A Whirlpool refrigerator temperature works best if you correctly set it. Follow the recommended settings and adjust the temperatures according to necessity.
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Whirlpool Refrigerator Temperature Control Location
The temperature control location on a Whirlpool refrigerator depends on the model. Some models use control knobs, and you will find them inside the refrigerators. Other models use digital controls, which may be on the front of the refrigerator or at the top center of the door flange, visible when you open the door. You can determine the location by checking the control panel or consulting the refrigerator’s user manual.
Whirlpool Refrigerator Temperature Setting Snowflakes Explained
Some Whirlpool refrigerator models feature snowflakes on the control panel when you turn the appliance on and touch the temperature settings. The snowflakes may also appear as icons on the control panels, allowing you to control the coolness inside the Whirlpool refrigerator. You will notice that each temperature control side – for the refrigerator and freezer sections – has five snowflakes. That means you can control each section’s cooling capacity independent of the other section.
If you select all five snowflakes for any section, you have set the temperature to the coldest point. And if you select one snowflake, the temperature is at its warmest point. Any number between these two either lowers or increases the temperature. In other words, the higher the number of snowflakes, the colder the refrigerator’s temperature. But you will find that Whirlpool sets the snowflakes at 3, which is the recommended point for the best temperature.
Adjusting the Snowflakes
If you want to adjust the number of snowflakes for any section, use the temperature controls. Suppose you want to adjust the snowflakes for the freezer section. Press the temperature up or down button to increase or decrease the number of snowflakes. Do the same for the refrigerator section.
So, if you want to make the freezer colder, use the freezer temperature and press it; reducing the coldness means reducing the number of snowflakes, and increasing the coldness means increasing the number of snowflakes. The same applies to the refrigerator.
Whirlpool refrigerator models with digital displays or control panels are not the only models with snowflakes. Some models with control knobs inside the refrigerator also have snowflakes on the knobs. The recommended setting is 3 snowflakes, as with the models with digital displays. So, turn the control knobs to either increase or decrease the number of snowflakes, following the direction of the icons.
What Temperature Should a Whirlpool Refrigerator Be?
A Whirlpool refrigerator should be at 37 degrees Fahrenheit or 3 degrees Celsius. The company sets each refrigerator at this point from the factory because it is ideal for all food storage and preservation. However, you can adjust the temperature setting between 33 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit or 0 to 4 degrees Celsius. Setting it above this point may compromise food consumption safety, and setting it lower may make the refrigerator too cold.
If the refrigerator has a freezer section, the temperature should be at 0 degrees Fahrenheit or -18 degrees Celsius. You may need to adjust this setting, especially if the appliance is in a garage where the temperature can be unstable. But it must not exceed 5 degrees Fahrenheit or -15 degrees Celsius for proper food preservation and icemaking if there is an ice maker in the unit. You can risk setting it as high as 10 degrees Fahrenheit, but there is a chance of the food spoiling or the ice maker not properly functioning.
What Is the Coldest Temperature on a Whirlpool Fridge?
The coldest temperature on a Whirlpool fridge depends on the model. As mentioned, some models use digital controls, while others use knobs. If your fridge uses a digital control, you may find that you can adjust the temperature lower than 0 degrees for the freezer section and 33 degrees for the fridge section.
Therefore, the user manual shows the coldest setting for this type. However, if your fridge uses a control knob for the temperature, higher numbers are colder than lower numbers. In other words, the higher the number on the dial, the colder the fridge. 5 should be the coldest temperature setting, and 1 should be the warmest setting. 0 turns the cooling off. Follow our guide on adjusting the temperature in a Whirlpool refrigerator for further instructions.
Whirlpool Refrigerator Temperature Fluctuates – Fixed
Frequent opening of the refrigerator affects its temperature. The refrigerator loses cold air, and warm air replaces it when you constantly open and close the door. The same is true if you hold the door open for too long. Keep your refrigerator trips short and few to fix this problem. Make a list of needed items and get everything at once so that you do not open the door more than once or hold it open while deciding what you need.
If that is not the problem, it may be that someone else is adjusting the temperature setting. We have already discussed the correct temperature setting for the refrigerator and freezer, but if it keeps changing, you may have to determine whether or not someone is tampering with it. That is if you do not live alone.
But if you live alone, check for any heat source close to the refrigerator. Direct heat on the cabinet can compromise the temperature and cause it to rise. If you cannot relocate the appliance, shield it from the heat or lower the temperature to accommodate the heat. However, consider the temperature control thermostat if none of the above applies.
The thermostat may be defective, causing the temperature to fluctuate. Consult the user manual for the thermostat’s location, and test it by turning it and waiting for a click. If there is no click, check to see if there is continuity, and replace the thermostat if there is no continuity.
Other Possibilities
There is a chance that some contents are blocking the thermostat sensors. The thermostat may not necessarily be defective; moving one or two items in the refrigerator may get the sensors detecting the temperatures again. If you have too many things in the unit, consider reducing them to make room for better air circulation and allowing the thermostat to work. Keep the items away from the vents and give the unit time to run while monitoring the temperature.
