Refrigerator: Forming Ice or Not Cooling Properly – What to Do?

Ice build-up on the back wall and declining cooling performance usually have one of several easily checkable causes – work through them in order before assuming an expensive fault. 1) Door seal: close the door on a sheet of paper and try to pull it out – if it slides out easily, the rubber seal is leaking (clean it, or replace it if necessary). 2) Air circulation: don't stack food directly in front of the ventilation slots on the inner back wall – blocked slots are a common, often overlooked cause of uneven cooling and ice formation. 3) Placement: don't position the appliance directly next to a stove or radiator, and leave a few centimeters of clearance from the wall to allow heat to dissipate. 4) In the case of heavy ice build-up, defrost the appliance completely (unplug it and leave the door open) and check whether a blocked defrost drain or a faulty automatic defrost system (No-Frost) is causing the ice to return. If the appliance still fails to cool with a properly sealing door, unobstructed airflow, and correct placement, the compressor or refrigerant may be faulty – in that case, please contact a qualified technician.