The control on any refrigerator makes it possible to use different functions. Learn how to use a Whirlpool refrigerator control and solve possible problems.
Table of Contents
Whirlpool Refrigerator Control Panel Reset
To reset the Whirlpool refrigerator’s control panel, you must reset the entire refrigerator. Turn off the unit by unplugging it from the wall outlet or turning off the circuit breaker. Wait about five to ten minutes and reconnect the refrigerator to electric power. Turn on the circuit breaker or plug the refrigerator’s power cord into the wall outlet. Turn on the cooling function, and the control panel should be working again.
Whirlpool Refrigerator Control Panel Flashing – Quick Fix
If you find the control panel on a Whirlpool refrigerator flashing, reset the unit before doing anything else. Follow the steps above to perform a reset and see if the control panel stops flashing. But if the flashing continues, the wires may be damaged, or the connectors may be loose. This article on a Whirlpool refrigerator control panel flashing explains how to troubleshoot and fix the problem.
Whirlpool Refrigerator Control Panel Not Working – Solved
The first step is to determine whether or not there has been a recent power outage. The control panel will flash with PO, which stands for a power outage, to alert you of the outage. And the control panel does not work if there is a power outage and you have not confirmed your knowledge.
The temperature may have risen past the recommended point, and the refrigerator alerts you to the temperature increase. So, press any button on the control panel to confirm the outage and press another button to return the panel to normal functions.
But if the power outage does not apply, the refrigerator may be in showroom mode. This is especially true if it is a new installation. Not every model has this mode to operate, but if yours does, you can check the user manual for steps to take the refrigerator out of the showroom mode.
Retail stores use this mode to display refrigerators; only the internal lights work. All other functions are disabled, including the control panel. Some models display Showroom on the display panel, so you know it is in the mode. If you do not have the user manual, contact Whirlpool for further assistance in exiting the mode.
The refrigerator may be in Sabbath mode if there is no Showroom displayed on the panel. You or someone else may have accidentally set the refrigerator in the mode, and the steps to deactivate the mode depend on the model.
Therefore, consult the user manual for instructions to exit the mode if it applies. The Sabbath mode is used during religious observances and turns off the dispenser and lights. The dispensers do not work, and the control panel buttons are inactive until you deactivate the mode.
If nothing else seems to work, reset the refrigerator as we have explained above. The control board may be malfunctioning, and a simple reset may fix any minor error. Turn it off and back on; the control panel may begin to work. However, contact Whirlpool to report the issue and request service if the problem persists. Alternatively, hire an independent technician for further assistance.
Whirlpool Refrigerator Control Board Programming
Control boards in Whirlpool refrigerators have different ways to program them. Knowing the right steps to program that particular board is crucial if you replace the control board on your specific Whirlpool refrigerator model. Refer to the user manual or call a professional technician for help. The new board may also come with specific programming instructions.
The following are programming steps that may apply to your new control board:
Find the program code on the serial plate located on the refrigerator cabinet. If the serial plate is missing, contact Whirlpool for further assistance. The door alarm button is on the control panel; press and hold the button. While doing so, press the freezer temperature down button and hold it within three seconds of holding the door alarm button.
Next, release the door alarm button and wait about three seconds while still holding the freezer temperature down button. After three seconds of releasing the door alarm button, the display on the control panel should show PE, indicating that the refrigerator is in programming mode. Release the freezer temperature down button and press it once more to confirm the programming mode.
When you press it, the display should show the current program code, which must correspond with the code on the serial plate. Compare both codes and if they correspond, your job is done. Exit the programming mode by pressing the door alarm button and holding it for about three seconds.
But if the codes do not correspond, locate the temperature up button for the refrigerator and press it to change the value of the code on the display panel. The temperature down button for the refrigerator also works in this case. The decimal point should change as you press the button to show the digit you select. The temperature up button for the freezer selects the next digit.
Keep moving and pressing the necessary button until you have the correct program code on the control panel’s display. Next, press the freezer temperature down button and hold it until the displayed code blinks on the screen. This indicates the code is saved to the unit. Then, press any button to exit the programming mode.
Important Note
The control board will not save the wrong program code and will not run with code 0000. The refrigerator will beep if you try to save the wrong code. Simply start the process from the beginning if the code is wrong until the correct code is displayed on the control panel. You can exit the programming mode at any point; press the door alarm button and hold it for about three seconds. The mode automatically exits if you leave it unattended for four minutes.
