Whirlpool Refrigerator Not Cooling [Quick Fix]

Looking for how to quickly and easily fix your Whirlpool refrigerator that is not cooling? You have come to the right place.

Table of Contents

Whirlpool Refrigerator Not Cooling after Power Outage

If your Whirlpool refrigerator stopped cooling after a power outage, it is possible it turned off automatically. This means the cooling feature will be off, too. To turn it back on if this is the case, press the ‘filter’ and ‘smart grid’ buttons at the same time. Hold them for about 3 seconds. The cooling feature will come back on.

But if this is not the case, check the power cord and wall socket to be sure they are working. Then, check the circuit breaker to see if it is on.

When you check these and they are all in working order, inspect the refrigerator to see if there is an electrical burn. This will tell you that there was a power surge that has caused some damage to the unit. As an example, the compressor could find it difficult to start or run because the start relay or the start capacitor is burnt.

Additionally, the compressor could be finding it difficult to start because there is not enough power getting to it.

The best thing to do is to contact a professional technician to take a look at the refrigerator. They will be better able to accurately tell what the problem is and fix it.

Whirlpool Refrigerator and Freezer Not Cooling – How to Fix

Below are the possible reasons why your Whirlpool refrigerator and freezer are not cooling:

1. Condenser Coils Are Dirty

Check the condenser coils to see if they are dirty. If they are clogged with dirt, they will not dissipate the heat of the refrigerant properly. So, the refrigerator will not cool properly. Vacuum them and dust any leftover dirt after vacuuming.

2. Evaporator Fan Motor is Bad

If the fan blades don’t spin freely or if the motor is noisy, then you know the motor is bad. In addition, if you test the motor windings with a multimeter and there is no continuity, the motor is bad.

This fan is responsible for pushing air over the cooling coils and spreading it through the refrigerator. If it is defective, there will be no cold air in the unit.

3. Start Relay Is Acting Up

The start relay is attached to the compressor and if it is bad, the compressor will have a difficult time running. Check if it is still active by shaking it. If you hear a rattling, the relay is bad and should be replaced immediately.

4. Condenser Fan Motor Is Faulty

You can see the condenser fan because it is right beside the compressor. Take a look at its blades. If there is anything obstructing their free movement, remove it so the fan can turn freely. If not, spin the blades. This will tell you if the motor is bad.

If the blades spin without any hitch, then you know the motor is likely alright. But if not, the motor is bad. To be sure, use a multimeter to test its continuity. If you find no continuity, replace the motor or the entire fan.

5. Thermistor Is Defective

To know if a thermistor is working, test its resistance together with the temperature of the refrigerator using a multimeter. The resistance should change as the temperature changes. But if you don’t see this happening, the thermistor is bad.

6. Start Capacitor Needs Changing

Test the capacitor with a multimeter. If it is faulty, there will be no continuity so should be replaced. The capacitor is necessary for the compressor to start.

7. Temperature Control Thermostat Needs to Be Changed

Check the functionality of the thermostat by turning it and listening for a click. If you hear none, then the thermostat is bad. And if it is bad, the control board will not be able to direct voltage to the compressor, condenser fan motor where it applies, and the evaporator fan motor. So the refrigerant won’t run and the refrigerator won’t cool.

You can get a qualified technician to look at the refrigerator in the event the problem is with the compressor or main control board.

This video shows you where all the parts are and how to fix them…

Whirlpool Refrigerator Making a Noise and Not Cooling

If your Whirlpool refrigerator is making a noise and not cooling, check the evaporator fan motor behind the rear panel of the freezer. Press your ear to the door of the unit with the doors closed. You will hear the hum of the fan. If you don’t hear it, open the rear panel to check the blades and motor. If the blades are not spinning or the motor is unusually noisy, the fan is bad and needs to be replaced. A defective evaporator will affect the cooling ability of the refrigerator

But if the fan is fine, check the condenser fan beside the compressor. Something could be stuck in its blades, causing it to make the noise and reducing its ability to keep the coils cool. And if the coils and compressor are hot, the refrigerator will be war, not cool.

In addition, the noise could be coming from the compressor. A bad compressor tends to make a noise. So if it is the compressor, replace it or buy a new refrigerator.

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Whirlpool Refrigerator Not Cooling after Door Was Left Open – What to Do

When the door of the refrigerator or freezer is left open for too long, the evaporator coils will have too much ice on them.

Close the door properly because the freezer and fridge will not cool if the coils continue to have frost buildup on them.

Thaw the ice or frost by turning the unit off for some hours. However, check the defrost system because a frost buildup on the coils means the defrost system didn’t work.

Check out these other articles on refrigerators not cooling for other brands…

Whirlpool Refrigerator Is Not Cooling But Freezer Is Working

The commonest cause for a Whirlpool refrigerator being warm while the freezer is cool is a bad evaporator fan motor. If the motor is bad, the refrigerant will not get cool enough to keep the refrigerator cool.

Open the back of the freezer and check it with a multimeter or by spinning the blades. If you see no continuity in the multimeter or the blades don’t spin well, the motor is bad.

Additionally, check the following:

1. Condenser Coils

If the coils are dirty, clean them well so that the refrigerant that goes through them will be cool. You will find them at the base of the unit, at the back.

2. Evaporator Coils

If the evaporator coils are frosted over, then they will not be able to spread cool air throughout the refrigerator. So while the freezer can remain cool, the refrigerator will grow warm.

But this is an indication that the defrost system has failed. This is because if the system is fully functional, the defrost control board will alert the defrost timer to set the defrost cycle. Then, defrost heater will come on and defrost the ice on the coils during the defrost cycle.

Here is a visual representation of how to fix a refrigerator being warm while the freezer is cold…

Whirlpool Refrigerator Not Cooling But There Is a Clicking Sound

The start relay is bad if you hear a clicking sound and the Whirlpool refrigerator is not cooling. The sound is the compressor being overloaded and shutting down. Check the start relay by shaking it. If you hear a sound like a rattle, the relay should be replaced.

But if you are not sure, test it with a multimeter between the start and run terminals for continuity. Without continuity, it is bad and should be replaced.

The relay enables the compressor to run. But if it is bad, the compressor won’t run and the refrigerator won’t cool.

Another reason for the clicking sound and no cooling is a faulty compressor. Test it for continuity between the electrical pins on its side, using a multimeter. If you find an open circuit, call a professional technician to replace it.

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