Whirlpool Refrigerator Temperature Alarm — What It Means & How to Fix It
Also shown as Over Temperature, Over Temp on some models.
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.
What this code means
Whirlpool's Over Temperature feature alerts you when the refrigerator temperature rises above 48°F (9°C) or the freezer above 15°F (-9°C) for longer than about an hour and a half. The sound stops by itself when temperatures return to normal, but the indicator keeps flashing until Alarm is pressed, so you know it happened.
Whirlpool refrigerators with an Alarm key and Over Temperature feature.
Most likely causes
| Cause | How likely | DIY-fixable? |
|---|---|---|
| Door left open or not sealing | Very common | Yes — no tools |
| Large amount of warm food added | Common | Yes — wait |
| Power outage | Common | Yes — wait |
| Cooling fault | Occasional | No — technician job |
What you can try yourself
- Press Alarm to acknowledge and stop the flashing indicator.
- Check that every door and drawer is fully closed and nothing blocks the seals.
- Make sure the cooling function is on and the set temperatures are sensible.
- Keep the doors closed for several hours and check whether temperatures recover.
- Inspect perishable food and discard anything that may be unsafe.
When to call a technician
- Temperatures do not return to normal within a day.
- The alarm returns repeatedly with the doors closed.
- The compressor is silent or the freezer is thawing — do not open sealed refrigeration parts; call for service.
Typical professional repair cost: No cost if a door or outage was the cause; cooling repairs vary widely, typically $150–$600.
Frequently asked questions
What triggers the Whirlpool temperature alarm?
The refrigerator rising above 48°F (9°C) or the freezer above 15°F (-9°C) for more than about an hour and a half.
Why is the light still flashing when it is cold again?
The indicator keeps flashing until you press Alarm, to tell you an over-temperature condition occurred.
Is my food safe?
Whirlpool's article does not give food guidance. Check perishables carefully and discard anything doubtful.
Sources checked
- Whirlpool Product Help: Temperature Alarm - Refrigerator
- Whirlpool Product Help: Temperature Alarm - Side by Side Refrigerator
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 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.
- Whirlpool Refrigerator CL CL or LO on a Whirlpool beverage center indicates the internal temperature is too low — check the door is closed, allow time after restocking or a power cut, and reset power for one minute.
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