Whirlpool Refrigerator Freezing Up [What To Do]

Is your Whirlpool refrigerator freezing up? Read our article to learn how to solve the problem and perform repairs.

Table of Contents

Whirlpool Refrigerator Evaporator Coil Freezing Up – Solutions

Check the following parts of the Whirlpool refrigerator if the evaporator coils is freezing up and replace them if they are faulty:

1. Defrost Heater

Test the heater with a multimeter to check for continuity. The heater is usually wrapped around the coils. If there is no continuity, replace it.

The defrost heater comes on a few times in a day in order to melt accumulated ice away from the coils. If it doesn’t turn on, ice or frost will accumulate on the coils and eventually, they will freeze.

2. Defrost Thermostat

Check the thermostat by testing it for continuity using a multimeter. If there is no continuity, the thermostat is faulty and must be replaced.

The defrost thermostat senses the coldness of the evaporator coils before allowing the defrost heater to turn on. A defective thermostat means the heater will not turn on and then, the coils will become frozen.

3. Defrost Timer

Turn the timer slowly with your hand or with a screwdriver. Wait to hear a click. When it clicks, the fans and compressor will go off. If the heater and thermostat are working fine, then the heater should turn on. And if the heater turns on, then you know the defrost timer is faulty and needs to be replaced. This is because you had to manually operate it before it could work again.

Without the timer, the refrigerator will not advance into the defrost cycle. So, it could be stuck in the cooling mode, causing the unit to become frozen, including the coils.

4. Gasket

Close the door of the unit on top of any dollar bill of your choice. Then, try pulling the bill out without opening the door. If it is hard to pull out, the gasket is good. But if the bill is easy to pull out, the gasket is defective. Repeat this all around the door of the unit to see if there is any part that seals poorly. Replace the gasket if there is looseness anywhere.

The door gasket creates a tight seal so outside air doesn’t seep into the refrigerator and the cool air inside doesn’t escape. If the gasket is broken or torn, humid outside air will seep into the unit and condense and freeze on the coils. If this keeps happening, frost will form on the coils too quickly. And it is possible the defrost cycle will not keep up with defrosting.

Whirlpool Refrigerator Freezing Up in the Ice Chute – Quick Fix

Check the fill valve assembly to see if it is leaking. Have it changed if there is a leak. Also, change the water filter. Changing it will help free up the chute so it doesn’t freeze up again.

Flush the water supply line to remove debris. If there is debris, water will not flow freely. So, it will remain in the chute and freeze with time.

Learn more about a Whirlpool refrigerator ice chute freezing up from this video…

Whirlpool Refrigerator Ice Dispenser Freezing Up – Quick Fix

Check the ice chute door flap to ensure it rests flush against the housing. If it is open, it lets in warm air to melt the ice in the dispenser. over time, the ice refreezes in the dispenser and ice bucket. Clean the chute with warm water and ensure the flap closes securely.

Another thing to check is the freezer temperature. If it is too low, the ice dispenser and ice bucket will freeze. Consider adjusting the temperature a degree or two higher to accommodate the dispenser and make it easier to get ice.

The water pressure must be up to 20 psi but not higher than 120 psi. The best range is between 30 and 80 psi for the best results. Otherwise, the water system can malfunction, which may affect how the ice dispenser works. Test the pressure with a water pressure gauge and if it is incorrect, use a water presssure regulator to fix the issue. Alternatively, let a plumber do a more professional repair.

A defective water inlet valve can also affect the water pressure. Monitor the dispenser and ice maker after fixing the pressure to see if the problem resolves. If it persists, it may be from the inlet valve. Test the power supply to the inlet vlave solenoid using a multimeter. If the water pressure is correct and the valve is receiving power but there is a water supply issue, replace the inlet valve.

Whirlpool Refrigerator Ice Maker Freezing Up

Here are the parts to check if your Whirlpool refrigerator ice maker is freezing up:

1. Water Line

When the water line is jammed too far in the valve, it will create a splashback. Water will splash into areas around the ice maker and freezes with time. Check the line and position it properly if it is out of place.

2. Water Filter

If the water filter is due for a change, change it as soon as possible. This is because the filter could be clogged, affecting the water pressure. When the pressure of the water is low, the ice maker will not fill up quickly so the ice maker will freeze too quickly.

3. Ice Fill Chute

Move the ice maker to take a look at the chute. If it has ice stuck in it or if it is frozen, it thaw it with hot water. This will help it function properly so the ice maker doesn’t get frozen.

4. Water Pressure

If the water pressure is too low or too high, the ice maker is likely to freeze up. 120 PSI is the right pressure; anything under or over will affect the ice maker.

5. Water Supply Line

Frozen water supply line will throw water back, causing it to freeze around the ice maker. Thaw it if it is frozen by turning the refrigerator off or using a hair dryer. But apply caution when using a hair dryer.

6. Water Inlet Valve

A faulty water inlet valve will cause water to overfill the ice cube area and eventually freeze. Test it with a multimeter to see if the solenoid is working. If the solenoid is not working, change the inlet valve.

7. Refrigerator Temperature

The problem could be as simple as the refrigerator temperature being too low. Check the temperature control to see if you set it too low and adjust it accordingly. Remember to give the unit time to adjust to the new temperature.

Additionally, check the ice maker itself. If the small circuit board that controls it or the ice maker motor is defective, the ice maker could malfunction by freezing up. Change it if you find the ice maker is the problem or contact the Whirlpool Service Center for further assistance.

