If you have a Whirlpool fridge, you may have experienced some issues with your food freezing up inside the refrigerator compartment. This can be frustrating and wasteful, as you may have to throw away some of your frozen food or wait for it to thaw before using it. But why does your Whirlpool fridge keep freezing up, and what can you do to prevent it?
The main reasons why your Whirlpool fridge keeps freezing up are:
- The temperature settings are wrong or the sensor is faulty
- The evaporator coil, heater, thermostat, or timer are defective
- The vents are obstructed or the door seals are dirty
- The icemaker is turned on but disconnected
In this post, we’ll explain each of these reasons in more detail and give you some tips on how to fix them and prevent them from happening again.
How To Fix And Prevent Your Whirlpool Fridge From Freezing Up
Depending on what part of your Whirlpool fridge is freezing up, you may need to try different solutions to fix and prevent the problem. Here are some common scenarios and how to deal with them:
Your Whirlpool Fridge Is Freezing Up Everywhere
If your entire Whirlpool fridge is freezing up, regardless of where you place your food, the most likely cause is that the temperature settings are wrong or the sensor is faulty. To fix this, you need to:
- Check the temperature settings on your Whirlpool fridge. The recommended temperature for the refrigerator compartment is between 37°F and 40°F, and for the freezer compartment is between 0°F and 5°F. If your settings are too low, adjust them to a higher temperature.
- Check the temperature sensor on your Whirlpool fridge. The temperature sensor is usually located near the air inlet duct in the refrigerator compartment. It monitors the temperature inside the fridge and sends signals to the control board to regulate the cooling cycle. If the sensor is damaged or dirty, it may not read the temperature correctly and cause the fridge to overcool. To check if the sensor is working properly, you can use a multimeter to measure its resistance. If the resistance is out of range or zero, you need to replace the sensor.
Your Whirlpool Fridge Is Freezing Up In The Back
If your Whirlpool fridge is freezing up in the back, near the evaporator coil, the most likely cause is that one of the components of the defrost system is defective. The defrost system consists of four parts: the evaporator coil, heater, thermostat, and timer. The defrost system works by periodically melting any frost or ice that accumulates on the evaporator coil, which is responsible for cooling the air inside the fridge. If any of these parts fail, the evaporator coil may freeze up and block the airflow, causing the fridge to freeze up. To fix this, you need to:
- Unplug your Whirlpool fridge or disconnect power.
- Remove any food or shelves from the freezer compartment.
- Remove the back panel of the freezer compartment to access the evaporator coil and its components.
- Check each component of the defrost system for any visible damage or signs of malfunction. You can use a multimeter to test their continuity or resistance. If any of them are faulty, you need to replace them.
- To check the evaporator coil heater, locate it at the bottom of the coil and measure its resistance with a multimeter. It should be between 20 and 50 ohms. If it’s not, replace it.
- To check the defrost thermostat, locate it at the top of the coil and measure its resistance with a multimeter. It should be closed when cold (zero ohms) and open when warm (infinite ohms). If it’s not, replace it.
- To check the defrost timer, locate it on the right-hand side of the control housing in your Whirlpool fridge. Turn it slowly until it clicks and see if it advances into a defrost cycle. If it doesn’t, replace it.
Your Whirlpool Fridge Is Freezing Up In Certain Spots
If your Whirlpool fridge is freezing up in certain spots, such as near a vent or at the bottom of a shelf, the most likely cause is that something is obstructing or disrupting the airflow inside the fridge. This can be caused by:
- Food items blocking a vent or being too close to a vent. Vents are used to distribute cold air inside your Whirlpool fridge. If you place food items in front of or near a vent, they may freeze over time due to exposure to cold air. To prevent this, make sure that all of your food items are evenly distributed throughout your fridge and leave some space around each vent.
- Door seals being dirty or damaged. Door seals are used to keep the cold air inside your Whirlpool fridge and prevent warm air from entering. If the door seals are dirty or damaged, they may not seal properly and allow warm air to enter your fridge. This can cause condensation and frost to form inside your fridge, which can freeze some of your food items. To prevent this, make sure that your door seals are clean and intact, and that your doors are fully closed and aligned.
Your Whirlpool Fridge Is Freezing Up Because Of The Icemaker
If your Whirlpool fridge is freezing up because of the icemaker, the most likely cause is that the icemaker is turned on but disconnected from the water supply. This can happen if you move your fridge or disconnect the water line for some reason. If the icemaker is turned on but disconnected, it will try to make ice but fail, causing the freezer temperature to drop and freeze up your fridge. To fix this, you need to:
- Check if your icemaker is turned on or off. The icemaker switch is usually located on the right side of the icemaker in your Whirlpool fridge. If it’s on, turn it off.
- Check if your icemaker is connected to the water supply. The water line is usually located at the back of your Whirlpool fridge. If it’s disconnected, reconnect it.
- Check if your water supply valve is open or closed. The water supply valve is usually located under your sink or behind your fridge. If it’s closed, open it.
Conclusion
Your Whirlpool fridge keeps freezing up because of various reasons, such as wrong temperature settings, faulty defrost system components, obstructed vents, dirty door seals, or disconnected icemaker. Depending on the cause, you may need to adjust some settings, replace some parts, or clean some areas to fix and prevent the problem.
We hope this post has helped you understand why your Whirlpool fridge keeps freezing up and how to prevent it. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below.
