not subside, the entire refrigerator may need some defrosting.
So, you would have to empty the freezer and fridge compartment and then drop it unplugged for about 24 hours.
Next, you would have to clean the interior of the refrigerator thoroughly. While doing this, ensure that the fridge is airtight and that the gaskets and seals are appropriately in place.
Why Is My Bosch Fridge Freezing Up At The Back?
Your Bosch refrigerator freezes up at the back mostly when the interior’s humidity is pretty high.
High humidity could come about due to the entry of warm air into the fridge. When this warm air condenses on the back wall, it doesn’t take time for this condensate to freeze.
Also, if an air vent is close to the location, this could be the area allowing for the influx of air.
Usually, the back wall is the coldest area of the Bosch refrigerator, so it doesn’t take that long for humid air to condense and freeze. Therefore, this entire process occurs swiftly.
Also, placing steamy food in your Bosch refrigerator could produce this result. Steamy foods or materials that give off vapor create an avenue for quick condensation and freezing when placed in the interior of your fridge.
So, while the defrost system can still work, it may not halt the formation of ice and frost on the fridge’s back wall.
This is because the defrost cycle can be relatively infrequent, thus not enough to deal with the forming ice.
Conclusion
Most refrigerator brands freeze at the back for multiple reasons. Faulty components, the influx of air, and a blocked defrost drain are the principal causes of this issue.
However, a few replacements, precautions, and activities are enough to solve and prevent this occurrence.
Still, different brands suffer from specific issues that accelerate frost formation at their rear walls.