Quick answer: A Whirlpool refrigerator that runs but does not cool is most often caused by dirty condenser coils (free DIY fix), a failed evaporator fan motor, or a defrost system failure. If the freezer is cold but the fridge section is warm, the evaporator fan is almost always to blame. If both compartments are warm, suspect the condenser coils, condenser fan, or compressor.
Whirlpool is one of the most widely owned refrigerator brands in Canada. Models like the WRX735SDHZ French door, WRF535SWHZ, WRS321SDHZ side-by-side, and WRT311FZDW top-freezer are found in homes across the GTA. When these refrigerators stop cooling, the cause is almost always one of seven components — and identifying which one requires a methodical approach.
This guide covers the seven most common causes, how to identify each one, what you can handle yourself, and what the repairs cost in 2026.
The condenser coils release the heat extracted from inside the refrigerator into your kitchen air. When they become coated with dust and pet hair — which happens gradually over months — they cannot release heat efficiently, forcing the compressor to work harder and the refrigerator to run warmer than normal.
This is the most common cause of gradual cooling loss on Whirlpool refrigerators, and it is entirely preventable with annual cleaning.
Where to find them: On most Whirlpool models — including the WRS321SDHZ and WRT311FZDW — the condenser coils are located at the bottom rear, accessible by removing the lower kick plate. On some older models, they run along the back of the unit. Shine a flashlight in and you will see immediately whether they are coated in dust.
How to clean them: Unplug the refrigerator. Use a condenser coil cleaning brush (a long flexible brush, $10–$15 at hardware stores) to loosen dust from between the coil fins, then vacuum. The entire job takes 15–20 minutes. After cleaning, pull the fridge forward from the wall slightly to ensure airflow is not restricted at the back.
How to tell if this was the problem: After cleaning, the compressor should run less frequently and the refrigerator should return to proper temperature within 4–8 hours. If temperatures do not improve, one of the other causes below is at work.
The evaporator fan circulates cold air from the evaporator coils (located in the freezer compartment) into both the freezer and the refrigerator section. When this fan fails — which it does on Whirlpool models after heavy use — the freezer retains cold air but the refrigerator section warms up because no cold air is being pushed through the passages between them.
The classic symptom: Freezer stays cold (0°F / -18°C or close), refrigerator section rises to 50°F+ (10°C+). This exact pattern — cold freezer, warm fridge — points directly at the evaporator fan motor as the primary suspect.
How to confirm: Open the freezer door and listen. On a functioning refrigerator, you should hear the fan running when the compressor cycles on. If you hear the compressor but no fan noise from the freezer interior, the evaporator fan has failed. You can also open the freezer door and press the door switch (usually a small button in the door frame) manually — this forces the fan to run even with the door open. If you do not hear or feel airflow, the fan is dead.
Fix: Evaporator fan motor replacement requires removing the rear panel inside the freezer compartment to access the fan assembly. The repair is moderately complex and is best done by a technician. The fan motor itself costs $40–$80 for OEM Whirlpool parts.
All modern frost-free refrigerators — including every Whirlpool model sold in Canada — run an automatic defrost cycle every 8–12 hours to melt any frost that accumulates on the evaporator coils. This system has three components: the defrost heater, the defrost thermostat (bi-metal thermostat), and the defrost timer or control board that initiates the cycle.
When any of these components fails, frost builds up on the evaporator coils over days or weeks until airflow is completely blocked — at which point the refrigerator section warms up while the freezer may still feel moderately cold from residual cold air.
Signs of defrost failure:
Temporary fix: Unplug the refrigerator and leave the freezer door open for 24–48 hours. Place towels on the floor to catch water. This manually defrosts the evaporator coils and restores cooling — temporarily. Without fixing the defrost system component that failed, the frost will return in 1–3 weeks.
Fix: A technician will test the defrost heater (continuity test — should read 20–50 ohms), the defrost thermostat (should read continuity at room temperature), and the defrost timing function on the control board. Replacing the failed component restores the automatic defrost cycle permanently.
Our certified technicians carry Whirlpool parts on every van and offer same-day service across Toronto and GTA. $65 diagnostic fee credited toward your repair.
(437) 747-6737 Book OnlineThe condenser fan (separate from the evaporator fan) draws air across the condenser coils and over the compressor to keep them from overheating. On most Whirlpool models, this fan is located at the bottom rear of the refrigerator near the compressor. When it fails, the compressor overheats and shuts off on its thermal overload protector — stopping all cooling.
How to distinguish from dirty coils: Both dirty coils and a dead condenser fan cause the compressor to overheat. The difference: after cleaning the coils, if the compressor still runs hot or shuts off frequently, the condenser fan is the next thing to check. Pull the refrigerator away from the wall and look through the vent at the bottom rear — you should see the fan spinning when the compressor runs.
Fix: Condenser fan motor replacement requires pulling the refrigerator out and removing the rear access panel. The motor costs $30–$60 for OEM parts. The repair is manageable but requires working in a tight space with the unit pulled forward. Labour typically runs 45–60 minutes.
The magnetic door gasket creates an airtight seal around the refrigerator and freezer doors. When gaskets wear out, crack, or lose their magnetic tension, warm room-temperature air continuously leaks into the cabinet, forcing the compressor to run almost constantly without achieving adequate cooling temperatures.
How to check: Close the door on a piece of paper. Pull the paper out — it should offer resistance. If it slides out easily, the gasket at that point has lost its seal. Also run your hand around the closed door edge on a warm day — you should feel no air temperature change. Any warm spots indicate gaps in the gasket.
