This article is a detailed guide on a Whirlpool refrigerator drawer. It contains troubleshooting steps and solutions to common problems.
Table of Contents
How to Remove a Whirlpool Refrigerator Drawer
A Whirlpool refrigerator can have a crisper drawer and a deli drawer, but it does not apply to all models. There is also a freezer drawer for french-door models. This article on how to remove a Whirlpool refrigerator drawer is a guide on removing all types of drawers, including the bottom-mount freezer drawer. The refrigerator’s owner’s manual should also have instructions on removing the bottom freezer drawer for your specific model, so consult it for further instructions.
Whirlpool Freezer Drawer Alignment – Steps
You can align or adjust a freezer drawer on a Whirlpool refrigerator vertically or side to side. Take the following steps if you want to align or adjust the freezer drawer on your Whirlpool refrigerator:
Close the drawer and check how misaligned it is. After that, draw the drawer out until it is fully extended and remove the bin or basket. Simply grab both sides of the bin and lift it out of the drawer. Next, find the glide brackets on the side of the drawer and start with the one nearest to the vertical gap.
You will find a release lever; press and hold it with one hand. With the other, lift the door clip up and out of the holding bracket. Now, reposition the door clip in the bracket again, this time moving it in the direction of the alignment. If you want to align the door to the right, move the clip to the right and do the same if it is to the left.
The glide bracket must be vertically level for proper alignment. Afterward, let go of the release lever, so it locks the bracket in place. Move to the other side of the drawer and make the same adjustment. When you are done, close the freezer drawer and inspect the alignment. Repeat the steps if there is a need for further adjustments.
Watch this video for steps to align the pantry drawer horizontally…
Vertical Alignment
However, the steps are different if the drawer needs a vertical alignment. Find the glide brackets; there are screws on the brackets. Use a Phillips-head screwdriver to turn one of the screws to the left or counterclockwise, so the drawer front is loose. Next, use the screwdriver to turn the second screw to adjust the front of the drawer. The drawer side you are aligning informs which direction to turn the screw.
If you are adjusting the left side of the drawer, turn the screw to the left or counterclockwise to lower the front of the drawer. Turn the screw to the right or clockwise to raise the front. But if you are adjusting the right side of the drawer, the reverse is the case. Turn the screw to the left or counterclockwise to raise it, and turn it to the right or clockwise to lower it.
Afterward, use the same screwdriver to turn the first screw to tighten the front of the drawer. Close it and check how aligned it is. Repeat the steps if there is a further need to adjust the drawer.
Here is a video demonstrating the vertical alignment of a pantry drawer…
Whirlpool Fridge Bottom Drawer Freezing – What to Do
You may want to check the settings if the bottom drawer keeps freezing. The crisper drawer typically holds fresh produce and should have a specific temperature. Inspect the slide that controls the vents to ensure it is working. Move the slide to the left to open the vents and allow air to escape, preventing condensation. That way, there will not be moisture freezing inside the drawer.
If the vents are already open in the crisper drawer, check the cooling vents in the fridge. One or more items may be obstructing them, and this may happen when you put too many things at the same time in the fridge. If that happens, the cold air flows through the drawer vents and freezes the produce.
Leave the vents accessible when stocking the fridge and inspect the damper. Some models have a damper in the fresh food section that controls the flow of cold air into the section. If the damper is stuck in the open position, too much cold air will enter the fresh food section and freeze it. Replace the damper if it is broken.
Additionally, the fridge may have too much in it. Too many things in the fridge restrict air circulation, and the cold air drops to the bottom drawer, freezing it. The best way to store foods in the unit is to keep each one from touching the next. In other words, leave some space between the items.
Also, keep the drawers only half full to encourage airflow. And stock the fridge only ¾ of the way full; leaving it too empty or too full affects the cooling function. You may want to check the temperature setting in the fridge. It should not be lower than 37 degrees Fahrenheit or higher than 44 degrees Fahrenheit. Make the necessary adjustments to the settings if the temperature is set too cold in the fridge.
Whirlpool Refrigerator Shelf Cleaning – Guiding Steps
If you want to clean the shelves in your Whirlpool refrigerator, follow this guide for instructions. Know that some frames cannot be removed from the refrigerator, so you must find a way to clean them while attached to the unit. Also, washing the shelves, whether glass or not, in the dishwasher is allowed, but you must do it with caution.
Whirlpool Refrigerator Deli Drawer Replacement
Replacing the deli or meat drawer in a Whirlpool refrigerator is easy and quick. The deli drawer is a shallow drawer that sits close to the bottom of the refrigerator and holds the meat and cheese. Its position in the refrigerator, close to the bottom, is because cold air is heavy and tends to drop to the bottom, and because the drawer holds the meat and other perishable foods, it needs to stay in one of the coldest spots within the unit.
