The refrigerator is an essential item in any home, and if you are having the issue of your Whirlpool refrigerator not cooling, it can be very distressing.
The refrigerator helps store perishable food items, and if for some reason it stops cooling, it could mean that most of the stored items in the fridge will get spoilt.
The Whirlpool refrigerator is known to be a reliable gadget that ensures every item in the fridge stays cool. When you have instances of the Whirlpool refrigerator not cooling, it can be unexpected and frustrating.
To resolve this likely unexpected issue, this article will look at the possible reasons for the Whirlpool refrigerator not cooling and troubleshooting methods you can employ to resolve them.
Why is the Whirlpool Refrigerator not Cooling
Different reasons can cause the Whirlpool refrigerator not cooling, and some of the commonly known reasons are listed below.
- The door of the refrigerator is frequently opened.
- The refrigerator is overloaded with items, thereby obstructing airflow.
- The refrigerator condenser coils are dirty.
- The current setting of the refrigerator’s temperature is incorrect.
- The condenser’s fan motor has stopped working.
- The thermistor is defective.
- The door seal is defective.
- The start relay is malfunctioning.
The reasons above and many others could cause the Whirlpool refrigerator not cooling. The article’s next section will explain the different troubleshooting methods you can use to resolve the issue.
You can also learn How to Fix Whirlpool Dishwasher not Washing
How to Fix Whirlpool Refrigerator not Cooling
There are different troubleshooting solutions you can use to resolve the issue of the Whirlpool refrigerator not cooling. However, the particular method depends on what caused the issue.
Although before you start any troubleshooting method, you should check the frequency with which the door of the refrigerator is open, as constant opening could destabilize the fridge’s temperature and cause it to take a longer time to cool.
Also, suppose you recently encountered a power outage over a period that made your fridge defrost. In that case, you should wait about 24 to 48 hours after power has been restored for your fridge to cool, as the refrigerator needs to stabilize its internal temperature.
If you have confirmed that the issue with the Whirlpool refrigerator not cooling is not due to a power outage or the frequency with which you open the door of the refrigerator.
You can look at the other solutions below to resolve the issue of the Whirlpool refrigerator not heating.
Check that the Refrigerator is not Overloaded.
Cold air from the refrigerator’s vent is involved in cooling the fridge. Some items might block the vents when the refrigerator is overloaded with food and other items that need to be refrigerated.
If the refrigerator is overloaded, you should take out some of the items and redistribute them so that they do not block cold air from the vent from circulating in the refrigerator.
Check the Condenser Coils
The condenser coil is essential to cooling in the refrigerator, as it dissipates heat when the refrigerants travel through it.
When the refrigerator is clogged with dust and debris, it becomes increasingly hard to let out heat, preventing the refrigerator from maintaining a constant temperature.
When this happens, you might hear loud noises from the refrigerator as it struggles to maintain a consistent temperature.
You can follow the instructions below to clean the condenser coils.
- Disconnect the refrigerator from its power source, and move the refrigerator a bit forward.
- Then remove the toe guard at the bottom front of the refrigerator to access the condenser coils.
- Then carefully clean the coils with a brush, ensuring that you remove every speck of dust and debris.
- You can then place the refrigerator back to its position and connect it to its power source.
You should wait about 24 hours for the refrigerator to regulate its internal temperature and cool. If it does, you have been able to resolve the issue of the Whirlpool refrigerator not cooling.
Check the Refrigerator’s Temperature
To best preserve food and other perishable items in your refrigerator, it is recommended that the temperature be set to 37°F. The refrigerator might take longer to cool if it is less than that.
You can check the current temperature of the refrigerator by placing a thermometer in it, and then, if it is higher than 37°F, you should adjust it as necessary.
Check the Condenser Fan Motor
The condenser fan motor circulates cold air to the condenser coils to prevent the refrigerator from overheating.
When the condenser fan motor is no longer functioning, it can result in the Whirlpool refrigerator not cooling.
You should check if the fan is not clogged with debris and clean it if clogged.
If the fan is still not working after it has been cleaned, then you would need to engage the service of a professional to get a replacement.
Check the Thermistor
The temperature of the refrigerator is monitored by the thermistor, which then sends the necessary signals to the control board to adjust the power to the compressor as necessary.
So if the thermistor is faulty, it would result in the issue of the Whirlpool refrigerator not working.
You should test for continuity in the thermistor with a multimeter, and if there is no continuity, you would need to get a replacement and engage the service of a local technician to fix it.
Check the Door Seals
The door seals in the refrigerator prevent cold air from leaving the refrigerator while closed so that the refrigerator can maintain a consistent temperature.
Suppose some part of the door seal is loose or broken. In that case, it might cause cold air to escape from the refrigerator resulting in the issue of the Whirlpool refrigerator not cooling because it cannot maintain a consistent temperature.
If you notice there are gaps or lose parts in the door seal, then you should engage the service of a local technician to fix it.
Check the Start Relay
A faulty start relay in the refrigerator will prevent the compressor from working, and when this occurs, the refrigerator will be unable to maintain the optimum temperature needed for Cooling.
You should check the start relay for continuity using a multimeter, and if you notice that there is no continuity, you should reach out to a local technician to replace it.
Check the Compressor
The compressor is integral to the cooling process of the refrigerator, as it circulates the refrigerant through the refrigerator.
While it is pretty rare, there have been cases where the Whirlpool refrigerator was not cooling due to a defective compressor.
After checking every other component of the refrigerator and they seem to be working fine, but the refrigerator is still not cooling; the likely reason will be because the compressor is defective.
You should engage the service of a professional to replace the faulty compressor.
Why is New Whirlpool Refrigerator not Cooling
If you just bought a new Whirlpool refrigerator, there is a very tiny possibility that it is not cooling because of a defect.
You do not have to worry if the refrigerator is not cooling 24 hours after installation, as it needs about 24 to 48 hours of uninterrupted power supply to stabilize its internal temperature and start cooling.
Although if, after 48 hours, the refrigerator is still not cooling, you can then request a service call from the manufacturers to figure out the cause and the next steps to take.
Whirlpool Refrigerator Not Cooling after Power Outage
It is absolutely normal for the Whirlpool refrigerator not immediately to start cooling once power is restored after an outage.
You would need to wait approximately 24 to 48 hours for the refrigerator to stabilize its internal temperature before it starts cooling.
Why is my Whirlpool Fridge not Cooling, but Freezer Works
If your Whirlpool freezer is working, but the fridge is not cooling, the likely suspect will be the evaporator fan motor which blows cold air over the refrigerator coils.
You should test the fan motor for continuity using a multimeter, and if there is no continuity, you should engage the service of a professional to replace it.
Conclusion:
This article has explained the possible reasons for the Whirlpool refrigerator not working and the solutions you can employ to resolve them.