Whirlpool Refrigerator Sabbath — What It Means & How to Fix It
Also shown as Sabbath Mode on some models.
Sabbath on the display means Sabbath mode is on, so the interior lights, control panel and dispenser are inactive — press and hold Mode for 3 seconds to cycle back to normal use.
What this code means
Whirlpool says that in Sabbath mode the word Sabbath lights up on the display, you cannot dispense or change temperature set points, and the interior lighting and control panels are inactive. The freezer and refrigerator set points remain unchanged, so it keeps cooling. Holding Mode for 3 seconds toggles between Sabbath, Vacation and normal use.
From Whirlpool's bottom-freezer refrigerator help; other models may use a different button, so check the manual.
Most likely causes
| Cause | How likely | DIY-fixable? |
|---|---|---|
| Sabbath mode selected on purpose | Common | Yes — no tools |
| Mode button held by accident | Common | Yes — no tools |
What you can try yourself
- Press and hold the Mode button for 3 seconds.
- Repeat until the display leaves Sabbath (and Vacation) and returns to normal.
- Check that the interior lights and dispenser work again.
When to call a technician
- The refrigerator will not leave Sabbath mode.
- Lights and dispenser stay dead in normal mode.
- It is not cooling as well as being dark.
Typical professional repair cost: No cost — a setting.
Frequently asked questions
Why are my Whirlpool refrigerator lights not working?
If Sabbath is lit on the display, interior lighting and the control panels are inactive by design.
Does the refrigerator still cool in Sabbath mode?
Yes. Whirlpool says the freezer and refrigerator set points remain unchanged.
How do I turn Sabbath mode off?
Press and hold the Mode button for 3 seconds to toggle between Sabbath, Vacation and normal use.
Sources checked
Error meanings can vary by model. This guide was checked against the documentation above; use the manual for the model number on your own appliance when it differs.
Related Whirlpool codes
- Whirlpool Refrigerator PO PO on a Whirlpool refrigerator means a power outage occurred and the freezer reached about 18°F or warmer — a food-safety notice, not a component fault. Check contents, clear the code, and only investigate if it keeps returning.
- Whirlpool Refrigerator Cooling Off COOLING OFF means the cooling function has been switched off, so neither the refrigerator nor the freezer will cool — on many models, pressing and holding LOCK and MEASURED FILL together for 3 seconds turns it back on.
- Whirlpool Refrigerator Temperature Alarm The temperature alarm means the refrigerator rose above 48°F (9°C) or the freezer above 15°F (-9°C) for more than an hour — press Alarm to acknowledge it and check why the compartment warmed up.
- Whirlpool Refrigerator Door Ajar The Door Ajar alarm sounds when a refrigerator door or freezer drawer has been open for 2 to 5 minutes — close all doors to reset it, and check for items or leveling problems if it keeps sounding.
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