You bought a frost-free refrigerator so you'd never have to defrost it manually. Now there's ice forming in the lettuce drawer. The back wall of the freezer has a thick layer of frost. Something is wrong.

The Three Components of a Frost-Free System

• Defrost heater: Melts frost off evaporator coils every 6-12 hours.
• Defrost thermostat (bimetal): Tells the heater when to stop (around 10°C).
• Defrost timer or control board: Initiates the defrost cycle.

How to Identify Which Component Failed

• Coils completely covered in solid ice: Defrost heater never turns on.
• Coils have ice only at the top: Thermostat cuts off too early.
• No ice but fridge too warm: Timer stuck in defrost mode.

Repair Costs by Component

• Defrost heater: KSh 1,500-2,500
• Defrost thermostat: KSh 800-1,500
• Defrost timer: KSh 2,000-3,500
• Control board: KSh 4,000-8,000

Labor: KSh 1,500-2,500. Total: KSh 2,300-10,500 depending on the failed part.

"My frost-free Samsung fridge had ice everywhere. Repair Ready found a failed defrost heater, replaced it for KSh 3,500 total. No more ice for 8 months and counting." — Elizabeth, Lavington

📞 Call 0707 790 099 if your frost-free fridge is growing ice. Mention 'defrost system' for faster diagnosis.