Owner’s manual
Error Codes
Do you remove cardboard from the bottom of a Whirlpool refrigerator?
For Whirlpool model WRF989SDAH02, do not remove any factory-installed cardboard or paneling attached to the bottom or rear lower area of the refrigerator. That cover is there to protect components and help direct airflow; removing it can lead to cooling and noise problems.
Use this quick rule: remove packaging materials used for shipping; leave any attached covers in place.
- Remove exterior tape, foam blocks, and protective film used for shipping
- Remove any loose cardboard spacers inside the fresh food section or freezer drawer
- Leave in place any cardboard or fiberboard that is screwed on, clipped on, or taped as a fixed panel underneath or behind the unit
- Leave in place the base grille and lower covers unless you are following a service step in the manual
For the model-specific unpacking steps, follow the owner's manual.
If you are unsure whether it is packaging or a functional cover, check these clues.
| What you see | Usually means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Loose cardboard you can lift out by hand | Shipping packaging | Remove and recycle |
| Cardboard/fiberboard panel fastened with screws/clips | Airflow and component protection | Leave installed |
| Cardboard used under the refrigerator while moving it | Floor protection | Use only while moving; remove afterward |
Bottom and rear lower covers help protect wiring and mechanical parts and can guide airflow around the condenser area. Keeping them installed helps your Whirlpool refrigerator cool correctly and run as designed.
Last updated: February 2026
How do I remove the base grille on my Whirlpool refrigerator?
To remove the base grille on your Whirlpool WRF989SDAH02 bottom-mount refrigerator, open the freezer drawer, grasp the base grille firmly with both hands, and pull it straight toward you until it snaps free. Reinstall by aligning the ends and snapping it back into place (then secure any screws if your grille uses them). See the owner's manual for the exact leveling and grille steps for this model.
- Open the freezer drawer for access to the bottom front area.
- Grab the grille at both ends (near the left and right corners).
- Pull the grille straight toward you; it releases from snap-in clips.
- If you are cleaning or leveling, keep the drawer open so you can reach the brake feet.
- To reinstall, align the grille ends with the leveling assemblies on each side.
- Push until it snaps fully into place.
The base grille is the access point for cleaning dust and pet hair from the front of the condenser area.
- Unplug the refrigerator (or disconnect power).
- Remove the base grille.
- Vacuum the grille and the open area behind it using a soft brush attachment.
- Snap the base grille back on.
- Restore power.
| What you notice | Likely cause | What we recommend |
|---|---|---|
| Grille will not pop off | Pulling at an angle | Pull straight out from both ends evenly |
| Grille feels loose after reinstall | Not seated on both sides | Re-align ends with leveling assemblies and snap in again |
| Refrigerator rolls forward when drawer opens | Brake feet not snug | With grille off, turn both brake feet clockwise equally until snug |
Removing the base grille correctly helps you access the brake feet for leveling and door alignment, and it also lets you clean airflow areas that affect cooling efficiency.
Last updated: February 2026
Does the Whirlpool WRF989SDAH02 have a water filter?
Yes. The Whirlpool WRF989SDAH02 has a built-in water filtration system with a replaceable water filter located in a compartment on the right-hand side of the refrigerator ceiling (fresh food section). See the owner's manual for the exact location and replacement steps.
The filter installs into a housing inside the refrigerator and locks in with a quarter-turn. If it is not fully locked in, the dispenser will not dispense water.
- Open the filter compartment door on the right side of the refrigerator ceiling
- Insert the filter and turn it clockwise about 90 degrees to lock
- Close the compartment door completely
- Flush the water system after installing a new filter
Your controls track filter life and will alert you when it is time to change it. Replace the filter at least every 6 months, or sooner if water flow slows.
| Indicator on display | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Order filter (yellow) | Filter is nearing end of life | Plan to replace soon |
| Replace filter (red) | Filter life is used up | Replace the filter now |
| Replace filter stays on | Filter missing or not seated | Reinstall and lock filter fully |
This model can also have an air filter for odor control, which is separate from the water filter.
- Water filter: improves water and ice quality
- Air filter: helps reduce food odors
- Produce preserver: helps slow produce spoilage
If you are also refreshing odor control, the refrigerator air filter W10311524 is a common maintenance item for this refrigerator.
A correctly installed, regularly replaced water filter helps maintain normal dispenser flow and ice maker performance, and it reduces taste and odor issues caused by contaminants in the water supply.
Last updated: February 2026
What is the bottom part of a refrigerator called?
The “bottom part” of a Whirlpool refrigerator like model WRF989SDAH02 is usually referring to the machinery area at the base, where the compressor and other cooling-system components are located. On this bottom-mount design, the freezer drawer is also in the lower section.
Depending on what you’re looking at, the bottom of the refrigerator can refer to different sections.
- Freezer drawer: the lower storage compartment (bottom-mount freezer)
- Base grille (toe grille): the vented cover at the very bottom front
- Machine compartment: the service area behind the base grille and/or at the rear bottom
- Compressor area: where the compressor runs and you may hear normal operating sounds
- Leveling and roller area: brake feet and rollers used to level and stabilize the refrigerator
For diagrams and names of the compartments and features, use the owner's manual.
| What you see at the bottom | Common name | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Pull-out lower drawer | Freezer drawer | Stores frozen food; slides out for access |
| Vented panel at the front | Base grille | Allows airflow; covers brake feet/rollers |
| Components that hum or vibrate | Compressor area | Pumps refrigerant to create cooling |
| Adjustable feet/rollers | Brake feet and rollers | Helps leveling; prevents the unit from rolling |
Using the right name helps you get the right repair steps and parts. For example, “freezer drawer not closing” is a different issue than “compressor running loud” or “base grille broken.”
If your question is about odors or airflow at the bottom section, these model-matched parts are commonly involved:
- Refrigerator air filter W10311524 (odor control inside the fresh food compartment)
- Refrigerator air damper control assembly WPW10248595 (controls cold air flow into the refrigerator section)
Last updated: February 2026
