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Whirlpool Refrigerator freezer works but not fridge
Common reasons your Whirlpool Refrigerator freezer works but not fridge
The most common reasons your Whirlpool refrigerator freezer works but not the fridge are a broken air damper, a failed thermistor, or a malfunctioning PCB.
39% of the time it's the Air Damper
30% of the time it's the Thermistor
22% of the time it's the PCB
9% of the time it's the Something else
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Most common repairs needed to fix a Whirlpool refrigerator
Air Damper Replacement
When you find your refrigerator too cold or not cold enough, a broken air damper could be allowing either too much or too little cold air into the refrigerator from the freezer. The air damper channels and controls the cold airflow from the freezer compartment into the refrigerator compartment to cool the refrigerator. The air damper is controlled by a dial in some refrigerators, and by the thermistor and electronic control board in other fridge models. If you feel excessive cold air in the refrigerator, or if the fresh-food compartment isn't cold enough, but the freezer is working okay, you'll likely need to have a Sears Home Services technician diagnose the problem and replace the air damper.
Thermistor Replacement
In refrigerator models that use an electronic control board to regulate temperatures, the thermistor is responsible for sensing internal temperatures. It then sends the temperature signal to the electronic control board. The electronic control turns the compressor on and off to regulate temperatures based on the thermistor temperature signal. An errant temperature signal can prevent the control board from regulating refrigerator and freezer temperature accurately.
PCB Replacement
A defective printed circuit board (PCB) can lead to various failures in a refrigerator, including a lack of power, lack of cooling, and water leaks. The PCB controls communication and power between various components of a refrigerator that control temperature regulation, fan operation, the defrost cycle, icemaker functions, and dispenser functions. If the PCB fails, any or all of these components may stop working. Because so many components can be impacted, Sears Home Services professionals should conduct diagnostic tests on the board to confirm if replacement is necessary.
Why is my Whirlpool freezer working but not the fridge?
When the freezer works but the refrigerator section isn’t cooling, an airflow problem is likely causing the failure.
Look for Blocked Refrigerator Section Supply and Return Vents
Check for items blocking the air supply or returns vents in the refrigerator compartment.
The owner’s manual typically show you where those supply and return vents are in your fridge.
Moving around items in the fridge may fix the cooling problem.
Air Damper Failure
The air damper controls airflow from the freezer to the refrigerator to help control the proper refrigerator temperature at around 37 degrees.
When the air damper gets stuck in the closed position, the refrigerator section won’t get any cooling air from the freezer.
If that damper vent is stuck in the shut position, you may be able to fix the refrigerator cooling problem by unplugging the refrigerator_ and replacing that part.
Have a service technician replace the air damper if you’re not confident that you can complete that repair on your own.
Bad Evaporator Fan
When you don’t detect the evaporator fan running, follow the steps in this DIY troubleshooting video to fix or replace the evaporator fan:
Automatic Defrost System Failure
Ice and frost caked on the evaporator fins due to a failure in the automatic defrost system of the fridge will cause cooling problems in the refrigerator section.
Follow the troubleshooting tips in this video to find and fix the cause of a defrost system failure in your refrigerator:
What to expect when you experience a Whirlpool refrigerator freezer works but not the fridge issue
How is the freezer works but not the fridge issue fixed?
Correcting most refrigerator freezer works but not the fridge problems usually involves replacing the air damper, the thermistor, or the PCB. However, there are many potential causes, so a thorough diagnosis is key to fixing the problem. An accurate diagnosis is essential to understanding how much the repair will be.
Sears Home Services recommendations for a refrigerator freezer works but not the fridge problem
When a refrigerator freezer works but not the fridge, it can be for many reasons. To avoid replacing unneeded parts, we recommend having a Sears Home Services professional perform Whirlpool freezer repair service to identify the root cause and fix the problem. Our technicians are experienced at diagnosing all types of refrigerator failures.
What to look out for with a refrigerator freezer works but not the fridge diagnosis
Diagnosing modern appliances without proper knowledge and training can be difficult. Without using proper diagnostic techniques, fixing your refrigerator problem will only be achieved through changing parts on a hunch. Appliances, especially in the last 10 years, have become extremely advanced, and many models have electronic parts that are difficult to test. DIY repairs on the latest appliance models are becoming increasingly difficult.
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Jake is a great person.
He did a great job, the problem is with the refrigerator.
Nancy V, Meridian, ID
Great job
Robert did a great job and was kind and courteous. He cleaned up everything. I would highly recommend using him.
Karen K, Mount Laurel, NJ
Service appointment
Joe was very professional and knowledgeable technician who quickly found and fixed the problem. I would recommend for service again
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Frequently Asked Questions
Repair Refrigerator Resources
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Glossary Terms
A dual ice maker is a feature in some refrigerators that includes two separate ice makers: one in the fridge compartment and another in the freezer section. This setup doubles the appliance's ice-making capacity.
A French-door refrigerator features two doors that open side-by-side on the top section for the refrigerator compartment, with a bottom freezer drawer, combining style, efficiency, and easy access to both refrigerated and frozen goods.
Refrigerant is a chemical compound used in HVAC systems and refrigerators to absorb heat from the environment by cycling through states of evaporation and condensation, enabling the cooling process through its cycle of evaporation and condensation.
R-12 refrigerant, also known as Freon-12, is a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) compound that was once widely used in air conditioning systems, refrigerators, and aerosol propellants before its phase-out due to environmental concerns.