Why Is My Whirlpool Fridge Not Cooling, but Freezer Works?

If the fridge section on your Whirlpool refrigerator isn’t cooling despite the freezer working fine, don’t fret—it’s often a fixable issue. In fact, it’s actually a fairly common problem, which also means there are some well-known causes and proven solutions to try.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the most likely reasons your fridge isn’t cooling along with the steps to address them. Just go through them one by one until you find the solution that gets your fridge cooling properly again.

Keep reading to learn why your Whirlpool fridge isn’t cooling while the freezer still works.

Quick fixes to try before moving on to bigger repairs

Before we get into the more involved repairs, it’s worth checking the following as sometimes, these simple issues can cause a Whirlpool fridge section not to cool while the freezer does:

• Hot items: Avoid putting piping hot food into the fridge. Let it cool for 20 to 30 minutes first.
• Door openings: Try not to open the door too frequently, don’t leave it open for very long, and always make sure it’s fully closed, not slightly ajar, after being opened.
• Temperature settings: Ensure the fridge is set to 37°F (3°C). Use the digital display, buttons or dial, depending on the model, to adjust the temperature.
• Dirty gasket: If the fridge door gasket looks dirty or moldy, clean it with a cloth and warm, soapy water. If it’s damaged, see the section below for replacing it.
• Blocked vents: Make sure no food items are placed directly in front of the vents inside the fridge as this can block airflow and prevent proper cooling.

Why your Whirlpool fridge isn’t cooling but the freezer is

Below are the most likely causes of this issue, along with the steps required to resolve them.

Damaged door gasket

A damaged fridge door gasket will need to be replaced because gaps in the seal can let cold air escape and warm air enter, leading to higher-than-desired temperatures.

You can check if the gasket is damaged with a quick visual inspection. It shouldn’t be worn, stretched, cracked, or loose. Replacing the door gasket on your Whirlpool refrigerator is a straightforward process. Just follow these steps:

1. Open the refrigerator door.
2. Use a tool (like a plastic pry tool) to carefully pry the old gasket out of the door frame’s groove. It might take some effort.
3. Work your way around the door, peeling off the old gasket entirely.
4. Clean the groove by scraping out any leftover foam or gunk with a flat tool, then wipe it down with a mild cleaner.
5. Starting at the top, press the new gasket into the groove. Go around the entire edge, ensuring it snaps into place. You might need to stretch it a bit at the end.
6. Test the gasket by closing the door on a piece of paper. If you feel resistance when pulling it out, the seal is good.

Dirty condenser coils

The condenser coils release heat from the refrigerator, helping it to stay cold. When they’re covered in dust, pet hair, or grease, they can’t do their job properly.

If your kitchen is dusty, has a lot of grease from frying, or if you have pets, you should clean the condenser every 3 months to keep your Whirlpool refrigerator running efficiently.

Follow these steps to clean the condenser coils:

1. Unplug the refrigerator.
2. Open both refrigerator doors. (On some models, you don’t need to do this.)
3. Locate the base grille at the bottom front of the refrigerator.
4. Push in on the top of the grille while pulling up from the bottom to remove it.
5. Use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment to gently clean the condenser coils, any open areas around it, and the grille. For best results, use a special refrigerator coil brush.
6. Replace the base grille.

Frozen areas

If the evaporator coils inside the freezer get covered in ice, they can’t absorb heat properly from the air inside the refrigerator, reducing cooling efficiency.

Likewise, if ice is clogging any vents or obstructing one of the fans, it can restrict airflow, resulting in cold air not being pushed from the freezer into the fridge.

Manually defrosting the refrigerator is a good way to solve these issues without disassembling your Whirlpool appliance.

Follow these steps to manually defrost your appliance:

1. Unplug the refrigerator.
2. Leave the doors open.
3. Place towels down on the floor and inside the refrigerator to catch water.
4. Wait for 12–24 hours to let everything thaw.

Faulty evaporator fan

The evaporator fan’s job is to circulate cold air from the evaporator coils into the freezer and fridge compartments. If this fan stops working, in some cases, you might notice that the freezer stays cold while the fridge doesn’t. A broken evaporator fan can also lead to ice buildup on the coils.

Follow these steps to check the evaporator fan:

1. Unplug the Whirlpool refrigerator.
2. Remove the back panel inside the freezer.
3. Take off the evaporator cover.
4. If the evaporator fan located near the coils has broken blades, it will need to be replaced.
5. If the fan is obstructed by ice or debris, remove the obstruction.
6. Plug the refrigerator back in.
7. Observe from a safe distance whether the fan spins when plugged in. Do not touch any internal components.
8. If the fan doesn’t spin while plugged in, replace it with a new one.
9. When work is complete, replace the evaporator fan cover and the back panel.

Faulty defrost system

Several components make up the defrost system, and if the steps we’ve covered so far haven’t fixed the issue, parts of this system could be to blame. A faulty defrost system can cause ice to build up on the evaporator coils and other parts of the unit, leading to cooling problems in the fridge section.

Checking the defrost system can be a bit tricky and is usually best left to a professional. That said, you can typically find the thermostat and defrost heater near the evaporator coils, while the defrost timer is usually located behind the kick plate or the control panel.

You’d need to test all of these components with a multimeter and replace those found to be faulty, which is why this work should only be done by skilled DIYers or professionals.