How to Troubleshoot a Whirlpool Fridge
No matter which model of Whirlpool refrigerator you own, there's never a good time for it to develop problems. However, some dates register more highly on the culinary disaster scale than others. For example -- the night before you're due to cook Thanksgiving dinner, on Christmas Eve or in the middle of a summer heatwave, when you want a constant supply of cold drinks. The important thing to remember is that a few simple checks may be all that are needed to ensure your desserts remain firmly set and your homemade mayonnaise stays safely chilled. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Ensure the refrigerator's plug has not inadvertently been partially withdrawn from the socket, if it suddenly fails to function. Check the fuse on your household fuse board, which governs the socket, or the relevant trip switch, if your home has a breaker box. If the refrigerator has just been installed in your home and you are operating it for the first time, ensure you have switched on the controls. Allow 24 hours for it to become completely cool.
-
2
Wash the door gaskets thoroughly with warm water and mild detergent, if the door proves difficult to open. Dirt, or any form of stickiness, will cause this to happen. Make sure the doors remain fully closed, if the interior seems to be warmer than it should be or appears to be wetter than normal. Open doors allow warm, humid air to enter the refrigerator. If the refrigerator remains warm and damp, adjust the controls to a colder setting, and check 24 hours later to see if this has had any effect.
-
-
3
Ensure the ice maker is turned on, if your refrigerator fails to produce ice. Ensure also that the refrigerator is connected to the water supply, and the valve allowing water to pass into it is open. Check that the line linking the refrigerator to the water supply is not kinked, and examine the ice maker's ejector arm for blockages.
Make similar checks if ice cubes are small or hollow, as this is a sign of low water pressure. Reverse your home's osmosis water filtration system if you have one, as this can also be a cause of low water pressure. Bear in mind if a large amount of ice was recently removed from the refrigerator, it will take 24 hours for more to re-form. -
4
Dispose of ice produced by your refrigerator if it tastes strange, has a strange odor or is a gray color. Wash the ice bin and allow ice to re-form for 24 hours. Always store food in air-tight coverings. Failure to do so can cause odors in the ice. Flush out the water filter on your refrigerator, as discolored ice indicates it is time to do this.
-
5
Ensure the refrigerator is connected to the cold water supply, if the water chiller is dispensing water that is not as cool as it should be. Discard the first glass of water dispensed, as it may not be cooled to the required level. Allow 24 hours for water to become completely cool after a large amount has been dispensed at once. One or two drips from the dispenser after you finish pouring a glass of water is normal. Hold the glass in position for three extra seconds once you have released the lever. If water continues to leak, flush the system according to the instructions for your Whirlpool refrigerator model.
-
6
Confirm your water pressure is at least 30 pounds per square inch if the water dispenser fails to function properly. Water pressure determines the rate of flow from the dispenser. Ensure, also, that your refrigerator is connected to the water supply and that the valve is fully open. Once again, check the water supply line for kinks.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Stabilize your refrigerator, if it seems to rock easily, by removing the base grille and lowering its leveling feet. Do so by following the instructions for your Whirlpool refrigerator model.
Avoid running the motor on your Whirlpool refrigerator any more than is necessary by ensuring the doors remain closed at all times. Open doors allow warm air to enter, which causes the refrigerator to use electricity while attempting to maintain a low interior temperature.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
