Whirlpool refrigerators are a set-and-forget type of appliance. They require very little input once you turn them on and choose your set temperature. However, you’ll have to troubleshoot the appliance when common issues occur.
Whirlpool troubleshooting is needed for common problems like an ice maker that isn’t producing ice, lights that flicker or don’t work, doors that won’t close properly, and water leaking from the compartments.
You can resolve minor issues without calling a technician when you learn how to perform basic Whirlpool fridge troubleshooting. This guide will explain the most common fridge issues and show you how to fix them yourself.
How To Troubleshoot A Whirlpool Refrigerator?
Troubleshooting common Whirlpool refrigerator problems is pretty simple if you know how. Here are some of the issues you’re likely to face at some point, which parts to check, and how to fix them:
Whirlpool Fridge Isn’t Making Ice
What’s happening: Firstly, let’s begin withWhirlpool refrigerator troubleshooting not making ice. When the ice maker in your Whirlpool fridge works correctly, it will continuously make ice and dump it into the ice bucket.
However, a failure to make ice will leave you with nothing coming out of the dispenser when you go to collect it.
What’s likely happening here is that the ice maker isn’t receiving the supply of power or water it needs to make ice. Again, those causes are typical across all models. They also apply if you’re performing Whirlpool 6th Sense fridge freezer troubleshooting or for any other model.
Which parts to check: Start the troubleshooting process by checking that the ice maker is turned on. Some models will have a straightforward on/off switch, while others will have a more traditional shutoff arm.
Secondly, check the incoming water supply behind the fridge.
How to fix these problems: Firstly, ensure the ice maker is turned on. Flip the switch to the ON position or lower the shutoff arm if it has one. If the ice maker was off, you’d need to leave it on for a few hours before you see it making ice again.
Next, check that the fridge’s water shutoff valve is fully open. The water hose must also be free from any kinks that prevent water from flowing through.
Read: 5 Reasons Why Whirlpool Fridge Is Not Cooling
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Whirlpool Fridge Lights Flickering Or Not Working
What’s happening: Next, we’ll move on to the Whirlpool refrigerator troubleshooting for lights. Inside your refrigerator’s compartments, you’ll find several lights that illuminate the space and help you see inside clearly.
Even though you don’t have to interact with those lights directly, they can flicker or stop working after some time. That can happen even if the rest of the appliance is functioning correctly.
Which parts to check: The only part you need to check is the affected light. Some Whirlpool fridge models still use lightbulbs, while many newer models use LED modules.
Be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from its power source before handling the lights. That will reduce your risk of injury and prevent electrocution.
How to fix these problems: You can quickly solve them by removing the affected lights and replacing them with new ones.
Read: Maytag/Whirlpool Fridge Ice Maker Not Working? How To Test?
Common Whirlpool Fridge Door Issues
What’s happening: One of the most likelyWhirlpool refrigerator door problems you’ll ever experience is a door that won’t shut completely. That can be problematic, as the door will fail to keep the cold air trapped inside the fridge or freezer compartment.
A Whirlpool refrigerator door fails to shut when the door seal (or door ‘gasket’) is torn, ripped, or worn out. This problem affects entry-level and high-end models alike, so you should check the seal even when performing Whirlpool double door refrigerator troubleshooting.
Which parts to check: The door seal is the only part you must check. So, firstly, inspect all parts of the door seal visually. Then, run your fingers over the seal to look for signs of damage.
You’re looking for things like tears, rips, holes, and warping.
How to fix these problems: A refrigerator door seal that’s not in excellent condition must be replaced with a new one. Thankfully, getting a replacement door seal and installing it yourself is not difficult. So, you won’t need to hire a technician to do this for you.
Read: How To Clean Condenser Coils On A Whirlpool Refrigerator
Water Leaking From Whirlpool Refrigerator
What’s happening: Lastly, it’s crucial to understand Whirlpool refrigerator troubleshooting water leaking. Refrigerators keep the air inside their compartments very cold, which involves a lot of condensation.
As water droplets collect inside the fridge, they’re supposed to drain away safely without you even noticing it.
Unfortunately, the drain that’s supposed to carry the water away can sometimes get frozen. As a result, water will build up inside the refrigerator and leak out through the compartment doors.
Which parts to check: The only part you have to check is the drain hole that’s supposed to carry water away. You’ll find the drain hole towards the back of the refrigerator compartment, behind the rear panel.
There, you’ll find the drain hole frozen with a puddle of water around it. You’ll need a towel to absorb that water so you can see the drain hole clearly.
How to fix these problems: A frozen drain hole is easy to clear with some hot water. Pour small amounts of hot water into the drain and let it melt the ice away. Repeat the process as many times as you need to until all the excess water drains out.
Read: Whirlpool Refrigerator Water From Dispenser Is Not Cold?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some helpful questions and answers for troubleshooting your Whirlpool refrigerator:
Why Is My Whirlpool Fridge Not Cooling?
A Whirlpool refrigerator requires at least 24 hours to stabilize and reach your set temperature. However, a failure to cool is likely because of a faulty thermostat or temperature sensor. It can also happen if the condenser coils are dirty. If none of that helps, a technician will have to perform Whirlpool refrigerator control board troubleshooting.
How Do You Reset A Whirlpool Refrigerator?
You can reset a Whirlpool refrigerator through power cycling. Start by disconnecting the unit from the wall socket. Then, leave it alone for 5 minutes to discharge any electricity left inside. Lastly, reconnect the fridge and allow it to reboot.
Why Is My Whirlpool Fridge Not Cooling But Freezer Works?
Your Whirlpool refrigerator focuses its cooling power on the freezer compartment first. From there, the cold air will flow past the dampers and into the fridge compartment. So when the freezer works but the fridge is warm, it’s likely because the damper isn’t opening and closing correctly, preventing cold air from reaching the fridge compartment.
How Do I Run A Diagnostic On My Whirlpool Refrigerator?
To enter service diagnostic mode on your Whirlpool refrigerator, press and hold two buttons simultaneously: the “Ice Mode” button and the “Light” button for 3 seconds. Release the buttons when you hear a chime. The exact name on the buttons can differ between models. Still, it’ll work if you press Software Button 1 and Software Button 2 as indicated by the user manual.
Read: How Do You Know If Your Refrigerator Control Board Is Bad?
How Do You Test A Refrigerator Control Board?
Testing the refrigerator control board can be done in several ways. Firstly, you can run the service diagnostic mode to look for active error codes. Besides that, you can test the board with a multimeter to ensure its components are still functioning correctly.
