---
title: "Whirlpool refrigerator showing COOLING OFF"
description: "What COOLING OFF means on Whirlpool refrigerators, what to check before booking, and when it is not a failure at all."
url: "https://refrigeratorrepair.center/error-codes/whirlpool-cooling-off/"
---

# Whirlpool refrigerator showing COOLING OFF

Cooling has been switched off at the control panel, so neither the refrigerator nor the freezer will get cold.

## What COOLING OFF actually means.

Cooling has been switched off at the control panel, so neither the refrigerator nor the freezer will get cold. It is a setting, not a breakdown. Whirlpool notes it can be switched off by accident during cleaning, and some models have to be switched back on by hand after a power outage or surge.

Whirlpool refrigerator display · also shown as Cooling Off

What to do when COOLING OFF shows on the refrigerator

### Kind of code Mode, not a failure

A setting somebody chose, or an alert it raised on purpose — a showroom mode, a door or power alarm. Nothing has broken and no part is needed.

### Usually leads to No repair

On many French door models, press and hold LOCK and MEASURED FILL together for 3 seconds to turn cooling back on.

### Shows up as Refrigerator Not Cooling

The compartment is warm but the appliance still has power and still makes noise.

### Make Whirlpool

The most widely installed freestanding refrigeration in American kitchens.

### Source Whirlpool Product Help (producthelp.whirlpool.com): Cooling Off Indicator Light - Refrigerator

The LOCK plus MEASURED FILL combination is the common method Whirlpool gives; the buttons vary by model and refrigerator type.

## Before you book, in this order.

Each step comes from Whirlpool's own guidance for COOLING OFF on its refrigerators. Follow it to the end: the last card says whether this is a visit.

01

On many French door models, press and hold LOCK and MEASURED FILL together for 3 seconds to turn cooling back on.

02

Press both buttons at exactly the same moment, or you may lock the dispenser instead.

03

If your panel has different buttons, the owner's manual for your model number gives the right combination.

04

Allow several hours for both compartments to come back down to temperature.

### Cleared?

Nothing needed repairing. If the refrigerator does not settle back to temperature, that is a separate problem.

### What not to do

Do not treat a warm cabinet with COOLING OFF on the screen as a failed compressor. Turn cooling back on first and give it time.

## What you may notice with it.

The refrigerator problems COOLING OFF tends to arrive with. Answer these at the refrigerator before anyone is booked.

[All problems](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/problems/)

Before you call

### [Refrigerator Not Cooling](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/problems/refrigerator-not-cooling/)

[All 7 causes, cheapest first](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/problems/refrigerator-not-cooling/)

It also comes with

- [**Refrigerator Showing an Error Code**](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/problems/refrigerator-error-code/)

Food safety applies

### Refrigerator Not Cooling

7 causes, cheapest first

No repair indicated

## Nothing to repair.

A setting somebody chose, or an alert it raised on purpose — a showroom mode, a door or power alarm. Nothing has broken and no part is needed.

[How to read what your refrigerator is telling you](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/problems/refrigerator-error-code/)

## Read these before the visit.

Short guides that make the call quicker and the diagnosis cheaper.

[All guides](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/guides/)

What you can check yourself

### Where the model number hides, and why nothing works without it

Error codes

### All 247 codes, by make

## Whirlpool refrigerators.

The most widely installed freestanding refrigeration in American kitchens.

[Whirlpool refrigerator repair](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/brands/whirlpool/)

More Whirlpool codes

[PO](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/error-codes/whirlpool-po/) [Flashing F](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/error-codes/whirlpool-flashing-f/) [Temperature Alarm](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/error-codes/whirlpool-temperature-alarm/) [Door Ajar](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/error-codes/whirlpool-door-ajar/) [Demo](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/error-codes/whirlpool-demo/)

Mode, not a failure on other makes

[Samsung OF OF](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/error-codes/samsung-of-of/) [LG OF F](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/error-codes/lg-of-f/) [KitchenAid PO](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/error-codes/kitchenaid-po/) [GE PF](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/error-codes/ge-pf/) [Frigidaire PF](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/error-codes/frigidaire-pf/) [Sub-Zero H2 LO](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/error-codes/sub-zero-h2-lo/) [Viking CL](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/error-codes/viking-cl/) [Thermador Water Filter Symbol flashing](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/error-codes/thermador-water-filter-symbol-flashing/)

[All 80 codes of this kind](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/error-codes/#family-mode)

Whirlpool builds this

### French door refrigerator

Two fresh-food doors over a freezer drawer — the most common premium layout, and the one with the most to go wrong at the door line.

