How to replace the defrost thermostat on a Whirlpool refrigerator

Is your Whirlpool refrigerator leaving you cold with excess frost and rising temperatures? If your defrost thermostat has seen better days, you can avoid costly repairs with our simple step-by-step guide. Scroll down to watch our exclusive how-to video and effortlessly bring your fridge back to optimal performance.

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 thermostat on a Whirlpool refrigerator is part of the refrigerator’s defrost system that prevents ice from accumulating on the evaporator coils in the freezer section. Over time, it may fail, causing the evaporator to freeze over and leading to a rise in temperature in both the freezer and the fresh food compartment. 

The good news is that this repair is relatively easy and should only take a few minutes to complete. By following the instructions provided, you can save money on professional repair services and successfully replace the defrost thermostat on your Whirlpool refrigerator yourself.

Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FrWRaUu9Z4

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
• Flat blade screwdriver
• Needle nose pliers
• Wire strippers
• Pair of wire nuts

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. Remove the freezer door. Pull out the freezer door and remove the top shelf.
2. Lift up the door from the rails, but be careful not to grab it by the handle as it may break off.
3. Push in both rails and use a quarter-inch nut driver to remove the bottom screw.
4. Next, remove the screw on the top right of the icemaker, and then loosen up the screw on the left.
5. Press on the side tabs and remove the wire harness plug from the rear fridge plug.
6. Inside the cover on the right side, you will find the freezer thermistor. Insert a flat blade screwdriver into the slot and open the locking tab to release the cover.
7. Remove the thermistor from the cover.
8. Using pliers, squeeze the tabs on the side of the icemaker plug in the top left corner and push it in.
9. Push in the clips at the back of the light cover and remove it.
10. Remove the grille in the center. Look for the word “release” on both sides of the grille at the top. Insert a flat blade screwdriver into the corner slots and open the locking tabs while lightly pulling the grille at the top.
11. Lift up the locking tab in the middle of the grille bottom row and carefully push it up just enough to release the grille.
12. Use a quarter-inch nut driver to remove the four screws that hold the rear panel.
13. Tilt the rear panel and work it out of its place. You may need to bend it slightly. Be careful as it has sharp edges.
14. The defrost thermostat is on the right, clipped onto the looping copper tube. Use wire strippers to cut the wires connected to the defrost thermostat and then pry it off the tube.

Installation 

1. The new thermostat already comes with stripped insulation on the ends. Pull off the little pieces of insulation to expose the wires.
2. Strip approximately a quarter of an inch of insulation from the refrigerator wires.
3. Click the new thermostat onto the copper loop.
4. Place the wires together and use wire nut connectors to secure them. Tighten the connectors.
5. Tuck in the wires and work the bottom of the rear panel back into place.
6. Place the thermistor outside the panel.
7. Reach behind the rear panel and attach the icemaker plug.
8. Push the icemaker connector plug through the opening until it locks in place.
9. Bring out the water inlet tube.
10. Push the rear panel back and secure it with four quarter-inch screws.
11. Install the air grille by placing it in the center and pushing it in so all three tabs lock.
12. Insert the front tabs into the openings and push up the light cover.
13. Connect the icemaker harness to the plug at the rear panel.
14. Make sure the water inlet tube is above the inlet cup and secure the icemaker with a 3/4 inch screw.
15. Pull out the rails and install the freezer door. First, insert the rear tabs and then lower down the door so the front tabs lock on both sides.
16. Install the top shelf.
17. Once the repair is complete, close the freezer door and plug the fridge back in and check that it cools normally with no frost on the back of the refrigerator.

Additional information

Thanks for reading! We hope this guide helped you replace the defrost thermostat 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.

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