How to replace defrost heater WP2315531 on a Whirlpool refrigerator

Is your Whirlpool refrigerator not cooling efficiently or plagued by excessive frost buildup? A faulty defrost heater could be the culprit causing this chilly chaos. Fear not, because we have a quick and easy fix for you—check out our step-by-step guide and watch the included video to learn how to replace the defrost heater yourself in just a few minutes!

Looking for the right part? Enter your appliance model number below to find the exact match and get your appliance running like new again!

The defrost heater on a Whirlpool refrigerator is responsible for melting the frost that accumulates on the evaporator coil in the freezer section during defrost cycles, preventing it from freezing over and excessive ice accumulating. 

Over time, the defrost heater may become faulty or worn out, leading to not defrosting and potentially causing issues such as excessive frost buildup in the freezer and both refrigerator and freezer sections not cooling. 

The good news is that replacing the defrost heater is a relatively simple repair that should only take a few minutes. Let’s get started!

Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMvlGjLJTgU

The information in this article may not apply to your specific appliance model. We recommend consulting your manufacturer’s documentation or contact us with any questions.

What you’ll need

• 1/4″ nut driver
• Flathead screwdriver
• Needle nose pliers

Safety precautions

• Always power off and unplug your appliance or switch off the circuit breaker before attempting any maintenance or replacement work. This keeps you safe by preventing any risk of injury from electric shock.
• Don’t test wiring with a multimeter for live voltage if you’re unfamiliar with how to prevent short circuiting when testing. 
• When working with wires, avoid touching any exposed wires or terminals. If you need to touch a wire, use a non-conductive tool or wear insulating gloves to prevent electrical shock.
• Take your time and don’t rush while working to prevent accidents and personal injuries.
• Work in a well-lit area so you can clearly see and access the interior parts.
• Clear your workspace of clutter and other obstacles. Keep children and pets away from the work area.
• Never work on internal parts with bare wet hands. Make sure the work area is completely dry.
• Check your user manual to see if there are specific installation or safety instructions for your part or appliance. 
• Be gentle when handling or removing parts. Excessive force might damage the appliance or cause injury.
• Wear insulated work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal parts, pinching hazards and debris.
• Wear safety glasses when working with chemicals, dust or cleaning large debris to prevent injury. 

Replacement steps

Removal

1. Open the freezer door. Lift up the wire shelf slightly.
2. Push the shelf in to free the other end and pull the shelf out.
3. Use a quarter inch nut driver to remove the two screws at the bottom front of the freezer.
4. Remove the two screws at the top of the rear cover.
5. Remove the screw that holds the small box for the icemaker wiring harness in the upper left corner.
6. Lift the front of the freezer floor and slide it out.
7. Lift the cover box off and pull it down.
8. Using a flat blade screwdriver, open the side tabs and disconnect the harness plug from the cover box. Place the box aside.
9. Put the harness plug through the cutout.
10. Using a flat blade screwdriver, take the ground wire clip off.
11. Remove the evaporator cover.
12. Using needlenose pliers, bend open the three tabs at the bottom of the evaporator that holds the defrost heater.
13. Release the defrost heater from the left side clip.
14. Release the bottom of the defrost heater.
15. Remove the two foam pieces on the sides of the evaporator using a flat blade screwdriver.
16. Disconnect the heater’s wire plug on the left.
17. Release the wire from the retainer under the icemaker water inlet.
18. Free the wire out of the retainers on the top of the evaporator fan motor bracket.
19. Slide the old defrost heater out.

Installation 

1. Place the new defrost heater in, keeping the wire plug on the left side.
2. Place the heater into the cutouts at the bottom.
3. Using needlenose pliers, bend the tabs closed to lock the heater into place.
4. Lock the heater into the retainer on the left side.
5. Route the wires around the evaporator.
6. Place the wires into the three retainers.
7. Connect the wire plug.
8. Slide the foam installation pieces in between the first and second coils from the top.
9. Bring the evaporator power and snap the ground wire on.
10. Insert the icemaker plug into the cutout.
11. Install the cover with the bottom of the air tower into the air duct in the center.
12. Secure the cover with the two screws.
13. Lock the icemaker plug into the cover box tabs.
14. Install the rear cover and secure it with a single quarter inch screw.
15. Slide in the freezer bottom and make sure it locks under the post on the air tower.
16. Secure the freezer bottom with the two quarter inch screws.
17. Insert the wire shelf into the holes on one side.
18. Lift and adjust the shelf in the hole, then slide it more in and install the opposite side of the shelf in the holes.
19. Close the freezer door and plug the fridge in.

Additional information

Thanks for reading! We hope this guide helped you replace the defrost heater on your Whirlpool refrigerator. 

If you still need some replacement parts, grab your model number and head over to AppliancePartsPros.com. We offer over two million parts and most orders arrive in two business days. If you need some help with finding the right part or placing an order, you can contact our team at 1 (877) 477-7278.

While you’re waiting for your new part to arrive, you can explore our DIY blog and watch thousands of video tutorials on our YouTube channel.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to see our latest repair guides!