How To Remove A Whirlpool Refrigerator Freezer Back Panel

When the space inside the freezer begins to narrow due to ice building upon its sides or floor, the hardworking appliance needs to have a diagnostic check. The machinery and lines that keep the fridge and freezer at the correct temperatures are typically located behind the back panel of the freezer. There are safe ways to remove the freezer back panel from a Whirlpool to inspect or work on the parts behind the plastic.

If the fridge has some serious temperature swings, then it could be due to a faulty evaporator fan. This hardworking piece of machinery is behind the back panel of the freezer compartment on Whirlpool refrigerators.

Ice buildup on the bottom of a freezer of the Whirlpool refrigerator can also be due to an evaporator fan that needs some attention. If the Whirlpool French door refrigerator freezer is icing up, then it could be a clogged drain line.

Before working on the refrigerator, always unplug it from the wall. This will reduce any issues with electricity or shorting the appliance out during the reset and repair process.

Remove all food from the interior of the fridge and freezer and place them in coolers. When working on a fridge for more than an hour, the temperatures inside the compartments can dip and cause bacteria to grow.

Have towels at the ready to wipe up water and spills that can cause accidents. It's also a good idea to have a pair of screwdrivers and small bowls to hold the screws so they are easy to find and return to the back panel of the refrigerator.

If you can't move the refrigerator, then turn off the power at the circuit breaker before working on the appliance. If you need to move the refrigerator, put some things in place so that the kitchen floor doesn't end up with scratches. Using furniture-moving tools in place can also make maneuvering the refrigerator an easier task.

Furniture sliders work well when placed under the front feet. Tip the refrigerator a few inches and onto the flat discs to easily scoot the appliance away from the wall.

To pull the refrigerator away from the wall, put cardboard or another type of slick, flat surface under the front feet of the large appliance. The experts at Dolly recommend that you "walk" the refrigerator toward you by grabbing it on both sides and gently rocking it back and forth. As you rock the appliance forward, scoot the feet one side at a time.

Remove the shelves, drawers and baskets from the freezer. Lift them up and out from the clips and sliders. Remove the screws that secure the shelf supports on the right side of the freezer compartment's interior, according to Sears Parts Direct. This will give you access to the back panel of the refrigerator.

On the bottom of the back panel are two screws that hold the curved piece to the fridge. Remove the two screws and lift the bottom of the cover of the air tower in the center of the freezer's back panel. Take off the screws on the evaporator fan on the upper-left side of the back panel and disconnect the back panel from the appliance.