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Whirlpool Refrigerator not freezing
Common reasons your Whirlpool Refrigerator not freezing
The most common reasons your Whirlpool refrigerator isn't freezing are a faulty icemaker assembly, a malfunctioning PCB, or a locked compressor.
11% of the time it's the Icemaker Assembly
11% of the time it's the PCB
7% of the time it's the Compressor
71% of the time it's the Something else
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Most common repairs needed to fix a Whirlpool refrigerator
Icemaker Assembly Replacement
A faulty refrigerator icemaker can have diverse effects, impacting various aspects of the refrigerator's operation, including its ability to make ice. Increased noise during the ice-making process could indicate a problem in the icemaker's components. A malfunctioning icemaker may lead to water leaks around the icemaker assembly, potentially causing water puddles in and around the refrigerator. If the bail arm fails to shut off ice production, it could result in the icemaker drawer jamming due to an overproduction of ice, potentially leading to damage to the drawer or adjacent shelf. The failure of other components in a refrigerator that stops cooling will affect ice production, so a thorough inspection of the refrigerator by a Sears Home Services professional is recommended for an accurate diagnosis.
PCB Replacement
A defective printed circuit board (PCB) can cause various issues in a refrigerator, such as a lack of power, insufficient cooling, and water leaks. The PCB, also known as the electronic control board, manages communication and power distribution among the refrigerator's components, including those responsible for temperature regulation, fan operation, the defrost cycle, ice maker, and dispenser functions. If the PCB fails, any or all of these components may stop functioning. Given the potential impact on multiple components, it’s advisable to have Sears Home Services professionals perform diagnostic tests on the board to determine if a replacement is necessary.
Compressor Replacement
A locked refrigerator compressor can exhibit several symptoms indicative of a malfunction. The most noticeable sign is a lack of cooling in the refrigerator compartment, leading to elevated temperatures and the potential for food spoilage. The freezer may also fail to maintain the desired freezing temperatures, resulting in no ice production from the icemaker or dispenser. Additionally, you'll observe that the compressor is unusually silent or fails to produce its typical humming sound during operation. In some cases, the compressor may attempt to start but fail, resulting in repeated clicking noises. The inability of the compressor to circulate refrigerant properly can affect the defrosting process, leading to ice buildup in the freezer. Furthermore, a faulty compressor could send a sudden influx of melting frost to the drain line, causing it to back up, preventing adequate draining, and potentially causing water leaks.
Why is my Whirlpool refrigerator not freezing?
Cooling problems in the freezer compartment of a Whirlpool refrigerator can be caused by dirty condenser coils, an air leak, a failed temperature sensor or a control system problem.
Follow these expert tips to find the cause of the freezer cooling problem and resolve the issue.
Clean the condenser coils
If you haven’t cleaned the condenser coils within the last year or so, dust and dirt on the coils may be inhibiting cooling in the freezer.
Clean the condenser coils as shown in this DIY video:
If you need to have a service technician clean the condenser coils for you, schedule professional Cleaning & Maintenance service for your fridge. We’ll send a Sears Home Services technician to your home to clean the coils. The tech will also inspect, adjust and perform maintenance on your entire refrigerator.
Inspect the freezer and refrigerator door gaskets
Loose, cracked, torn or damaged door gaskets will allow warm, moist air to flow into the refrigerator and freezer compartments. The moist air will cause excessive frost on the evaporator fins and clog the air channels between the fins. The freezer and refrigerator won’t cool properly when the evaporator fins are caked with excess frost.
Check the freezer and refrigerator door gaskets for damage such as cracks or tears.
Replace any door gasket that you find damaged.
Here’s a video that shows how to replace a refrigerator or freezer door gasket:
If you’re not sure that you can replace the door gasket on your own, schedule service and we’ll send a technician to your home to replace the door gasket for you.
Control problems preventing the freezer from freezing
A bad thermistor, wiring failure or defective electronic control board can prevent the freezer from cooling properly. A failure in the automatic defrost system will also cause warm temperatures in the freezer and refrigerator.
If you see frost on the back wall of the freezer, follow the steps in this safe DIY video to check the automatic defrost system in your fridge:
If you’re unable to find and fix the freezer cooling problem in your fridge, schedule service and we’ll send a technician to your home to repair the issue.
What to expect when you experience a Whirlpool refrigerator not freezing issue
How is the not freezing issue fixed?
Correcting most refrigerator not freezing problems usually involves replacing the icemaker assembly, the PCB, or the compressor. However, there are many potential causes, so a thorough diagnosis is key to fixing the problem. An accurate diagnosis is essential to understanding how much the repair will be.
Sears Home Services recommendations for a refrigerator not freezing problem
When a refrigerator won't freeze, it can be for many reasons. To avoid replacing unneeded parts, we recommend having a Sears Home Services professional perform diagnostic tests to identify the root cause of the problem. Our technicians are experienced at diagnosing all types of refrigerator failures.
What to look out for with a refrigerator not freezing diagnosis
Diagnosing modern appliances without proper knowledge and training can be difficult. Without using proper diagnostic techniques, fixing your refrigerator problem will only be achieved through changing parts on a hunch. Appliances, especially in the last 10 years, have become extremely advanced, and many models have electronic parts that are difficult to test. DIY repairs on the latest appliance models are becoming increasingly difficult.
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He did a great job, the problem is with the refrigerator.
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Robert did a great job and was kind and courteous. He cleaned up everything. I would highly recommend using him.
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Joe was very professional and knowledgeable technician who quickly found and fixed the problem. I would recommend for service again
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Glossary Terms
A compressor is a mechanical device that increases the pressure of a gas by reducing its volume, essential in various systems including refrigerators, air conditioners, and HVAC units for cooling and refrigeration processes.
A condenser is a component of HVAC and refrigeration systems, responsible for releasing absorbed heat from the refrigerant into the outside air or a water line, thus facilitating the cooling process.
A dual ice maker is a feature in some refrigerators that includes two separate ice makers: one in the fridge compartment and another in the freezer section. This setup doubles the appliance's ice-making capacity.
A French-door refrigerator features two doors that open side-by-side on the top section for the refrigerator compartment, with a bottom freezer drawer, combining style, efficiency, and easy access to both refrigerated and frozen goods.