Whirlpool Fridge Not Cooling Properly? Reasons & Fixes
Is your Whirlpool refrigerator failing to keep things as frosty as it should? Finding your milk turning lukewarm and veggies limp from lackluster cooling is not only inconvenient but can lead to food safety issues.
When your Whirlpool fridge stops cooling properly, food goes bad faster while energy bills climb higher. Identifying the reasons why and learning repair tips will get your appliance chilling properly again.
Common Reasons a Whirlpool Fridge Stops Cooling Properly
Modern refrigerators like those made by Whirlpool seem to work by magic. But a lot is happening behind the scenes to drop temperatures. From circulating refrigerant to dissipating heat, many systems work together to create cooling.
If one component fails, the entire cooling process gets thrown off. Here are the most common culprits of inadequate Whirlpool refrigerator cooling:
1. Refrigerant Leaks Causing Insufficient Cooling
The refrigeration system relies on a closed loop of refrigerant to carry heat outside the refrigerator. If leaks spring in the coils or lines transporting refrigerant, not enough will cycle through to properly lower temperatures.
2. Faulty Thermostat Leading to Improper Temperature Regulation
A refrigerator thermostat constantly monitors interior temperatures. If the thermostat malfunctions, it will stop calling for cooling when fridge or freezer temperatures rise above normal.
3. Clogged Condenser Coils Preventing Proper Airflow
As warm refrigerant sheds heat in the condenser coils, condenser fans must efficiently circulate air over them. Dust and debris can block the coils or fans, leading to refrigerant pressure buildup and inadequate cooling.
4. Failed Compressor Unable to Circulate Refrigerant
The heart of refrigerator cooling is a compressor that pumps refrigerant through the sealed system. If the compressor is broken internally, cooling gets severely restricted or halted completely.
5. Frozen Evaporator Coils Blocking Refrigerant Flow
Refrigerant absorbs ambient heat in the evaporator coils before traveling to other areas of the system. If airflow problems let frost accumulate excessively on the coils, refrigerant flow gets blocked.
6. Clogged Defrost Drain Blocking Water Flow
During auto defrost cycles, melted frost must run into an external pan. If the drain tube clogs, water can overflow the drain trough and drip down into internal cooling components.
7. Faulty Control Board Giving Incorrect Signals
Behind the refrigerator display panel lies a main control board regulating compressors, fans, valves for optimal cooling. If electronics on this Whirlpool control board fail, erratic cooling can occur.
Troubleshooting Whirlpool Refrigerator Cooling Issues
Instead of guessing what's wrong with your Whirlpool refrigerator's cooling, methodically troubleshoot the issue step-by-step. Target the most likely and accessible problems first before assuming major system failure. Follow these tips when fridge temps are not low enough:
1. Check Condenser Coils for Debris and Clean if Necessary
Examine the large coils along your refrigerator's backside or underneath for thick dust buildup or blockages. Use a vacuum hose or coil cleaning brush to remove dirt and revitalize airflow over these critical coils.
2. Feel for Cold Air Circulating and Listen for Compressor Noise
Use your hand to check the refrigerator's rear wall or bottom near floor level for flowing cold air. Put your ear against the appliance to hear a soft compressor hum. Lack of air movement or compressor sounds suggest cooling issues.
3. Monitor Fridge Temperatures Over Time to Pinpoint Issue
Place thermometers inside fridge and freezer compartments to check temperatures over a day. Record any fluctuations, especially rises over 40 F for the fridge or 0 F in the freezer. Spikes point to cooling system problems.
4. Assess Age of Fridge and Likelihood of Leak or Part Failure
If your Whirlpool refrigerator is over 10 years old, cooling issues directly relate higher potential for repeated sealed system leaks or component degradation compared to younger models.
5. Review Error Codes Flashing on Control Panel if Present
Many Whirlpool refrigerators have built-in diagnostic systems registering issues via interior control panels. Note any specific fault codes illuminating so you can look up causes and solutions.
DIY Repairs and Solutions For Improper Whirlpool Fridge Cooling
Save hundreds of dollars in technician charges by troubleshooting and fixing Whirlpool refrigerator cooling issues yourself. Follow manufacturer service guidelines when possible to ensure you don't accidentally void your appliance warranty:
Use Refrigerant Recharge Kits to Replace Lost Refrigerant
Recharge sealant-equipped cans available online for under $50 at appliance parts stores enable you to safely top off refrigerant levels due to small leaks without an HVAC pump.
Replace Thermostat Using Model-Specific Part if Faulty
Purchase an exact replacement Whirlpool refrigerator thermostat online and swap in about 15 minutes to restore proper temperature control if your fridge overheats.
Clear Out Blocked Drain Line Causing Defrost Issues
Use a thin wire or pipe cleaner to detach debris, slime inside a clogged defrost drain tube that lets water back up internally, causing erratic cooling and frost buildup when not draining properly.
Change Fan Motors or Control Boards as Needed
Order new Whirlpool evaporator or condenser fan motors, defrost timer boards, or main electronic controls online for under $100 total. Carefully unplug and detach old parts then plug and mount replacements.
Reverse Accidental Setting Changes Causing Cooling Loss
If you or someone else recently adjusted your Whirlpool refrigerator's control panel temperature, mode, or power settings, put them back to original numbers. This simple reset restores normal fridge operation.
When to Call a Whirlpool Service Technician for Fridge Cooling Problems
While many common Whirlpool refrigerator cooling issues have straightforward fixes, certain problems require a trained appliance service technician. Calling in a pro makes sense when:
1. Diagnosing Refrigerant Leaks Requiring Professional Repairs
Pinpointing tiny refrigerant leaks requires electronic detection devices and specialized skills. Let a certified tech handle recharging refrigerant and sealing leaks in the sealed cooling system.
2. Evaporator Coil Frost or Ice Suggests Complex Defrost Issue
Hunks of frost or ice covering the evaporator coils can signal complicated airflow or defrost device malfunctions a DIYer may struggle troubleshooting.
3. Compressor Failure Means Entire Sealed System Must Be Replaced
Since the compressor is the heart of refrigerator cooling, major internal damage like burned windings requires replacing the entire sealed refrigeration system.
4. Strange Noises Signal Advanced Mechanical Faults Inside
Banging, buzzing or loud grinding coming from your Whirlpool refrigerator suggests parts about to catastrophically fail. Let a repair company diagnose the sound's origin.
If you have devoted serious effort trying common fixes yet your Whirlpool refrigerator fails to cool right for over a week, have a technician identify why your fridge is not operating correctly.
While Whirlpool offers reliable refrigerators overall, models 10 years or older experience higher rates of mechanical issues and leaks. Parts degrade over time, especially power components like compressors and control boards regulating temperatures.