Open the refrigerator door and locate the drawer. Pull it straight out of the unit; wiggle it a little if it appears stuck. It is usually free of the shelf on top of it, but you may also want to remove the shelf before the drawer. Once out, get the new drawer and slide it into the vacant spot. If the new drawer does not have a plastic handle like the old one, remove the handle on the old drawer.
Simply grasp the handle from the inside, pry it loose, and roll it off the drawer. Now, get the replacement drawer, fix the handle starting from the curved edge, roll it onto the edge of the drawer, and ensure it clasps and snaps in place. Slide it onto the track on the shelf and replace the shelf if you removed it.
Check out these other articles…
Whirlpool Refrigerator Not Working [Proven Solutions]
Whirlpool Refrigerator Control [Guide & Problems Solved]
Whirlpool Refrigerator Evaporator [Issues & Solutions]
Whirlpool Refrigerator Modes [Detailed Guide]
Whirlpool Refrigerator Fan [Guide & Issues Solved]
Whirlpool Refrigerator Gas [Detailed Guide]
Whirlpool Refrigerator Not Making Ice [Problems & Solutions]
Whirlpool Refrigerator Deli Drawer Falls Out – Fixed
If the deli drawer in your Whirlpool refrigerator falls out all the time, ensure you correctly install it. Follow the instructions in the user manual to check the installation steps and make the necessary adjustments. If the installation is correct, you may need to replace the drawer glide or track as it may be faulty, causing the drawer to slide out every time you open the refrigerator door.
To replace the deli drawer track, remove the items in the refrigerator, including the shelves and crisper drawers, to make room for movement. Ensure the refrigerator is not connected to electric power while performing this repair. Pull the deli drawer straight out of the refrigerator and remove the shelf over it with the glass still attached.
The track is now visible so that you can work on it. Next, unthread the single screw holding the track in place and remove it. Take out the old track and get the new one. A hook on the front end of the track must go into the hole near the front of the track space. Insert the hook into the hole and balance the track in its spot, ensuring it is flat and balanced over the screw hole.
Now, thread the screw into the hole and tighten it. Once done and the track is secure, put the shelf that fits above the deli drawer back in place and slide the deli drawer under it. Ensure the drawer sits securely in place and does not wiggle. Touch it to see if it moves after sliding it in place to be sure it is secure. Afterward, you can put the other drawers and shelves back into position.
This video demonstrates how to remove the deli drawer and shelves and replace the track in a Whirlpool refrigerator. It is for a specific model, although it may fit other models. However, if necessary, it is best to check for additional instructions for your specific model in the user manual.
Whirlpool Refrigerator Drawer Temperature Control Not Working – Solved
You must know how to set the temperature for the drawer. Note that the temperature control for the refrigerator does not control the temperature for the drawer. So, adjusting the refrigerator’s temperature may not affect how it works. You must adjust the control for the drawer to get the best temperature for the food stored in it.
Some models have manual controls, while others have electronic controls for the drawer. If your model has manual control, turn the knob to the coldest point if meat is stored in the drawer. But if there are vegetables or fruits, set it to the least cold point. Otherwise, the produce will freeze and spoil. In other words, you must manually select the correct temperature setting for the drawer.
For a drawer with electronic temperature control, it may come preset to store meat, cheese, and drinks. So, you may not need to change the settings. But you can adjust the temperature for different items stored in the drawer per time.
Locate the control on the refrigerator’s temperature control housing or the pantry drawer. The cold drinks option has the default setting and cannot be changed, but you can adjust other options such as meat and cheese. The drawer will use the default cold drinks temperature setting if you do not select another option.
Your refrigerator may need urgent servicing if you follow these steps, but the temperature control for the drawer does not work. Contact the Whirlpool Service Center to report the issue and request service. You can also use the services of an independent technician.
Whirlpool Refrigerator Glass Shelf Shattered – Quick Fix
The primary reason the glass shelf in a refrigerator shatters is an extreme temperature change. If you remove the glass and immediately put it in warm or hot water., the glass will shatter. The same is true if the glass is still warm from washing when you put it into a cold refrigerator.
If you want to wash or clean a refrigerator glass shelf, remove it from the unit and lay it on a safe surface. Allow it to warm to room temperature before washing it in warm water. Thoroughly dry it with a microfiber cloth and allow the shelf to cool before putting it back into the refrigerator.
Another possible reason for a refrigerator glass shelf to shatter is age. For example, you may have an item stuck on the shelf, and trying to remove it from the weak shelf may break the glass. In some cases, the glass may already have hairline cracks, and any little pressure shatters it.
