My whirlpool side by side refrigerator is not making ice

Having ice ready whenever you want or need it is a luxury we all take for granted, that is, until you reach to get some ice from the freezer and there is none.

Ice makers fail. It's an unfortunate reality of owning a refrigerator with an ice maker.

On the bright side, ice makers are also relatively simple machines that, for the most part, all operate the same way. And you may be able diagnose and repair a faulty ice maker yourself before forking over cash for an expensive service call.

Here's how to fix some common ice maker problems.

When ice is not ejecting

If you find ice inside the ice mold, it means your ice maker is receiving water and the problem likely isn't with the water supply. Instead, it's most likely a mechanical or electrical problem.

Cause: When moving things around in the freezer, it's not uncommon to accidentally nudge the control arm into the off position, which halts production of ice.

Fix: This is an easy fix. Locate the metal control arm and move it to the down or on position.

Cause: If the control arm is in the on (down) position and the mold is filled with ice, the problem likely lies with the motor, gearbox or electrical connection.

Fix: Start by making sure all electrical connections are properly seated. Slide the refrigerator out from the wall, turn off the water supply valve and disconnect it from power. Locate the quick release plug on the back wall inside the freezer. Unplug the connection it and reconnect it to ensure it's fully connected.

Manually remove any remaining ice from the mold by adding some water and letting it sit for a minute. The ice will begin to melt and should be easier to remove.

Restore power to the refrigerator and lift the control arm to the off position. Lower the control arm back down and wait for approximately 10 seconds for the solenoid to engage and fill the mold with water.

Wait three to four hours for the ice to freeze and see if the ice now ejects. If not, it's likely that you will need to replace the motor or gearbox.

When it's not making ice at all

If your ice maker isn't producing ice at all or is producing crescents or cubes that are smaller than usual, it's typically indicative of a clog somewhere along the supply line.

Cause: A common cause for a clog is frozen water in the line.

Fix: To repair a frozen line, slide the refrigerator and unplug it. Locate the shut-off valve, typically underneath the sink or behind the refrigerator. Turn the valve to the closed or off position. Fill a turkey baster with warm water and pour the water over the water line. Alternatively, you can defrost the water line with a hair dryer or by letting the refrigerator sit unplugged for upward of two hours.

Restore power to the refrigerator and listen for the water supply to fill the ice mold.

If the clog is anything but translucent, consult with a professional for help removing the clog.

Cause: There is also a possibility that the water filter for the ice maker is clogged.

Fix: Locate and replace the water filter. Filters for ice makers are typically located inside the refrigerator (to keep them from freezing).

When cubes are too big or small

Cause: If the ice crescents are too big or there is no clog and they're still too small, chances are, the ice maker just needs a little adjustment.

Fix: To adjust how much water the ice mold is filled with each cycle, first remove the cover from the ice maker. It's the white plate on the frontmost part of the ice maker assembly and it should pull off rather easily. If you're having difficulty removing it, use a flat head screwdriver to gently pry it away from the housing.

Under the cover, you should see a screw and spring assembly, along with a plus and minus indicator. This controls the dosing for water. Screw in (toward the minus symbol) to decrease the amount of water per dose and out (toward the plus) to increase the amount of water per dose.

Are you finding your refrigerator running warm? It’s unsettling to discover your Whirlpool refrigerator not cool. After all, the last thing you need is food spoilage and money down the drain. The good news is, when your Whirlpool fridge is not cooling enough, a few DIY steps will often get things moving in the right direction again.

Troubleshooting Guide: Whirlpool Refrigerator Not Cooling

Our clients will sometimes ask, “Why is my Whirlpool fridge not cooling?” We advise initial Whirlpool refrigerator troubleshooting before we send in the big guns – our experts in refrigerator repair.

Possible Cause #1: Dirty Condenser Coils

Dirty condenser coils are the most common cause for a Whirlpool refrigerator not cooling. Condenser coils dissipate heat as the refrigerant passes through them. If the coils are clogged in dirt and debris, they can’t release the heat properly. You may have even noticed your refrigerator is noisy, which can be due to your fridge working harder to maintain a proper temperature.

Clean the Condenser Coils

• Pull fridge away from the wall – allows better access to the back and underneath of unit. The coils are snake-like in shape and often located under the refrigerator. You may also have a toe guard at the bottom front of the fridge that can be removed for better cleaning.
• Vacuum – use a narrow hose attachment to vacuum all the coils and external hardware on the refrigerator.
• Use a Dryer Brush – scrub the coils with a dry brush to remove stubborn debris. These brushes can be purchased on Amazon or your local grocery/hardware store.
• Vacuum – give one more vacuum to remove all remaining dirt.

Photo from Green Living

Possible Cause #2: Door Seal is Loose

The second most common cause for a Whirlpool refrigerator not cool is a defective door seal. If the door seal is loose or damaged, your fridge won’t cool properly. The door seal ensures the cold air inside the refrigerator is locked inside rather than leaking into your kitchen. Check the door seal for damage, gaps, or other defects. If you don’t have a tight door seal, replace it.

Image from The Family Handyman

Possible Cause #3: Temperature isn’t Set Properly

Is your Whirlpool refrigerator not cooling but freezer is working? Check your temperature setting. Refer to your owner’s manual for the optimal temperature setting for your particular model.

Possible Cause #4: Power Failure

In the event of power failure:

• Check the cord – ensure it is snugly connected to the power outlet.
• Inspect the cord – look for signs of damage. Replace cord if damaged or showing signs of wear and tear.
• Check circuit breaker – check to make sure you didn’t blow a fuse, and if so, flip it back on.

Image from Gina Valley

Possible Cause #5: Part Failure

If you have checked the above causes and still have a Whirlpool refrigerator not cool, then you may have a broken condenser fan motor, failed thermostat, or other part failures, which means it’s time to call an appliance technician for repair.

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