Freezer drawer will not open

[dj1100rt]

We were out of town for 3 weeks. Now, when we return, the freezer drawer will not open.  It is a Whirlpool WRF989SDAE00.  We have had problems with ice buildup under the freezer drawer in the past few months.  It is only 2 years old.

 

How do I get the drawer open without spoiling all that's inside?

 

[16345Ed]

Unplug it let it thaw to point of opening drawer, transfer food. 

Good luck

[dj1100rt]

Is there a way to force it into a thaw cycle?

[16345Ed]

There is. You need to find the tech sheet which explains it. 

Look under door hinge covers for tech sheet. 

There is a bulletin about freezer frost up on these units I believe. 

Ensure door alignment is correct, make sure baskets installed correctly and ensure door seal is sealing properly. 

[dj1100rt]

It took over 2 days of thawing with it disconnected to free the freezer drawer.  What I found was a slab of ice, 1 1/2" thick, wedged between the freezer drawer and the bottom of the cavity.

Pretty raw deal on a Whirlpool fridge that's a little over two years old, and costing over two grand.  (By contrast, we have a 35 year old GE in the basement that's never given us a headache.)

How do I find out if there is a technical service buletin on a Whirpool WRF989SDAE00 ?

 

[Hiroshi]

The slide-out drawer is very susceptible to uneven wear, and if a bag of peas falls behind the basket, it keeps the door from sealing evenly. Usually this requires the removal of the door, cleaning  and possible de-icing of the track, and a careful re-mounting of the door with attention to the exact even alignment of the two sides to ensure square and flush mating of the door gasket...

Whirlpool BM freezer door - Service Pointer - W10842568.pdf

[Hiroshi]

The best way to check this is to look downward on the top of the freezer door gasket with the fridge compartment door open, if the gasket is not compressed and sitting perfectly parallel with the machine's frame, it needs adjustment...