The steps below may apply to your specific control board if you need to program it:
As with the steps above, the unit’s program code is on the serial plate. Contact the Whirlpool Service Center to find your refrigerator’s program code if the serial plate is unavailable.
Locate the water button on the control panel and press it. Hold it, find the LL button, and press it. Hold the button, release the water button and wait about three seconds. The display on the control panel should show PE to indicate that the unit has entered the programming mode. Release the LL button and press it once to confirm the programming mode.
The display should show the current program code at this point, which should correspond with that on the serial plate. If both codes correspond, exit the programming mode by pressing the water button and holding it for about three seconds. But if the code on the screen does not correspond with the one on the serial plate, you need to enter the correct value.
Use the refrigerator temperature up or down buttons, or UR and LR buttons, to change the value on the display. The value should change with each press of the button. A decimal point on the control panel’s display indicates the digit you select; press the UL button if you want to select the next digit.
Follow this pattern until you get the correct code on the screen. Once done, press the LL button and hold it until the code on the panel’s display begins to blink. The blinking means the code is saved to the unit.
Where Is the Control Board in a Whirlpool Refrigerator?
The control board is usually on the back of the refrigerator cabinet. There is an access panel covering it, and the panel is held in place by screws. You will need to unthread and remove the screws before accessing the control board. The refrigerator’s user manual also has directions to locate the control board in your specific Whirlpool refrigerator model.
How Do I Reset My Whirlpool Refrigerator Control Board?
To reset the control board on your Whirlpool refrigerator, disconnect the refrigerator from electric power for about ten minutes and reconnect it. Ensure the cooling function is active. This hard reset can fix minor issues with the control board. Otherwise, you may need professional assistance to test the board and determine whether or not it is malfunctioning.
However, you can put the refrigerator in diagnostic mode to check for other faults that may be affecting the unit. Sometimes, one or more components may become defective and affect the refrigerator’s functions. But it may seem as if the control board is faulty.
To put it in the mode, begin by finding the door or light switch inside the unit. Press the switch and while holding it, press the refrigerator temperature up button three times within ten seconds, and let go of the switch. ‘S’ should appear on the display of the freezer side, while ‘E’ appears on the screen in the refrigerator section.
Press the refrigerator temperature up button once more to confirm you want to enter the service mode. A set of numbers should appear on the panel’s display for a few seconds, showing the software version. When the numbers disappear, 1 appears on the freezer display, and the refrigerator display should be blank.
The refrigerator is now in service mode, and you can test different components. Otherwise, consult the user manual for further instructions or use the help of a professional technician.
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How to Replace a Whirlpool Refrigerator Control Board
If the control board is on the back of the refrigerator cabinet, take the following steps to replace it:
Use the model number of your refrigerator to purchase a replacement control board for your refrigerator. The store should refer you to the right parts based on the model and number. You can also contact Whirlpool for the correct replacement.
Disconnect the refrigerator from electric power and move it to access the back. Locate the access panel on the back of the unit and use a quarter-inch socket to loosen and remove the screws. Once you remove the cover, you may see a tape that you must peel back. Otherwise, simply release the retaining tab on the inner cover to remove it.
Next, remove the control board; there are retaining tabs you must release before removing the board. Before fully removing the board, disconnect the wires on it, but note their connections before doing so. You may want to take photos to aid you during reconnection. After removing the old board, position the new control board and connect the wires. Use the photos for the proper reference.
Set the board to align with the retaining tabs and snap it into place. Now, put the inner board cover in place and ensure it snaps to lock into position. Replace the outer access panel and secure it with the screws you removed earlier. Finally, reconnect the refrigerator to electric power, program the board, and test the refrigerator.
Whirlpool Refrigerator Control Board Not Working – Quick Fix
Control boards hardly fail, but voltage spikes, poor usage, or age can wear them out or cause them to fail prematurely. If you suspect the control board on a Whirlpool refrigerator is not working, turn off the unit and access the control board. Check for signs of arcing or damage; replace the board if damaged. But if there is no visible sign of damage, the control board may be in good working condition.
However, a few signs tell you the board may be defective; if the refrigerator has cooling problems and the condensing unit is operating well, check the control board. The same applies if the refrigerator’s automatic defrost function fails to work, the dispense and ice maker are not working, or the refrigerator is not working even when there is an electricity supply.
Whirlpool Refrigerator Control Board Test
You need a multimeter to test the control to check for electrical continuity. Touch the probes of the multimeter to the test points on the board and check the reading on the meter. The tech sheet should have the values for the control board to let you know when there is a problem with the electricity flow. So, if the reading on the multimeter does not correspond with the value on the tech sheet, you may need a new control board.
