Ice build up on the defrost tray leading to the drainage hose causing ice build up blocking air circulating vents. After clearing all ice build up it takes two to three weeks for the ice to build up again

There are a few possible reasons for the ice build-up in the area behind the ice maker and above the fan, even if there are no visible coils in that area. Here are some potential causes to consider:

1. Blocked Drain: The defrost cycle of a refrigerator is designed to remove excess moisture from the freezer compartment, which typically drains out of the freezer through a small drain hole and into a collection pan located beneath the refrigerator. If the drain becomes blocked, the excess moisture can accumulate in the bottom of the freezer and eventually freeze, leading to the ice build-up you described. To check if this is the case, you can try locating the drain hole (usually near the back of the freezer, near the bottom) and clearing any debris or ice that may be obstructing it.
2. Faulty Defrost System: Another possibility is that there is an issue with the defrost system itself. If the defrost heater, thermostat, or timer is not functioning correctly, it can lead to excessive ice build-up in the freezer compartment. While you mentioned that the coils appear to be defrosted, it's still possible that there is a problem with one of these components that is causing the ice to accumulate in a different area.
3. Poor Air Circulation: A third potential cause is that there is inadequate air circulation in the freezer compartment. If the freezer is too full or if items are blocking the vents, it can prevent cold air from circulating properly, leading to pockets of warmer air that can cause excess moisture to accumulate and freeze. It's worth checking to make sure that the freezer is not over-packed and that there is nothing blocking the vents.
4. Water Leak: Finally, it's possible that there is a water leak somewhere in the refrigerator that is causing excess moisture to accumulate in the freezer compartment. This could be due to a damaged water line or valve, a faulty ice maker, or a damaged door seal that is allowing warm, humid air to enter the freezer. If you suspect a water leak may be the cause, it's best to have a professional diagnose and repair the issue.

Overall, it's hard to say for sure what is causing the ice build-up without further inspection, but these are some common possibilities to consider. If the issue persists, it may be worth calling a professional to diagnose and repair the problem.

Try defrosting the fridge first by switching it off completely and remove any food and leave doors open overnight. Sometimes if items are blocking the vents then the air doesn't circulate and ice builds up around the freezer and on the fans too which causes lack of cold air getting around especially when the air circulation goes to the refrigerator section too. If that fails then call technician.

First, I'm not a Whirlpool representative.
* Check your warranty. Call for support;
* Contact;https://www.whirlpool.com/owners.html

*** The following is for information only.***
* Original question was slow ice making or melted ice;:
* Most common is ice build up in freezer coils. This happens every time the door is opened. Ice builds up on coils but is normally removed during a daily defrost cycle.
* The cycle may be unable to defrost all ice due to bad air circulation. Usually caused by rubbish blocking fan intake (bottom of freezer tray or wall.) Overloading food may cover the intake.
* Remove all food from freezer. Check for fan blockage. There should be a steady flow of cold air. If not then your freezer needs to be defrosted.
* Defrost by moving all frozen food to fridge side or cooler. Unplug fridge and open freezer door (drawer). Allow room air to circulate into the freezer. Use a house fan to blow air into freezer. (DO NOT use Hair dryer! It will damage panels.)
* Check and remove melted ice water. Check inner panels of freezer. Once defrosted the panels will be room temperature to the touch. There should not be any condensation or coldness to the panel. If it's still cold then keep defrosting.
* Once the water stops dripping. then close freezer doors.
* plug in freezer and wait 5 mins. Check freezer if inside is cold and the air is blowing cold. Reload freezer with food, take care not to overload or cover fan intake. Monitor for 2 days.

* Cleaning (Official); https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AooBAPlk-Ts
* French door drawer; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZYLIRN_pk0
* Removing trays; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxTliAhbr14
* Cleaning the back with a vacuum cleaner; https://www.hunker.com/13419629/how-to-clean-samsung-refrigerator-coils
* Freezer not blowing air or not cold? Bad fan, thermostat, pump. Call for service.
Aloha, ukeboy57

First, I'm not a Samsung representative.
* Check your warranty. Call for support;
* Contact;https://www.samsung.com/us/support/home-appliances/refrigerators

