10 Reasons For Whirlpool Refrigerator Not Cooling and How To Fix
Are your leftovers warmer than you’d like them to be? Does your milk turn sour faster than it should? If so, it may be time to check the temperature of your refrigerator. If your fridge is cooling efficiently, your food may stay healthy, and you could save money.
If your Whirlpool refrigerator isn’t working correctly, it can be frustrating and even affect the entire appliance. It can be incredibly confusing if the freezer works fine, but the refrigerator isn’t. The good news is that you can take some simple DIY steps to try and fix the problem and get your whirlpool fridge cooling properly again.
What Causes a Whirlpool refrigerator to stop cooling? And how to fix
Having a non-cooling Whirlpool refrigerator is the worst scenario you could face. If you take action to fix this problem, the food stored in your whirlpool refrigerator freezer will go well, leading to a financial loss.
Why is your Whirlpool refrigerator not working? Please keep reading to learn the possible causes and how to fix them.
There are several solutions to address a Whirlpool refrigerator that’s not cooling correctly or not at all. While some solutions may require a professional’s assistance, a few can be fixed independently.
Filthy condenser Coils
The most common reason for a Whirlpool refrigerator to stop cooling is when the condenser coils become dirty. This is because the refrigerant passes through these coils, which help dissipate heat. If the coils are clogged with dust or other debris, they won’t be able to release heat efficiently.
You may have observed your refrigerator making noise. This is because it exerts more effort to maintain a steady temperature.
How to Fix
It’s time to clean the condenser coils of your refrigerator.
To begin, move the refrigerator away from the wall to access the coils at the back and underneath the appliance. The coils may be challenging to reach due to their location beneath the fridge, and there may be a toe guard at the bottom front of the appliance that can be removed to make cleaning easier.
Next, use a narrow hose attachment on a vacuum to clean all the coils and external hardware on the bottom refrigerator coils.
Then, use appropriate cleaning equipment, such as brushes on Amazon or at your local hardware or grocery store, to scrub the coils and remove any remaining residue.
Finally, vacuum the condenser and evaporator coils one more time to ensure that all leftover dirt is removed.
Overflowing Refrigerator
If your refrigerator’s freezer is cold, but the fridge section is not, the refrigerator may be overloaded with food.
When a refrigerator is overstuffed with items, cold air cannot circulate effectively throughout the unit, causing issues with the products stored inside.
Insufficient air circulation can prevent the refrigerator from maintaining a cool temperature inside.
How to Fix
If you want to improve your refrigerator’s air circulation and prevent it from becoming too full, here are some tips:
Get rid of old food containers and any spoiled food.
Clean the inside of the refrigerator with warm, soapy water and a clean cloth.
Reorganize the contents of the refrigerator to improve air circulation.
Aim to keep the refrigerator around 34% complete for the best air circulation.
The refrigerator’s temperature is incorrectly set.
If your refrigerator is not cooling correctly, check the temperature settings. To ensure that your food stays fresh, it is recommended to set the temperature of your Whirlpool refrigerator to 37°F and the proper temperature of the freezer to 0°F. Your refrigerator’s owner’s manual may provide specific recommendations for your model.
How to Fix
If your fridge still feels warm even though the temperature is adjusted correctly, you can place a thermometer inside the fridge. If the refrigerator thermometer inside reads a temperature higher than what the fridge reports, you should lower the temperature until the thermometer registers 37°F.
The Level of the Refrigerator isn’t Right
For refrigerators to function correctly, they must be level and free of any significant misalignments. If the fridge is not positioned perfectly, inserting the product at the back of the mounting bracket may be necessary.
How to Fix
To detach the cover plate that secures the ascending bracket connected to the wall, you need to release the screws. When reattaching the frame to the wall, slipping a piece of paper beneath the bracket is essential.
For refrigerators to operate efficiently, their sides must be perfectly flat, with the rear wall a quarter inch higher than the front wall. This allows the door to open and close smoothly, preventing moisture from accumulating on the refrigerator’s condenser coil. You can use a spirit or laser spirit level to check if the fridge is incorrectly aligned.
Condenser Fan Motor Is Broken
When a refrigerator is not cooling correctly, the cause is often a problem with the condenser fan. The fan is responsible for circulating cold air through the condenser coil to cool air, keep it cool, and provide a constant supply of cold air.
If the condenser fan is not functioning correctly, it can lead to overheating of the refrigerator, and in some cases, it may stop dirty condenser coils from working altogether.
How to Fix
There can be multiple reasons for a condenser fan to stop spinning. It is advisable to initially inspect the fan blades for any debris or dirt accumulation. If any such substances are found, they should be removed with a towel. Additionally, examining the refrigerator’s motor is essential, as a damaged motor may require replacement for the fan to function correctly.
Thermistor Malfunctioning
A thermistor device checks the temperature of proper air circulation in the refrigerator. This thermistor provides information about the temperature to the control board. Using the temperature data from the thermistor, the control board regulates the power supplied to the compressor.
If the thermistor is not functioning correctly, the refrigerator’s compressor and evaporator fan motor may not operate as required, which can lead to inadequate cooling, causing the fridge not to be cold enough.
