Whirlpool refrigerators are not only some of the most reliable appliances in the market, but they are also one of the most important appliances in your home.
Any issue with your refrigerator can turn out to be a nightmare.
One such problem is when your Whirlpool refrigerator getting stuck in defrost mode.
Let’s look at some of the possible reasons behind this and how you can fix it.
Some of the common reasons behind your whirlpool refrigerator being stuck on defrost mode includes an issue with the defrost timer, a faulty thermostat or a problematic heater. Some other reasons can also include a problem with the door seal, dirty condenser coils and a damaged evaporator fan motor.
Most of these are actually an easy fix and don’t require calling a professional. Let’s dive into how to fix these common issues….
Common Reasons Why Your Whirlpool Refrigerator Is Stuck On Defrost Mode
During the cooling stage of your refrigerator, the appliance will go into self-defrosting mode when the amount of ice being formed within the compartments increases above a certain level.
This is a very important function which prevents the internal components being frozen over.
But if the defrost function continues, it can impact the overall cooling of the appliance as well as stop producing any ice.
Another symptom to look for is the sound of the compressor, if the compressor doesn’t turn itself on, you will not hear the humming sound.
There can either be a problem with the compressor of the refrigerator, or the defrost system and the thermostat is not signaling the compressor to do its job.
Issue With the Defrost Timer
The defrost timer is responsible for regulating the frequency and intervals of the defrost heater being turned on and off.
If there is an issue with the timer, the system will not be informed about when the defrost heater should be turned off or on.
It can cause your refrigerator to both be stuck on defrost mode or not turn on the defrost mode at all.
Depending on the refrigerator model you have, the defrost timer can be either a mechanical dial or electronic.
If you have a mechanical dial, you can test whether turning it is turning on the compressor or not.
You can also check if the dial is stuck or broken. In this case, you will have to replace the dial.
You can locate the timer usually in the fresh food compartment or at the bottom of the refrigerator. Refer to the user manual to get a better idea for your model.
On the other hand, if you have an electrical timer, you won’t be able to manually check it for problems. In this case you should call a professional to look at it.
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Malfunctioning Heater
The defrost heater is the main component involved in the defrosting process. The heater will turn itself on to melt away the frozen condensation from the coils.
A malfunctioning heater can both result in it being turned on all the time and not turning on at all.
If the heater is not turning itself on at all, it could indicate them being burnt out. On the other hand, if the heater is permanently turned on, it could indicate a problem with the wiring or other components.
Call a professional to take a proper look at it.
Faulty Thermostat
The thermostat in your fridge is responsible for letting the defrost timer know when the temperature is too low, and the heater should be turned on.
If the thermostat is faulty, it can read the wrong temperature and never turn off the heater or signal it to turn on when it shouldn’t.
How Do You Reset Whirlpool Refrigerator?
Resetting a whirlpool refrigerator is quite easy, simply follow the steps below.
- First unplug the refrigerator from the power source and leave it for about 5 minutes.
- Plug the appliance back in
- On the control panel of your appliance, press and hold the lock and filter buttons simultaneously. Hold them down for about 5 seconds, this should release cold air from the fridge.
- Check whether the control panel is working properly. If you were facing any malfunctioning, it should be gone after resetting. If that is not the case, contact Whirlpool immediately.
- Locate the door switch button on the fridge, press it along with the temperature “+” button 3 times within 10 seconds. You should see an “E” on the fridge panel and “S” on the freezer panel.
- Press the temperature “+” button again, this should put your fridge in service mode. The freezer panel will display “1” and disappear.
- This indicates that the fridge has been successfully reset.
How Do I Turn Defrost Mode Off?
Turning off the defrost mode in a Whirlpool refrigerator is quite simple.
- Unplug the refrigerator from the power source and leave it for 1 minute.
- Turn the thermostat off
- Plug the fridge back in
- Turn the thermostat back on and bring it to its original setting.
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How To Reset Defrost Button Timer?
If you notice that the defrost timer is malfunctioning, resetting it might fix the issue.
But before resetting the timer, make sure to test it to ascertain whether it is behind the issue you are facing or not. You can locate the timer on the back of the fridge or in the lower kickplate.
Unplug the fridge from the power source and remove the timer by unscrewing the screws and carefully removing any connected wires. If you are not comfortable doing this, you can call a professional as well.
You can test the timer using a multimeter and an open circuit and testing the connection between pin 1 and 4. Usually the pins are labelled so it will be easy to find them. After this, test an open circuit between pin 1 and 2 as well.
Once the timer has been tested, place it back into the refrigerator and plug the appliance back into the power source.
To reset the timer, locate the circular notch on the timer and it turn it counterclockwise using a flathead screwdriver. Keep turning it until you hear the fan stop.
This indicates that the fridge has reset the timer. The fan will turn itself on within a short while which indicates a successful reset.
Conclusion
Some of the most common reasons behind your refrigerator constantly defrosting can include an issue with the defrost timer, a faulty thermostat or a problematic heater.
While newer models can indicate an issue through a specific error code, you will have to get the parts checked in older models.
Other reasons behind the issue can also include a problem with the door seal, dirty condenser coils and a damaged evaporator fan motor.
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