Watch this video to learn more on fixing an ice maker that is frozen…

Check out these other in-depth articles on refrigerator freezing up for other refrigerator brands…

Why Does My Whirlpool Refrigerator Keep Freezing Up?

One of the reasons your Whirlpool refrigerator keeps freezing up is the temperature control thermostat. Rotate the thermostat from low to high and wait to hear a click. If you hear a click, the thermostat is good. But if you don’t hear a click, test the thermostat with a multimeter for continuity. If you find no continuity, replace the thermostat.

The temperature control thermostat is responsible for directing the right amount of voltage to the compressor, the evaporator fan motor and the condenser fan motor where it is applicable. If it is faulty, the refrigerant could run too long and freeze the refrigerator.

Another reason your refrigerator is freezing is the air damper control assembly. Check it and replace it if you find that it is open all the way or even partially open.

The damper closes and open to let in the right amount of cold air into the refrigerator. If it is open permanently, too much cold air will come into the refrigerator and freeze it eventually.

Whirlpool Refrigerator Freezer Drain Keeps Freezing Up – Solutions

Check the temperature of the freezer to be sure you set it at the right place. Adjust it to the right setting if it is not.

The recommended temperature setting for a refrigerator is between 33 degrees and 39 degrees Fahrenheit. So if your refrigerator is set below 33 degrees Fahrenheit, the water that drains from the freezer will freeze in the drain before getting to the fridge compartment.

It is also possible the drain heater is no longer functioning. Test it with a multimeter to be sure it has continuity. If it doesn’t, change the heater so it can keep the water in the drain from freezing up and causing the drain to clog.

Whirlpool Refrigerator Freezer Keeps Freezing Up – How to Fix

If your Whirlpool refrigerator freezer keeps freezing up, check the following parts:

1. Door Gasket

Check the door gasket for leaks. Use a dollar bill to do this. If you put a dollar bill between the door and the unit before closing and can’t pull it out without opening the door, then the gasket is fine. But if you can easily pull the dollar bill out, the gasket is bad and you should replace it.

A faulty gasket will not let the door seal properly. So, air will come into the freezer and condense before freezing.

2. Defrost System

Check the defrost timer, defrost thermostat or the defrost heater for faults.

To check the timer, turn it slowly with a screwdriver or with your hand. Keep turning it until you hear a click. The compressor and fan will shut off, then. If the heater and thermostat are working well, the heater will come on when the compressor and fans shut off. And if the heater comes on, this tells you the timer is bad; you had to turn it manually to get it working. Change it as soon as possible.

To check the thermostat, test it for continuity using a multimeter. If you find continuity, the thermostat is good but if not, it is bad and needs to be replaced. Replace it as soon as you can because the freezer will keep freezing if the thermostat doesn’t allow the defrost heater to turn on.

And to check the defrost heater for faults, test its continuity with a multimeter. If the result is no continuity, replace the heater.

In addition to the above, be sure you don’t block the air vents inside the freezer. Don’t leave the door of the freezer open for too long and don’t open it too often. And if the environment is too humid, use a humidifier if you have one or keep the air from getting into the freezer.

Watch this video for more…

My Whirlpool Upright Freezer Not Freezing – Solutions

Check the following:

1. Start Relay

Test its continuity between the start and run terminals using a multimeter. If there is no continuity or if the start relay smells as if it is burnt, replace it.

Without the start relay, it is possible the compressor will run on and off or not at all. And if the compressor works this way, the freezer will not get cold.

2. Evaporator Fan Motor

Check the fan motor by opening the door of the freezer and manually activating the door switch. If the fan motor does not run even with the door switch activated, the motor is bad and should be replaced.

3. Condenser Coils

Take a look at the condenser and determine if they are dirty. Clean them by using the brush head of your vacuum and dust them thoroughly afterwards. But if the coils are within the walls of the freezer, you don’t need to do anything about them.

4. Evaporator Coils

If the evaporator coils have heavy frost on them, you will have to thaw them manually by unplugging the freezer and allowing it to defrost overnight. But you will also need to check the defrost heater. This is because the heater should defrost the ice on the coils so if there is a buildup, the heater is faulty.

Frost on the evaporator coils means they won’t be able to pass cool air into the freezer. So, the freezer will not be able to cool as it should.

Other parts to check are the condenser fan motor, compressor, temperature control thermostat and main control board. If all else works, check the sealed system for any leak. However, you cannot do this on your own; you will need to find a service agent to help you.

Whirlpool Upright Freezer Top Shelf Not Freezing – Quick Fix

If your Whirlpool upright freezer top shelf is not freezing, check the temperature setting of the freezer. If it is too high, reduce and see if the top shelf starts cooling. Fluctuation in temperature usually affects the top shelf faster than any other shelf because it is closer to the air vents.

You can also check the door to be sure it seals well. If it doesn’t, change the seal or gasket. A poorly-sealing door will affect the coolness in the top shelf of the freezer.

Additionally, keep the unit plugged into a wall outlet that is solely for it. Don’t use an extension for it. Constantly unplugging the unit and plugging it back in will affect its cooling capacity.

In some cases, it could be that the unit is old and is just wearing out. Trying to fix problems in such situations will only cost you more. It is usually better to just buy a new unit.

Quick Note

Always unplug your refrigerator before you start any work on it, no matter how little. Doing this will save you time and money. It will also keep you safe.

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