Whirlpool · Refrigerator
Whirlpool Refrigerator Error Code 25
Ice tray sensor resistance too low
What this error means
Code 25 is the low-resistance counterpart to code 24—the ice tray thermistor reads below about 660 ohms, indicating a shorted or damaged sensor circuit.
How 25 is detected
When 25 appears on a Whirlpool refrigerator, the control board has confirmed that water did not leave the machine within the programmed drain window. On Whirlpool WRX735SDHZ, Whirlpool WRF555SDFZ, and similar variants, the drain pump runs for a fixed interval—often three to seven minutes on washers and dishwashers—while a pressure switch or turbidity sensor verifies the tub or sump is empty. If water remains, the cycle stops to prevent spin with a full tub or overflow on the next fill.
Most 25 calls are resolved without parts: unplug the unit and inspect the ice maker harness along the freezer liner for pinch points. Restricted drain paths mimic pump failure because the impeller spins against a blocked hose or filter. Document whether the pump hums audibly during the drain step; a humming pump with no water movement points to a clogged filter or kinked hose, while silence may indicate a failed pump motor or loose wiring at the harness.
After clearing blockages, run a short cycle and listen at the drain hose for steady water flow. If 25 returns on the next load with a clean filter and straight hose, measure resistance at the pump motor connector per the service manual for your model before ordering a replacement pump assembly.
Common causes
- Shorted tray thermistor from water intrusion into the mold body
- Pinched harness wire shorting to the freezer liner
- Connector bridged by moisture or corrosion
- Failed module misreading a good sensor
Step-by-step fixes
- 1Unplug the unit and inspect the ice maker harness along the freezer liner for pinch points
- 2Dry the connector at the ice maker head if frost melt left moisture
- 3Measure tray sensor resistance—values under 660 ohms at freezer temp confirm a short
- 4Install a new ice maker assembly if the sensor is non-replaceable separately
When to call a technician
If a new ice maker still shows code 25, the receiver module may need replacement.
Affected models
- Whirlpool WRX735SDHZ
- Whirlpool WRF555SDFZ
- Whirlpool WRX986SIHZ
Prevention & maintenance
- Clean drain filters and hose terminations monthly on high-use refrigerators to prevent 25 from lint and food debris buildup.
- Record when 25 appears in the cycle and whether it clears after a 60-second power reset on your Whirlpool refrigerator—that detail speeds diagnosis if you call service.
- Keep the model and serial number from the rating plate when ordering parts for 25; Whirlpool uses multiple revisions with different harness lengths and board firmware.
- Photograph wiring connector orientation before disconnecting any component while troubleshooting 25; reversed plugs on pumps and valves cause immediate repeat faults.