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9 Fixes to a Whirlpool Gold Refrigerator Not Cooling!

The last thing you want is your Whirlpool Gold refrigerator not cooling. If so, you’ll have to deal with spoiled and stinking food and excessive condensation, which is unpleasant.

In most cases, a Whirlpool Gold refrigerator won’t stay cold because of the wrong temperature setting, unleveled installation, wrong installation location, food stuffing, obstructed air vents, frequent door opening, defective door seal, clogged condenser coils, or a failed component.

In this case, the refrigerator components that could fail and affect cooling include the fan motor, compressor, thermistor, start capacitor, thermostat, and temperature control board. 

Apparently, some issues may result in a non-cooling refrigerator and a properly working freezer. Others, however, cause the failure of both.

I’ll discuss the two cases to enable you to know where to check when your Gold refrigerator won’t cool as expected.  

Let’s get into it!   

Whirlpool Gold refrigerator not cooling

In a rush? The troubleshooting table below offers quick fixes to the nine issues likely to cause your Whirlpool Gold refrigerator to not cool.   

Quick Troubleshooting Guide for A Whirlpool Gold Refrigerator Not Getting Cold

Likely Cause Recommended Fix
1.Wrong temperature settingSet the refrigerator temperature to 37-400F
2.Unleveled installationMove the refrigerator to a move uniform position
3.Wrong installation location Move the refrigerator away from odd locations, such as the garage, and create a 0.5 – 1 inch clearance at the back
4.Food stuffingProperly organize food in the fridge to promote  good airflow
5.Obstructed air vents Clean the refrigerator’s air vents and remove obstructive foods
6.Frequent door openingLimit the frequency of opening the fridge door, especially for long hours
7.Defective door sealReplace the door seal if it’s loose or broken but clean it if it’s dirty
8.Clogged condenser coils Clean the condenser coils 
9.Failed Component (fan, motor, compressor thermistor, start capacitor, thermostat, or temp control boardReplace the failed component (you may need an expert diagnosis on most of them before replacing them)

Why Is Whirlpool Gold Refrigerator Not Cooling?

Several issues could explain your non-cooling Whirlpool Gold refrigerator. The most likely ones are as follows:

1. Wrong Temperature Setting

The right cooling temperature will keep your food flavorful and fresh as it keeps bacteria away. But once you interfere with the temperature, your food will likely get bad quickly. 

Essentially the refrigerator temperature should be 37 – 400F. Once you go past 400F, the fridge cannot cool properly, especially for long hours.

Note that a higher refrigerator compartment is not the only danger. If the cooling chamber is set at a temperature of about 00F or lower, it may start mimicking the freezer, resulting in frozen food. So, instead of the refrigerator cooling, it’ll freeze the food. 

Fix 

Check the refrigerator compartment’s cooling temperature to ensure it’s 37 – 400F. If it’s not, adjust it accordingly. You can change it using the temperature controls or dial on the inner side or door edges. 

2. Unleveled Installation

The Whirlpool Gold refrigerator works best when sitting on a level surface. If the fridge is unleveled, it’ll shake a lot, making it hard for it to cool. 

So, if that’s the case, you may need to uninstall and reposition the unit on a more uniform surface. 

Fix 

Consider moving the refrigerator to a level ground if it’s sitting on an irregular surface. If that’s not possible, install shims (levelers) to level the fridge.

Remember, you can get leveling information on your refrigerator in the product manual. 

Whirlpool Gold refrigerator not cooling but freezer works

3. Wrong Installation Location 

When it comes to the wrong installation, it’s not just about placing the refrigerator on level ground. It’s also about choosing the correct location.

For example, the fridge is unlikely to cool if you position it in the garage, where the temperatures are likely to rise sharply. Your fridge needs an indoor temperature location, which doesn’t include the garage.

The refrigerator may also fail to cool if it doesn’t have enough clearance. Generally, the fridge should enjoy a 0.5 – 1-inch clearance, especially at the back, to encourage enough airflow. 

Fix 

Move the refrigerator away from the garage or anywhere where the temperatures are likely to rise sharply.

Moving the appliance away from the wall is also essential. Remember to leave at least a 0.5 – 1-inch clearance at the back. That’ll improve airflow and cooling. 

4. Food Stuffing 

It’s not easy for the refrigerator to cool food if it is overstuffed. The food should be well organized to allow proper airflow in the refrigeration. If that’s not it, then that’s the reason the refrigerator is not cooling. 

Fix 

It’s essential that you don’t overstuff food in the fridge. There should be adequate space between the food containers to promote indoor airflow. 

Whirlpool recommends taking advantage of drawers, shelves, clear bins, and other organization provisions to store food. More importantly, clean the refrigerators, especially the drawers, shelves, and doors. 

5. Obstructed Air Vents 

Proper airflow is critical for the refrigerator’s optimal cooling. So, the air vents must not be obstructed by the food (which we discussed in number 4) or dust. 

