Whirlpool WF-NL500, WF-NL300 manual Troubleshooting, Power Interruptions, Vacation and Moving Care

Power Interruptions

If the power will be out for 24 hours or less, keep both refrigerator doors closed to help food stay cold and frozen.

If the power will be out for more than 24 hours, do one of the following:

■Remove all frozen food and store it in a frozen food locker.

■Place 2 lbs (907 g) of dry ice in the freezer for every cubic foot (28 L) of freezer space. This will keep the food frozen for two to four days.

■If neither a food locker nor dry ice is available, consume or can perishable food at once.

REMEMBER: A full freezer stays cold longer than a partially filled one. A freezer full of meat stays cold longer than a freezer full of baked goods. If you see that food contains ice crystals, it may be refrozen, although the quality and flavor may be affected. If the condition of the food is poor, dispose of it.

Vacation and Moving Care

Vacations

If you choose to leave the refrigerator on while you’re away, use these steps to prepare your refrigerator before you leave.

1.Use up any perishables and freeze other items.

2.If your refrigerator has an automatic ice maker:

■Raise wire shutoff arm to OFF (up) position.

■Shut off water supply to the ice maker.

3.Empty the ice bin.

If you choose to turn the refrigerator off before you leave, follow these steps.

1.Remove all food from the refrigerator.

2.If your refrigerator has an automatic ice maker:

■Turn off the water supply to the ice maker at least one day ahead of time.

■When the last load of ice drops, raise the wire shutoff arm to the OFF (up) position.

3.Depending on your model, turn the Thermostat Control (or Refrigerator Control, depending on the model) to OFF. See the “Using the Controls” section.

4.Clean refrigerator, wipe it, and dry well.

5.Tape rubber or wood blocks to the tops of both doors to prop them open far enough for air to get in. This stops odor and mold from building up.

3.Depending on your model, turn the Thermostat Control (or Refrigerator Control, depending on the model) to OFF. See the “Using the Controls” section.

4.Unplug refrigerator.

5.Empty water from the defrost pan.

6.Clean, wipe, and dry thoroughly.

7.Take out all removable parts, wrap them well, and tape them together so they don’t shift and rattle during the move.

8.Depending on the model, raise the front of the refrigerator so it rolls more easily OR screw in the leveling legs so they don't scrape the floor. See the “Leveling Refrigerator” section.

9.Tape the doors shut and the power cord to the refrigerator cabinet.

When you get to your new home, put everything back and refer to the “Installation Instructions” section for preparation instructions. Also, if your refrigerator has an automatic ice maker, remember to reconnect the water supply to the refrigerator.

TROUBLESHOOTING

Try the solutions suggested here first in order to avoid the cost of an unnecessary service call.

Your refrigerator will not operate

■Is the power supply cord unplugged? Plug into a grounded 3 prong outlet.

■Has a household fuse or circuit breaker tripped? Replace the fuse or reset the circuit breaker.

■Is the refrigerator or freezer control turned to the OFF position? Refer to the “Using the Controls” section.

■Is the refrigerator defrosting? Recheck to see if the refrigerator is operating in 30 minutes. Your refrigerator will regularly run an automatic defrost cycle.

■Is the refrigerator not cooling? For models with digital controls, turn the unit OFF then ON again to reset. See the “Using the Controls” section. If this does not correct the problem, call for service.

The lights do not work

■Is the power supply cord unplugged? Plug into a grounded 3 prong outlet.

■Is a light bulb loose in the socket or burned out? See the “Changing the Light Bulb(s)” section.

Moving

When you are moving your refrigerator to a new home, follow these steps to prepare it for the move.

1.If your refrigerator has an automatic ice maker:

■Turn off the water supply to the ice maker at least one day ahead of time.

■Disconnect the water line from the back of the refrigerator.

■When the last load of ice drops, raise the wire shutoff arm to the OFF (up) position.

2.Remove all food from the refrigerator and pack all frozen food in dry ice.

There is water in the defrost drain pan

■Is the refrigerator defrosting? The water will evaporate. It is normal for water to drip into the defrost pan.

■Is it more humid than normal? When it is humid, expect that the water in the defrost pan will take longer to evaporate.

The motor seems to run too much

■Is the room temperature hotter than normal? The motor will run longer under warm conditions. At normal room temperatures, expect your motor to run about 40% to 80% of the time. Under warmer conditions, it will run even more.

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