Whirlpool Refrigerator or GE fridge not cooling, but the light is on? Find out how to fix a refrigerator and troubleshoot a refrigerator here.

Introduction

Please find out how to fix a fridge that has lost its frosty feel. This step-by-step guide will help you identify the “GE Fridge or Whirlpool Refrigerator not cooling but the light is on” problem and possibly even fix it yourself. Even if you need a pro, you can show them the problem, saving them time and your money.

Tools Required

• Set of sockets and ratchets
• Wirecutter/wire stripper

Materials Required

• Fan for the evaporator and/or condenser fan.

Problem: GE Fridge or Whirlpool Refrigerator Not Cooling, But Light Is ON

When your milk or ice cream doesn’t stay cold in your whirlpool refrigerator, there are several possible causes. If your GE fridge or whirlpool refrigerator is not cooling, but the light is on and if your freezer is not working, try these simple fixes first:

• Make sure the fridge is plugged in and receiving power. When you open the door, the light should come on.
• Make sure the thermostat hasn’t been turned way down by accident. Here are some easy to install fridge/freezer thermostats on Amazon if yours isn’t working.
• Make sure that ice cream or frozen vegetable boxes are not blocking the vents on the back of the freezer compartment-the vents must be clear for cold air to circulate.
• Vacuum the coils under or behind the refrigerator. A clogged coil will result in poor cooling.
• Make sure that nothing is stuck in the condenser fan and that it spins freely (models with coils on the back will not have a fan). Pull the fridge out and unplug it. If the fan is stuck, clean the blades and spin them by hand. Make sure the fridge’s fan is running when the compressor is running. If the fan does not run, follow the instructions below to replace it.

We’ll show you some additional troubleshooting tips for GE fridge or Whirlpool refrigerator cooling problems in this video:

Replace the Refrigerator Evaporator Fan

Listed below are some refrigerator troubleshooting tips to help you identify the issue if your GE fridge is not cooling, but the light is on. If you hear the compressor running and the GE fridge is not cooling but has a light on, the problem is probably either frost-clogged evaporator coils or a stuck or broken evaporator fan. When they start to malfunction, evaporator fans often squeal or chirp. If the noise gets louder when you open the freezer door, it is the evaporator fan. The evaporator coils and fan are concealed behind a cover in the freezer compartment.

You can buy an evaporator fan kit on Amazon.

Take everything out of the freezer and fridge, unplug them, and let them thaw for 24 to 48 hours if you find the coils filled with frost. Make sure you have a few towels on hand to soak up any water that might leak. Plug the fridge back in once all the frost has melted away. The problem may be a defrost timer, heater, or thermostat. Changing these parts isn’t difficult, but figuring out which part is faulty requires troubleshooting that we’ll avoid here. If you suspect a problem with these parts, call a professional.

Typically, the GE fridge or whirlpool refrigerator condenser fan and compressor, located near the floor on the back of most refrigerators, come on when the thermostat requires more cooling. When you don’t hear the compressor running after leaving the door open for a while, it might mean that the condenser fan is stuck or worn out or that the relay or compressor is defective. Here’s how to replace the evaporator fan.

Steps to Fix GE Fridge Light is On But Not Cooling Issue:

Step 1

Remove Cover

To inspect the not cooling whirlpool refrigerator, evaporator and to access the evaporator fan must be inspected, remove the cover. You may have to pry out plastic plugs that cover the screws.

Step 2

Remove Fan Cover

Remove the screws holding your refrigerator’s fan cover in place. Finally, remove the cover to access the fan.

Step 3

Remove Evaporator Fan

If it is noisy or does not spin, replace the evaporator fan. Make sure the refrigerator is unplugged first. Remove the screws holding the fan to the wall of the freezer.

Step 4

Replace the Fan

Replace the old fan with the new one. Attach the mounting bracket from the old fan to the new one. Switch the wires from the old fan to the new fan after unplugging them. Replace the cover and reinstall the fan.

Step 5

Replace the Refrigerator Condenser Fan

Disconnect the fridge from the wall, and remove the thin panel on the back near the bottom to access the compressor and condenser fan. Plug the fridge in and wait for the compressor to start. A fan should also come on. You need a new fan if the compressor runs but the fan doesn’t or if the fan is noisy. If neither runs and the compressor is hot, unplug the refrigerator and use a fan or a hairdryer set to “no heat” to cool it down. Restart the refrigerator when the compressor is cool. If the compressor runs but the fan does not, the fan is broken. Unplug the refrigerator and replace the fan (find instructions below). If neither works, you may need a new relay or compressor. Consult an appliance technician for assistance.

When to Replace Condenser Fan

If the condenser fan is noisy or doesn’t run, replace it. Depending on the whirlpool refrigerator repair, you may need to remove the fan bracket first and then unscrew the fan from the bracket.

Step 6

Install the New Fan

Trim the wires close to the old fan. Connect the new fan with wire connectors. Install the new fan on the bracket and reinstall the fan and bracket in the fridge.

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