Fix 

Check the refrigerator air vents and remove anything that could obstruct it. That includes food containers and dust. In the latter case, clean the refrigerator’s interior properly and learn to do it periodically.

6. Frequent Door Opening, Especially for Long Periods 

Generally, the more you open your Whirlpool refrigerator door, the more the cold air escapes and the warm air gets in. Once that’s the case, the refrigerator is unable to cool.

The situation is dire when you leave the fridge door open for long hours, something you should try to avoid. 

Fix 

Avoid opening the refrigerator door frequently, more so for long hours. One way to do that is by properly organizing the foods for easy access and keeping the most commonly used foods nearby.

Whirlpool Gold refrigerator not cooling or freezing

7. Defective Door Seal

The door seal plays a significant role in maintaining the refrigerator’s cooling temperature. Once it’s loose or broken, cold air will escape the fridge, interfering with the unit’s cooling temperature.

The door seal may also leave some gaps if it’s dirty. So, you should check it for looseness, breakages, and dirt.

Fix 

Inspect the door seal to ensure its airtight. If it’s not, check to see if it’s dirt-obstructed and clean it. And if the seal is loose or broken, replace it. 

8. Clogged Condenser Coils 

The condenser coils help your refrigerator cool but only do that when they are clean. Sometimes, however, the coils accumulate dust, grease, and even spider webs which clog them and prevent them from cooling. That’s why it’s advisable to clean the fridges inside routinely. 

Fix 

Inspect the condenser coils for clogging and clean them if they are dirt-clogged. You can use a soft brush vacuum, but ensure you unplug the refrigerator before doing so. 

9. Failed Component 

If none of the above eight reasons is why your Whirlpool Gold refrigerator is not cooling, it’s likely to be a failed cooling component. The components to consider are as follows:

  • Fan motor – If either the condenser fan motor or the evaporator fan motor is faulty, the refrigerator won’t cool. So, you need to check their blades for possible obstructions or bends. Or, better, test the fan motor with a multimeter to determine if it’s faulty (when it lacks continuity).
  • Compressor – If the compressor doesn’t run, the refrigerator won’t cool, and if it does cool, it’ll be inconsistent. 
  • Thermistor – A faulty thermistor fails to turn the fan motor and compressor, preventing the refrigerator from cooling. 
  • Start capacitor – The start capacitor influences the running of the compressor. If it’s faulty, the compressor won’t run, and the refrigerator will not cool. 
  • Thermostat – If the thermostat is defective, it won’t deliver voltage to the fan motor or compressor, and they’ll, therefore, not run. Once that’s the case, the refrigerator will fail to cool. 
  • Temperature control board – Lastly, if the temperature control board is defective, the refrigerator won’t cool. 

Fix 

You’ll need a multimeter to test most of these components for continuity. That includes the thermistor, start capacitor, and thermostat. If the parts lack continuity, replace them as they are faulty. 

As for the compressor, fan motor, and temperature control board, consider talking to an expert who can help you diagnose them for fault and replace them. 

Whirlpool Gold bottom freezer refrigerator not cooling

Whirlpool Gold Refrigerator Not Cooling But Freezer Works

If your Whirlpool Gold refrigerator is warm while the freezer compartment is cold, the reason could be:

  • Food stuffing in the refrigerator compartment
  • Wrong temperature setting in the refrigerator compartment
  • Dirty condenser coils 
  • A malfunctioning defrost system
  • Bad compressor 
  • Defective thermostat or thermistor

Whirlpool Gold Refrigerator Not Cooling Or Freezing

Consider checking the power supply when your Whirlpool Gold refrigerator won’t cool or freeze. It could be that there’s a power outage which you can tell if the fridge won’t turn on or whose light is off.

It could also be that the unit won’t run due to a tripped circuit breaker, damaged power cord, or blown-up fuse. 

And if the problem is not a power issue, it’s likely to be dirt-clogged condenser coils, a faulty fan motor, or a bad thermostat. 

Whirlpool Gold Bottom Freezer Refrigerator Not Cooling

If your Whirlpool Gold bottom freezer refrigerator is not cooling, it’s likely because of dirt-clogged condenser coils or malfunctioning fan motors. 

But still, the compressor could be faulty (not running) if that’s not it. Don’t forget to check the temperature setting as it could be outside the range (37 – 40 0F), and avoid overstuffing containers and foods in the refrigerator.

Remember to check the door seal for breakages and gaps and ensure the unit is on a level surface. 

Closing Thought On a Whirlpool Gold Refrigerator Not Cooling:

As shared, your Whirlpool Gold refrigerator could not be cooling for different reasons, and it is worth considering all of them. Start by checking the temperature setting to ensure it’s 37 – 400F and ensure the fridge is on a level surface and correct location. 

Avoid overstuffing food and opening the fridge too often, clean the air vents and condenser coils and replace a defective door seal or any other cooling component. That includes the fan motor, compressor, thermistor, temperature control board, start capacitor, and thermostat.

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