Is your Whirlpool fridge not cooling? Are you wondering how you can resolve this? We talked to the experts, and this is what we discovered.
If your Whirlpool fridge is not cooling, troubleshoot as follows:
- Check the power connection
- Evaluate the temperature settings
- Enhance air circulation inside the refrigerator.
- Inspect the door seal for defects.
- Clean the condenser coils.
- Call a technician.
Read on to discover why your Whirlpool fridge is not getting cold and what you can do about it. We will also tackle how you can reset the cooling system in a Whirlpool refrigerator and the steps to follow to put the fridge in diagnostic mode.
Why Is My Whirlpool Fridge Not Getting Cold?
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The fridge does a good job of keeping your food fresh, helping you save money by reducing food spoilage. But, like any other appliance, it may become defective, thus requiring service to restore optimal functionality.
Why The Whirlpool Fridge Will Not Cool
No Power
Your fridge may fail to come on after a power outage, thus failing to cool. When this happens, you may need to restart the refrigerator manually to restore functionality.
Incorrect Temperature Settings
Generally, you should maintain the refrigerator temperature settings between 35 °F and 38 °F to keep your food fresh. If the temperature settings are higher than this, the fridge may fail to cool.
Overloaded Refrigerator
Most refrigerators have vents fitted at the back of the unit. The cold air generated during the cooling process flows through these vents into the fridge compartment.
You may end up blocking the vents when you overstock your fridge, thus preventing the cold air from flowing into the fridge compartment.
Also, air circulation will be restricted if there are too many items, making the Whirlpool fridge fail to cool.
Loose Door Seal
The door seal keeps the cold air in your fridge's interior rather than letting it leak into the surrounding area.
When the door seal is loose or defective, the fridge will have difficulty retaining the cold air blown into its compartment. As a result, the refrigerator's ability to maintain the correct temperature will dwindle.
The defective door seal can also increase your energy bill since the fridge must work harder to compensate for the cold air loss. In addition, the compressor wears out prematurely as it runs more times than expected.
Dirty Condenser Coils
The condenser coils release heat drawn from the fridge compartment as the refrigerant passes through them—the refrigerant changes from a high-pressure gas into a liquid during this cooling process.
When these coils are dirty, they are not as efficient in dissipating heat. Consequently, your fridge fails to cool.
Defective Components
The refrigerator is made of different parts that work together to ensure that your food stays cool. When any component malfunctions, your fridge will not perform as required.
Troubleshooting A Whirlpool Fridge That Will Not Cool
Check The Power Connection
Check whether the refrigerator is plugged into a well-functioning socket. Next, examine the condition of the power cord and replace it if there are any signs of damage. Finally, assess whether the main circuit breaker is off and turn it on.
Proceed to turn the refrigerator on from the control panel. Here, you can refer to your Whirlpool owner user manual as a reliable guide on the steps to take. You will then need to wait about 15 minutes for the fridge to start cooling again.
Examine The Refrigerator Temperature Settings
Use a refrigerator thermometer to check the current temperature settings inside the fridge compartment. If the reading is above 37 °F, lower the temperature until the thermometer reads 37 °F.
Improve Air Circulation
You can refer to your Whirlpool fridge owner manual to locate the vents. This information will guide you on how best to optimize storage in the fridge compartment to enhance air circulation and avoid blocking the vents.
Ensure you leave space around the vents to let in the cold air. Additionally, arrange your food items to leave enough room for the cold air to move over them. For optimal performance and to avoid creating pockets of heat, keep the refrigerator 3/4 full.
Create room above the items through shelf placement. Furthermore, shelf placement makes grabbing items smoother when you need to use them.
Also, strategically position your stored items in the fridge by placing goods you would like chilled near the vents. The closer the product is to the vent, the colder the air that blows over it.
Inspect The Door Seal
Carefully examine the door seal to determine whether it is defective. Check for gaps, cracks, or other signs of damage.
Use warm water and a soft cloth to remove any accumulated dirt and debris that may be interrupting the seal's functionality. Clean thoroughly but gently to avoid impairing the gasket. Also, clean the surface that the gasket seals contacts.
Next, trap a dollar bill between the fridge and the gasket and try to pull it out. Check for tension as you draw out the bill. The door seal is damaged or weak if the bill comes off easily. You can then ask a certified refrigerator technician to change it.
Clean The Condenser Coils
Ensure that you disconnect the refrigerator's power connection before you start cleaning it. Additionally, pull the refrigerator away from the wall to access the coils easily and quickly. Also, check whether the fridge has a toe guard and remove it for better cleaning.
Vacuum the condenser coils to eliminate the accumulated dirt and grime. You can use a soft brush to remove stubborn stains. Scrub gently since these coils are very delicate and can result in costly repair costs if they become defective.
Once done, replace the toe guard and reconnect your refrigerator to the power socket.
Call A Technician
If you perform all the above exercises and the refrigerator still malfunctions, it may be time to call a certified technician. This specialist will assess the working condition of parts such as the condenser fan motor, thermistor, start relay, and compressor.
The technician can then replace the faulty component, restoring optimal functionality.
How Do You Reset The Cooling System On A Whirlpool Refrigerator?
When your Whirlpool refrigerator is not cooling, it will show "Cooling Off" on the display screen. When this happens, you need to activate the cooling system to restore your refrigerator's functionality.
Resetting your Whirlpool cooling system will vary from model to model. Thus, reviewing your owner manual for a step-by-step guide is prudent. You can also follow this method to swap the settings.
To turn on the cooling system, simultaneously long-press the 'Lock' and 'Measured Fill' buttons for about three seconds. This process also works when you want to activate "Cooling Off." Checking the display screen will enable you to ascertain whether you have the correct cooling system settings.
How Do I Put My Whirlpool Fridge In Diagnostic Mode?
Some Whirlpool refrigerator models are fitted with a diagnostic mode in their software. The technique enables you to change settings, reset errors, and check whether your refrigerator is defective.
To put your fridge in diagnostic mode, begin by opening the fridge door, then simultaneously press both door switches for fridges with two doors or press the single door switch for refrigerators with one door.
Next, locate the temperature control board and press the temperature increase button three times within 10 seconds. Keep both door switches pressed when doing this and only release the switches after pressing the temperature increase button three times. You are now in the diagnostic mode.
Although the process is relatively easy, do not hesitate to seek help if you cannot make it work alone. You can ask an assistant to push the door switches while you press the temperature increase switch.
If these steps fail to work, consult your owner's manual for the specific steps to follow to put your Whirlpool refrigerator in diagnostic mode. Make sure you reference the correct make and model number to get the proper instructions on how to proceed.
Final Thoughts
Whirlpool refrigerators are some of the most innovative brands available. You do not need to worry if your refrigerator is not cooling since this is not an indication of a severe problem. Following the simple steps outlined here can get your refrigerator cooling in no time.
You should contact a certified refrigerator specialist if the issue persists. You want to avoid worsening the problem and incurring unnecessary repair costs by changing components that are not defective or damaging other parts as you try to repair the fridge yourself.
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