I have a whirlpool refrigerator model gs5shaxnloo. The freezer side is too cold and is causing the air duct that provides cold air to the refrigerator side to freeze which does not keep refrigerator cold.

open the freezer door,do you hear the fan blowing,if not hold in the door switch for a few deconds and let it go,if the fan isn't blowing this is your problem.all that happens is the freezer gets cold,the evap fan blows cold air through the damper and into the fridge section so if the freezer is fine you have a bad evap fan motor or the damper isn't opening all the way

Hello,
That can be the result of a couple things. Check to see if you hear the fan running in the freezer side? If not, since cold air falls, the cold air could be migrating from the freezer into the frig bottom section through the air duct hole in the back of the frig behind the crisper drawers. If the fan is running the check the air damper in the top left of the frig section. If the frig side is cold enough you should not feel air blowing through. Air flow is only very slight. You will have to remove some plastic cover or duct piece to see if it is closing. If the air damper seems to be working properly, you may have a refrigeration problem indicated by frost build up on the lower part of the freezer back wall. You may want to call in a pro at that point. Hope this helps point you in the right direction. Good Luck

There is ice in the air duct that brings some of the cold air from the freezer to the refrigerator part. High humidity can cause that to happen especially if the door seals are not sealing tight.

check the fan from the freezer side if its not running /possible frozen or jammed will cause the refridge side to be warm the fan blows the freezer air into the fridge side to cool their is also a damper or duct control which can build up if no blockage or debris test fan for power if power than test fan it self if not running than repair or replace as necessary

check thermostat for loose or damage connection but check the damper/blend door -located -in freezer where the fan is located and in the fridge where the air blows in is a duct and inside the duct is a damper -door that opens to let in cold air from freezer and closes when the fridge reaches temp some times ice or a piece of debris restricts it from fully closing or the unit gets stuck open--

The refrigerator coos from the bleed over from the freezer, See if the fan in the freezer is working properly and the crossover duct/vet is not obstructed or close.. Ck to make sure the control in the fridge is working,

This can be caused by lots of faults first inspect the evaporator in the back of the freezer for ice build up if this is the case the defrost system has a fault, if not the unit that opens between the wall of the freezer and the fridge may be faulty check for the grills opening and closing

Most side by side refrigerators use the freezer to supply cold air to the refrigerator side. They use a duct through the wall between the two sides to let COLD air come into the refrigerator. That cold air will be blown upon the drawers at the bottom, where you are storing your vegetables.
There are two adjustments - or three, depending that will change how the air comes through. The freezer control will set the base temp for the freezer, and thus the temp of the air coming into the reefer to cool it down. The reefer can have a movable vane that increases or decreases the amount of air flowing in from the freezer, the vane being operated at the command of the refrigerator temperature control. Some have a movable plate that limits the flow of air on a fixed basis.
Set the freezer for 0F. Adjust the refrigerator setting, starting in the middle of the range, until a thermometer on a middle shelf, will read at 40F. Take your time, and check once an hour or so, to let it stabilize.
Make sure that you are not blocking airflow in the refrigerator, as the air must circulate to avoid too low a temperature in spots, such as you are experiencing.

That duct is where the refrigerator gets its cold air from. Removing the plastic part will not affect the freezer. The thermostat is the only control for the compressor. If it doesn't run long enough, it won't be cool enough. Try making the freezer colder with it first. If that doesn't solve the problem, then have it serviced by a professional.

Look to the freezer section for a possible frosting on the back wall. If you have a defrost problem in the freezer and air circulation stops cold air from the freezer may settle through the return area of the duct between the refrigerator and freezer section because cold air is heavier the warm air. Normal circulation follows a clockwise pattern.
Also your setting of the refrigerator temperature may be set to cold. Once again cold air settles to the bottom.