Whirlpool Refrigerator Freezing Up (What To Do) 

Whirlpool refrigerators are one of the market’s most reliable and trustworthy home appliances. 

Our team has been using a Whirlpool refrigerator for a long time to keep our food and beverages cool. However, we recently noticed that our fridge was having an issue when it started to freeze up abnormally. 

On further research, we realized there are several reasons that can cause a Whirlpool fridge to have freezing problems. For instance, your thermostat may not work properly, or your main control boards need replacing. 

Some of these problems can be tackled without getting in touch with a technician. Keeping this in mind, we have put together this article to help you find the right solution for a Whirlpool fridge that’s freezing up. So, without further ado, let’s move to the next section. 

Why Is Your Whirlpool Refrigerator Evaporator Coil Freezing Up? 

No matter which Whirlpool refrigerator model you purchase, they all have similar functions since the basic design and components are almost the same.

Therefore you don’t need to research much while trying to diagnose the problem. You can also check out the list of error codes that might help diagnose the problem.

One of the main components that cause severe freezing problems is the evaporator coils which play an important role in regulating the temperature in the fridge. In this section, we have discussed a few reasons for the evaporator coils to malfunction:

A. Defrost Heater 

A defrost heater is responsible for melting the excess ice that accumulates on the evaporator coils. The moment the sensor detects a sudden increase in ice build-up, the defrost heater turns on and melts the excess ice, which allows the coils to perform efficiently. However, if the coils are covered in thick ice, there is a high chance that the defrost heater has stopped working. 

You can test the defrost heater by using a multimeter to check for continuity. If the heater doesn’t show any signs of power or resistance, it means you need to get a replacement or ice will continue to accumulate and lead to further issues.

B. Defrost Thermostat 

Just like we mentioned earlier, the defrost system plays a crucial role in maintaining the functionality of the evaporator coils. On that note, the defrost thermostat is a sensor that detects the ice that is building up in the evaporator chamber. This sensor activates the heater whenever excess ice is formed around the coils.

A faulty defrost thermostat will fail to detect excess ice accumulation, and this affects the heater as well. In this situation, you can test the thermostat with a multimeter to see if it is showing continuity or not. If it doesn’t, you will need to get a new thermostat.

C. Defrost Timer 

Nowadays, most refrigerators are equipped with a defrost timer that automatically turns on the heater at regular intervals. A faulty defrost timer will not maintain the required defrost cycle, and this causes the fridge to freeze up. 

One of the easiest ways to identify the problem is by turning the timer slowly and waiting to hear a click. As soon as it clicks, the compressor and fans will turn on but if the heater continues running, you have a faulty defrost timer that needs to be changed.

D. Gasket 

If the doors don’t seal properly, excess humidity enters the Whirlpool refrigerator and causes ice build up around the evaporator coil. You can test this by using the dollar bill test. Take a dollar and place it between the gasket before closing the door and proceeding to remove the bill to see if it comes out easily. When the bill remains stuck, that means the gasket door is doing a good job of preventing the outside air from entering. 

On the other hand, if the bill slips out easily, there is a problem with the gasket door, and you need to get it repaired as soon as possible. Torn or broken gaskets can interfere with the defrosting cycle and cause the defrosting system to malfunction. 

E. Cold Air Circulation

Opening the fridge frequently can trap excess air inside. This excess air mixes with the cold air circulating through the air vents and eventually reaches the evaporator coils, where it cools the temperature of the coils. 

If the cold air is moisture-laden, it starts to freeze the evaporator coils far beyond what they can usually handle. A faulty defrost system is yet another reason for too much cold air to build up within the evaporator chamber. 

We highly suggest opening the door only when you need something from the fridge because frequently opening the doors can spoil your food and damage the unit.

Why Is Your Whirlpool Refrigerator Ice Chute Freezing Up? 

In this section, we will discuss a few components that cause your Whirlpool refrigerator ice chute to freeze up more often than usual: 

1. Water Line 

When the water line is jammed, it causes water to splash all over the ice maker, which eventually freezes into ice. To prevent this from happening, you should make sure that the water line is not blocked or jammed by any foreign object. 

