If the light in your Whirlpool refrigerator keeps flashing, it indicates something is wrong. If you are unsure how to deal with this issue, you are at the right place.
Generally, Your whirlpool refrigerator light might flash due to the faulty light bulb. Replace the light bulb to fix the issue. However, It may also happen due to a broken switch or a faulty circuit board. In such a case, we need to replace the switch or other component which is at fault.
In this article, I will help you understand the root cause and the fix of the light flashing issue in your whirlpool refrigerator. So, keep reading.
Check out our list of top-handpicked products for all your electrical, appliance, and HVAC system needs to keep your home running smoothly.
This post includes some affiliate links.Light flashing inside my Whirlpool refrigerator
Refrigerators are frequently used devices without which kitchen activities will take a hit.
Nearly every refrigerator has a light inside it.
It turns on every time you open the refrigerator.
There is a purpose behind the light in the refrigerator.
There are lights in the refrigerator to make it easy for you to find and arrange things in place.
If you open the refrigerator at night when there is no light in the kitchen room, the light in the refrigerator helps you locate things you want to pick.
What if there is no light in the refrigerator?
It would become extremely hard to pick out things when there is no light at night.
If you notice, not all freezers have light inside them, and it is because people don’t use the freezer as frequently as they use refrigerators.
Especially at night, the chances of people opening a freezer are far less.
Apart from this, there is no specific purpose behind a refrigerator having a light.
Even if the light breaks, a refrigerator will function as well as it normally does.
In general, LED lights are used inside the refrigerator as they can handle the low temperature inside it.
Why is my Whirlpool light flashing? (+Fix)
If the light inside your Whirlpool refrigerator flashes frequently, it disturbs the flow of kitchen activities and indicates a fault you must not neglect.
Recently my refrigerator also caused the same issue, and after a lot of trial and error, I successfully fixed it.
I don’t want you to go through the same trial and error process, so I have shared the common causes and the step-by-step process to fix the issue in this article.
Here are the 6 common causes and the process to fix the common issues.
1. A faulty bulb
A bulb is attached to the socket inside the refrigerator.
It gets a steady flow of current from the refrigerator power supply to blow the light.
If a bulb is screwed tight with the socket, it will emit a steady beam of light.
When the bulb is attached firmly to the socket, it will get enough power to blow the light.
But a loosely attached bulb will keep flashing the light with varied intensity.
The intensity of the flash differs according to the amount of current received by the bulk.
To fix this issue, you must tighten the bulb.
Here is how you can tighten the bulb inside the refrigerator:
- Open the refrigerator door and access the bulb.
- Remove the cover from the bulb by detaching the latches.
- Access the bulb, and use a screwdriver to rotate it clockwise. By doing so, your bulb will be tightened.
- Put the cover of the bulb back.
- If the bulb is still flashing, you must replace the bulb.
Follow these steps to replace the bulb from your whirlpool refrigerator:
- Purchase a new LED bulb based on the model of your whirlpool refrigerator.
- Start by unplugging your whirlpool refrigerator from the electric outlet.
- Access the bulb inside the refrigerator.
- You can see it closed with the plastic cover.
- Detach the latches and remove the screws using the screwdriver to disconnect the cover.
- Now, you can locate the bulb. Rotate it anticlockwise to remove the bulb from the socket.
- Fix the new bulb to the socket. Make sure it is fixed well with the socket.
- Reattach the cover and secure it with the screws.
- Close the refrigerator door.
- Plug in the refrigerator to the electric outlet.
- Run the refrigerator and see if the flashing of the light has stopped.
2. Issues with the dimmer switch
The LED lights in the refrigerator come with dimmer switches that you can find in the refrigerator.
Dimmer switches are designed in a way to work at a higher voltage.
If you use the dimmer with low-voltage LED lights, it will wear out over time.
To avoid this issue, you must install an LED light equal to the dimmer switch’s voltage.
3. A broken switch
A switch in the refrigerator on and off the interior light when you open and close it.
A switch operates the intensity of the light inside the refrigerator.
When you open the refrigerator, a switch blows up the blub present inside it.
If the light flashes, it may be due to the broken switch.
A defective switch will not switch off the light inside the refrigerator when you close the door.
It also happens due to dust accumulation.
If the dust accumulates around the switch, it will prevent the switch from performing the normal function it should.
A switch may become loose or broken, blocking the supply of current needed to blow the switch.
In such a case, consider cleaning the dirt around the switch.
If the light still keeps flashing, you must replace the switch.
Follow these steps to replace the switch in your whirlpool refrigerator:
- Purchase a new switch depending on the model of your refrigerator.
- Unplug the refrigerator from the electric supply.
- Wear gloves on your hands for safety reasons.
- Open the door of your whirlpool refrigerator.
- Access the control box inside the refrigerator.
- Using a screwdriver, remove the screws securing the control box to the refrigerator.
- Pull off the control box and disconnect the wire harness from the control box.
- Disconnect the control box from the refrigerator and place it in a comfortable place to work.
- Locate the light switch at the right corner of the control box.
- Pull the light switch out and disconnect the wires attached to the switch.
- Attach the new switch with the wire and position the switch in the control box.
- Connect the wire harness to the control box.
- Position the control box in its original place and secure it with the screws.
Plug in your whirlpool refrigerator.