*** The following is for information only.***
* The symptom of melted ice and water dripping from tray is usually caused by several things;
* Most common is ice build up in freezer coils. This happens every time the door is opened. Ice builds up on coils but is normally removed during a daily defrost cycle.
* The cycle may be unable to defrost all ice due to bad air circulation. Usually caused by rubbish blocking fan intake (bottom of freezer tray or wall.) Overloading food may cover the intake.
* Remove all food from freezer. Check for fan blockage. There should be a steady flow of cold air. If not then your freezer needs to be defrosted.
* Defrost by moving all frozen food to fridge side or cooler. Unplug fridge and open freezer door (drawer). Allow room air to circulate into the freezer. Use a house fan to blow air into freezer. (DO NOT use Hair dryer! It will damage panels.)
* Check and remove melted ice water. Check inner panels of freezer. Once defrosted the panels will be room temperature to the touch. There should not be any condensation or coldness to the panel. If it's still cold then keep defrosting.
* Once the water stops dripping. then close freezer doors.
* plug in freezer and wait 5 mins. Check freezer if inside is cold and the air is blowing cold. Reload freezer with food, take care not to overload or cover fan intake. Monitor for 2 days.

* Cleaning (Official); https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AooBAPlk-Ts
* French door drawer; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZYLIRN_pk0
* Removing trays; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxTliAhbr14
* Cleaning the back with a vacuum cleaner; https://www.hunker.com/13419629/how-to-clean-samsung-refrigerator-coils

* Freezer not blowing air or not cold? Bad fan, thermostat, pump. Call for service.
Aloha, ukeboy57

Try rearranging all items inside fridge and freezer so that air may circulate around all items easily and then check seals on doors and ensure doors are closed completely and not leaking cold air. Also do a complete thaw/ defrost. You can remove the plastic coverings and ensure all ice is defrosted. Using a hair dryer will speed up thawing/defrosting process.

Hello Nicole,

Their are a few things that couldbe causing your refrig.troubles.

1) their is ice build up in the return air vents that is not allowing air to flow correctly
you can see the air vents under the crispers in the ref.floor and can see if they
blocked with ice.

2) the freezer fan is bad and not circulating cold air into and out of the ref.

3) In addation to the defrost timer,perhaps the deforst heater and defrost thermostat are bad and frost is building up in the freezer,Do ya see frost
build up in the freezer??


GENE

Yrur model number is missing the last three digits.... I will use FRT21H8CB1 as the example model number.
You need to do a total manual defrost with a catch basin and comprtment drain cleaning.
- Unplug the unit
- Remove fgreezer contents
- Direct an exteranl fan into the freezer compartment for just over 2 hours to ensure the compartment drain tube has defrosted.
- During the defrost period... open the fiberboard panel on the lower back of the refrigerator and clean out everything, Condensor coils, catch / drip pan (Called pan-defrost for parts), and the END of the compartment drain tube.
Model reference:
http://www.appliancepartspros.com/partsearch/model.aspx?model_id=5158190&diagram_id=1311449#d1311449

Defrost pan Item 26 of above link needs to be cleaned.
Coils Item 1 need to be cleaned
Fan blade Item 61 needs to be cleaned.

The evaporator trough, drain item 17 also should be clear. Here is what you can do without tearing everything in the back of the freezer apart. Once your sure the comprtment drain tube (no item number / bulk hose) is clean on the end. Use the exhaust of a Vacuum cleaner and the hose to force air UP through the drain hose and float out any debris from the trough drain. Have a 2nd person listen for air flow into the freezer compartment if possible. The biggest problems with freezer compartment drains is the END of the hose at the defrost pan underneath the unit clogs up and then the compartment drain hose just loads up with scum. Then the freezer stops draining and you have the symtom your describing.

After the manual defrost and cleaning return the unit to normal service.

Having said all of that... if the refrigerator then freezer starts warming up in 3 - 4 days... you may have an automatic defrost problem causing the icing. I.e it is not defrosting so the evaporator eventually ices over and forms an ice block in the back and bottom of the freezer compartment. Usually if there is an ice block that forms you wil hear the evaporator fan striking the ice build up.
If this is happening... for sure there is an automatic defrosting problem and your stuck doing a manual defrost ever 3 - 4 days until repairs are complete.

One more note.. if there is NOT any compartment drain tubing visible... your unit may port evaporator tray water down the back of the fresh food compartment to the defrost pan under the unit... just clean everything that serves as a drain function best you can during the manual defrost and cleaning process.

Thanks for choosing FixYa,
Kelly

Hi!!

You may have the temp. set TOO HIGH for the freezer, set it in #2, leave the fridge setting in the mid range for now. Check after 24hrs. and adjust as necessary.

Good Luck!!

you did just fine defrosting it but, when you put everything back in don't overpack it, leave room for the air to circulate. the heat from the bottom unit will cause enough condensation to leak down the air vent and the it will refreeze blocking your vent again

could be low on freon or insuffencient compressor...