Whirlpool side by side refrigerator freezer not freezing

When your refrigerator malfunctions the problem typically affects the whole unit. So when your Whirlpool refrigerator freezer is cold but refrigerator is warm, it can seem like a mystery. We’ll take the detective work out of troubleshooting the problem with common causes like an overstuffed refrigerator or failed defrost system.

Where to Start When Your Whirlpool Refrigerator Freezer is Cold but Refrigerator is Warm

If a Whirlpool refrigerator freezer is cold but refrigerator is warm there are often common part malfunctions that cause the problem. However, there are also some simple fixes you can do at home. We’ll discuss each possibility to help determine if a repair is necessary.

#1. Refrigerator is Overstuffed

If you’re wondering why my fridge isn’t cold but the freezer is your refrigerator may be overloaded. When a refrigerator is stuffed with too much food cold air can’t properly circulate between the compartments and individual items. Without proper air circulation, the refrigerator can’t maintain a cool interior.

Here’s how to improve air circulation in your refrigerator and prevent overstuffing:

  • Dispose of old food containers and spoiled food
  • Clean the refrigerator’s interior with a clean cloth and warm soapy water
  • Rearrange shelves to allow for better airflow
  • Keep refrigerator ¾ of the way full for best air circulation
Whirlpool side by side refrigerator freezer not freezing
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#2. Whirlpool Condenser Coils are Dirty

Condenser coils cool refrigerant to maintain a cool temperature within the refrigerator. If the coils become covered with dust and debris, they may not be able to do so effectively. Consequently, your refrigerator won’t get cold but freezer will still maintain its temperature.

Cleaning the condenser coils can restore cool air to the refrigerator and should be done every 6-12 months. Refrigerator coil cleaning can be accomplished with these simple steps:

  1. Disconnect refrigerator from power source and locate condenser coils
  2. With a narrow hose vacuum attachment, vacuum dust, and debris from the coils and surrounding area
  3. Remove stubborn particles with an appliance brush
  4. Vacuum up any remaining debris
  5. Reconnect refrigerator to power source

#3. Evaporator Fan Motor is Defective

When you find your Whirlpool refrigerator not cooling but freezer works fine a defective evaporator fan motor is a common part malfunction. This motor powers the fan that blows cold air over the refrigerator coils. Without this fan refrigerant won’t cool enough to maintain the refrigerator’s temperature.

If the evaporator fan blades don’t turn easily or the fan motor is especially noisy, it’s likely defective. While multimeter testing can confirm this with a lack of continuity, a faulty fan motor requires professional replacement.

#4. Defrost System has Failed

If any part of the refrigerator’s defrost system fails, ice can start to accumulate on the evaporator coils, making the refrigerator work harder to keep cool. These defrost components are often responsible when a Whirlpool refrigerator freezer is cold but refrigerator is warm:

  • Defrost control board: dictates how often to run the defrost function. If it malfunctions the defrost function won’t operate.
  • Defrost Thermostat: monitors the evaporator coils’ temperature. If it fails it may provide incorrect temperature readings and the defrost cycle won’t turn on when needed.
  • Defrost timer: works with the control board to turn the defrost function off and on throughout the day. If it’s malfunctioning, the refrigerator won’t defrost as necessary.

Let the Whirlpool refrigerator experts help when your Whirlpool refrigerator freezer is cold but refrigerator is warm. Call us to schedule an appointment!

In this article, we take a look at the problem of a Whirlpool freezer not freezing and a Whirlpool refrigerator not cooling or freezing.

Whirlpool side by side refrigerator freezer not freezing

  • Whirlpool Refrigerator Not Cooling or Freezing – What to Do
    • 1. Check the Condenser Coils
    • 2. Check the Evaporator Fan Motor
    • 3. Check the Condenser Fan Motor
    • 4. Check the Temperature Control Thermostat
    • 5. Check the Start Relay
    • 6. Check the Thermistor
    • 7. Check the Start Capacitor
  • Whirlpool Freezer Not Freezing – How to Fix
    • 1. Evaporator Fan Motor
    • 2. Condenser Coils
    • 3. Start Relay
    • 4. Condenser Fan Motor
    • 5. Evaporator Coils
    • 6. Temperature Control Thermostat
  • Whirlpool Ice Maker Not Freezing Water – Quick Fix
    • 1. Power Button
    • 2. Water Filter
    • 3. Ice Maker
    • 4. Ejector Arm
    • 5. Water Supply Line
    • 6. Water Pressure
    • 7. Water Inlet Valve
    • 8. Temperature of the Freezer
  • Whirlpool Freezer Top Shelf Not Freezing – Solutions
  • Get Instant Help — Ask An Experienced Verified Appliance Technician