Check if the light inside the refrigerator stopped flashing.
Or else, go ahead with the following fixes.
4. Wire connection issues
Electrical wires in and around the housing supply the required current to the refrigerator.
Not only refrigerators but all electrical devices also need a steady flow of electricity to function well.
If the wire connections are at fault, they won’t supply the required current to the refrigerator.
A flashing light inside the refrigerator may also indicate an improper power supply.
A loose wire connection blocks enough power supply to the bulb, resulting in the flashing light.
Consider inspecting the main supply for the proper electricity flow.
If the power supply from the main supply is weak, it won’t deliver enough current to blow the light steadily.
In such a case, you should hire a professional to figure out the loose wire connection and fix the issue efficiently.
It is recommended to seek help from a professional instead of doing it yourself because it is dangerous to operate electrical units without a professional’s help.
You must fix the wiring issue as soon as possible because running heavy-duty devices like refrigerators with loose wires is dangerous.
It will damage the refrigerator, and it will cause hazards to your family at times of electric shock.
5. A faulty power cord
A power cord is attached to the electrical outlet to supply the electric current to the refrigerator.
If the power cord is not properly attached to the electric outlet, it won’t pass the required current to the refrigerator.
Check if the wires attached to the power cord are damaged.
If cracked or damaged, a current cannot pass through them to blow the light inside the refrigerator.
Check if the power cord is attached firmly to the electric outlet to fix this issue.
Check if the wires of the electric cord are broken.
Consider replacing them with the new wire to let the current flow efficiently without any barrier.
Follow these steps to replace the power cord and the attached wire:
- Purchase the new power cord depending on the model of your refrigerator.
- Unplug the refrigerator from the electric outlet.
- Turn off the water supply valve of the refrigerator.
- Disconnect the water supply from the inlet valve.
- Using a screwdriver, remove the screws securing the rear access panel to the refrigerator.
- To access the power cord grounding wire and the mounting screws, you must pull off the compressor. Pull out the three retaining pins and move the compressor upwards.
- Access the power cord wire. Remove the screws securing the retainer clip.
- Disconnect the wire harness securing the old power cord.
- Remove the power cord completely from the refrigerator.
- Transfer the retaining lip from the old power cord to the new one.
- Connect the new power cord with the wire harness. Secure the grounding wire to the base of the refrigerator.
- Secure the retaining clip to the refrigerator.
- Reposition the compressor to its original place. Secure it with the retaining pins.
- Reattach the rear access panel and secure it with the screws.
- Connect the water pipe to the inlet valve and turn on the water supply valve.
- Plug in the refrigerator.
6. A defective circuit board
A refrigerator’s circuit board controls the refrigerator’s major functions, like cooling and lighting the inner side of the refrigerator.
When the circuit board is at fault, the major functions of the refrigerator will be disturbed.
If the light flashes inside your whirlpool refrigerator, you must check the working status of the circuit board.
Consider replacing the circuit board if it is defective.
Follow the steps below to replace the circuit board:
Purchase a new control panel based on the model of your refrigerator.
- Unplug the refrigerator from the electric outlet.
- Access the control board cover at the back of the refrigerator.
- Remove the cover of the control board using the screwdriver.
- Locate the control board and take a picture of it on your smartphone for future reference.
- Disconnect all the wires attached to the control panel.
- Remove the control panel from the control panel housing.
- Replace the old control panel with the new one.
- Reattach all the wires by referring to the photo you took.
- Secure the control panel in place.
- Reattach the cover by securing it with the screws you removed.
- Plug in the refrigerator.
How do I reset my Whirlpool refrigerator?
You cannot find the separate reset buttons for resetting your refrigerator.
Still, you can reset your whirlpool refrigerator by following the below steps:
- Unplug the refrigerator from the electric outlet.
- Let the refrigerator unplug for the next 10 minutes.
- Next, plug in your whirlpool refrigerator to the electric outlet.
- Check if the refrigerator is reset. Or else go ahead with the next step.
- Access the lock and the filter button. Press them simultaneously for 3 seconds.
- You can see the symbol “E” on the ice chest board if the reset is successful. Or else continue with the next step.
- Locate the door and temperature buttons. Press them simultaneously for 3 seconds.
Now your refrigerator has reset.
How do you change the LED light on a whirlpool bottom freezer?
While not all freezers have LED lights, some new model whirlpool freezer does have LED lights inside them.
Follow the steps mentioned below to change the LED light from the freezer:
- Unplug the refrigerator from the electric outlet.
- Locate the LED light compartment.
- Using the screwdriver, remove the LED cover.
- Unscrew the LED light and disconnect the wire harness.
- Replace the old LED light with the new one. Connect the wire harness.
- Secure the new LED light with the freezer.
- Secure the cover with the screws.
- Plug in the refrigerator.
Final thoughts
Light flashing in your whirlpool refrigerator happens due to the causes I mentioned in the article. You must go through the causes and figure out which is causing the issue in your whirlpool refrigerator.
A light flashing issue may also occur due to loose and faulty wire connections in your home. In such a case, you must hire a professional to fix the wire connection to prevent electrical hazards.
After finding the issue, you can follow the steps mentioned in the article to fix it.
Reference: Whirlpool Official Manual Top Mount, Whirlpool Official Manual Side-by-Side.
