Refrigerator warm and not getting below 50°

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Brand: Kenmore
Model Number:596.79877990
Main Symptom: Fridge is warm
What happens & when:

Error Code (if any):
Parts or tests already tried:
Photos / video link:

Fridge and freezer are both above their regular temperatures. There is fluffy ice buildup on the back panel of the freezer. I have taken the kick plate off and cleaned the coils there with a vacuum. Also took the grate off the back of the fridge and cleaned all the dust and buildup off the grate and put it back on the fridge.

My suspicion would be in the evaporator and fan assembly. You mentioned a layer of frost or ice on the cover plate at the rear of the freezer. If you remove that cover you will find the evaporator and fan assembly. Can you do that and tell me what you find

I can’t seem to get the back panel off, there is an ice maker blocking it from coming off with a hose attached to it that won’t detach from the inside of the freezer. I have since plugged the fridge back in after doing more cleaning and more dust removal. Seems to be cooling properly again about 34° in the fridge now. I have also located what I believe is the switch for manually triggering the defrost behind the kick plate. Will keep this updated just in case.

ok just let me know if you have any further issues

So after a manual defrost of being unplugged for 24 hours and hooked back up, in 4 days it frosted over the vents again in the back of the freezer. I also did manage to get the ice maker out. Advance the defrost timer to start a defrost cycle with a flathead screw driver, turned til it made the loud click and shut the fans and compressor off. Waited 5 to 10 mins and didn’t hear any sizzling or popping to suggest the heater was on. Any advice on what part of the defrost system to replace first?

I would start by removing the back panel to access the defrost element ( Whirlpool WP12219401 Refrigerator Evaporator Defrost Heater | Genuine OEM Part ) unplug both wire going into it and check it for continuity. If it shows an open circuit it needs to be replaced. If its good, measure for voltage coming into it when you manual activate the defrost cycle. You should see around 110v AC. If you do not suspect either the defrost thermostat ( Whirlpool WP10442411 Refrigerator Defrost Thermostat | Genuine OEM Part ) or defrost timer ( Whirlpool R0131577 Refrigerator Defrost Timer | Genuine OEM Part )