A refrigerator that keeps running is noisy and irritating, but it also adds on to your power bill.
This guide will address the most common reasons for a refrigerator that runs constantly and provides potential fixes you can try to fix the problem.
The following Whirlpool refrigerator models are covered in this guide:
1ET25DKXGW00
2-A Y
3EAD19XMWR1
3ECKMF10
3ECKMF8
3ECKMF86
ED5DHEXWQ00
ED5FHEXVB00
ED5FHEXVL00
ED5FHEXVQ00
ED5PHAXSB00
ED5PHAXSL00
ED5PHAXSQ00
ED5PHAXSS00
ED5PHAXST00
ED5PHEXRB00
ED5PHEXRL00
ED5PHEXRQ00
ED5PHEXRS00
ED5PHEXRT00
ED5PVEXVS00
Before trying anything else, make sure the thermostats are set correctly. Your refrigerator should be set at or below 40°F and your freezer at 0°F.
The most common reason that an incorrectly set thermostat will cause the refrigerator to run constantly is a freezer temperature that is set too high. If the freezer is not cold enough, it will cause the refrigerator to warm up. This will cause the refrigerator to constantly run in order to keep cooling it down.
Regularly check the actual temperature inside your refrigerator and freezer with a thermometer. If it is warmer than what the thermostat is set at, you may need to adjust the thermostat down further to account for the difference.
The condenser coils underneath the refrigerator dissipate heat that is generated as the refrigerant passes through them. This is a part of the process of cooling the refrigerator. Since they are located underneath the refrigerator, they can accumulate dirt, dust, and pet hair over time.
When the coils get dirty, it has the effect of insulating the heat of the coils, making it harder for them to dissipate the heat. This can cause your refrigerator to run constantly to try to cool down. Giving them a good clean should solve the problem.
Here’s how to do it:
After the refrigerant passes through the condenser coils, it enters the evaporator coils. Inside these coils, the refrigerant expands into a cold gas. This is how the refrigerator gets cold.
As the evaporator coils work, they frost over. The frost stops the coils from working efficiently, so the refrigerator runs regular defrost cycles to remove it.
If this defrost system is malfunctioning, the condenser coils will remain frosted, and the refrigerator will run constantly, as it won’t be able to cool down the compartment.
There are a variety of components that could cause this problem if they are defective. To check that you are on the right track, first access the evaporator coils and check them for excessive frost.
Here’s how to do it:
If your evaporator coils are covered in frost, there are several components that could be causing the problem. While you have the rear access panel off, you can access these components and test them with a multimeter.
Remove the component and place one multimeter probe on each side or one on each terminal. You will be looking for a reading of one or close to one. This indicates that current cannot pass through this component, and it will need replacing.
Some of these components will require you to use a ¼-inch nut driver or a Phillips-head screwdriver to remove the screws holding them in place before you can remove them.
The following components need checking:
You can replace these components yourself. To find the correct part number, you need to consult your refrigerator’s instruction manual. Some models use different parts.
If you are uncomfortable with doing these checks or repairs yourself, contact a professional refrigerator repair technician to perform them.
Those are some of the major causes of a Whirlpool refrigerator running endlessly. If these fixes don’t work, you will need to contact a professional appliance repair technician to find the source of the fault and fix it.
A burning smell in your microwave is a relatively common problem, but that doesn’t mean…
Is your Samsung freezer not freezing properly? Perhaps you’ve noticed your food is not as…
Whirlpool is known for its hard-wearing and reliable appliances, so when something goes wrong with…
If you want to ensure your refrigerator is running optimally and not wasting electricity, you…
LG is known for making hard-wearing and reliable appliances, but even the most reliable dryer…
It’s always frustrating when an appliance isn’t working properly! If your dryer is not drying…