Whirlpool side by side refrigerator not cooling but freezer is working

First thing to check, any air coming into the refer area from the fan? If not then you have a restriction. Second, if this is the case, best thing is to manually defrost the unit. If you can move stuff to a temporary unit (another fridge/freezer, cooler, etc) defrost by unplugging the unit, wait several hours, could be several hours unless you speed it up with warm air introduced to the freezer section. Then once defrosted, restart the unit and monitor to see if it is cooling. Check the temp in the fridge and freezer. If it seems to be working fine and cooling the fridge side, then you have a defrost cycle issue and not a coolant(Freon) issue. This could be a number of parts, a thermistor, defrost heater, timer, circuit board, etc. The first place is to monitor the defrost cycle. If you can manually advance it and it seems to defrost, then you have a possibly timer issue. To monitor the defrost cycle, you need to have a clear view of the coil inside the freezer. If it melts the ice off the the coil, then your defrost cycle is fine. If not, you need to test the thermistor for the heater. If it is good, then the heater. If those are good, then the cycle timer could be bad. Im not sure how to check or manually change the cycle on a newer digital fridge, but older ones you can manually turn the timer to different parts of the cycle. You can turn it and listen carefully to see if it is making noise, also turn it until it clicks then listen for the fridge to do something. If the fridge is cycling on and off or sounds normal, then your issue is not the timer and would lead back to the defrost cycle. Most non-cooling issues I have ever come across (DIY guy that helps friends and family) are the thermistor or the timer.

answered Sep 17, 2018 at 0:29

Jeff CatesJeff Cates

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Are you finding your refrigerator running warm? It’s unsettling to discover your Whirlpool refrigerator not cool. After all, the last thing you need is food spoilage and money down the drain. The good news is, when your Whirlpool fridge is not cooling enough, a few DIY steps will often get things moving in the right direction again.

Troubleshooting Guide: Whirlpool Refrigerator Not Cooling

Our clients will sometimes ask, “Why is my Whirlpool fridge not cooling?” We advise initial Whirlpool refrigerator troubleshooting before we send in the big guns – our experts in refrigerator repair.

Possible Cause #1: Dirty Condenser Coils

Dirty condenser coils are the most common cause for a Whirlpool refrigerator not cooling. Condenser coils dissipate heat as the refrigerant passes through them. If the coils are clogged in dirt and debris, they can’t release the heat properly. You may have even noticed your refrigerator is noisy, which can be due to your fridge working harder to maintain a proper temperature.

Clean the Condenser Coils

• Pull fridge away from the wall – allows better access to the back and underneath of unit. The coils are snake-like in shape and often located under the refrigerator. You may also have a toe guard at the bottom front of the fridge that can be removed for better cleaning.
• Vacuum – use a narrow hose attachment to vacuum all the coils and external hardware on the refrigerator.
• Use a Dryer Brush – scrub the coils with a dry brush to remove stubborn debris. These brushes can be purchased on Amazon or your local grocery/hardware store.
• Vacuum – give one more vacuum to remove all remaining dirt.

Photo from Green Living

Possible Cause #2: Door Seal is Loose

The second most common cause for a Whirlpool refrigerator not cool is a defective door seal. If the door seal is loose or damaged, your fridge won’t cool properly. The door seal ensures the cold air inside the refrigerator is locked inside rather than leaking into your kitchen. Check the door seal for damage, gaps, or other defects. If you don’t have a tight door seal, replace it.

Image from The Family Handyman

Possible Cause #3: Temperature isn’t Set Properly

Is your Whirlpool refrigerator not cooling but freezer is working? Check your temperature setting. Refer to your owner’s manual for the optimal temperature setting for your particular model.

Possible Cause #4: Power Failure

In the event of power failure:

• Check the cord – ensure it is snugly connected to the power outlet.
• Inspect the cord – look for signs of damage. Replace cord if damaged or showing signs of wear and tear.
• Check circuit breaker – check to make sure you didn’t blow a fuse, and if so, flip it back on.

Image from Gina Valley

Possible Cause #5: Part Failure

If you have checked the above causes and still have a Whirlpool refrigerator not cool, then you may have a broken condenser fan motor, failed thermostat, or other part failures, which means it’s time to call an appliance technician for repair.

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