If you have a Whirlpool fridge that is not cooling properly, but the freezer is still working fine, you might be wondering what’s going on. Is it a serious problem that requires a professional repair? Or is it something you can fix yourself with some simple troubleshooting steps?
In this blog post, we will answer these questions and help you find out the possible causes of your Whirlpool fridge not cooling but freezer works issue. We will also give you some tips on how to prevent this problem from happening again and how to make your fridge last longer.
The main reason why your Whirlpool fridge is not cooling but freezer works is that the cold air from the freezer is not reaching the fridge compartment due to a blockage, a malfunction, or a faulty part.
Some of the common causes of this problem are:
To diagnose and fix the problem, you need to check each of these possible causes and see if they apply to your situation. Here are some steps you can follow to troubleshoot your Whirlpool fridge not cooling but freezer works problem:
The first thing you should do is to check if your fridge is overstuffed with too many items. This can restrict the cold airflow from the freezer to the fridge and make your fridge warmer than it should be. To avoid this, try to maintain only 3/4 of the space in your fridge and leave some room for proper circulation. Rearrange the items so that they don’t block the vents and dispose of any spoiled food or old containers.
The next thing you should do is to check the door seal of your fridge. This is the rubber gasket that seals the gap between the door and the fridge body. If it is damaged, dirty, or loose, it can let cold air leak out and warm air enter, which can affect your fridge’s temperature. To check the door seal, clean it with a wet cloth and look for any rips or breaks. You can also use a piece of paper or thin cloth to test if it is sealing properly. Insert it halfway inside the fridge when closing the door and try to pull it out. If it comes out easily, your door seal needs to be replaced.
Another thing you should do is to check the temperature settings of your fridge and freezer. Sometimes, they can be set too high or too low, which can cause your fridge not to cool properly. The ideal temperature for your fridge is between 37°F and 40°F (3°C and 4°C) and for your freezer is between 0°F and 5°F (-18°C and -15°C). You can adjust the temperature settings using the control panel on your fridge or freezer door. If you notice any fluctuations in temperature, you may have a faulty thermostat or sensor that needs to be replaced.
The condenser coils are usually located on the back or bottom of your fridge and they help cool the refrigerant from vapor to liquid. If they are dirty or clogged with dust, dirt, or debris, they can prevent the refrigerant from cooling properly and make your fridge warmer than it should be. To check the condenser coils, unplug your fridge and pull it away from the wall. Use a vacuum cleaner or a brush to remove any dirt from the coils and make sure they are not bent or damaged.
The fan motors are responsible for moving cold air over the condenser coils and the evaporator coils, which are located inside your freezer. If either of them is broken or noisy, they can fail to circulate cold air over the coils and make your fridge not cooling but freezer works. To check the fan motors, unplug your fridge and open both doors. Listen for any unusual sounds coming from behind or underneath your fridge. If you hear any grinding, squeaking, or humming noises, you may have a faulty fan motor that needs to be replaced.
The compressor system is one of the most important parts of your fridge’s cooling system. It consists of the compressor, the start relay, and the main control board. The compressor is the device that compresses the refrigerant and pumps it through the coils. The start relay is the device that helps the compressor start and run. The main control board is the device that controls the whole cooling system. If any of these parts is defective, it can affect the whole cooling system and make your fridge not cooling but freezer works. To check the compressor system, you need to use a multimeter to test the electrical components for continuity and resistance. This is a complex and dangerous task that requires professional skills and tools. If you are not confident or experienced in doing this, we recommend you to call a qualified technician to do it for you.
The defrost system is the part of your fridge that prevents ice buildup on the evaporator coils. It consists of the defrost heater, the defrost thermostat, and the defrost control board. The defrost heater is the device that melts the ice on the coils. The defrost thermostat is the device that monitors the temperature of the coils and turns on or off the heater. The defrost control board is the device that dictates how often to run the defrost cycle. If any of these parts is defective, it can cause ice buildup on the coils and reduce the cooling efficiency of your fridge. To check the defrost system, you need to use a multimeter to test the electrical components for continuity and resistance. This is also a complex and dangerous task that requires professional skills and tools. If you are not confident or experienced in doing this, we recommend you to call a qualified technician to do it for you.
The damper control is the part of your fridge that regulates how much cold air from the freezer enters the fridge compartment. It is usually located at the top or back of your fridge and it can be a manual or an automatic device. If it is stuck or broken, it can prevent cold air from reaching your fridge and make your fridge not cooling but freezer works. To check the damper control, you need to open your fridge and locate it. If it is a manual device, you can adjust it by turning a knob or sliding a lever. If it is an automatic device, you can test it by changing the temperature settings of your fridge or freezer and see if it opens or closes accordingly.
If you have checked all these possible causes and none of them applies to your situation, or if you have tried to fix them but still have no luck, then you may have a more serious problem that requires a professional repair. In that case, we suggest you to contact Whirlpool customer service or a reputable appliance repair company to get your fridge fixed as soon as possible.
We hope this blog post has helped you understand why your Whirlpool fridge is not cooling but freezer works and how to troubleshoot it yourself. By following these steps, you may be able to save some money and time and get your fridge back to normal.
