Imagine, waking up in the morning and seeing all the foods in your refrigerator are rotten. Your Whirlpool refrigerator not cooling or freezing might be the worst mistake you’ll ever face. All the essential components of the Whirlpool refrigerator must function properly to keep it cold. Then again, one might wonder why his Whirlpool refrigerator is not cooling?
To fix the problem of your Whirlpool refrigerator not cooling or freezing, you must identify where the problem originated from. The problem can be due to a dirty condenser coil, broken evaporator fan, condenser fan, or malfunctioning of the thermostat.
Without further ado, let’s head straight to the problems and solutions.
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Whirlpool Refrigerator Not Cooling Or Freezing: 4 Reasons
Whirlpool refrigerators are one of the most reliable home appliances available on the market. You will hardly notice any kind of malfunctioning in the first 5 years after your purchase. Since they are electronic products, there can be some unfortunate incidents of malfunctioning.
One of the major problems with refrigerators is when they are not cooling or freezing. There can be many reasons why your refrigerator isn’t cooling or freezing. We tried to list a few of them below:
- Condenser coils are dirty.
- Malfunction in the motor of the condenser fan
- Malfunction in the motor of the evaporator fan
- Damaged Thermostat
- Problems with the start relay
1. Condenser Coils Are Dirty
In Whirlpool refrigerators, the condenser coils are located at the back of the unit, near the doors. They are a part of the cooling system that creates a loop of refrigerants. All the absorbed heat from the refrigerants is released through the condenser coils.
So any blockage in the condenser coils hampers the cooling process.
How Does The Condenser Coil Hamper The Cooling Process?
The condenser coils collect a lot of dust easily as air passes constantly through them. When it accumulates too much dirt, the refrigerants are unable to release the heat from the system.
This sets off a reaction, preventing Whirlpool refrigerators from freezing or cooling. When the refrigerants are not releasing enough heat, they are trapping the heat inside the closed cooling system, which causes the refrigerator to be warmer rather than cool it down.
How To Clean Dirty Condenser Coils?
It happens to be one of the easiest tasks to fix this problem. Here’s how you can clean the condenser coils:
- To begin with, pull the refrigerator forward to gain access to the condenser coils.
- Switch the refrigerator off. The condenser fan is placed close to the condenser coils, and it may cause serious injury to your hands.
- Clean the dirt using a vacuum cleaner or a brush. You should clean your condenser coils once a year at least to avoid the vast accumulations of dust that can lead to this problem.
2. Damaged Motor Of The Condenser Fan
Condenser coils, as previously stated, reduce the internal temperature of the refrigerants by circulating them inside the system. But the process depends a lot on the presence of the condenser fan, as it increases the flow of refrigerants.
Since it pumps refrigerants constantly, heat is released more quickly from the system. If the condenser fan motor is damaged or not working properly, it will lead to a problem where your refrigerator isn’t cooling or freezing.
Effects Of A Broken Condenser Fan Motor
Severe use of the condenser fan over a period of time or frequent changes in the voltage of the power supply can cause short-circuit or other damage to the motor.
Make sure that nothing is blocking the fan’s wings from spinning. Any lodged foreign items between the blades can cause excessive debris to accumulate.
Try physically turning the fan blades once you’re confident the fan has cleared off any obstacles. The blades will spin swiftly if anything isn’t lodged between them.
Fixing A Broken Condenser Fan Motor
Unfortunately, if your fan motor is broken, the only solution is to replace it with a new one. To begin, remove an access panel placed over the refrigerator’s condenser portion.
- Firstly, detach the blades from the fan after accessing it.
- Then, unscrew the fan from its case. Also, detach the connections.
- Place the new fan in its place and plug in all the wires. Tighten the screws and reinstall the blades.
3. Malfunction Of The Evaporator Fan
In the Whirlpool refrigerators, there is another fan in the evaporator in addition to the condenser fan. In the evaporator component of the system, refrigerants of low temperature pass through it. As a response, the evaporator absorbs heat while producing cold air to freeze the interior.
The fan plays an important role in supplying cold refrigerant into the evaporator.
How Can A Faulty Evaporator Fan Cause The Refrigerator To Not Cool Or Freeze?
The malfunction of the evaporator fan can cause your Whirlpool refrigerator to not achieve the temperature you’ve selected. If you have been using the refrigerator for a long period of time, the motor might have broken.
Use a voltmeter to check if your evaporator fan motor is working. You should also keep in mind the other signs of a damaged motor, like excessive noise.
How To Fix A Damaged Evaporator Fan Motor?
The solution is the same as the previous one, motor replacement. You will have to invest in another evaporator fan motor to fix this problem. Follow these simple steps to change the motor:
- First of all, you have to access the evaporator fan. This is not as easy as accessing the condenser fan. It’s located in the inside compartment of the refrigerator.
- Empty the refrigerator and take out the shelves. Detach the back panel to reveal the evaporator coil. You’ll notice the evaporator fan there.
