A Whirlpool side-by-side that stops cooling is usually suffering from a frosted evaporator coil or a failed condenser fan motor. In most service calls, I find that cleaning the heavy dust from the coils underneath or replacing a dead fan motor solves the problem without needing a new fridge.
If you let this go more than a couple days, you're risking spoiled food and a compressor that burns itself out from overwork. I've walked into plenty of homes where a simple coil cleaning six months earlier would've saved the customer from a $1,200 repair. The freezer staying cold while the fridge warms up is the classic tell that you've got an airflow problem, not a refrigerant leak, and that's usually a cheap fix.
Here's what I tell everyone who calls me about this: 80% of the time it's not the compressor. Don't panic. These side-by-sides are actually pretty solid machines and the fix is usually a $25-50 part or just some cleaning. A new fridge is rarely the answer, especially if the unit's under 12 years old and the compressor is still running.
Most Likely Causes
Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:
Dirty Condenser Coils35%
Defrost System Failure30%
Evaporator Fan Failure20%
Damper or Airflow Obstruction10%
Main Control Board Failure5%
Symptoms You May Notice
The fridge side is sitting at 55-60 degrees and your milk's gone bad, but you open the freezer and the ice cream is rock solid.
Compressor is running constantly and it's hot to the touch when you pull the fridge out, but neither side is actually getting cold.
A click every 2-3 minutes from behind the fridge. That's the start relay trying to fire the compressor and failing each time.
Pull the freezer back panel and there's a thick sheet of ice covering the entire evaporator coil, sometimes so bad you can't even see the fins underneath.
The unit runs non-stop all day and night but never gets the fridge side below 45 degrees, even with the temperature dial turned all the way down.
Can you reset a Whirlpool refrigerator to clear the WSS-NOT-COOLING code?
To reset the control board after a repair, I unplug the refrigerator for a full five minutes. When you plug it back in, you might hear the air damper calibrate by opening and closing. Give the unit at least 24 hours to stabilize at the correct temperatures before assuming the repair failed.
Tools Required for Diagnosis
Phillips #2 screwdriver1/4 inch nut driverVacuum with long brush attachment (18 inches or longer)Digital multimeterSmall flashlight or headlampFlat blade screwdriver for prying grille clipsWork gloves (evaporator fins are sharp)
Diagnostic Checklist
Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.
ComponentComponent Under Test
Expected Range20–80 ohms
ConditionIf Open (OL) or infinite, replace component.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my freezer cold but the refrigerator side is warm?
This is the most common call I get about these units. The cold air in your fridge actually originates in the freezer and gets pushed through a damper by the evaporator fan. So if the fan's weak, the damper's stuck, or the return air vents are blocked by a bag of frozen peas that slid to the back, the freezer stays fine while the fridge climbs into the 50s. Check that the fan kicks on when you press the door switch manually, and make sure that damper flap is actually opening. Nine times out of ten it's one of those two things.
How often should I clean the coils on my Whirlpool refrigerator?
Every six months if you've got pets, no exceptions. I've seen coils so packed with dog hair they looked like a fur coat wrapped around the unit. Without pets, once a year is usually fine. And honestly, if you've never cleaned them since you bought the fridge, go do it right now regardless of how old it is. Takes 10 minutes with a vacuum and a brush attachment. It's probably the single most effective maintenance task you can do on a refrigerator and basically nobody actually does it.
What does it mean if I hear a clicking sound every few minutes?
That click every 2-3 minutes is the start relay on your compressor trying to fire it up. It tries, can't start the compressor, waits a few minutes, tries again. Unplug the fridge and pull the relay out, it's a small plastic cube plugged into the side of the compressor. Give it a shake. If it rattles, it's dead and you need a new one. Replacement relays are $10-15 and take five minutes to swap. But if the relay's fine and it's still clicking, that's a sign the compressor itself is struggling, which is a more expensive conversation.
Can I use a hair dryer to melt ice in my freezer?
You can, but keep it moving the whole time and stay on medium heat. I've seen DIYers melt the plastic liner or warp the door gasket by holding the dryer too close for too long. Keep it at least 6 inches from any plastic surface. Honestly, it's safer to just unplug the unit, prop both doors open, lay some towels on the floor, and let it defrost naturally over 24 hours. Less risk and same result. Use the dryer only if you're in a hurry and you can stay patient about it.
Is it worth fixing a 10 year old Whirlpool side-by-side?
Usually, yeah. These older Whirlpool units are honestly better built than a lot of the newer stuff coming out now. If the fix is a fan motor, a start relay, or a defrost heater, you're looking at $20-80 in parts and maybe two hours of your time. Even if you pay a tech, you're probably at $150-250 total. That's nothing compared to a new side-by-side at $800-1,200. The only time I say walk away is if the compressor is dead on a fridge that's over 15 years old. That's usually not worth the investment.
How long does it take for the refrigerator to cool back down after I fix it?
Give it at least 24 hours before you decide whether the repair worked. People get nervous after an hour when it's still at 50 degrees and they think something's still wrong. The compressor needs time to pull the temperature back down, especially if the unit warmed up significantly while you were diagnosing. After 24 hours, if the fridge is still above 45 degrees with a normal food load, then yeah, something else might be going on. But give it a full day before second-guessing yourself.
Models Known to Experience WSS-NOT-COOLING Errors
This repair applies to most Whirlpool refrigerators with this error code. Common model numbers include: