Why Is My Whirlpool Fridge Not Cooling, but Freezer Works?

If the freezer in your Whirlpool refrigerator is working as it should but the fridge is not cooling, it can be quite frustrating and inconvenient. There are several reasons why this might happen, and this article will outline these possible causes so you can take the necessary steps to resolve the problem.

Here’s why your Whirlpool fridge isn’t getting cold, even though the freezer is operating normally.

Simple causes

We’ve divided this article into two sections: the simple causes and the more complex issues. The simple causes can be fixed by anyone, while the more complex issues may require professional assistance or more advanced DIY skills.

Here are some simple issues that can cause the fridge to stop cooling while the freezer works fine on a Whirlpool refrigerator.

The temperature is set wrong

A simple but often overlooked cause is that the temperature in the fridge is not set correctly. You can check your user manual for instructions on how to verify and change the temperature settings, but this is typically done using the digital display or a physical temperature dial on most Whirlpool refrigerators.

The fridge should be set to 37°F (3°C) while the freezer should be set to 0°F (-18°C).

The door is not closing properly

A fridge will not be able to get cold if the door isn’t fully closing. The gap that is left allows warm air to enter and any cold air inside to escape. Sometimes, the fridge door may appear closed, but upon closer inspection, you might find that it actually isn’t.

The usual cause of this problem is food items poking out and obstructing the door, or a misplaced shelf or drawer in the fridge doing the same. This issue can be resolved by simply checking that the door is closing fully and rearranging items if necessary.

Opening the door too frequently can have the same effect. If you live in a busy household, try keeping the door shut for several hours to see if this results in the fridge cooling.

The door gasket is dirty or damaged

The gaskets on the doors of your Samsung refrigerator create an airtight seal, ensuring that cold air stays in while warm air stays out. If the gasket on the freezer door is fine but the one on the fridge door is dirty or damaged, the fridge may become warm due to gaps in the seal, while the freezer remains cold.

A visual inspection will usually allow you to identify whether the gasket is dirty or damaged. If it’s dirty, try cleaning it with mild soap and water to see if that helps. If it’s damaged, replace the gasket—this is a relatively simple and inexpensive task that most people can do themselves.

Hot food is being put in the fridge

People often don’t realize that placing hot items in the fridge can cause its temperature to rise significantly. Therefore, if you like to cook large portions to store in the fridge so you don’t have to cook every day, remember to let the food cool down to near room temperature before storing it.

The refrigerator is overstocked

If the fridge or freezer sections of your Whirlpool refrigerator are crammed full, there might not be enough space between items for the cold air to circulate properly, or the vents might be covered, further restricting air circulation. This can cause your fridge to be warmer than it should be.

For optimal performance, refrigerators should be kept between half and three-quarters full. Items should not be pushed all the way to the back where the vents are; leave a couple of inches of space to avoid covering them.

More complex issues

Here are some more complex problems that can result in the fridge not cooling but the freezer working fine. These issues require disassembling the Whirlpool refrigerator to fix them.

Frozen evaporator coils

Ice buildup on the evaporator coils will prevent air from flowing through them, restricting circulation and preventing cold air from reaching the fridge. However, since the freezer section is located near the evaporator coils, it stays cold and appears to be working fine.

The evaporator coils are usually located behind the back panel of the freezer. To inspect them, you will need to unplug the appliance, remove the back panel, and take off the cover of the evaporator coils. If the coils are frozen over, you can leave the door open and the appliance unplugged for a few hours until it defrosts, or you can use a hairdryer to speed up the process.

It’s worth noting that if the evaporator coils are freezing over, it could be due to an issue with the defrost system, which includes the defrost timer, defrost thermostat, and defrost heater. You should test all of these components with a multimeter and replace any that are faulty.

Broken or obstructed evaporator fan

In your Whirlpool refrigerator, the evaporator fan is responsible for moving cold air from the evaporator coils into both the freezer and fridge sections. When this fan malfunctions, it may cause uneven cooling, resulting in a cold freezer but a warm fridge. A faulty evaporator fan can also contribute to ice buildup on the evaporator coils.

You can inspect the evaporator fan by unplugging the appliance, removing the back panel, and taking off the evaporator cover. If the fan doesn’t spin when plugged in, has damage such as missing blades, or if a multimeter shows it doesn’t have continuity, it will need to be replaced.

Still not fixed?

Hopefully, this guide has helped you understand why your Whirlpool refrigerator has a warm fridge but a normally functioning freezer. If the issue is still unresolved, we recommend having a professional inspect your appliance. They can accurately diagnose the issue and fix the problem for you if you believe it’s worth the cost.