Also inspect the gasket visually for cracks, tears, or sections that have flattened and lost their shape. On the WRX735SDHZ French door, the bottom drawer gasket is a common failure point.
Fix: Try cleaning the gasket first with warm soapy water — sometimes gaskets that appear flat simply have debris preventing full contact. If the gasket is cracked or torn, replacement is needed. Gaskets cost $25–$60 for OEM Whirlpool parts and can be replaced without tools on most models — the old gasket pulls out of a channel and the new one presses in.
Whirlpool refrigerators use multiple thermistors to measure temperatures in the fresh food section and the freezer. These readings tell the control board when to run the compressor and fans. A failed thermistor that reads too cold tells the board the refrigerator has already reached temperature — so cooling never starts, even as the actual temperature climbs.
Thermistor failures on Whirlpool models sometimes trigger error codes — look for error codes in the display or by pressing specific button combinations (consult your model's manual). Not all failures produce a code, however.
How to confirm: A technician can read thermistor resistance values with a multimeter and compare them to spec at known temperatures. A thermistor that reads OL or far outside the expected resistance range has failed. Replacement thermistors cost $15–$40 for OEM parts.
The compressor is the heart of the refrigeration system — it pumps refrigerant through the coils, enabling heat exchange. When a compressor fails, the entire cooling system stops. You may still hear the compressor attempting to start (clicking every few minutes as the start relay tries and fails), or the refrigerator may be completely silent.
Compressor failure is the most expensive repair on this list and is typically the result of years of operation, repeated overheating from dirty coils or a failed condenser fan, or a manufacturing defect. On Whirlpool models, the WRX735SDHZ has an extended compressor warranty (10 years) — check your documentation before spending money on repairs if you own this model.
Diagnosis: A technician will confirm compressor failure by testing the start relay (a quick shake test — a failed start relay rattles), checking the compressor windings with a multimeter, and verifying refrigerant levels. All three components must be checked before condemning the compressor.
Repair decision: Compressor replacement costs $400–$700 including parts and labour. On a refrigerator over 10 years old, replacement often makes more sense financially. On a newer unit under warranty, the compressor may be covered — always verify your warranty status before paying for this repair.
All prices include parts and labour at typical GTA rates. Nick's Appliance Repair's $65 diagnostic fee is credited toward your repair.
| Repair | Parts Cost | Total (Parts + Labour) | DIY Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Condenser coil cleaning | $0 (brush kit ~$12) | $80–$120 (pro service) | Easy — do it yourself |
| Evaporator fan motor | $40–$80 | $180–$280 | Moderate–Hard |
| Defrost heater replacement | $25–$60 | $150–$250 | Moderate |
| Defrost thermostat | $15–$30 | $130–$200 | Moderate |
| Condenser fan motor | $30–$60 | $150–$240 | Moderate |
| Door gasket replacement | $25–$60 | $100–$180 | Easy–Moderate |
| Thermistor replacement | $15–$40 | $130–$200 | Moderate |
| Compressor replacement | $200–$350 | $400–$700 | Leave to pro — requires refrigerant |
Two repairs on this list are practical DIY tasks: condenser coil cleaning and door gasket replacement. Both require no refrigeration knowledge and carry no risk of refrigerant exposure. Everything else — evaporator fan, defrost system, condenser fan, thermistor, compressor — is best handled by a technician, both for accuracy of diagnosis and to avoid voiding any remaining warranty.
Do this yourself first, before calling anyone:
Is it worth repairing? Whirlpool refrigerators typically last 14–17 years. If your unit is under 10 years old and the repair is under $400, fixing it almost always makes sense. Compressor replacement on units over 12 years old is borderline — factor in the refrigerator's overall condition and the cost of replacement before deciding.
A Whirlpool refrigerator that runs — the compressor hums and the lights work — but fails to cool is most often caused by dirty condenser coils, a failed evaporator fan motor, or a defrost system failure. Start with the condenser coils; cleaning them is free and resolves the problem in a surprising number of cases. If both the fridge and freezer are warm, the evaporator fan or defrost system is the likely cause.
Unplug the refrigerator for 5 minutes, then plug it back in. This clears the control board memory and can resolve minor sensor glitches. If the fridge is set to vacation mode or the temperature controls were changed accidentally, a power reset and rechecking the temperature settings (fridge 37°F / 3°C, freezer 0°F / -18°C) often restores normal operation.
Defrost system failure causes frost to build up on the evaporator coils (behind the rear wall of the freezer compartment) until airflow is completely blocked. The freezer may still feel cold due to residual cold air, but the refrigerator section warms up because no cold air can circulate. You may notice excessive frost on the freezer floor or walls, or items at the back of the freezer encased in ice.
Condenser coil cleaning costs nothing DIY or $80–$120 with a professional. Evaporator fan replacement runs $180–$280. Defrost heater or thermostat repair is $130–$250. Thermistor replacement is $130–$200. Compressor replacement is the most expensive at $400–$700. Nick's Appliance Repair charges a $65 diagnostic fee credited toward the repair.
Cooling issues are reported across Whirlpool's lineup but appear frequently on the WRX735SDHZ (French door), WRF535SWHZ, WRS321SDHZ, and WRT311FZDW models. The WRX735SDHZ in particular has a known defrost system sensitivity that can cause the evaporator coils to ice over prematurely.
A cold freezer with a warm refrigerator compartment is the classic symptom of a failed evaporator fan motor or a blocked defrost system. Cold air is produced in the freezer but cannot circulate to the refrigerator section because the fan has failed or because ice has blocked the air passage. This is one of the most common Whirlpool refrigerator service calls we handle in the GTA.
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