Storing too much on the shelf may shatter it if the weight is more than it can carry. Every refrigerator has a specific weight limit, so you may want to find out the limit for yours to prevent any damage to the unit. If the glass shelf shatters, replace it with the correct replacement shelf. Contact Whirlpool for further assistance.
Whirlpool Refrigerator Glass Shelf Weight Limit
Most full-sized glass shelves in refrigerators can hold 50 pounds of weight on average. But half-sized shelves can hold 25 pounds of weight. Refrigerator manufacturers use tempered glass for the shelves, which are usually sturdy. However, it is an excellent idea to find out the weight capacity of your Whirlpool refrigerator before loading it with foods.
Whirlpool Freezer Drawer Handle Loose – Quick Fix
If you find that the handle on the freezer drawer of your Whirlpool refrigerator is loose, it is easy to fix. This article has instructions on tightening the handle, but you must be careful not to damage it. Replace the handle if it is damaged; it may be the reason for the looseness.
How to Clean a Whirlpool Refrigerator Drawer
Remove the drawer and lay it aside until it warms to room temperature. Putting it in warm water immediately after removing it from the cold refrigerator may damage the material, especially if it is glass. This article on how to clean a Whirlpool refrigerator drawer has detailed instructions on properly cleaning the drawer.
Whirlpool Refrigerator Freezer Drawer Ice Buildup – How to Fix
Inspect the drawer gasket to check its functionality. The gasket is the rubber part that runs around the freezer drawer edge. If the gasket is dirty, you can clean it using warm water and a cloth or old toothbrush. Clean the gasket to remove the dirt because dirt can keep it from sealing tightly. And if the drawer does not seal, warm air will enter, increase condensation, and build ice in the freezer.
But if the gasket is not dirty, use a dollar bill to check whether or not it is weak. Close the drawer on the dollar bill and try pulling it out without opening the drawer. If you can pull it out, replace the gasket because it is weak.
1. Door Opening
Check the frequency at which you open the freezer drawer. If you open it too often, it gives room for cold air to escape and be replaced by warm air, which carries humidity. The same is true if you hold the drawer open for too long. The moisture forms ice in the drawer and eventually leads to a significant buildup.
Therefore, regulate the number of times you open the freezer per day. It helps to make a list of what you need from the freezer so you can collect them at once, instead of making several trips and compromising the cold freezer air and risking an ice buildup.
2. Air Vents
The vents through which cold air flows from the freezer to the refrigerator may be obstructed. If the vents are not free, the cold air remains in the freezer and may cause extremely low temperatures. The refrigerator usually becomes warm and condensation builds, which eventually forms ice in the unit. Rearrange and organize the items in the freezer and refrigerator for proper air circulation.
3. Temperature Setting
You may want to check the setting for the freezer on the control panel. Typically, the freezer must be set at 0 degrees Fahrenheit and must not exceed 5 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature setting is lower than 0 degrees, the freezer is likely to freeze all the time. This is especially true if the outside temperature is warm and the freezer has to work extra to maintain a cold temperature.
4. Drain
You may also want to check the drain. If it is clogged, clean the drain line with warm water and vinegar to remove the debris. You must also check the defrost system if the refrigerator has an automatic defrost function and ensure the timer is working. Also, ensure the heater and defrost thermostat are in excellent operating form to prevent an ice buildup in the freezer.
5. Condenser Coils
The condenser coils at the bottom back of the refrigerator may be clogged with dirt. If that is the case, the coils cannot transfer heat, which causes overheating in the unit. As a result, the compressor works harder to keep the temperature in the freezer low because of the heat, which may cause the freezer to freeze. Clean the coils using a vacuum cleaner and ensure the condenser area is clean.
Move the refrigerating unit to create space at the back and sides. Positioning the unit too close to the walls or surrounding surfaces prevents heat transfer, which compromises the freezer’s cooling capacity. Ensure you leave about two inches between the wall and the back of the unit; do the same on the sides.
You may want to schedule service for the refrigerator so the technician can inspect the possible causes of the ice buildup in the freezer. Contact Whirlpool or hire an independent appliance technician.
Whirlpool Refrigerator Ice Maker Drawer Stuck – Solved
If the ice bucket is stuck under the ice maker in a Whirlpool refrigerator, it may be due to an ice buildup. Turn off the refrigerator; disconnect it from the wall outlet or power down the circuit breaker. Allow the refrigerator time to see if ice is causing the ice bucket to stick. If you can pull it out after some time, problem solved.