Whirlpool Refrigerator Drawer Temperature Control Not Working – Fixed
Ensure you set the temperature for the drawer correctly. Consult the user manual or use this guide to set or adjust it accordingly. Note that some models have an electronic control for the drawer, while others have manual control. Therefore, you must use the controls accordingly to achieve the right temperature, depending on what is stored in the drawer.
Whirlpool Refrigerator Temperature Control Not Working – How to Fix
If you find that the temperature control on your Whirlpool refrigerator, whether it is digital or analog, is not working, it may be a failure of the temperature control thermostat. In other words, you may need to replace the part. However, before replacing the thermostat, you may want to check a few things and determine whether or not they are causing a temperature issue.
1. Temperature Setting
The temperature setting of the refrigerator may be incorrect, causing the refrigerator not to cool optimally. But before concluding that the thermostat has failed, you may want to ensure the settings are correct.
Typically, the freezer should be at 0 degrees Fahrenheit and must not exceed 5 degrees Fahrenheit. The refrigerator should be set at 37 degrees Fahrenheit and must not exceed 44 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also consult the user manual for the refrigerator for the recommended settings and steps to adjust them if necessary.
2. Condenser Coils
The condenser coils may be the source of the temperature issues. So, if the temperature settings are correct yet the refrigerator is not cooling, check the coils. If the condenser coils are significantly dirty, the set temperature on the refrigerator cannot work. You will find the refrigerator always getting warm, even when the setting is correct. It does not mean the temperature is not working; it means you need to clean the coils.
Get a vacuum cleaner and thoroughly clean the condenser coils. Remove dust and debris so the coils are not blanketed to the point that they become unable to transfer heat out of the system. You may not have to clean the coils regularly, but it depends on the house, whether there are pets or children. Check and clean the coils every six to twelve months.
3. Door Seal
If the temperature control seems not to be working as it should, you may want to check the door seal. That is if the temperature settings are correct and the condenser coils are clean. Inspect the seal for dirt or looseness; if dirty, clean it with warm soapy water and a sponge. And if loose, use a small flat-head screwdriver to tighten it by pushing it back into place.
But if the seal is weak, it needs a replacement. Otherwise, the temperature control may seem defective even though the settings are correct. You can test the seal by closing the refrigerator door on a dollar bill or a piece of paper. Try pulling the dollar bill or paper out without opening the door. If you can, replace the seal because it is weak and cannot seal the cold air inside the refrigerator.
4. Temperature Control
If nothing else fixes the problem, you may have to replace the temperature control thermostat. Test it before replacing it. Turn the thermostat from the lowest temperature point to the highest and listen for a click. If it clicks, the thermostat is not defective, and the problem may be a power supply issue.
In such a case, let a technician determine why the component is not getting power and fix it. But if there is no audible click, remove the thermostat and run a continuity test on it using a multimeter. Replace the thermostat if there is no continuity.
Whirlpool Refrigerator Ice Maker Control Light Blinking – Quick Fix
The control light on a Whirlpool refrigerator ice maker is also the status light to inform you of faults with the optics board. The red light is usually steady, but if you find it blinking or flashing, you may need professional help. This article explains how to fix the issue quickly.
Whirlpool Refrigerator Control Panel Beeping – Quick Fix
If you find the control panel on your Whirlpool refrigerator beeping, reset the control panel. If the beeping continues after resetting the panel, you may have a faulty control board on the refrigerator. Before determining that, hire a professional technician to test the board and see if a replacement is required.
How to Use a Whirlpool Refrigerator Control Panel
You will find the controls for both the freezer and refrigerator on the dispenser panel for some models. Others have the control panel inside the refrigerator, on the top front once you open the door. Each function is appropriately labeled and if there are functions that need button combinations for activation, the user manual lists the combinations and the number of seconds for activation.
The manual also details specific steps for using each button; one press of the buttons usually gets the function up and running. If you have questions about using the control panel for your specific model, as each model may have a different control panel from another, contact Whirlpool for further assistance.
Important Notes
Most refrigerators come with temperatures already preset to the recommended points. It is best to leave the settings as they are because your refrigerator will work optimally with them. However, if you must adjust the settings, ensure you remain within range for each section. Also, allow 24 hours to pass between each temperature adjustment. If it is a new installation, allow the refrigerator to cool for 24 hours before stocking it with food.
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