Whirlpool Refrigerator Not Cooling or Freezing – What to Do

If your Whirlpool refrigerator stops cooling or freezing, here are things to do:

1. Check the Condenser Coils

Dirt on the condenser coils will inhibit their efficiency in dissipating heat from the refrigerator. Consequently, the refrigerator’s capacity to cool will be greatly reduced.

Thoroughly clean the coils if you have not been cleaning them. You will find them under the unit. It is also important to clean them every 6 to 12 months. This will keep them working optimally in reducing heat in the refrigerator.

2. Check the Evaporator Fan Motor

If your refrigerator has only one evaporator fan, you will find it behind the rear panel of the freezer section. The fan sees to it that there is cold air in the freezer and refrigerator sections. So if it is not working, the refrigerating section will not be cold but the freezer could be a little cool.

Check the fan motor by turning the blades of the fan. If they are stiff, the motor is bad and should be replaced. And if the motor is noisier than it should be, replace it. However, if there is seemingly no life in the motor, test the windings of the motor using a multimeter to check for continuity. If there is no continuity in the windings, replace the motor.

3. Check the Condenser Fan Motor

The condenser fan cools the compressor and the condenser coils. If the fan motor is faulty, the compressor won’t work optimally and the refrigerator won’t cool.

Try and turn the blades of the fan with your hand to see if they turn freely. If they don’t, the motor is faulty and must be replaced. But if they turn freely and nothing is obstructing the blades, test the continuity of the motor with a multimeter. If there is no continuity, replace the motor of the fan.

4. Check the Temperature Control Thermostat

A poorly functioning thermostat can keep the refrigerant from working as it should. Now, if the refrigerant doesn’t run, the refrigerator will not cool.

Move the thermostat to the highest temperature setting from the lowest temperature setting. Wait to hear a sound like a click. If you hear it, then the thermostat is likely not defective. But if you don’t hear the click, check the continuity of the thermostat using a multimeter. If you don’t find continuity at any temperature setting you take it to, replace the thermostat.

5. Check the Start Relay

The relay is able to power the compressor when it works together with the start winding. If the relay is faulty, the compressor is likely to run at short intervals or not run at all. The refrigerator will not cool if the compressor doesn’t run.

Detach the start relay from the compressor and test for continuity between its start and run terminals. If there is no continuity, replace the relay. Additionally, if the start relay has a burnt odor, replace it as soon as possible.

6. Check the Thermistor

A faulty thermistor will make the compressor and the evaporator fan unable to run. This is because it supplies temperature readings to the control board so that the board can regulate power to the fan and compressor.

Test the thermistor with a multimeter and you should see its resistance changing with the temperature of the refrigerator. If there is no change in the resistance and there is no continuity, replace the thermistor.

7. Check the Start Capacitor

The start capacitor helps the compressor to start by providing a boost of power to it. If the capacitor is no longer in good working order, the compressor may not start at all.

Determine the functionality of the start capacitor by testing it using a multimeter. If there is no continuity showing in the multimeter, replace the capacitor.

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We would like to point out here that the problem could be with a malfunctioning main control board, temperature control board or compressor. Therefore, you can check any of them if none of the parts listed above is faulty. However, it is rare to find that any of them is faulty.

It is important to note here that these steps apply to every type of Whirlpool refrigerator – side-by-side, double-door, 3-door french door, 4-door french door, fridge freezer and so on.

Here is a video showing you how to troubleshoot and fix a Whirlpool refrigerator that is not cooling, using a side-by-side model…

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The following are what to check in order to fix a Whirlpool freezer that is not freezing:

1. Evaporator Fan Motor

Check the motor of the evaporator fan by opening the door of the freezer and activating the door switch manually.

Under normal circumstances, the fan will stop running as soon as the door is opened. But activating the door switch will get the fan motor running again. However, when you activate the switch and the fan motor doesn’t run, you know that the motor is bad and should be replaced.

