A Whirlpool fridge that is not cooling properly can be a major inconvenience and a potential health hazard. If your fridge is not keeping your food cold enough, it may spoil faster and cause foodborne illnesses. Moreover, a fridge that is not cooling efficiently can waste energy and increase your electricity bills.
There are several possible reasons why your Whirlpool fridge is not cooling, ranging from simple to complex. Some of them you can fix by yourself, while others may require professional help. In this blog post, we will explain some of the most common causes of a Whirlpool fridge not cooling and how to troubleshoot them. Let’s get started!
The main reasons why a Whirlpool fridge is not cooling are:
- The fridge has no power or is in the wrong location
- The fridge is too full or poorly organized
- The condenser coils are dirty or damaged
- The air vents are blocked or frozen
- The door seal is loose or broken
- The thermostat or temperature control is faulty or misadjusted
- The evaporator fan or compressor is defective or malfunctioning
How to check if the fridge has no power or is in the wrong location
One of the simplest reasons why your Whirlpool fridge is not cooling is that it has no power or is in the wrong location. To check if this is the case, follow these steps:
- Check if the interior lights or exterior control lights are lit. If they are not, it means that your fridge has no power.
- Check if the power cord is plugged in securely and not damaged. If it is loose or frayed, plug it in firmly or replace it.
- Check if the circuit breaker or fuse for your fridge is tripped or blown. If it is, reset the breaker or replace the fuse.
- Check if the outlet for your fridge is working properly. You can test it with another appliance or a multimeter. If it is not working, you may need to call an electrician.
- Check if your fridge is installed in a suitable location. Your fridge should be placed indoors, away from direct sunlight, heat sources and extreme temperatures. Your fridge should also have enough clearance on the sides and the back for proper air circulation. Refer to your owner’s manual for the recommended clearances for your model.
How to check if the fridge is too full or poorly organized
Another common reason why your Whirlpool fridge is not cooling is that it is too full or poorly organized. This can prevent proper air flow inside the appliance and affect its cooling performance.
To check if your fridge is too full or poorly organized, follow these steps:
- Open the fridge door and inspect the contents of your fridge. If you see any spoiled food, expired products or leaking containers, discard them immediately.
- Rearrange the items in your fridge to allow enough space between them and avoid blocking the air vents. The air vents are usually located on the back wall or ceiling of the fridge compartment.
- Do not overstuff your crisper drawers, door bins or shelves with food items. Leave some room for air to circulate around them.
- Do not put hot or moist food items into your fridge. Let them cool down first and cover them with lids or plastic wrap to prevent moisture loss and condensation.
How to check if the condenser coils are dirty or damaged
The condenser coils are one of the most important components of your Whirlpool fridge. They help dissipate heat as the refrigerant passes through them. If they are clogged with dust, dirt, pet hair or grease, they can’t release the heat properly and cause your fridge to overheat and undercool.
To check if your condenser coils are dirty or damaged, follow these steps:
- Unplug your fridge from the power supply and remove any food items from the freezer compartment.
- Locate the condenser coils on your Whirlpool fridge. Depending on your model, they may be located behind a panel on the back or bottom of the fridge.
- Remove the panel if necessary and inspect the coils for any signs of dirt, damage or corrosion. If you see any, you need to clean them or replace them.
- To clean the coils, use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to gently remove any loose dust and debris. Then use a soft cloth dampened with warm soapy water to wipe off any remaining dirt and grease. Dry them thoroughly with another cloth.
- To replace the coils, you may need to call a professional technician for assistance.
How to check if the air vents are blocked or frozen
The air vents are another essential component of your Whirlpool fridge. They allow cool air to circulate from the freezer to the fridge compartment and vice versa. If they are blocked by ice, frost or food items, they can prevent proper cooling and cause temperature fluctuations.
To check if your air vents are blocked or frozen, follow these steps:
- Open the fridge and freezer doors and locate the air vents on the back wall or ceiling of the compartments. They may look like small grilles or slots.
- Check if there is any ice, frost or food items blocking the air vents. If there is, you need to clear them or defrost them.
