Refrigerator Freezing Up or Not Cooling? Defrost Heater 5304522340 – Fix Frost Buildup Fast

If your Frigidaire or Electrolux refrigerator has excessive frost buildup on the evaporator coils, poor cooling, or a freezer that ices over completely, the defrost heater is the most likely cause. In most Frigidaire-built side-by-side and French door refrigerators, the defrost heater cycles on periodically to melt frost off the evaporator — when it burns out or fails open-circuit, frost accumulates unchecked, airflow through the evaporator is blocked, and the refrigerator loses its ability to cool. ⚡ Common failure point in Frigidaire, Electrolux, and Kenmore-built refrigerators. Part 5304522340 is the genuine OEM replacement that restores the automatic defrost cycle and full cooling performance with a direct-fit installation requiring no modification.

❓ Is This the Right Part?

This is the correct fix if ALL of the following are true:

• ✔ Your refrigerator powers on and the compressor runs normally
• ✔ The evaporator fan motor runs — you can hear airflow in the freezer
• ✔ The defrost thermostat and defrost timer/control board have been confirmed OK
• ✔ Frost is visibly built up on the evaporator coil behind the freezer back panel
• ✔ ONLY problem is frost accumulation blocking airflow and reducing cooling

Not sure? Send us your model number — we’ll confirm before you order.

🔧 Common Symptoms

• Refrigerator not cooling but freezer works — most common customer search
• Thick frost or ice buildup on the back wall of the freezer compartment
• Warm refrigerator section with normal-running compressor
• Evaporator fan running but little or no cold air reaching the fridge
• Refrigerator cools normally after manually defrosting, then fails again within days
• Loud humming or reduced airflow noise from the freezer evaporator area

✔ If these symptoms match, this is the most likely failed component in the system.

✔ In most cases, replacing this defrost heater restores normal cooling immediately after the first defrost cycle completes.

📦 Part Details

• Part Number: 5304522340
• Type: Refrigerator evaporator defrost heater assembly — glass tube resistance heater with end caps and wire leads
• Replaces: OEM direct-fit defrost heater — supersedes AP6278033, PS12364199, 5304476988, 5303918301 (no modification required)
• Brands: Frigidaire, Electrolux, Kenmore

⚙️ Installation

Skill Level: MODERATE — 30–45 minutes. Unplug the refrigerator before beginning. Remove all freezer contents and shelving, then unscrew and remove the rear evaporator panel to expose the coil. Manually defrost any remaining ice with a hair dryer (do not use sharp tools), disconnect the heater wire leads, and remove the old heater from its mounting clips. Seat the new heater, reconnect the leads, and reinstall the panel and shelving. Ensure the heater wire leads are routed clear of the evaporator fan blades before closing the panel.

💡 Pro Tip

See model hub pages for full fitment and parts diagrams: FGHS2631PF, FGHS2631PP, FGHS2655PF, FGHS2655PP, FFHS2611LB, FFHS2611LW, FFHS2611LS, FFHS2622MB, FFHS2622MS, FFHS2622MW.