Frigidaire Model FRSS2623AS snow flakes on shelf and side walls - AskHow

Hi, I’m Mike, a home appliance troubleshooting tech—thanks for the model number.

When you open the freezer door, do you notice any frost or ice buildup around the door gasket (rubber seal) or along the edges of the door frame?

Got it—have you noticed if the freezer door ever seems not to close fully on its own, or if anything inside (like food packages or shelves) might be pushing against the door?

When you press gently on different sections of the door gasket (especially near the top and hinge side) with the door closed, does it feel like it’s making a solid, even seal all the way around or are there spots that feel loose or not touching well?

Have you ever warmed or replaced this gasket before, or has the door or hinge ever been damaged, bent, or heavily leaned on?

What you’re describing points mostly to a door sealing/door use issue, not a cooling problem.

Here’s what’s likely going on with your Frigidaire FRSS2623AS:

1. Warm, humid air is getting into the freezer repeatedly

   • The “snowflakes” on shelves and side walls are just frozen moisture from room air.
   • Every time the door is open a long time, doesn’t close fully, or is cracked open slightly, that humid air rushes in, then freezes on the coldest surfaces (walls, shelves, food).

2. Weak seal at the top hinge side of the gasket

   • You felt a loose spot in the top hinge-side corner—this is a classic area where:
     • The gasket can get slightly warped or stiff over time.
     • The door can get pulled down or twisted a bit from weight on the open door (kids leaning, heavy items in the door bins).
   • A small gap here allows a continuous slow air leak, which creates:
     • Heavy frost/snow on the walls and shelves.
     • Extra frost around the gasket and frame (which you’ve already seen).

3. Door sometimes stays ajar or is pushed out by food packages

   • You’ve noticed the door not always closing fully and some packages sticking out:
     • If items on the top shelf or in the door bins project even a little, they can prevent full closure or push the door back open after you walk away.
   • That small, unnoticed gap can let in plenty of moist air over hours, building up the snow you’re seeing even though it “freezes fine.”

4. Cooling system itself is probably OK

   • You said the freezer is “freezing ok,” which strongly suggests:
     • The compressor, fans, and refrigerant system are doing their job.
   • If there were a serious defrost system failure, you would usually see:
     • A thick, solid ice mass on the rear panel.
     • Airflow problems and eventually poor cooling, not just light, fluffy “snow” all over.

5. Kids leaning on the door is a contributor

   • Leaning or sitting on an open freezer door can:
     • Very slightly bend the door or hinge over time.
     • Make the top corner (especially hinge side) pull away just enough to weaken the seal.
   • This fits perfectly with where you felt the loose gasket and the snow buildup pattern.

So, putting it together, the most likely primary cause of all that snow is:

• A less-than-perfect seal at the top hinge-side area of the door gasket,
• Combined with the door occasionally not fully closing or being held out by food packages,
• Allowing warm, humid room air to continuously leak into an otherwise properly cooling freezer.

If you’d like, I can walk you through safe, step-by-step checks you can do yourself (no special tools) to improve the seal, reduce frost, and decide if a door adjustment or new gasket is needed.