Allow the vents to expel air when necessary; that means they must remain unobstructed. Blocking the vents may cause heat buildup or even lead to excessive frosting in the refrigerator. It helps to keep the appliance only partially full instead of overstocking it. You may also want to check the door gasket. If all the gasket or part of it looks dirty or warped, it explains the temperature fluctuations.
In such a case, you may have to replace the gasket or try cleaning it if you suspect it may still work. In addition to these, clean the condenser coils; these coils must be cleaned once or twice a year. They easily gather dirt, and dirt keeps the condenser coils from effectively dissipating heat out of the system. You do not have to clean them often if you notice they are not dirty on inspection. The reason is that the coils are fragile and can be easily damaged.
Lastly, check other internal components if none of the above issues fixes the problem. You may need professional assistance to find the cause and repair it. The wiring may have a problem, or the compressor may fail. Contact the Whirlpool Service Center and request assistance or employ the services of a qualified appliance technician.
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Whirlpool Freezer Temperature Alarm Going Off – Quick Fix
If the temperature alarm on your Whirlpool freezer is going off, it means the internal temperature is higher than 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Some models have an Over Temperature alarm that alerts you when the freezer’s temperature rises to 19 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If this temperature alarm sounds, you may notice a red light blinking on the control panel. It is crucial to fix the temperature issues.
But you can temporarily turn off the audible beeping. Go to the control panel and locate the Temp Setting button once. The red light should stop blinking and remain steady. The light will remain on until the freezer’s internal temperature drops to the recommended or set point. Ensure you find out why the temperature increased if there is no power outage. Check the door seal, air circulation around the freezer, condenser coils, and contents. Without fixing the source of the problem, the temperature alarm may go off again.
How to Set Temperature on a Whirlpool Refrigerator
Locate the controls if you want to set or adjust the temperature on a Whirlpool refrigerator. How you adjust it depends on the type of temperature controls on the refrigerator. A Whirlpool refrigerator comes from the factory set at 37 degrees, but you can change the settings to accommodate specific needs.
If the refrigerator has digital controls, press the refrigerator temperature button to lower or increase the setting. Do the same for the freezer section. But if the refrigerator has a temperature knob with numbers, remember that the lower numbers are for warm settings. The higher numbers are for cold settings. So, turn the knob to the right or the left to raise or lower the temperature.
For most models, 5 is the highest number, which means it is the coldest point, while 1 is the lowest number, making it the warmest setting. You can consult the user manual for other instructions for setting or adjusting the temperature on your specific Whirlpool refrigerator model or contact the Whirlpool Center if the manual is no longer available.
Adjusting the Temperature
Ensure you follow the correct instructions for setting the refrigerator temperature for the best results. Move the temperature controls one degree per time and monitor the refrigerator for temperature improvements. You may need a thermometer to check how cold the unit is if there is no noticeable change in the coldness. And after setting or adjusting it, wait about 24 hours before making further adjustments.
Do not open the refrigerator door too often during this period, and do not put a lot of food at room temperature in the unit until the temperature considerably drops. If the refrigerator is a new installation, you may need more time for the temperature to drop. Additionally, ensure the refrigerator is not in the path of any heat source.
How Long Does It Take for a Whirlpool Refrigerator to Get Cold?
It takes about 24 hours from the time you connect it to electric power for a newly-installed Whirlpool refrigerator to get cold enough to store food and drinks. It is best to allow the refrigerator to run on the preset factory temperature setting and cool as it should. Lowering the temperature does not cool the refrigerator any faster and may even affect its functionality. In addition, do not store food in it during this time because it may spoil.
When to Adjust a Whirlpool Refrigerator Temperature Control
Adjust the temperature of your Whirlpool refrigerator if the displayed temperature changes or the control knob is at the wrong setting. Also, if the refrigerator is not cooling, put a thermometer inside it and wait 24 hours to get a correct temperature reading. You can adjust the settings if the thermometer shows the temperature is too high or low.
And if you must position the appliance where it may be in the path of direct heat or in the garage, you may have to adjust the temperature accordingly. In addition, specific times of the year may require temperature adjustments in your refrigerator. Warm weather may need colder settings to accommodate the ambient temperature. And cold weather may need a slight increase in the settings, especially in the freezer.
How to Check Temperature on a Whirlpool Refrigerator
How you check the temperature in a Whirlpool refrigerator depends on the model. Refrigerators with digital settings usually display the temperature. If the screen is blank, press any button on the control panel or one of the temperature buttons to activate the screen. You will see what the set temperature is. Other models with digital controls may require you to press and hold the Temp button until there is a countdown from 3 to one. Then, the screen shows the current temperature.
If the model is one with a control know, check the point where the dial faces. There is usually a pointer on the knob you turn that indicates the set point. The number where it points tells you the temperature. But if the model does not have numbers on the control, note that the right side is the colder point, while the left side is the warmer point. So, the refrigerator is cold if the pointer faces the right side.
However, you can use a thermometer to determine the exact temperature inside the refrigerator. Put one inside the unit, between cold or frozen food, and leave it there for 24 hours. The temperature reading tells you the correct setting, regardless of what the display or control knob says. Consult the user manual for additional steps to check the internal temperature.
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