How to Fix
To check if the thermistor is faulty, use a multimeter. The thermistor’s resistance should increase or decrease depending on the temperature of the other refrigerator thermometer. If there is no change in resistance or the thermistor lacks continuity, it needs to be replaced.
The thermostat for Temperature Control is Not Working Properly.
The temperature control thermostat (if present) is responsible for supplying power to the compressor and other crucial components of a refrigerator. If the thermostat malfunctions, it can prevent the coolant system from operating correctly.
How to Fix
To determine if the thermostat is not functioning correctly, adjust it from the lowest to the highest setting and listen for a clicking sound. If the thermostat clicks, it is unlikely to be defective.
If you do not hear a clicking sound, utilize a multimeter to verify the continuity of the thermostat. If there is no activity defrost thermostat at any setting, substitute the temperature control thermostat with a new one.
Start Relay
When the start relay of a refrigerator is faulty, it can cause the compressor to occasionally or entirely fail to operate, resulting in the refrigerator not reaching its optimal temperature.
How to Fix
To determine if the start relay is defective in the run and start terminal sockets, use a multimeter, an instrument used to measure electric current and test for continuity.
If the multimeter detects no continuity between the run and starts terminal sockets, remove the start relay and replace it with a new one.
Faulty Door Seals
A refrigerator that cannot maintain a cold temperature is often due to defective door seals. A door seal that is loose or damaged may cause the fridge to lose cold air, resulting in an improper refrigerator temperature throughout.
How to Fix
To solve this issue, inspect the door seal for any signs of looseness or damage. If the seal has imperfections, it may allow cold air to escape. If there are any gaps, cracks, or other problems with the seal, have a qualified refrigerator technician replace it.
Compressor is Broken
Suppose the compressor, responsible for circulating refrigerant throughout the cooling system and increasing pressure in the warm parts of the circuit to raise the refrigerant temperature, fails to function. In that case, the refrigerator will not cool properly. However, this situation is uncommon.
Before considering replacing the compressor, first examine all other commonly defective parts. After ensuring that all other components are in good working condition, inspect the compressor. Use a multimeter to test for continuity between the electrical pins on the compressor’s side.
How to Fix
If there is an open circuit, probably, the compressor is not functioning correctly. In such a case, a licensed technician must replace the malfunctioning compressor.
What causes a Whirlpool refrigerator to stop cooling?
A Whirlpool refrigerator that stops cooling can be caused by a few different issues. The most common cause is a dirty or malfunctioning condenser coil. If the condenser coil is clogged with dust, dirt, and debris, it will prevent the refrigerator from effectively releasing heat which could result in insufficient cooling.
Additionally, if the condenser fan motor is not working correctly, then the refrigerator may not cool properly either.
Other potential causes could include an issue with the compressor, the thermostat setting being incorrect or a component of the sealed system failing – such as an evaporator fan motor or temperature control board failure. It’s important to thoroughly inspect each component and diagnose what exactly is causing your Whirlpool refrigerator to stop cooling accurately.
If you are unsure, it is recommended to contact Nick’s Appliance Repair technician for assistance.
Why is my refrigerator working but not cooling?
Are you finding that your refrigerator is running but not cooling? It could be due to a few different issues such as the temperature setting being too low, an issue with condenser coils or evaporator fan motor, or even if the compressor isn’t performing properly. If so, Nick’s Appliance Repair technicians can help! They are here to assist you anytime with their expertise and experience in identifying and resolving any fridge-related problem quickly and effectively.
Don’t wait – contact them now for comprehensive repair services!
Stay ahead of potential surprises by performing regular maintenance on your Whirlpool fridge. As part of this routine, regularly clean the condenser coils to remain free from dust, dirt and other particles that impair their performance. This guarantees that your refrigerator can chill food and beverages quickly and efficiently.
Why is there frost buildup inside my refrigerator?
Frost buildup inside a refrigerator typically indicates an issue with the door seal or a component of the sealed system. First, ensure the door seal is properly installed and free from any rips or tears. If it appears in good condition, inspect all sealed system components for signs of damage, such as a faulty evaporator fan motor or temperature control board failure.
Suppose these systems appear to be functioning correctly. In that case, you may need to check for air leaks elsewhere in the refrigerator by inspecting gaskets, vents and other openings that could allow warm air inside. If all else fails, call Nick’s Appliance Repair technician for assistance.
Why is my Whirlpool refrigerator making a loud noise?
A loud noise from your Whirlpool refrigerator could indicate a few issues. The most common cause is the condenser fan motor not working properly – if it isn’t spinning fast enough, this will result in loud noises coming from the refrigerator.
Another potential cause could be an issue with the compressor. If you notice any strange noises coming from your Whirlpool refrigerator, it is recommended to call a qualified technician for further assistance.
Ultimately, any issues with your Whirlpool refrigerator should be inspected and diagnosed by a qualified technician. At Nick’s Appliance Repair, our team of certified technicians can provide the expertise necessary to identify quickly identify and repair any issues you may have with your refrigerator.
From general maintenance and cleaning to more complex repairs, we can provide the right solution for your needs. Contact us today to schedule a service call!