The evaporator fan makes sure there is cold air in the freezer by drawing the air from the cooling coils and spreading it in the freezer. So there can’t be cold air in the freezer if the fan is not in proper working order.

2. Condenser Coils

Make sure that the condenser coils are not dirty because that will inhibit the cooling capacity of the freezer. Clean the coils every 6 months, at least, and be sure to clean them regularly. That is unless the condenser coils are inside the walls of the freezer. If they are, you don’t have to clean them. But if they are under or behind the freezer, give them a thorough cleaning.

If the condenser coils are dirty, they will be slow in dissipating the heat from the refrigerant as it goes through them. With time, the coils will be unable to dissipate the heat, making the freezer warm. So, if your Whirlpool freezer is not freezing, the coils should be checked.

3. Start Relay

To check if the start relay is working fine, test it between the start and run terminal sockets for continuity using a multimeter. If there is no continuity, replace the start relay. Additionally, if there is a burnt odor coming from the relay, get a new one and replace it.

The compressor is unlikely to run if the start relay is faulty. And the freezer will not get cold if the compressor is not running smoothly.

4. Condenser Fan Motor

This is an unlikely cause of the freezing problem but a poorly working condenser fan motor will not be able to draw air through the condenser to cool the compressor. Hence, the unit will heat up. So check the motor to cover all grounds.

Try and spin the blades to see if they spin without any stiffness. If they do, the motor is probably still good. But if they don’t, then the bearings of the motor are worn and the motor needs to be changed. To make doubly sure, test the motor for continuity with a multimeter. Replace the motor if there is no continuity.

5. Evaporator Coils

If the evaporator or cooling coils have frost on them, then they won’t be able to release cold air for the evaporator fan to spread in the freezer. It is also an indication that there is something wrong with the defrost system of the freezer.

Defrost the ice on the coils by manually defrosting the freezer. Leave the unit unplugged for some hours or overnight. This is dependent on the ice or frost buildup on the coils and in the freezer. Collect the water from the melting ice with a pan and soak up the water with thick towels.

However, you will need to contact a qualified refrigerator repair technician to find out why frost is building on the coils and fix it. If any of the components of the defrost system needs to be replaced, replace it as soon as possible. Doing this will keep frost from building on the coils again and keep your freezer in top working condition.

This video shows how to fix a defrost component that is faulty, causing frosting on the evaporator coils…

6. Temperature Control Thermostat

Check the thermostat by rotating it from low to high and see if you hear a click. The click tells you that the thermostat is working fine. But the absence of a click tells you that the thermostat is not in a good working condition.

To be absolutely sure, test it with a multimeter to check continuity. If there is no continuity, replace the temperature control thermostat.

The evaporator fan motor, condenser fan motor and the compressor get voltage from the thermostat. So if it is defective, these refrigerator parts will not get voltage and consequently, the refrigerant system won’t power and the freezer won’t cool. This is one of the parts to check if you find that your Whirlpool freezer is not freezing.

The user control and display board, the compressor or the main control could be defective and cause the freezer not to freeze. However, it is unusual for any of them to become defective. But to be sure, you can check them to ensure they are in proper working condition.

The lack of freezing in the freezer could also be caused by a leak in the sealed system. In this case, the only solution is to replace the freezer. There is no other solution to a leakage in the sealed system.

Note: You can apply these diagnostic and repair steps to any Whirlpool freezer type – upright freezer, chest freezer, deep freezer, bottom-drawer freezer and the rest.

Whirlpool Ice Maker Not Freezing Water – Quick Fix

In the event your Whirlpool ice maker is not freezing enough to make ice, check the following:

1. Power Button

Be sure that the ice maker is on. Sometimes, it is inadvertently turned off and is mistaken for broken. Turn it on if it is off and wait to see if the ice maker starts working again.

2. Water Filter

If the water filter for the ice maker is due for a change is not properly inserted, it will impede the flow of water that gets to the ice maker. This, in turn, will cause little or no ice production.

Therefore, change the water filter if it is time to change it. If not, ensure that it is properly set in its place so that it can function well.

Whirlpool side by side refrigerator freezer not freezing

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3. Ice Maker

There is a chance that the ice maker itself is malfunctioning. You will need to find a refrigerator maintenance agent to take a look at the ice maker, determine if it is faulty and advise you on what to do.

Unfortunately, it is usually difficult to find individual ice maker parts. You may have to buy the whole ice maker assembly.

