Official Whirlpool chest freezer parts

What to do when the high-temperature alarm sounds on your Whirlpool chest freezer

The high-temperature alarm sounds when the temperature inside the freezer rises 15 degrees above the set temperature so that you can fix the cooling problem and prevent food spoilage. (The exact temperature rise that triggers the alarm varies by model.)

When you hear the alarm, check the freezer electrical outlet for power because the control uses a battery as back-up power to sound the alarm (on most models) when the outlet power fails. Restore power to the freezer by resetting the house circuit breaker for the electrical outlet and the freezer will resume cooling if a power failure caused the alarm.

If the alarm goes off and you hear the compressor running, a sealed system problem such as a refrigerant leak or a failed compressor pump may be causing the problem. Have a service technician examine the freezer if you suspect a sealed system failure. A service technician will need to diagnose and fix a sealed system failure because the repair involves the recovery and recharge of the refrigerant.

How to deal with frost inside your Whirlpool chest freezer

Some frost inside the freezer is normal, because each time you open the freezer lid, warm, moist air enters the freezer and forms frost. But if excessive frost forms quickly inside the freezer, it could be that a damaged lid or door seal is constantly allowing warm, moist air into the cabinet, resulting in excessive frost. Check the door or lid seal and replace the seal if damaged.

A crack in the plastic liner inside the freezer cabinet can also allow warm air into the freezer and cause frost. Check the inner liner and repair any cracks using a liner repair kit.

If you see frost on the evaporator cover in the back of the freezer and the freezer isn't cooling well, then a failure in the automatic defrost system could be causing the frost. If the defrost heating element that melts frost off the evaporator fins fails, frost will cake up on the evaporator and interfere with airflow and cooling in the freezer. A failed defrost bi-metal won't allow current to reach the heater so a failed defrost bi-metal will also cause frost on the evaporator and inhibit cooling in the freezer. A failed defrost timer won't advance into the automatic defrost mode so the defrost heating element would never turn on to melt frost off the evaporator. Check the defrost system if you see frost only on the evaporator cover.