Whirlpool builds this

### Side-by-side refrigerator

Full-height freezer beside full-height fresh food, with the ice maker and dispenser built into the freezer door.

## In Whirlpool's own words

> Your refrigerator and freezer will not cool when the cooling is turned off. … “COOLING OFF” will appear on the display screen.

[Whirlpool Product Help (producthelp.whirlpool.com): Cooling Off Indicator Light - Refrigerator](https://producthelp.whirlpool.com/Refrigeration/Full-Size_Refrigerators/French_Door_Bottom_Freezer_Refrigerator/Control_Concerns/Error_Codes%2C_Blinking%2C_Flashing_Lights/Blinking_Lights/Cooling_Off_Indicator_Light_-_Refrigerator) [Whirlpool Product Help (producthelp.whirlpool.com): Cooling Off Indicator Light - Refrigerator](https://producthelp.whirlpool.com/Refrigeration/Full-Size_Refrigerators/French_Door_Bottom_Freezer_Refrigerator/Control_Concerns/Error_Codes%2C_Blinking%2C_Flashing_Lights/Blinking_Lights/Cooling_Off_Indicator_Light_-_Refrigerator)

Every code on this site is taken from the manufacturer's documentation, never from a forum or a parts listing. The LOCK plus MEASURED FILL combination is the common method Whirlpool gives; the buttons vary by model and refrigerator type.

## Whirlpool COOLING OFF refrigerator repair, where we come out.

The same visit in every metro below: the code, the model number, and a diagnosis before any part is ordered.

[All service areas](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/)

[Tampa Bay](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/) FL · 31 areas

- [Hyde Park](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/hyde-park/)
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- [Westchase](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/westchase/)
- [Carrollwood](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/carrollwood/)
- [Belleair](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/belleair/)
- [St. Pete Beach](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/st-pete-beach/)
- [Palm Harbor](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/tampa-bay/palm-harbor/)

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- [Winter Park](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/orlando/winter-park/)
- [Windermere](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/orlando/windermere/)
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- [Coconut Grove](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/south-florida/coconut-grove/)
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[New York Metro](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/new-york/) NY · 75 areas

- [Upper East Side](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/new-york/upper-east-side/)
- [Upper West Side](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/new-york/upper-west-side/)
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[Houston](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/houston/) TX · 36 areas

- [River Oaks](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/houston/river-oaks/)
- [Memorial](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/houston/memorial/)
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- [West University](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/houston/west-university/)

[Chicago](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/) IL · 50 areas

- [Lincoln Park](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/lincoln-park/)
- [Near North Side](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/near-north-side/)
- [West Loop / Near West Side](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/west-loop-near-west-side/)
- [Wilmette](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/wilmette/)
- [Winnetka](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/winnetka/)
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- [River Forest](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/river-forest/)
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- [Lakeview](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/chicagoland/lakeview/)

[Los Angeles](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/) CA · 95 areas

- [Beverly Hills](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/beverly-hills/)
- [Bel Air](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/los-angeles/bel-air/)
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- [La Jolla](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/san-diego/la-jolla/)
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- [Point Loma](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/san-diego/point-loma/)
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- [Encinitas](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/san-diego/encinitas/)
- [Solana Beach](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/san-diego/solana-beach/)

[San Francisco Bay Area](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/bay-area/) CA · 74 areas

- [Pacific Heights](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/bay-area/pacific-heights/)
- [Presidio Heights](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/bay-area/presidio-heights/)
- [Russian Hill](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/bay-area/russian-hill/)
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- [Piedmont](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/bay-area/piedmont/)
- [Marina](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/locations/bay-area/marina/)

For the heart of your home.

## Questions about COOLING OFF.

### Can I clear COOLING OFF myself?

On many French door models, press and hold LOCK and MEASURED FILL together for 3 seconds to turn cooling back on.

### Why does my Whirlpool show COOLING OFF after a power outage?

Some models need cooling turned back on by hand after an outage or surge. Many French door panels take a three-second hold on LOCK and MEASURED FILL to restart cooling.

### Why did my Whirlpool dispenser lock when I tried to turn cooling on?

The two buttons were not pressed at exactly the same moment, so the panel read it as a lock request. Release, then press LOCK and MEASURED FILL in one motion and hold for three seconds.

---

**[Read on the site: Whirlpool refrigerator showing COOLING OFF](https://refrigeratorrepair.center/error-codes/whirlpool-cooling-off/)**

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