--- title: "Frost or Ice on the Back Wall of a Wine Cooler: Causes and Fixes" description: "Wine cooler ice buildup starts as a white bloom on the plate at the back of the cabinet and grows into a sheet of ice that reaches the rear bottles, blocks the…" url: "https://winecoolerrepair.center/problems/frost-or-ice-on-the-back-wall/" --- # Frost or Ice on the Back Wall of a Wine Cooler Wine cooler ice buildup starts as a white bloom on the plate at the back of the cabinet and grows into a sheet of ice that reaches the rear bottles, blocks the drain channel and melts into puddles under the bottom rack. ## What it usually means. Many compressor wine coolers cool through a plate or coil on the back wall of the cabinet rather than a coil hidden behind a panel. A thin frost that forms while the compressor runs and melts away during the rest between cycles is simply how these units work. Thick ice that never clears means the plate is taking in more moisture than it can shed, or never rests long enough to melt it. Humid room air leaking past the door gasket is the usual source. A sensor that keeps the compressor running, a drain channel so blocked that water refreezes at its foot, or a setting far below 55°F can all add to it. Ice pressed against the rear bottles chills them unevenly and soaks their labels as it melts. The 5 causes, cheapest first Answer these first 01 Is it a light frost that comes and goes, or a solid sheet that stays for days? 02 Is the ice heavier at the bottom near the drain, or spread across the whole plate? 03 Does the door close firmly, and is the gasket torn or flattened anywhere? 04 Is the setting low, such as 45°F or below? 05 Is there water on the cabinet floor or under the front of the unit? ## Check these before you book. Wine cooler ice buildup: 5 checks, and none of them costs anything. 01 Switch the cooler off, move the bottles to a cool dark place, and let the ice melt on its own with the door open and towels on the cabinet floor; never chip at it. 02 While it thaws, clear the drain hole at the foot of the back wall. 03 Check the gasket for tears and test it with a strip of paper at the corners. ### Also worth checking - Put the bottles back once the cabinet is cold again, confirmed with a thermometer in a glass of water. - Tell us how soon the ice came back, if it does, and the model number. ### How soon does it need a visit? Ice on the back wall is not urgent unless it has choked the cooling and the cabinet is warming, or melt water is reaching the floor near an outlet. ## The causes, cheapest first. 5 things frost or ice on the back wall of a wine cooler turns out to be, from door left open on humid days to fan not moving air across the plate. [The cost guide](https://winecoolerrepair.center/cost/) 1. 01 no repair ### Door left open on humid days Browsing the racks with the door wide open in a humid kitchen lets in more moisture than the plate can shed. Keep openings brief. No repair: check it yourself 2. 02 low ### Gasket letting humid air in Room air carries moisture; a door that does not seal feeds the plate a steady supply, and the frost never gets the chance to clear. [Fixed by wine cooler glass door and gasket repair](https://winecoolerrepair.center/services/glass-door-and-gasket-repair/) 3. 03 low ### Drain channel blocked and refreezing When melt water cannot leave, it pools at the foot of the plate and freezes there on the next cycle, building ice from the bottom up. [Fixed by wine cooler drain and condensation repair](https://winecoolerrepair.center/services/wine-cooler-drain-and-condensation-repair/) 4. 04 low to moderate ### Sensor keeping the compressor on Without rests, the plate never warms above freezing, and each cycle lays down another layer. [Fixed by wine cooler thermostat and sensor repair](https://winecoolerrepair.center/services/wine-cooler-thermostat-and-sensor-repair/) 5. 05 low to moderate ### Fan not moving air across the plate On units with a fan at the cold plate, a stopped fan lets the plate over-cool and frost heavily while the upper racks warm. [Fixed by wine cooler fan repair](https://winecoolerrepair.center/services/wine-cooler-fan-repair/) [On a wine column](https://winecoolerrepair.center/types/wine-column-repair/) 6. What it costs ### Every repair on the site's cost scale, side by side Open the cost guide ## What else it could be. Most often confused with wine cooler leaking water on the floor, then wine cooler door not sealing. [All problems](https://winecoolerrepair.center/problems/) Codes that come with it - [`T3` ASKO · Temperature sensors](https://winecoolerrepair.center/error-codes/asko-t3/) - [`F13` Fisher & Paykel · Power](https://winecoolerrepair.center/error-codes/fisher-and-paykel-f13/) - [`Ed` Marvel · Temperature sensors](https://winecoolerrepair.center/error-codes/marvel-ed/) - [`DO2` Perlick · Door and seal](https://winecoolerrepair.center/error-codes/perlick-do2/) - [`PEF` Perlick · Temperature sensors](https://winecoolerrepair.center/error-codes/perlick-pef/) - [`FEF` Perlick · Fans and airflow](https://winecoolerrepair.center/error-codes/perlick-fef/) [6 more codes, by make](https://winecoolerrepair.center/error-codes/) Also related - [**Wine Cooler Running Constantly** 6 causes](https://winecoolerrepair.center/problems/wine-cooler-running-constantly/) Wine at risk now ### Wine Cooler Leaking Water on the Floor 5 causes ### Wine Cooler Door Not Sealing 5 causes ### Wine Cooler Too Cold for the Wine 5 causes ## The makes it happens on. 25 makes on this site; frost or ice on the back wall of a wine cooler can show up on any of them. Each mark opens that make's own page. [All 25 brands](https://winecoolerrepair.center/brands/) ## Frost