4. Ejector Arm

If there is ice lodged in the ice maker’s ejector arm, the ice maker will not function properly. Therefore, remove any cie in the arm, using a plastic instrument so as not to damage the ice maker.

5. Water Supply Line

Check the water supply line that supplies water to the ice maker. If it is not properly fixed, there will be no flow of water to the ice maker. Therefore, the ice maker will have no water to freeze. Attach it correctly and re-initiate the flow of water to ensure it is working properly.

6. Water Pressure

Low water pressure can affect the freezing capacity of the ice maker. If the pressure is below 20psi, the water inlet valve will be unable to function as it should. This means that it will be unable to supply water to the water and ice dispenser.

Have a plumber come and fix the pressure of the water flowing in your house if it is too low.

7. Water Inlet Valve

The inlet valve is responsible for supplying water to the ice maker and the dispenser. If there is not enough water pressure, at least 20psi, or if the valve is defective, it won’t open wide enough for water to flow through into the ice maker.

With a multimeter, check the inlet valve to see if the inlet valve is getting enough power supply. If it is getting enough power and the pressure of the water is sufficient, then replace the inlet valve because it is defective.

8. Temperature of the Freezer

Check the temperature that the unit has been set to and see if it is at the right spot. Setting the temperature lower than 0 degrees Fahrenheit or -18 degrees Celcius will affect the freezing capacity of the ice maker. It will not be able to freeze water enough to make ice.

Adjust the temperature setting accordingly. However, if the setting is at the right place yet the ice maker is not freezing water, you can adjust it again. Then, give the unit time to adapt to the new temperature setting. The room temperature could be affecting the unit, causing it not to freeze as it should.

No matter the type of Whirlpool ice and water refrigerator you have, you can check the parts mentioned if the ice maker is not freezing or making ice.

Whirlpool Freezer Top Shelf Not Freezing – Solutions

If the top shelf of your Whirlpool freezer is not freezing while the bottom part is, check the door seal. If it doesn’t seal tightly anymore, it could affect the top shelf and some other areas in the freezer.

Also, check the air vents to be sure nothing is blocking them. This is a common occurrence, where you find the bottom part freezing while the top part is not freezing. The cold air that finds its way into the freezer settles at the bottom because the top part is choked with items so air cannot circulate.

Rearrange the contents of the freezer to make more room for air and free the air vents so the cold air can come into the freezer.

The problem could also stem from a leak in the sealed system of the freezer. When the top shelf of the freezer is not as cold as the bottom part, it is usually an indicator that something is wrong with the sealed system. It could be a freon leak. And if this is the case, you will have to buy a new freezer because there is no other solution. This is especially true if you have been using the freezer for many years.

However, you cannot tell if it is a leak unless a refrigerator technician certifies it to be so. Therefore, contact one to check the freezer and determine what is causing the lack of freezing in the top shelf of the freezer.

Quick Note

Unplugging the freezer from the wall outlet when running diagnostics or doing repair work on a Whirlpool freezer that is not freezing is a necessary first step to preserving yourself and the freezer. This is applicable to all electronic appliances but especially refrigerating units.

Ensure you contact a professional refrigerator repair agent to fix any refrigerator problem if fixing it yourself proves too difficult. You can also contact the customer service center of Whirlpool to request service.

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Why does my Whirlpool refrigerator freezer not freezing?

Step 1: Check the setting controls To be sure your appliance is set to the appropriate temperature, check your appliance's control settings. However, if your freezer is cold but not freezing, it may be time to inspect the thermostat. Try changing the thermostat from the lowest setting to the highest setting.

Why is refrigerator working but freezer not freezing?

If you have a combination refrigerator-freezer that isn't freezing, a very common cause is dirty condenser coils. When coils aren't maintained properly, it reduces the cooling capacity of your freezer. To clean the condenser coils you can vacuum the coils with a crevice attachment.

How do you reset a Whirlpool side by side freezer?

Now, let's discuss this in more detail..
1 – Unplug the Fridge. ... .
2 – Wait 5 Minutes. ... .
3 – Plug the Fridge Back in. ... .
4 – Simultaneously Press and Hold Down the Lock and Filter Buttons. ... .
5 – Check to See if the Control Panel is Working. ... .
6 – Find the Door Switch. ... .
7 – Press the Door Switch and Temperature Plus Button..