Whirlpool WRB551WNBS Bottom Freezer Refrigerator Repair

A closer look at the WRB551WNBS

The WRB551WNBS is listed as a Whirlpool bottom freezer refrigerator. In San Francisco such cabinets are carried up flights of stairs, turned through tight halls and slotted into alcoves with little space on either side. Those installation facts shape what a technician looks for when it later stops cooling or starts leaking.

Level, doors and clearance

A refrigerator that is not level often will not close its doors by themselves; they hang slightly open, warm air gets in and frost forms. We check the front feet, the door swing and whether the cabinet touches a wall or a neighboring cabinet. In a tight alcove, the sides can rub the door edge. Leave a little room for air above and at the back, too, because a boxed-in cabinet cannot shed heat properly.

If a water line is connected

Some households connect a refrigerator to a water line for filtered water or ice. If yours is connected, a kinked line, a closed supply valve or a leak at the connection can look like a refrigerator fault. We look at the line route, the valve and the fitting. Do not tighten fittings yourself unless you are sure the valve is off. Whirlpool ice maker not making ice and Whirlpool refrigerator leaking water cover the usual results.

Gaskets and hinges

A door gasket that has folded or collected grime cannot seal. Wipe it with warm water, dry it, and look for a gap when the door is shut. If the door sags at the hinge side, the seal may be fine but misaligned. A technician checks the hinge, the door weight and the cabinet squareness together, since each affects the others.

Owner steps before the visit

1. Check the outlet and the breaker.
2. Look at the door gaskets for tears or dirt.
3. Open and close each door slowly to see where it catches.
4. If a supply valve is visible, note whether it is open.
5. Write down the model label and any display message.

Moving on

We diagnose first, give you a written estimate and wait for your approval. More at Whirlpool refrigerator repair, Whirlpool refrigerators, and the sibling listing Whirlpool WRB322DMB repair.

Frequently asked questions