Frost Free Fridge Full Of Frost.

[Barsel]

Even though I have turned the setting to No1 which is the warmest setting, everything in my fridge is freezing up and there is a thick layer of frost on the inside at the back.
Any idea why this is happening and what I can do about it please?

[davebro]

Sounds like it's bust! I think frost-free is achieved by periodically raising the temp so that ice melts & runs out into an evaporation tray. If it doesn't do that frost will accumulate.

[davebro]

try clearing all the ice out & make a fresh start

[Barsel]

Dave, is there something I could try to do first?
It is not all that old and it was fairly expensive.

[Barsel]

You answered my question before I asked it! :-)

[davebro]

there should be a drain hole at the back - make sure it's not blocked.

[Barsel]

Ok, will do.

[AuntPG]

Look at the back of your fridge inside ( often behind the vegetable compartment. There will be a V shaped groove in the plastic with a hole in the bottom. If this is blocked it often causes what you have described. Beside the hole is often a small tool to dislodge food or debris that has fallen into the hole -use this to clean it out.

Take out all the food, turn the frindge off for a few hours and manually remove frost on the isdie and out. replace food and restart on a normal setting usually +4c for fridge and -16c for freezer.

[AuntPG]

* Manually remove frost on the inside and out. *

[naomi24]

Is the door closing properly and creating a 'seal'?

[Etch]

Yes, it sounds as if the auto defrost mechanism has failed or is playing up. My fridge has been like that for years. What I do is turn the fridge off (0 on the dial), pause, and then turn it back on again (I set it to 6 on the dial). This initiates a defrost cycle where the fridge, all being well, stays off (no sound from the pump motor) until the inside has defrosted and then turns itself back on. I try to remember to do this daily. If there is a considerable build-up of ice it may restart before the ice has cleared, in which case I leave it off until all the ice has melted and then turn it back on.

[Barsel]

I've had to pull the fridge out to unplug it and emptied it.
APG there was a little green stick in the groove and I've poked that in the hole and that went straight in. There's no ice on the outside, just on the back on the inside.
Naomi, yes the seal is good.
Would it be ok if I use my hairdryer on hot to help it along?

[Barsel]

Etch I don't have a 0 on my dial, only 1-5. It's a Hotpoint RLA36.

[AuntPG]

Barsel, I've found a deep roasting dish filled with boiling water placed in the fridge and the door closed works really well for this purpose - for safety fill the tray once its in the fridge.

A hairdryer would work well for the back of the fridge if its iced up.

As for the dials -well I would look at the instruction book for temperatures, if you've lost it you can find it easily on the internet by typing in the make and model number.

[AuntPG]

https://www.manualslib.com/products/Hotpoint-Rla36-237044.html

[Etch]

Barsel, so no 'off' position on the dial? Weird, I don't think I've ever seen a fridge that didn't have some way of being turned off (other than being switched off at the wall).

[Barsel]

Thanks for the link APG, I should have the manual but can't find it.
Etch, I know, I was wondering how to turn it off, but the only way I can see was to unplug it.
Will have a look at the link APG has supplied.

[Barsel]

Have downloaded the manual for future reference, but apart from what has already been suggested, there doesn't seem to be anything else I can do.
If it still keeps happening, is it something that can be repaired or would I have to buy a new fridge?

[dannyk13]

Basel //or would I have to buy a new fridge .You would have to consult a refrigeration engineer to find that out. I take it the guarantee has expired.

[Etch]

Barsel, I tell a lie, I have seen a fridge (an LG GC-3900WH fridge-freezer) that doesn't have an off switch/position. It's not one I use daily and, luckily, is still working fine. :-)

[davebro]

Don't think my Hisense f/f has an off position either.