- 1). Unplug the freezer, and remove all items from the affected compartment. Throw out any food that is soiled or freezer-burned, and transfer viable frozen goods to a cooler. Top with ice to keep cool.
- 2). Chip away large pieces of ice with a flat-head screwdriver. Hold the screwdriver at a 45-degree angle to the freezer and tap the handle of the screwdriver with the palm of your hand. Pull loosened ice out with your hands, and place in the sink.
- 3). Fill a large sauce pan with water, and bring to a boil on the stove. Move the boiling pan from the burner to the freezer, and close the freezer door. Leave the door closed for 10 minutes, then check to see if all the ice in the freezer is melted. If not, put the water on to boil again, repeating until the freezer is completely thawed.
- 4). Locate the drain pipe in one of the back corners of the freezer, and check the pipe for clogs. If food or debris is blocking the pipe, pull the blockage out with your fingers. Pour 1 cup of boiling water down the drain if it's blocked by ice.
- 5). Bend the first inch of a piece of copper wire over your finger to form a hook, and slide the long end of the wire into the drain. Loop the hook over the small black defrost heater near the drain. Copper is highly conductive and will heat the inside of the tube to prevent further freezing.
- 6). Pull the drain pan from the bottom of the freezer, and pour any pooled liquid down the drain. Wash the drain pan with soap and water, dry with a towel and reinstall. Plug the freezer back in and allow to come to the proper temperature before transferring food from the cooler back to the freezer.
Source...