However, if the manual defrost does not work, it may be the wrong placement of the ice bucket. You may have removed it and failed to insert it correctly. In such a case, you will need a professional technician to remove it without any damage. Before that, check the instructions in the user manual to see how to remove the ice bucket; you may be taking the wrong steps.
Whirlpool Freezer Drawer Jammed – Fixed
The freezer drawer may have an ice buildup, preventing it from opening. Disconnect the refrigerator from electric power and leave it unplugged for about 24 hours, sometimes less. In the meantime, remove all the items in the refrigerator and store them in another refrigerator or an ice-packed cooler. The lack of power may affect the food in the freezer, so it helps if you regularly check the drawer until it thaws enough to open.
Check the drain hole at the bottom back inside the drawer. If it is covered with ice, inspect the drain line for debris. The water may not flow out of the freezer if the drain line has debris in it, so clean it to make for a better flow of defrost water from the freezer.
The problem may be nothing more than the usual pressure that happens when you open a refrigerator or freezer door and close it. Warm air mixes with cold air and creates a vacuum that builds pressure. The pressure locks the door for about a minute until it equalizes. If you try to open the door immediately after closing it, it appears stuck or locked. Give it time to equalize and try again.
Water Under Crisper Drawers in Whirlpool Refrigerator
The drain in the freezer section is clogged if you find water under the crisper drawers in your Whirlpool refrigerator. If dirt or ice covers the drain hole, the defrost water flows back into the refrigerator and under the drawers. You can follow the instructions in the user manual to clear the clog in the drain. But replace the drain tube if it is damaged and clearing it does not fix the leak problem.
Also, check the water dispenser as it may be leaking. If you recently replaced the water filter, you must flush the system by dispensing water for a minute. Pressure tends to build in the water system and causes the dispenser to leak. But flushing it releases the trapped air and reduces the pressure in the dispenser.
Note: The same steps apply if the freezer drawer is leaking. Also, ensure there is no ice in the freezer that may melt and cause excess water, which leaks out of the drawer onto the floor.
Whirlpool Freezer Drawer Light Not Working – Quick Fix
The steps in this article also apply to a freezer drawer light not working. But if the light problem affects only the freezer, the light board may not be part of the problem. Replace the light and see if it fixes the problem. Otherwise, you may have to check wire connections and the door switch, according to the instructions in the manual. Otherwise, get a technician to check and fix the light problem.
Whirlpool Bottom-Freezer Drawer Refrigerator Leaking Water – What to Do
If your Whirlpool bottom freezer drawer refrigerator is leaking, check the defrost drain. Unclog it if there is ice or debris covering it. The problem may also be from the water supply line. If it is clogged with ice, water will leak from the refrigerator.
Turn off the water supply from the main valve and inspect the water line. If there is ice stuck in it, disconnect the refrigerator from electric power until the ice melts. If the obstruction is not ice, let a professional technician remove it. Ensure the water line is not damaged in any way; replace it if there is any damage.
Check water bottles if available to see if one or more are leaking. Also, check the items stored in the door bins. Remove any compromised and leaking items to see if the refrigerator stops leaking. If the defrost drain is clear, there is nothing leaking in the refrigerator, the dispenser is not leaking, and the water line is intact, but the refrigerator continues leaking, call for professional help.
Note: The water flowing under the drawer may freeze over time if the source of the leak is not fixed. So, if you find ice under the drawer in your Whirlpool refrigerator, fix the leak source or seek professional assistance.
Whirlpool Freezer Drawer Not Sealing – Fixed
Check the door seal and replace it if the freezer drawer is not sealing. Over time, the seal weakens and may not seal tightly anymore. Use the refrigerator model number to get a replacement door seal for the freezer.
You can also use a strong magnet; rub the magnet along the length of the door seal. It should remagnetize it and get it working again if the seal is in good working condition. But if that does not work, it is time to replace the part.
Apart from replacing or remagnetizing the seal, check the freezer to ensure nothing is keeping the seal from working. You can try cleaning it and if that is not the issue, rearrange the contents of the freezer so nothing is sticking out. Do not overstock the freezer so the drawer can close. The same applies if the freezer drawer will not close.
Whirlpool Freezer Top Shelf Not Freezing – Quick Fix
It may be a faulty start relay, causing the compressor to malfunction. Replace the relay, usually connected to the compressor, and see if it fixes the problem. If it continues, it may be a refrigerant leak from the sealed system. This article on a Whirlpool freezer top shelf not freezing explains more about this problem and what to do about it in detail.
Get Instant Help — Ask An Experienced Verified Appliance Technician
Need expert help? Click here to use the chat box on this page to speak with a verified appliance technician right away. No need for expensive in-home service calls. No appointments. No waiting.