WP2323197 Whirlpool Refrigerator Defrost Heater – OEM Replacement

If you’ve noticed frost buildup blocking airflow, a warm refrigerator compartment, or an automatic defrost cycle that won’t run, the WP2323197 defrost heater is the purpose-built fix your Whirlpool-family freezer deserves. This OEM replacement part is designed to restore reliable defrost performance in compatible Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Amana, Jenn-Air, Inglis, and other Whirlpool-made refrigerators, ensuring frost melts away exactly where and when it should.

Why this OEM WP2323197 matters

Using an authentic OEM defrost heater means a precise fit, correct electrical characteristics, and compatibility with the original defrost control timing. It’s engineered to work with the evaporator coils in the freezer section, delivering controlled heat during the automatic defrost cycle to prevent frost from impeding airflow. When the heater fails, frost can accumulate, airflow drops, and both freezer and fresh-food compartments suffer.

What it does and how it works

The WP2323197 is a glass or metal-sheathed resistance element mounted near the evaporator coils. During a normal defrost cycle, it energizes for a set period to melt frost, then stops when a defrost thermostat indicates coils have reached a safe temperature. If the heater develops an open circuit, frost will continue to accumulate, potentially causing the fridge to warm or the defrost cycle to stall.

Common symptoms this part fixes

• Excessive frost or ice buildup on the freezer back wall or evaporator coils
• Refrigerator not cooling properly even when the freezer is cold
• Freezer icing over with reduced airflow to the fresh-food compartment
• Automatic defrost cycle not running
• Warm refrigerator compartment with frost-blocked evaporator
• Fan running but little or no cold air reaching the fresh-food section

Key features & specifications

• OEM part number: WP2323197
• Replaces: 2323197
• Part type: Defrost Heater Assembly
• Appliance type: Refrigerator, Freezer
• Brands supported (Whirlpool-made): Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Amana, Jenn-Air, Inglis, Kenmore
• Mounts at or near the evaporator coils in the freezer section
• Direct OEM replacement — no modifications required
• Construction: Glass or metal-sheathed resistance element
• Testable with a continuity check (an open reading indicates a burnt-out heater)

Compatibility and buying options

This is the OEM replacement designed to match factory specifications for compatible Whirlpool-platform refrigerators. If your model isn’t listed in the model hub pages, reach out for compatibility confirmation before ordering to ensure a guaranteed fit and function.

Practical tips and insights

• Symptoms like frost buildup or warm temperatures in the fridge are often resolved by replacing the defrost heater, restoring proper defrost cycles and airflow.
• When diagnosing, perform a continuity test on the defrost heater to confirm failure before replacing. An open circuit (OL) typically means the element has burned out.
• Install as a direct OEM replacement to avoid wiring or mounting modifications, and to maintain original defrost cycle timing.
• For model compatibility questions, the vendor notes that “No model hub pages are currently available for this part’s model range.” Contact support to confirm before purchase.

Why shop with XPart Supply Ltd.

As a trusted source for genuine OEM replacement parts, XPart Supply Ltd. backs every WP2323197 purchase with reliability and expertise. Enjoy fast Canadian shipping and confidence knowing you’re getting an exact match for the original equipment part, engineered to restore frost-free performance without guesswork.

Category context

This item sits in Home & Garden > Kitchen & Dining > Kitchen Appliance Accessories > Refrigerator Accessories, where authenticity and precise fit matter for long-term reliability. It’s the practical, every-day fix that keeps your Whirlpool family refrigerator operating as intended—efficient cooling, consistent defrost cycles, and frost-free reliability.

The WP2323197 is the OEM defrost heater assembly for Whirlpool-platform refrigerators. The defrost heater is a resistance heating element wrapped around or mounted near the evaporator coils in the freezer section. It activates periodically during the automatic defrost cycle to melt frost that accumulates on the evaporator coils. When it fails, frost builds up unchecked on the coils, blocking airflow and causing the refrigerator to warm up, the freezer to ice over, or the defrost cycle to stop working entirely.

✓ Model-Specific Repair Pages

No model hub pages are currently available for this part's model range. Don't see your model? Contact us and we'll confirm compatibility before you order.

The WP2323197 defrost heater is a glass or metal-sheathed resistance element that generates heat when energized by the defrost control board or timer. During a normal defrost cycle, the heater runs for a set period to melt frost off the evaporator coils, then shuts off via the defrost thermostat once the coils reach a safe temperature. A failed heater can be confirmed with a continuity test — an open reading (OL) indicates the element has burned out. This part supersedes 2323197.

✓ Common Symptoms Fixed

• Excessive frost or ice buildup on the freezer back wall or evaporator coils
• Refrigerator not cooling properly despite freezer being cold
• Freezer icing over completely with reduced airflow
• Automatic defrost cycle not running
• Warm refrigerator compartment with frost-blocked evaporator
• Fan running but little or no cold air reaching the fresh food section

✓ Key Features & Specifications

• OEM part number: WP2323197
• Replaces: 2323197
• Part type: Defrost Heater Assembly
• Appliance type: Refrigerator, Freezer
• Brands: Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Amana, Jenn-Air, Inglis, Kenmore (Whirlpool-made)
• Mounts at or near the evaporator coils in the freezer section
• Direct OEM replacement — no modifications required

✓ Buying Options

OEM / New (WP2323197): The original equipment manufacturer part, sourced to match factory specifications exactly. Recommended for guaranteed fit and function on all compatible models.

✓ Replacement Part Numbers

WP2323197 (OEM) | Replaces 2323197

✓ Installation Tips

• Unplug the refrigerator before beginning any repair
• Remove all food and shelving from the freezer section
• Remove the rear freezer panel to access the evaporator coils and defrost heater — this typically requires removing several screws and may require defrosting any existing ice buildup first (use a hair dryer on low or allow to thaw naturally)
• Disconnect the heater wire terminals and remove the mounting clips or brackets securing the heater to the evaporator
• Install the new heater in the same position, reconnect the wire terminals, and reassemble the freezer panel
• Restore power and allow 24 hours for the refrigerator to reach stable temperatures before evaluating performance
• DIY repair time: approximately 60–120 minutes; difficulty: moderate (3/5)

✓ Compatible Models

Please contact us to confirm compatibility with your specific model number before ordering. Model list will be updated as compatibility data is verified.

✓ Frequently Asked Questions

How do I test a defrost heater?
Use a multimeter set to continuity or resistance. Disconnect the heater terminals and probe both ends. A working heater will show continuity (and a resistance reading in the range of 10–100 ohms depending on wattage). An open reading (OL) confirms the heater has burned out and needs replacement. Contact us if you need help diagnosing.

Is WP2323197 the same as 2323197?
Yes — WP2323197 is the updated OEM part number that supersedes 2323197. It is a direct replacement with no modifications required.

My freezer has a lot of ice buildup — is the defrost heater definitely the problem?
Not necessarily — frost buildup can also be caused by a failed defrost thermostat, defrost timer, or defrost control board. Test the heater for continuity first. If the heater passes, the thermostat or control board is the next component to check. Contact us for help diagnosing your specific situation.

Will this defrost heater fit my refrigerator?
Use your model number to confirm compatibility. Contact us with your model number and we'll verify fit before you order.