The freezer portion of the refrigerator accumulates an ice and frost build up in front of the ice maker and on the compartments on the inside of the door. We have tried removing the ice container and turning off the ice maker but to no avail. It's so bad that when we open the freezer door, it sticks and frost and ice pieces fall onto the floor. Thank you.

here are lots of things that can cause cooling problems. One of the most common causes of poor cooling in a frost free refrigerator is a defrost system failure. In such a case one or the other compartment may appear to be keeping proper temperature but that too may change in a short period of time. The fridge compartment's temperature rise is usually (but not always) the first to be noticed. Frost" and "Ice"
There is a difference between "frost" (a white, snow-like substance) and "ice" (usually clear and solid). When referring to what is seen during an inspection, please keep this distinction in mind as the possible causes for each are often very different. The Defrost System
Inspecting the (usually rear) wall of the freezer compartment for a frost build up is necessary. (In the case of many GE top freezer models, check the freezer's bottom panel.) If there is a frost coating on it, it is often a sign of excessive frosting beneath it. Sometimes however the evaporator cover panel will actually need to be removed (see the illustration below) before an excessive frost build will visible.
The refrigeration system's evaporator (cooling) coil is usually in the freezer compartment. This evaporator will periodically frost over and have to be defrosted by means of a heating system. When the defrost heating system fails, the frost can accumulate to such a degree that airflow throughout the appliance is hampered. There may be just enough air circulation to cool the freezer section but that will eventually stop too.

Hi Nancy,

I bet you've got all kinds of frost / ice behind the plastic cover that protects (and shields from view) the cooling coil in the freezer compartment.

You probably have one or more: defrost timer, defrost terminator or defrost heating element that has failed. Call for service - or empty the fridge and unplug with door open for a day - ice will melt and when you plug in again it will work just fine. Until frost builds up again that is.

Good luck!

Is it forming ice or frost? It sounds like an automatic defrost problem. If the freezer frosts up it won't circulate enough air up to the fresh food compartment. Try defrosting it manually for 24 hours by shutting it down and leaving the freezer door open. Afterwards, if it resumes normal operation I would bet that there is something faulty in the defrost circuit, i.e., defrost heater not working or defrost control.

1. Remove all of the food from inside the freezer and place it into the ice chest. Use more than one ice chest, if necessary. Cover the food with ice from a 10 lb. bag of ice. Alternatively, place all of the food from your freezer into the refrigerator compartment, packed tightly together.
2. Place one or two 10 lb. bags of ice into one or two large bowls inside the refrigerator compartment to keep the food chilled. Keep the door to the refrigerator tightly closed and avoid opening it during the freezer defrosting process.
3. Unplug the unit and leave the freezer door open.
4. Let the freezer defrost overnight or for at least eight hours.
5. Use the towels to wipe up the melted ice.
6. Plug in a hair dryer and direct it to the interior of the freezer to melt any remaining ice from the walls and door. Be sure to direct it into the vents of the freezer, too.
7. Wipe up any water from ice melted with the hair dryer from inside and around the freezer.
8. Plug the freezer back into the outlet, and return food still solidly frozen to the freezer compartment from the ice chest or refrigerator. Use any thawed foods within a day or two or discard.

Poor cooling is often the result of a heavy frost build-up on the evaporator coils. You can't see these coils without removing a panel on the inside of your freezer. A sure sign that there is a build-up is the presence of any frost or ice build-up on the inside walls, floor, or ceiling of the freezer. Such a frost build-up usually indicates a problem in the self-defrosting system or damaged door gaskets. The refrigerator is supposed to self-defrost approximately four times in every 24 hour period. If one of the components in the self-defrosting system fails, the refrigerator continues to try to cool. Eventually, though, so much frost builds up on the evaporator coils that the circulating fan can't draw air over the coils. There may still be a small amount of cooling because the coils are icy, but with no air flow over the coils, cooling in the refrigerator compartment is quite limited. Here's an inexpensive, though inconvenient, way to determine if the problem is with the self-defrosting system. Remove all of the perishable food from the refrigerator and freezer, turn the thermostat in the refrigerator to Off, and leave the doors open for 24 to 48 hours. (Be sure to have several towels ready in case the melting frost and ice causes the drip pan to overflow). This allows the refrigerator to defrost "manually." When the frost and ice build-up has completely melted away, turn the thermostat back to a normal setting. If the refrigerator then cools properly, it indicates a problem with one of three components in the self-defrosting system: The defrost timer The defrost thermostat (also called the bi-metal switch) The defrost heater If it still does not cool properly, there may be a problem with the refrigerant level or the compressor. You may need to consult with a qualified appliance repair technician to further diagnose the problem

Evaporator coils
Poor cooling is often the result of a heavy frost build-up on the evaporator coils. You can't see these coils without removing a panel on the inside of your freezer. A sure sign that there is a build-up is the presence of any frost or ice build-up on the inside walls, floor, or ceiling of the freezer. Such a frost build-up usually indicates a problem in the self-defrosting system or damaged door gaskets.

The refrigerator is supposed to self-defrost approximately four times in every 24 hour period. If one of the components in the self-defrosting system fails, the refrigerator continues to try to cool. Eventually, though, so much frost builds up on the evaporator coils that the circulating fan can't draw air over the coils. There may still be a small amount of cooling because the coils are icy, but with no air flow over the coils, cooling in the refrigerator compartment is quite limited.

Here's an inexpensive, though inconvenient, way to determine if the problem is with the self-defrosting system. Remove all of the perishable food from the refrigerator and freezer, turn the thermostat in the refrigerator to Off, and leave the doors open for 24 to 48 hours. (Be sure to have several towels ready in case the melting frost and ice causes the drip pan to overflow). This allows the refrigerator to defrost "manually." When the frost and ice build-up has completely melted away, turn the thermostat back to a normal setting.
If it still exists then there may be a problem with the refrigerant level or the compressor. You may need to consult with a qualified appliance repair technician to further diagnose the problem

too defrost just open the doors for a day with the unit unplugged. as far as why it is frosting up check door seals make sure they are all good and seal it up well and that should take care of it.

Almost certainly, you have a leak within the freezer compartment.

The cooling system will use a divertor valve to concentrate coolant to the fridge or freezer compartment - whichever is necessary to maintain selected temperatures.

If a seal within either compartment is compromised and leaks then the coolant will be excessively diverted to that area in an attempt to lower it's temperature - the other section will suffer since more coolant is diverted to the weaker area; the weaker area that is being excessively cooled will also have more moist air circulating, hence moisture will contribute to a build up of ice - exacerbating the problem.

Ensure that both fridge and freezer doors are closing properly, if they appear to be secure then also check that the seals are airtight - there should be no ice accumulating around them.

You might need to re-align the doors, or less likely, replace the door seals.

Please reply if you require further clarification or help.

Replace the defrost clock.

check your water solenoid it may be cloged or burnt out causing not to fill when filling cycle asks for water tanks from gilles