Whirlpool Freezer Not Freezing? Fixes to Try

Having a freezer that's not freezing properly can be incredibly frustrating. You open the door expecting frozen foods and ice cubes only to find everything is soft and thawed. If you have a Whirlpool freezer that's suddenly not freezing, don't panic. In most cases, the issue can be fixed with a few troubleshooting steps.

Check Freezer Settings

Before you dive into taking apart your freezer, first double check the temperature and mode settings. On many Whirlpool units, there is a control panel inside the freezer compartment. Make sure the temperature is set to 0degF or below. Freezers are designed to operate between 0degF to -10degF. If the setting is too high, it could prevent items from properly freezing.

Also verify the freezer is not accidentally in defrost mode. This setting temporarily stops cooling to melt away frost buildup. If left in this mode, foods will not freeze. Turn defrost off and give the freezer enough time to reach the target temperature.

Inspect the Door Seal

If your freezer settings check out, the next thing to examine is the door seal. This rubber gasket is what forms a tight closure and prevents cold air from escaping. Over time, seals can become warped, cracked or dirty. Any imperfections allow warm ambient air to seep in and lower the interior temperature.

Carefully run your fingers along the seal to feel for gaps or damage. Seals should be pliable but firmly press against the cabinet. Try closing a dollar bill in the door at various spots and then gently pulling. Resistance means the seal is making contact. If it slides out easily, that spot needs to be cleaned or replaced.

Check Condenser Coils

Most freezers have a set of condenser coils along the back or bottom. As refrigerant passes through these coils, heat transfers out which helps lower the interior temperature. If condenser coils become clogged with dust, pet hair or debris it restricts airflow and reduces cooling efficiency.

Unplug the refrigerator and use a vacuum with a soft brush attachment to gently clean the coils. Make sure no wires are loose or damaged in the process. Once finished, plug it back in and monitor freezer temperature. Keeping coils clean improves performance and can save energy costs.

Replace Defrost Timer

Whirlpool freezers rely on an automatic defrost cycle to prevent ice buildup. A small device called a defrost timer controls when this cycle activates. Over years of use, defrost timers can malfunction and stop triggering the defrost cycle.

Without regular defrosting, frost accumulates on the evaporator coils which lowers their ability to remove heat. This accumulation is what often leads to the freezer not reaching optimal temperatures.

Test the continuity of the defrost timer using a multi-meter. If it's defective, replacement parts can be found online with detailed installation instructions. Replacing a bad defrost timer typically resolves the freezing issue.

Fix Clogged Drain Tube

Each freezer has a drain tube that guides water from defrost cycles out of a collection pan and into an exterior condensate evaporator. If this tube gets clogged with gunk, ice or food particles, the defrost water can overflow and seep into the freezer compartment.

Unplug the appliance and carefully disconnect the plastic drain tube from the lower back panel. Try clearing any obstruction with a thin wire. Compressed air or drain cleaner can also help dissolve blockages. Reconnect the cleared tube so water can properly drain during defrost cycles.

Replace Thermistor

The thermistor is a small temperature sensor that tells the control board the current temperature inside the freezer. If the thermistor malfunctions, it provides incorrect temp readings which throws off the unit's refrigeration system.

Use a multimeter to check the thermistor's resistance. Consult your model's service manual to determine if the readings are normal. If it's defective, the thermistor will need replaced. This requires splicing in a new thermistor wired to the main control board.

Maintaining Proper Freezer Temperatures

Getting a Whirlpool freezer to maintain consistent sub-zero temperatures is important for food safety. Frozen foods stored continually at 0degF or below will remain safe indefinitely. Fluctuating temps can lead to partial thawing and refreezing which deteriorates quality.

Monitor your freezer regularly with an appliance thermometer. Most units experience natural temperature fluctuations - a rise of a few degrees while defrosting or after the door opens frequently. But the temperature should recover and return to normal freezer levels within a few hours.

Keep your freezer full without overcrowding food. Stored items help maintain cold temps after the door is opened. Leaving large empty spaces allows more warm air to flood in and forces the freezer to work harder to regain temperature.

Tips for Fixing a Freezer

• Use a multimeter to check for electrical component failures
• Consult factory service manuals for model-specific troubleshooting steps
• Allow 24 hours to verify if adjustments resolved a freezing issue
• Defrost freezer interior and icemaker as part of regular maintenance
• Vacuum condenser coils every 3-6 months to maintain efficiency

Repairing a malfunctioning freezer on your own can seem daunting. But often it's just a matter of identifying the failed component and properly replacing it. Follow troubleshooting steps carefully, take notes and use caution when testing electrical parts.

Seeking professional appliance repair assistance can be wise for complex repairs. Technicians have specialized tools, parts inventory and technical know-how to get Whirlpool freezers back up and freezing.

While the common reasons for a Whirlpool freezer not freezing properly are known, a few key questions remain unresolved:

• What is the optimal frequency to defrost freezers and icemakers?
• How can you definitively identify a clogged drain line?
• What inspection steps can prevent frozen evaporator coils?
• When does a door seal need full replacement versus just cleaning?
• How can you verify start relays and run capacitors are still functional?

Answering these lingering questions would provide fuller guidance for DIY troubleshooting. Research to establish recommended defrosting intervals and definitive drain line tests could improve freezer performance. Studies on door seal servicing and relay/capacitor functionality would also give clearer direction for repairs.

Appliance and refrigeration experts continue working to close these knowledge gaps. But in the meantime, consult your Whirlpool freezer's manufacturer specifications for best troubleshooting practices. With methodical inspection and parts testing, you can likely get your unit freezing properly again.