- Disconnect the wires and the screws to take out the fan motor.
- Install the new one and repeat every step backward.
- Put the back panel back in place.
4. Damaged Thermostat
Thermostat is the most important component of the cooling system that controls the temperature. It has sensors in it that detect the internal temperature and control the supply of electricity to the compressor and motors.
Assume a Whirlpool refrigerator is overheating. If this is the situation, the thermostat will detect it and turn on the components of the cooling system, which will extract heat and produce cold air.
Similarly, it controls over freezing by turning off the system when not necessary.
Fixing A Damaged Thermostat
You have to replace the thermostat. To do so:
- The thermostat is located in the interior of the refrigerator on the top rack. Disconnect the cables and take out the casing of the thermostat.
- Remove all the wires from the old thermostat.
- Place your new thermostat.
- Reconnect all the wires.
- Put the thermostat housing in place.
Whirlpool Refrigerator Not Cooling But Freezing Is Working
Sometimes the freezer works properly, but the fridge section fails to keep the food cold. There could be many reasons behind it. They are:
- The refrigerator was stuffed beyond its capacity.
- Dirty Condenser Coils
- Fault in the evaporator fan
- Fault in the defrost system, including the control board, thermostat, and defrost timer.
First of all, you have to detect the faulty component. Most of the time, simple troubleshooting methods or part replacement can solve this issue. If you’re unable to do so, you’d better call a repairman.
FAQ
Why Whirlpool fridge not cooling but the light is on?
One reason why your Whirlpool fridge is not cooling when the light is on can be a bad compressor start relay or the start capacitor. These two are crucial elements to starting the compressor that cools your refrigerator. So check these two and see if they need any repairs.
How much does it cost to fix a Whirlpool refrigerator that is not cooling?
The cost of fixing a Whirlpool refrigerator that is not cooling will vary depending on the reason why it is not cooling. As many components, such as the evaporator and compressor becoming faulty can lead to the refrigerator not cooling, you might need to spend $200-$1000 to repair it, depending on the reason.
Why is my Whirlpool fridge and freezer not getting cold enough?
Clogged, dirty coils are the most common reason for Whirlpool fridges and freezers not getting cold enough. Try cleaning the coil. If it does not work, check the gasket to see if it is in perfect working condition or not, as damaged gaskets can also cause this issue.
Why is my Whirlpool fridge not cooling or freezing?
There are several reasons behind this problem. But faulty compressor, dirty or blocked condenser coils, and the broken thermostat are the main culprit for not cooling or freezing.
How can I fix my Whirlpool refrigerator if it is not cooling?
To fix your machine, clean condenser coils, check and set the thermostat settings properly, and ensure that the door seals are tight. If these solutions do not work for you, it is necessary to call a professional repair technician.
What should I do if my Whirlpool refrigerator needs to be repaired?
If your Whirlpool refrigerator needs to be repaired, you should contact a professional repair technician who is trained to work on Whirlpool appliances. They can diagnose the problem and recommend the best course of action to get your refrigerator running again.
How can I prevent my Whirlpool refrigerator from not cooling or freezing?
You can prevent your refrigerator from not cooling or freezing by regularly cleaning the condenser coils, checking the door seals, and not overloading the refrigerator with food. Besides, you should ensure that the refrigerator is not placed near a heat source or in direct sunlight.
How can I tell if the compressor on my Whirlpool refrigerator is faulty?
A faulty compressor creates unusual noises or fails to turn on at all. If you suspect that the compressor is the problem, it is best to contact a professional repair technician to diagnose the issue.
Can a dirty condenser coil cause my Whirlpool refrigerator to stop cooling or freezing?
Yes, a dirty condenser coil can cause your Whirlpool refrigerator to stop cooling or freezing. When the condenser coils are clogged with dust or debris, they fail to dissipate heat effectively. It causes the refrigerator to overheat and stop working properly.
How often should I clean the condenser coils on my Whirlpool refrigerator?
It is recommended that you clean the condenser coils on your Whirlpool refrigerator at least once or twice a year to ensure that they are functioning properly.
Can I repair Whirlpool refrigerator myself if it is not cooling or freezing?
Fixing not cooling or freezing issues needs disassembling and assembling most of the parts of the refrigerator. If you don’t have proper knowledge on that, it is not recommended to repair a Whirlpool refrigerator yourself. These appliances are complex and require specialized knowledge and tools to repair. It is best to contact a professional repair technician to avoid causing further damage or injury.
Conclusion
Your Whirlpool refrigerator not cooling or freezing is an issue you’d never like to face. Since they are electronic appliances, it’s pretty obvious that any part can be worn out. But, knowledge of the right thing to do will help you a lot to fix the problem.
The most important thing is to detect which part is faulty. Doing everything properly to fix the problem is also important. Don’t hesitate to seek help from a professional if you are unable to fix it.
Observe the signs and follow all the solutions mentioned above. Don’t do anything that can lead to other problems in your refrigerator.
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