Bad odor I was away for 3 months but did not turn down the temperature in my Whirlpool refrigerator/freezer. Now that I have returned there is a very unpleasent odor in both refrigerator and freezer. It is not a food odor. I can't describe it. What can it be and what can I do about it?

correct

Dead mouse or rat is a definite possibility.

as freezers are designed to operate from 10c to 35c,if the ambient temperature drops way below operating limits instead of freezing,the gas is actually warmer than outside and it will defrost rather than completely freeze solid.as soon as the lower limit (10c)is reached it will freeze again,unfortunately all the food is bad/unfit for humans/animals.although our local foxes love any food we put out.

ok.its a very common issue.just tie a handful of baking soda in a soft cloth and keep such1 or 2 pads in both the freezer and fridge section.this will absorb all the bad odor within a day or two.once the odor is gone throw the pas away.repeat this once in three months to prevent the bad odor from coming again.

This will help. Thanks please keep updated.please do rate the solution positively .thank you for using fixya

put boxes of baking soda opened in the frig. The baking soda will absorb th odor.

Clean the refrigerator thoroughly fresh food and freezer under all drawers. Then place charcoal briquettes in each 8 or 10 total. 4 or 5 in the bottom of the fresh food section. leave the for several days. If that doesnt take away the smell consider if a mouse may have gotten into a fan blade and well that can create a really bad smell.

it is picking up odor and smell from the frig / clear frig and freezer / wipe down with vinegar and bleach and then add baking soda and a cup of sugar on top shelf or freezer and refrig and it should take care of the problem

Refrigerator operation is controlled by the internal temperature . When there is very little ambient heat available to leak in to cause it to cycle more frequently and there is no door traffic to be a heat source the freezer temperature will increase. Keep the room heated to a higher temperature or remove frozen products is the answer. A small chest type freezer will keep food frozen while you are away and have the heat turned down.

HI thanks for your question. the problem is with the drain tube, from freezer to the drain pan ,located at the back, by the compressor. to repair. turn fridge off, for 24 hrs. pull fridge away from the wall. clean all the coils. locate the drain tube, by the drain tray. get a small plastic hose, shove the plastic hose up the drain tube. and blow, to dislodge any debris clean the tube thanks the appliance doc.

Apologies, the above two guest comments are mine, not sure what happend!!