Why is my fridge freezing up at the back? 3 Reasons You Might Not Know.

  • By: Emma
  • Date: August 16, 2022
  • Time to read: 5 min.

I have long suffered the tragedy of watching ice forming at the back of my fridge. And just like many others, I used to wonder why is my fridge freezing at the back.

Over time, I searched and experimented and figured out why it happened. So, here’s a detailed guideline for you on this subject.

Why is my fridge freezing up at the back?

Your fridge could be freezing at the back due to three reasons:

  1. Exceeding the storage capacity of the fridge, overloading things above 21-31 Cubic feet.
  2. A leak in the fridge door gasket exceedingly above 1-2 cm.
  3. Clogging a 1-inch defrost drain tube does not allow the water to pass, hence ice buildups.
ProblemChances of freezing the back of the fridge
Air Leak50%
Clogged defrost100%
Faulty defrost system40%
Exceeding storage capacity60%
Table 1: Potential factors that cause freezing at the back of the fridge.

Read more: Can You Put Hot Glass in the Fridge? Here Is What Scientists Say

You might be confused about why your fridge is freezing at the back. It has nothing to do with you and everything to do with your appliance.

Refrigerators are vacuum-sealed units that remove every bit of air before the unit is sealed up. In some refrigerators, this process isn’t perfect; this is known as ‘cold spots’ or frost build-up.

These cold spots occur because the sealant around the door isn’t perfectly smooth, and the gaps between it and the body of the refrigerator are too small for air to pass through easily.

This can cause air to get trapped in these spaces and lead to frost build-up at the back of your appliance.

You can clean the back of your refrigerator to prevent this frost build-up. However, if you want to prevent it from happening again, you can do a few things.

One way is to use an air purifier in front of your fridge. This will remove any moisture in the air and help to prevent ice from forming.

Another option is to use a dehumidifier on your appliance every month or so. The dehumidifier will act as a cooling agent and may help prevent frost build-up at the back of your unit.

Read more: Does Spicy Food Last Longer in The Fridge? The Answer Might Surprise You

The most common reason why my fridge is freezing at the back.

A common reason why refrigerators freeze at the back is frost build-up. If you notice this happening to your refrigerator, it might be time to invest in a new one!

The most common fix for this problem is to simply open the refrigerator door, scrape off any frost, and then let it sit for a few minutes before closing it back up. This should help reduce the likelihood of frost build-up in the future.

How to fix the problem of fridge freezing at the back.

If you are experiencing this problem, you can try a few things.

  1. The first thing you can do is to turn your fridge off and then leave it for about an hour or two. When you turn the unit back on, it may take several hours for the unit to heat up and resolve any cold spots that have built up. You should also unplug your refrigerator and plug it back in when you start the process.
  2. Another option is to use a hair dryer on high heat to melt some of the frost build-ups in the back of your refrigerator. This method will work best if used in short bursts of time; too much heat could cause permanent damage to your appliance.

Should A Fridge Have Ice On The Back Wall?

If the frost build-up is just on one side of the fridge, it’s not a problem. Your fridge is frosting up at the back is more of a sign that you need to invest in a new model.

Check out these tips for clearing frost build-up if you have an older model.

  1. First, ensure your air filter isn’t clogged and positioned away from any objects that could block the airflow.
  2. Next, ensure all vents are correctly closed and try blowing out the dust using canned air or vacuum head attachment.
  3. Finally, rotate your refrigerator so that all cold spots are at the front to allow for better cooling and circulation.

Why Does My Fridge Ice Up On The Back Wall?

If your fridge is frosting on the back wall, try opening the freezer and refrigerator doors. If you have a small gap around the sealant, air will pass through it quickly, eliminating the frost build-up problem.

You might also want to consider installing a new sealant around the door and inside the freezer, as these appliances often need this part replaced.

How Do I Get Ice Off The Back Of My Fridge?

If you’re experiencing frost build-up on your refrigerator’s back, there are a few ways to get rid of it.

  1. You can use a hairdryer or blow dryer to blow the ice off the back, open the door, and use a broom to sweep the ice into the trash receptacle. However, this method is not recommended because it will cause further damage to your fridge’s sealant.
  2. Another option is to use a vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment. This will allow you to suck up the ice from around the sealant and any dirt that might be stuck on top of it.
  3. The last option is to use a damp cloth and then scrub the sealant with soap and water until all traces of frost have been removed from around it.

If you have a ‘cold spot,’ there are a few ways you can attempt to fix it.

  1. One option is just to let the cold spot thaw out. This can take a few hours to over 24 hours, depending on how much frost build-up is and what temperature the refrigerator sets.
  2. You could also manually defrost your refrigerator by opening the door and letting warm air pass for several minutes. This will take about 10 minutes, but it will also increase your energy bill and food costs by adding more heat to your fridge.
  3. But if you don’t want to manually defrost or wait for the cold spot to thaw out, you could always call an appliance repairman or use a de-icing product such as Silicone Ice Tray.

Can I Defrost My Fridge Without Turning It Off?

Using a hair dryer, you can defrost your refrigerator without turning it off. Simply use the hair dryer to remove the frost from the freezer door and re-seal it up.

You might also want to try running the oven on “defrost” mode for a few minutes instead. If you are still experiencing cold spots, you might consider replacing your appliance.

Conclusion

So, why is my fridge freezing up at the back? I hope this article helped you find out the answer. If your fridge is freezing at the back, it may be due to a build-up of ice or frost on the back wall. The following steps will help you resolve the problem: 1. Remove the ice or frost using a scraper and put it into the bin. 2. Unplug the appliance and let it run on its own for 5-10 minutes without any heat. 3. Plug it back in and start again until the problem is fixed.