Whirlpool undercounter refrigerator error codes

Whirlpool undercounter refrigerator codes and temperature displays

Whirlpool undercounter refrigerators and ice makers report temperature and sensor problems with short codes, and many are temperature alerts rather than faults: an HI or LO display means the cabinet is warmer or colder than the setting. After a door has been left open, a warm load has been added or the unit has just been switched on, give it several hours to reach temperature before you judge it. Check that the vents are clear and that the unit has space around it, since undercounter units dissipate heat through the front grille.

Keep the condenser clean, level the unit and make sure the door seals well. An E code for a sensor or a fan needs a power reset after unplugging for a minute, and a code that returns means a technician should check the sensor, the fan or the control. Note the model number from the data plate before you call.

An undercounter refrigerator is installed beneath a counter, where heat from the condenser has little room to leave, so clearance matters even more than in a full-size refrigerator. A unit that runs constantly or shows a temperature code may be starved of air. Pull it out, vacuum the coil and the grille and leave the specified gap at the front, sides and top. Level the unit and make sure the door seals evenly. Give it a few hours after cleaning before testing the temperature.

An undercounter refrigerator sits in a cabinet gap beneath a counter, so it relies on air flowing through a front grille. A code that mentions temperature or a fan often has a simple cause: dust on the condenser coil, a grille covered by a mat or a unit pushed too far back. Clean the coil twice a year with a vacuum and a soft brush, and leave the clearances in the manual. Level the unit so that the door closes by itself.

These units hold smaller loads, so the temperature rises quickly if the door is opened often or a warm item is added. Place a thermometer in a glass of water inside and read it after a day. The setting numbers are not degrees, so compare the thermometer with the target in the manual. If the unit is warm, check the door gasket with a sheet of paper and look for frost over the evaporator, which suggests an airflow or defrost problem.

Because an undercounter unit is installed, a repair often means pulling it out. Switch off and unplug it first, have a helper and protect the floor. Look at the water line if it has an ice maker, and check that it is not kinked. If the unit is old and needs a sealed system repair, such as a compressor, ask for a quote and compare it with the cost of a new unit.