Tips for Properly Setting the Controls

Understanding Temperature Settings

For the fresh food compartment, aim for 37°F, within a safe range of 32°F to 40°F. This range slows bacterial growth without unintentionally freezing items. For the freezer, set 0°F to keep foods thoroughly frozen and maintain quality. If you are unsure where to start, a common Whirlpool fridge temperature setting for the refrigerator is 37°F and a Whirlpool refrigerator temperature setting for the freezer is 0°F.

Real-world conditions may require small adjustments. Consider:

• Room temperature: Hot kitchens may need cooler settings; cooler rooms may need slightly warmer ones.
• Door use: Frequent or prolonged openings admit warm air and can raise temperatures.
• Loading: Overfilled shelves block airflow; very empty compartments may cool unevenly.
• New groceries: Large loads of warmer items temporarily raise compartment temperatures.
• Airflow: Food placed directly against vents can cause uneven cooling or freezing.

After any change, allow a full 24 hours for temperatures to stabilize before making further adjustments. This is one of the most important tips for properly setting the controls on refrigerator models of any size.

How to Adjust the Temperature Controls

Follow this approach for most Whirlpool refrigerators. Refer to your Use & Care Guide for model-specific details and the correct Whirlpool fridge temp setting labels.

1. Locate the controls. Many models place controls inside the fresh food compartment or on the interior side wall; others use a front electronic touch panel.
2. Identify current settings. Digital panels display temperatures or bars; dial controls use numbers where 1 is warmest and higher numbers are colder.
3. Make small changes. Adjust one increment at a time (about 1°F, one bar, or one dial click). Start near 37°F for the refrigerator and 0°F for the freezer.
4. Wait and verify. Give the unit 24 hours to stabilize. Check with an appliance thermometer placed in the center of each compartment, away from walls, doors, and vents.
5. Fine-tune as needed. If milk seems too warm, lower the refrigerator one increment; if ice cream is soft, lower the freezer one increment. Recheck after 24 hours.

Refrigerator Not Cooling? 

If your refrigerator is not cooling properly, check to make sure the controls are set properly. Below are some things you can quickly check. Look below for additional information on each topic. 

• Refrigerator turned on? Some refrigerators must be manually turned back on after a power outage or surge. The refrigerator could also accidentally be turned off during routine cleaning.
• Cooling function turned on? Some refrigerators are equipped with a "Showroom" or "Demo" mode feature. This mode is used when the refrigerator is on display in a retail store or if you want to turn the cooling off and deactivate all other functions except interior lighting. Showroom mode can also be used when going on vacation.
• Are the controls set for the surrounding conditions? The factory presets the temperature controls to the "mid setting," which should be correct for normal household use. The controls are set correctly when the beverages are as cold as you would like.
  • If you need to adjust the temperature, wait at least 24 hours between adjustments, then recheck it. 
  • Adjust the control to the next higher setting to make the Refrigerator colder. Adjust the control to the next lower setting to make the Refrigerator less cold. 
  • Repeat this process until the desired temperature is reached.

NOTE: Since control panels vary by refrigerator type, please refer to your Owner's Manual for specific information on your model. Below are some examples.