If you are facing issues with your Whirlpool refrigerator not cooling, it is due to unclean condenser coils, inadequate ventilation, incorrect installation, dirty or defective gasket seals, disorganized food storage, misplaced appliances, and broken interior components.
You can troubleshoot and perhaps fix your refrigerator by doing a few things. This article discusses the most typical reasons why a whirlpool may not be cooling properly as well as solutions.

Key Takeaways
Expert Guide
Whirlpool Refrigerator Not Cooling: Potential Causes and Solutions
These are the reasons why your Whirlpool Refrigerator not cooling. Take a closer look at the solutions also.
1. Temperature Settings
The first step in troubleshooting a Whirlpool refrigerator that isn’t freezing or cold enough is to examine the temperature settings.
Make sure the temperature controls are adjusted appropriately by following the guidelines provided in the user handbook for your refrigerator.
Inadequate freezing or cooling performance may arise from improper temperature settings.
The refrigerator might not cool or freeze correctly in certain situations if the temperature control is inadvertently set to a higher setting. Verify the temperature control settings and make the necessary adjustments.
Related Article: Miele Refrigerator Not Cooling: A Step-by-Step Guide

Use these easy steps to change the temperature settings on your refrigerator:
- Find your refrigerator’s digital display screen or temperature control dial.
- To find out what temperature settings are best for your refrigerator, consult the user handbook.
- Set the digital display panel or temperature control dial to the suggested settings.
- Check to see whether the freezing or cooling performance becomes better after a few hours.
2. Location of installation
The location of your refrigerator’s installation may have an impact on how well it maintains the right cooling temperatures. It is best to place the refrigerator in a home where temperature swings are less prone to occur.
Since garages don’t have the controlled climate that homes do, your indoor refrigerator might not be able to chill down correctly if you have one put inside.
Next, make sure that the back and sides of your refrigerator have adequate space to allow for effective air circulation.
Refrigerators usually need 1 inch of clearance in the rear and ½ inch on the sides. You must move your refrigerator if the clearances are inadequate.
Related Article: Whirlpool Refrigerator Not Cooling: 8 Troubleshooting Steps to Fix This Issue
3. Incorrect Airflow Control Settings
You may need to temporarily modify your airflow. By default, your Whirlpool will use the “Recommended” airflow setting, which distributes cool air evenly throughout the freezer and refrigerator.

However, depending on how you use your refrigerator, you might occasionally need to change the setting. The freezer’s rear wall holds the airflow control.
- Set the airflow slider to “Max” if the room temperature is particularly hot or if you’re using more ice than normal.
- Set the dial to “Min” if you just placed an abnormally big number of groceries in your refrigerator.
- Set the airflow control back to “Recommended” after your refrigerator has reached the ideal temperature.
4. Dirty Condenser Coil
Dirty condenser coils are the most frequent reason why a Whirlpool refrigerator not cooling.
The refrigerant moves via condenser coils, dissipating heat. If the coils become blocked with dirt and debris, they will be unable to adequately release heat.
You might have even noticed that your refrigerator is making noise, which could be because it’s exerting more effort to keep the temperature at the right level. Cleaning the condenser coil is the only solution. You can follow these steps:
Related Article: LG Refrigerator Not Cooling: Troubleshooting Guide to Fix This Issue
- Move the refrigerator away from the wall.
It improves access to the unit’s underside and back. The coils, which resemble snakes, are frequently found beneath refrigerators.
For easier cleaning, you might also add a detachable toe guard at the front bottom of the refrigerator.
- Vacuum: Vacuum all of the refrigerator’s coils and external hardware using a narrow hose attachment.
- Use a Dryer Brush: To get rid of tough debris, scrape the coils with a dry brush. You may buy these brushes on Amazon or at your neighborhood hardware or grocery store.
- Vacuum: To get rid of any last bits of dirt, do another vacuum.
5. Malfunctioning Condenser Fan
The condenser fan is another part of a Whirlpool refrigerator that might lead to freezing or cooling issues.
This fan, placed near the compressor at the rear of the refrigerator, cools the condenser coils and removes heat from the appliance.
This can result in freezing or insufficient cooling if the condenser fan is not operating or is blocked.

- To guarantee safety, unplug the fridge from the power source.
- Find the condenser fan next to the compressor at the rear of the refrigerator.
- Verify the fan blades’ ease and freedom of rotation.
- Remove any debris or obstacles that might be preventing the fan from moving freely.
- Reinstall the refrigerator’s plug and check the condenser fan for any strange noises.
Related Article: Frigidaire Refrigerator Not Cooling: 6 Simple Troubleshooting to Fix This Issue
6. Faulty Start Capacitor
Inspect the start capacitor. Typically, the compressor’s side start relay is connected to the start capacitor.
It has a big cylinder-like form. The compressor is kept at the base of the refrigerator’s rear.
Take off the refrigerator’s access panel and unplug it. Avoid touching any exposed metal terminals.
Check the multimeter settings on the capacitor’s side after removing the wires. To test the capacitor, use a multimeter.
Warning:
- The capacitor may retain an electrical charge even when the refrigerator is unplugged. Take caution not to come into contact with the capacitor’s connecting connections.
- Touching the capacitor’s terminals with a pair of pliers will discharge it. Be sure to grasp the rubber grip of the pliers rather than the metal portion.
- The capacitor is attached to the start relay on some refrigerator models. You must take off the mounting bracket and disconnect the capacitor from the start relay if this is the case.
7. Faulty Door Seals
Your refrigerator door’s gasket is in control of keeping the warm air outside and the cold air inside.
The refrigerator’s temperature will rise if the door does not close all the way each time, allowing cool air to escape.
Do the following to test the door seals:
- Flatten a piece of paper on the gasket and close your refrigerator door.
- Pull the paper once more. It is necessary to replace the seals if the paper fragment is removed from the door with little to no resistance.
- Be sure to test the seal in different locations.
- You can get in touch with Whirlpool to replace your damaged seal.
8. Food coordination
Cluttered or overloaded refrigerators may struggle to maintain cool temperatures. This is because disorganized food may obstruct the appliance’s ability to properly circulate air.
Explore Also:
Dietsheriff
Gigasecurehome
Mycleanseplan
If improper organization is preventing your refrigerator from cooling, you can easily rearrange the food to maintain accessible and open-air vents.
FAQs Of Whirlpool Refrigerator Not Cooling
What causes a refrigerator to function normally but not provide any cooling?
If your refrigerator is operating normally but isn’t cooling, it could be because food particles are obstructing the freezer and/or refrigerator vents.
How can I check if my refrigerator is cooling down?
Your refrigerator’s thermostat regulates its temperature. For the refrigerator, the optimal temperature is 37°F (3°C), while for the freezer, it should be 0°F (-18°C).
What should I do if the freezer is cold but the refrigerator is warm?
This can be the result of an evaporator fan issue or a clogged airflow vent. Verify that the fan is operating and that the vents are clear.