- To clear the air vents, remove any food items that are in the way and use a plastic utensil to gently pry off any ice or frost. Do not use anything sharp or metal, as it may damage the vents or the fridge liner.
- To defrost the air vents, you may need to put your Whirlpool fridge into defrost mode manually. Refer to your owner’s manual for the specific instructions for your model. Alternatively, you can unplug your fridge and leave the doors open for several hours until the ice melts. Make sure to place some towels or pans under the fridge to catch any water.
How to check if the door seal is loose or broken
The door seal is a rubber gasket that forms a tight seal around the fridge and freezer doors. It keeps the cold air inside and the warm air outside, ensuring optimal cooling performance and energy efficiency. If the door seal is loose, broken or dirty, it can cause your fridge to leak cold air and work harder to maintain its temperature.
To check if your door seal is loose or broken, follow these steps:
- Close the fridge and freezer doors and inspect the door seal for any cracks, tears, gaps or dirt. If you see any, you need to clean them or replace them.
- To clean the door seal, use a soft cloth dampened with warm soapy water to wipe off any dirt and debris. Dry it thoroughly with another cloth.
- To replace the door seal, you may need to call a professional technician for assistance.
How to check if the thermostat or temperature control is faulty or misadjusted
The thermostat or temperature control is a device that regulates the temperature inside your Whirlpool fridge. It senses the temperature of the air and sends signals to the compressor and fan to turn on or off accordingly. If the thermostat or temperature control is faulty or misadjusted, it can cause your fridge to run too cold or too warm.
To check if your thermostat or temperature control is faulty or misadjusted, follow these steps:
- Check the temperature settings of your Whirlpool fridge on the control panel or knob. The recommended settings are 37°F for the fridge and 0°F for the freezer. If your settings are too high or too low, adjust them accordingly.
- Check the actual temperature of your Whirlpool fridge with a thermometer. Place it in a glass of water in the fridge compartment and leave it for several hours. Then read the temperature and compare it with the setting. If there is a significant difference, it means that your thermostat or temperature control is faulty or misadjusted.
- To adjust your thermostat or temperature control, refer to your owner’s manual for the specific instructions for your model. You may need to turn a screw, press a button or enter a code to change the settings.
- To replace your thermostat or temperature control, you may need to call a professional technician for assistance.
How to check if the evaporator fan or compressor is defective or malfunctioning
The evaporator fan and compressor are two of the most vital components of your Whirlpool fridge. The evaporator fan circulates cool air from the freezer to the fridge compartment and vice versa. The compressor compresses and pumps refrigerant through the coils and creates cool air. If either of them is defective or malfunctioning, they can cause your fridge to stop cooling altogether.
To check if your evaporator fan or compressor is defective or malfunctioning, follow these steps:
- Listen for any unusual noises coming from your Whirlpool fridge. If you hear any humming, buzzing, clicking or rattling sounds, it may indicate that your evaporator fan or compressor is defective or malfunctioning.
- Feel for any vibrations coming from your Whirlpool fridge. If you feel any excessive vibrations, it may indicate that your evaporator fan or compressor is defective or malfunctioning.
- Check for any signs of overheating on your Whirlpool fridge. If you notice any burning smells, smoke or heat coming from your fridge, it may indicate that your evaporator fan or compressor is defective or malfunctioning.
- To replace your evaporator fan or compressor, you may need to call a professional technician for assistance.
FAQs
Q: How do I reset my Whirlpool fridge?
A: Sometimes, resetting your Whirlpool fridge can help fix some minor problems with its cooling performance. To reset your Whirlpool fridge, follow these steps:
- Unplug your fridge from the power supply and wait for about 10 minutes.
- Plug your fridge back into the power supply and wait for about 5 minutes.
- Check if your fridge is cooling properly and if any error codes are displayed on the control panel
Conclusion
We hope this blog post has helped you understand why your Whirlpool fridge is not cooling and how to troubleshoot it. By following these steps, you may be able to fix some of the common causes yourself and enjoy fresh and cold food from your fridge.
If you need more help or advice, feel free to contact us at PressToCook.com. We are experts in kitchen appliances and food safety, and we can help you with any questions or issues you may have. Thanks for reading!
