Refrigerator troubleshooting: guide to fixing a fridge
Your refrigerator helps feed your family every day and is essential to keeping your life moving. This means that a broken refrigerator is an appliance emergency and needs to be fixed right away. The good news is that sometimes, the solution is simple and can be performed without professional help.
This guide will help you figure out what’s wrong with your fridge and offers some troubleshooting steps to repair it. If these solutions don’t fix the problem, then it’ll be time to hire a professional.
Keep reading to learn how to diagnose and resolve common refrigerator issues.
Refrigerator troubleshooting and repair basics
Before you start dismantling any fridge parts, you must review your owner’s manual. Most manuals provide troubleshooting steps and model-specific instructions.
Most people can diagnose and fix many common refrigerator issues, but you won’t know until you give it a shot. Try these fixes, and if they don’t work, schedule a service call with a professional.
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Typical refrigerator issues and solutions
Select the issue from the list below to get the troubleshooting steps to fix it:
Improper ice production or quality
If your icemaker isn’t producing as much ice as intended or the ice quality is below expectations, the solution may be straightforward.
The first step is to check that the icemaker wasn’t turned off accidentally. If so, simply turn it back on according to the instructions in your owner’s manual.
If you’ve recently installed your fridge, it will take 24 hours for the appliance to produce ice and 72 hours to reach full production. If you’ve recently removed a large quantity of ice, the ice maker may need up to 24 hours to replenish the supply.
Fully open the water valve
The water shutoff valve is typically located in one of three places:
- The wall behind the fridge, sometimes hidden in a panel
- In the cabinet next to the fridge
- Under the sink
Once you’ve found the valve, ensure it is completely open by turning it counterclockwise.
Remove the water filter
Remove the water filter and then wait between a few hours and 24 hours. If the ice volume increases, then the filter may have been incorrectly installed, or it could be clogged. If this is the case, either replace the filter or reinstall it correctly.
Read this article to learn how to check the water filter.
Inspect the water line
The issue may be that your icemaker is not receiving enough water. Ensure it’s properly connected to a water supply by inspecting the refrigerator water line connection located behind the fridge. If it’s secure and tightly connected, check the line for kinks, which you can straighten on your own.
If the problem persists, view these troubleshooting videos and tips for icemakers on Whirlpool Product Help.
French door refrigerators
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The refrigerator is not cooling adequately
Before doing anything, try to remember if your home recently suffered a power outage or if you’ve added a large amount of food to your fridge. If so, your appliance’s temperature may need several hours to return to its correct level. Furthermore, if your fridge was recently installed, it may take roughly a full day to cool completely.
Confirm that the settings are correct
Some models are equipped with a cooling setting that must be turned on for the refrigerator’s interior to reach the appropriate level of cold. It’s common for it to be turned off accidentally, so inspect if that’s the case. If your refrigerator was recently installed, double-check if it’s still in Showroom or Demo mode. Refer to your model’s Use and Care Guide to learn how to turn these settings on and off. If none of these apply, adjust the temperature setting to colder and wait at least 24 hours for the temperature adjustment to occur.
Inspect to see if the air vents are blocked
To ensure your fridge is at the correct temperature, you must provide enough room for adequate airflow between the refrigerator and freezer. Airflow works by allowing cool air to enter and exit the refrigerator compartment from the freezer via vents in both compartments. Organize your fridge’s contents to ensure no items are blocking the vents.
Clean the condenser coils
The condenser does not typically require regular cleaning. That said, if the home is particularly dusty or greasy or has pets, it’s recommended to clean the condenser every 2 to 3 months. This will allow for proper cooling.
If your refrigerator is not cooling, review Whirlpool Product Help for more solutions.
The fridge motor might be running too often
New refrigerators may have been built with a high-efficiency compressor. This compressor optimizes energy and improves temperature regulation to match the demand for cooling. Refrigerators with high-efficiency compressors may operate differently than older models. It is normal for a high-efficiency compressor to be in operation for extended periods at different speeds to ensure optimal efficiency by consuming only the necessary energy.
Review how the refrigerator was installed
Most fridges are meant to be installed where the temperature ranges from 55°F (13°C) to 110°F (43°C).
You should not install your refrigerator anywhere near an oven, radiator or heat source. Installation in any part of your home that is too hot or too cold may force the motor to overwork itself. You must also ensure there’s enough space around the refrigerator to allow for proper ventilation, according to your owner’s manual.
Keep the refrigerator doors closed as often as possible
Frequently opening fridge doors or leaving them open for long periods may cause the interior temperatures to increase and force the motor to overwork, which would subsequently reduce the temperature.
Monitor how often the fridge doors are open. You should also inspect the door seal to confirm they are in full contact with the refrigerator. If not, wipe the seals to remove any obstructions, dirt, grime or debris. Another result that can stem from leaving fridge doors open is that the inside bulbs can burn out quicker than normal.
Correctly set the controls
Typically, temperature controls are preset to the "mid setting," the correct level for residential use.
You will know that the controls are set properly when the beverages reach the desired coldness level. Remember, setting the controls too low can cause food in the refrigerator to freeze, or the fridge may run longer than needed.
If this problem persists, visit Whirlpool Product Help for more fridge motor troubleshooting tips.
The water dispenser is not working
Water dispensers can experience a host of issues, such as dispensing too slowly, leaking or dispensing cloudy water. Regardless of the issue, the solutions may be similar.
Use these steps to diagnose and fix problems related to your water dispenser.
Review the water filter for issues
A clogged or poorly installed water filter can reduce the water flow to the dispenser, slowing the dispensing process.
Use these three steps to search for an issue with the water filter:
- Dispense water, paying attention to the quantity of water coming out.
- Remove the filter located in the base grille below the refrigerator door or inside the refrigerator.
- With the filter removed, dispense water. If the flow visibly increases, the filter is either clogged or poorly installed. Replace a clogged filter to improve the flow.
Read this article to learn how to replace the filter and reset the filter light.
Check the water pressure
Your water pressure should be between 30 and 120 psi. If it’s lower than that, a problem with the water supply connection or a clogged filter could be the culprit. A reverse osmosis system can contribute to low water pressure as well. Learn more about low water pressure and how to correct it.
Flush the water system
Flushing the water system is required every time you change the filter or after the appliance has been initially connected to the water supply line.
Air in the water system can cause a leak by dripping water on the dispenser or slowing the dispensing of water.
If the issue persists, head to Whirlpool Product Help for more information on water-dispensing problems.
A noisy refrigerator
Refrigerators and freezers produce a range of normal operating sounds. These sounds may come from different parts of the appliance, including:
- Behind the refrigerator
- Inside the fridge or freezer
- The ice maker
You have to differentiate between which noises are part of normal operation and which are signalling that something is wrong.
Should I hire a professional to diagnose and repair my refrigerator?
If you’ve attempted to fix your refrigerator issues with the help of this article or with Whirlpool Refrigerator Help but the problem persists, it might be best to hire a professional.
If you own a Whirlpool® Refrigerator, schedule a service and let Whirlpool put you in touch with a local expert. If you don’t have a Whirlpool® Refrigerator, contact the manufacturer.
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Whirlpool® Refrigerators are available in a full suite of styles, finishes and capacities to meet the needs of most households. From French-door configurations to bottom-freezer designs and finishes like black or stainless steel, you will find a Whirlpool® Refrigerator that can keep your fridge well-stocked and organized and your family happy.
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