Brand:HAIER
Model Number:HRQ16N3BGS
Main Symptom:ice build up and condensation
What happens & when:condensation in fridge and ice build up where bottom draws go
Error Code (if any):
Parts or tests already tried:
Photos / video link:
Hello everyone, i have a Haier model HRQ16N3BGS and the fridge has condensation (beads of water here and there)
The freezer keeps accumulating ice where the bottom draws go, which i have to keep out and can’t use. Any help or advice would be great ! Thanks
Is the ice buildup occurring on the bottom of the freezer compartment underneath the drawers?
If so, I would suspect that the defrost drain is clogged with either ice or debris. When the drain becomes blocked, water from the defrost cycle cannot drain properly and will collect and freeze at the bottom of the freezer.
To access and clear the drain:
Unplug the refrigerator or disconnect power.
Remove the freezer drawers and baskets to gain access to the rear freezer panel.
Remove the screws securing the rear evaporator cover and carefully remove the panel.
Locate the defrost drain opening beneath the evaporator coil.
If the drain is frozen over, use hot water and a turkey baster, squeeze bottle, or syringe to melt the ice. A hair dryer can also be used carefully to thaw the area, taking care not to damage any plastic components.
Once the ice is cleared, flush the drain with hot water several times to ensure it flows freely to the drain pan underneath the refrigerator.
If the water does not flow freely, use a flexible plastic tubing, zip tie, or pipe cleaner to gently clear any debris from the drain. Do not use anything sharp that could damage the drain tube.
After confirming the drain is clear, reinstall the evaporator cover, baskets, and drawers.
Restore power and monitor the unit over the next few days to verify that the ice buildup does not return.
If the drain continues to freeze repeatedly after being cleared, the drain heater or drain strap may need to be inspected and replaced if necessary.
Thank you so much for the useful information. Yes,there is ice build up in the bottom of the freezer. I defrosted the whole unit because I had to set the draws free. Cleaned everything up plugged it in and the ice did come back in a couple of days.
I’ll will definitely try the steps you’ve mentioned and let you know how i make out.
Thank you
Hi Jeffrey, I wanted to update you on how I made out with my situation with the ice build up on my haier. Yesterday I followed all of the steps you provided me, and it went pretty smooth. I sucked everything up with a shop vac and took a flexible pipe brush and cleared out the whole drain. After that I didn’t put everything back in case it happened again. Unfortunately when I woke up to check everything, there’s a little condensation in the fridge and some ice on the bottom of the freezer. I guess I will have to take some additional steps you’ve mentioned about the drain strap, etc.
Here are some pictures. thank you
Judging by your pictures, I don’t think the drain is the problem. If that last picture was taken after only 24 hours of operation, then the most likely causes are one of these two issues:
A failed defrost component – either the defrost heater (element) or the defrost thermostat isn’t allowing the evaporator to defrost properly, causing frost to build up and restrict airflow.
A sealed system issue – if the frost pattern is only covering part of the evaporator, the refrigerator may be low on refrigerant or have another sealed system problem
Hi Jeffrey, sorry I didn’t get back sooner. Its been crazy at work.
Update: after a couple of days I noticed the condensation in the refrigerator started to dissappear. So, I also removed the thin layers of ice on the bottom of the freezer, and as of now, there isn’t any condensation or ice build up. This is leading me to believe that that the remaining ice,water etc were all residual, from after I did the initial steps of clearing out the drain that you provided me. Everything seems to be fine, and i will be putting the middle panel and draws back today.
Does this sound correct to you ? Thanks !
Yes I think together we solved it
I believe we did. Thank you Jeffrey !
Hi Jeffrey. Unfortunately about a couple of weeks ago, the same situation occurred and the ice is building up on the bottom of the freezer, and there is condensation in the refrigerator. You’ve mentioned something about a drain strap or drain heater. Do you think I should start there ? Or what would you recommend. Thanks
Unfortunately after further review your model has neither a drain strap or drain heater. Are you certain the drain was completely cleaned out?
Oh boy, I took a pipe clear and sent it through the front until I saw it come through the bottom of the drain. I believe I sent it through twice.
And you’re still getting ice forming on bottom of freezer?
Yes especially in the left door. The bin is iced shut
The only other thing I can think of is a leaking door gasket or door not sealing
What you recommend for that ? A good cleaning ? I’ll try anything lol thanks
Yes and you can do what’s called the paper test. Take a strip of paper a couple of inches wide, close it in the door between the gasket and frame, then pull; it out. Do this all around the door. Anywhere it pulls out with little resistance is not sealing properly
Ok thanks ill try it