2. Water Filter 

Another reason for your ice chute freezing up is that you haven’t changed the water filter for a long time. The water filter is responsible for filtering out impurities within the main water supply before it reaches the Whirlpool refrigerator freezer. 

Most people forget to change the filters or clean them, and this clogs the main water supply and leads to a sharp fall in water pressure. A rapid decline in the water pressure causes the ice maker to fill up slowly, resulting in it freezing quickly. 

3. Ice Fill Chute 

Next up, you should examine the ice chute to see if it is functioning normally, so simply remove the ice maker and observe the chute for ice formations. Once you notice ice forming around the chute, you can remove it by thawing it with hot water. This should restore the ice maker to its former condition and enhance performance. 

4. Water Pressure 

You should always make sure that water is flowing at the right pressure inside the water line. Ideally, the water pressure should be around 120 PSI since low or high pressure will affect the performance of the ice maker. 

5. Water Supply Line  

If your water supply line is frozen from the inside, it will cause water to freeze around the ice maker. You can fix this issue by applying hot water to the frozen area and then using a hair dryer to melt the remaining ice from the ice maker. 

However, you need to take precautions while using the hair dryer since there is a chance of getting electrocuted if it comes in contact with the water.

6. Water Inlet Valve 

The water inlet valve helps maintain a steady flow of water into the ice maker. In this regard, a faulty or defective water inlet valve will cause water to overflow into the ice maker. This leads to water collecting in the freezer chamber and freezing over time. You can detect the problem by testing the solenoid with a multimeter because a defective component will not respond to the test. 

7. Temperature Control Thermostat 

This is one of the easiest problems to resolve since you don’t require any technical knowledge. Check the temperature control by turning the regulator from a low to a high setting. At the same time, wait patiently for the fridge to adjust to the new temperature setting. 

If the ice chute keeps freezing and the problem persists, you will need to get the temperature control thermostat replaced or repaired.

How To Fix A Whirlpool Refrigerator That’s Freezing Up? 

When it comes to freezing problems, there are three ways to fix your Whirlpool refrigerator without getting in touch with a technician. 

One of the main reasons a Whirlpool fridge freezes is when the temperature control thermostat is malfunctioning. Sometimes, you can fix it by rotating the thermostat to the required temperature you want. On the other hand, if your thermostat is defective, you will need to get it replaced.  

If the air damper control system is open unevenly, it will also cause a sudden spike in the amount of cool air circulating in the fridge. A permanently opened air vent can freeze your foods entirely and spoil them. 

You will need to thaw the air vents with hot water if it is blocked by ice or remove the entire air damper control system before installing a new one. 

How To Fix A Whirlpool Refrigerator Freezer Drain That’s Freezing Up? 

Every Whirlpool refrigerator comes with a freezer drain that collects all the unused wastewater from the freezer. It is recommended to maintain the refrigerator temperature between 33℉ and 39℉. Any temperature below 33℉ will cause the water to freeze in the drain compartment. 

You can avoid this by adjusting the temperature of the freezer to a higher temperature setting. Besides this, the drain heater can have problems due to old age or improper use, and you will need to replace it if it doesn’t function normally.

You should also avoid using cold water as the main source of water supply since it will freeze as soon as it enters the fridge. Use warm water instead, as it is easier to regulate the temperature compared to cold water.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Final Words

We hope you were able to find a solution for your Whirlpool fridge freezing up and won’t need a technician after reading our guide.

As mentioned earlier, most of the common problems occur when you don’t take good care of your fridge. Therefore, here are a few tips to keep your fridge working optimally for a longer period of time. 

Make sure your defrost settings are working because this plays an important role in regulating frost formation within the fridge. And try to adjust the setting whenever you notice your freezer is getting too chilled. 

Secondly, you should always check and see if the gasket doors are working properly. Loose gasket doors will allow humidity to enter the fridge, which freezes and forms a layer of frost over the coils. And we recommend opening the doors only when it is necessary. 

With that, it’s a wrap. See you next time!