or Ice on the Back Wall of a Wine Cooler, where we come out. 9 metros, each with its own page. [All service areas](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/) [Tampa Bay](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/) FL · 31 areas - [Hyde Park](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/hyde-park/) - [Davis Islands](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/davis-islands/) - [Palma Ceia](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/palma-ceia/) - [Westchase](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/westchase/) - [Carrollwood](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/carrollwood/) - [Belleair](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/belleair/) - [St. Pete Beach](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/st-pete-beach/) - [Palm Harbor](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/palm-harbor/) [Orlando](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/orlando/) FL · 30 areas - [Winter Park](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/orlando/winter-park/) - [Windermere](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/orlando/windermere/) - [Dr. Phillips](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/orlando/dr-phillips/) - [Bay Hill](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/orlando/bay-hill/) - [Lake Nona](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/orlando/lake-nona/) - [Heathrow](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/orlando/heathrow/) - [Celebration](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/orlando/celebration/) [Miami / South Florida](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/south-florida/) FL · 47 areas - [Brickell](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/south-florida/brickell/) - [Coconut Grove](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/south-florida/coconut-grove/) - [Coral Gables](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/south-florida/coral-gables/) - [Pinecrest](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/south-florida/pinecrest/) - [Key Biscayne](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/south-florida/key-biscayne/) - [Aventura](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/south-florida/aventura/) - [Sunny Isles Beach](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/south-florida/sunny-isles-beach/) - [Bal Harbour](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/south-florida/bal-harbour/) - [Miami Beach](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/south-florida/miami-beach/) - [Golden Beach](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/south-florida/golden-beach/) - [Weston](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/south-florida/weston/) - [Boca Raton](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/south-florida/boca-raton/) - [Palm Beach](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/south-florida/palm-beach/) [New York Metro](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/new-york/) NY · 75 areas - [Upper East Side](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/new-york/upper-east-side/) - [Upper West Side](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/new-york/upper-west-side/) - [Tribeca](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/new-york/tribeca/) - [SoHo](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/new-york/soho/) - [Greenwich Village](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/new-york/greenwich-village/) - [Battery Park City](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/new-york/battery-park-city/) - [Brooklyn Heights](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/new-york/brooklyn-heights/) - [Park Slope](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/new-york/park-slope/) - [DUMBO](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/new-york/dumbo/) - [Forest Hills](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/new-york/forest-hills/) - [Great Neck](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/new-york/great-neck/) - [Southampton](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/new-york/southampton/) - [Scarsdale](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/new-york/scarsdale/) [Houston](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/houston/) TX · 36 areas - [River Oaks](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/houston/river-oaks/) - [Memorial](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/houston/memorial/) - [Tanglewood](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/houston/tanglewood/) - [Greater Heights](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/houston/greater-heights/) - [Kingwood](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/houston/kingwood/) - [Bellaire](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/houston/bellaire/) - [Bunker Hill Village](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/houston/bunker-hill-village/) - [Piney Point Village](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/houston/piney-point-village/) - [Hunters Creek Village](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/houston/hunters-creek-village/) - [Sugar Land](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/houston/sugar-land/) - [Cinco Ranch](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/houston/cinco-ranch/) - [The Woodlands](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/houston/the-woodlands/) - [West University](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/houston/west-university/) [Chicago](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/) IL · 50 areas - [Lincoln Park](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/lincoln-park/) - [Near North Side](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/near-north-side/) - [West Loop / Near West Side](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/west-loop-near-west-side/) - [Wilmette](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/wilmette/) - [Winnetka](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/winnetka/) - [Glencoe](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/glencoe/) - [River Forest](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/river-forest/) - [Oak Park](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/oak-park/) - [Hinsdale](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/hinsdale/) - [Lake Forest](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/lake-forest/) - [Highland Park](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/highland-park/) - [Gold Coast](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/gold-coast/) - [Lakeview](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/lakeview/) [Los Angeles](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/) CA · 95 areas - [Beverly Hills](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/beverly-hills/) - [Bel Air](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/bel-air/) - [Holmby Hills](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/holmby-hills/) - [Brentwood](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/brentwood/) - [Pacific Palisades](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/pacific-palisades/) - [Santa Monica](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/santa-monica/) - [Hancock Park](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/hancock-park/) - [Studio City](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/studio-city/) - [Calabasas](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/calabasas/) - [Manhattan Beach](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/manhattan-beach/) - [Palos Verdes Estates](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/palos-verdes-estates/) - [Pasadena](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/pasadena/) - [San Marino](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/san-marino/) - [Malibu](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/malibu/) [San Diego](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/san-diego/) CA · 31 areas - [La Jolla](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/san-diego/la-jolla/) - [Carmel Valley](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/san-diego/carmel-valley/) - [Point Loma](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/san-diego/point-loma/) - [Del Mar](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/san-diego/del-mar/) - [Rancho Santa Fe](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/san-diego/rancho-santa-fe/) - [Coronado](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/san-diego/coronado/) - [Encinitas](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/san-diego/encinitas/) - [Solana Beach](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/san-diego/solana-beach/) [San Francisco Bay Area](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/bay-area/) CA · 74 areas - [Pacific Heights](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/bay-area/pacific-heights/) - [Presidio Heights](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/bay-area/presidio-heights/) - [Russian Hill](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/bay-area/russian-hill/) - [Noe Valley](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/bay-area/noe-valley/) - [Sea Cliff](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/bay-area/sea-cliff/) - [Hillsborough](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/bay-area/hillsborough/) - [Atherton](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/bay-area/atherton/) - [Woodside](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/bay-area/woodside/) - [Palo Alto](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/bay-area/palo-alto/) - [Los Altos Hills](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/bay-area/los-altos-hills/) - [Tiburon](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/bay-area/tiburon/) - [Piedmont](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/bay-area/piedmont/) - [Marina](https://winecoolerrepair.center/locations/bay-area/marina/) For the heart of your home. ## Questions about frost or ice on the back wall of a wine cooler. ### Is a little frost on the back wall normal? On many compressor wine coolers, yes. A thin frost that melts during each rest is how the cold plate works; a sheet that never clears is not. ### Can I scrape the ice off with a knife? Please do not. The cold plate carries the refrigerant, and one puncture turns a defrost into a sealed-system repair. Let the ice melt with the power off. ### Why does the ice return a week after I defrost the cabinet? Because its source is still there. A gasket letting air in, a drain that refreezes or a sensor that never lets the compressor rest will build the same ice again. ### Does ice on the plate harm the bottles touching it? It chills them below the rest of the cabinet and wets their labels as it melts. Leave a small gap between the rear bottles and the back wall. --- **[Read on the site: Frost or Ice on the Back Wall of a Wine Cooler: Causes and Fixes](https://winecoolerrepair.center/problems/frost-or-ice-on-the-back-wall/)** **[Book a visit with WineCoolerRepair.center](https://winecoolerrepair.center/schedule/)**