How to Install Tray WP67001279 in a Whirlpool Refrigerator
Before You Start
A refrigerator tray looks basic, but it still has a job. It supports food weight, guides storage space, and helps keep items stable. When it cracks, warps, or sits wrong, the refrigerator can feel harder to use.
You may not think of a tray as a “repair” part at first. Still, a damaged tray can lead to spills, blocked drawers, uneven storage, and stuck food bins. It can also make you think another part failed, when the storage support is the real issue.
Start by checking the old tray. Look for cracks, broken tabs, chipped corners, bowed plastic, or worn contact points. Also check the area where the tray sits. Dirt, ice, food bits, or a shifted bin can block the new part.
Do not force any refrigerator tray into place. Plastic liners and rails can crack if you push at the wrong angle. A clean fit should feel firm, not strained.
Confirm Fit Before You Remove Anything
Use your full model number before you install the tray. Do not rely on looks alone. Many refrigerator trays look close but fit different cabinet shapes, shelves, or drawer systems.
For this article, the supplied compatible models are:
| Supplied model | Brand | Appliance type | Part |
|---|---|---|---|
| 596.73503200 | Whirlpool | Refrigerator | Tray WP67001279 |
| 596.73503201 | Whirlpool | Refrigerator | Tray WP67001279 |
| AFD2535FES | Whirlpool | Refrigerator | Tray WP67001279 |
| AFI2538AES | Whirlpool | Refrigerator | Tray WP67001279 |
| ARB2217CW | Whirlpool | Refrigerator | Tray WP67001279 |
Check your refrigerator model tag. It is often inside the fresh food section, near the wall, ceiling, frame, or door opening. Use good light. Write the full model number down exactly.
If your model number differs by one letter or number, pause. Small changes can matter. Use Whirlpool’s Service & Support resources to look up model details.
Also compare the old tray with the new tray. Match the shape, edges, mounting points, and support lips. If the old tray is badly broken, compare any unbroken areas first. Do not trim or modify the new tray to make it fit.
Tools and Supplies
You may not need many tools for this repair. Still, gather basic items before you start.
You may need:
- Work gloves
- Towel or soft blanket
- Mild dish soap
- Warm water
- Soft cloth
- Flashlight
- Small container for loose items
- Phone camera for reference photos
Use gloves if the old tray has sharp cracked plastic. Broken plastic can cut skin.
Place a towel on a counter or table. Set the old tray there after removal. This keeps pieces together and protects the surface.
Take photos before you remove parts. A quick photo helps you remember the tray position, bin order, and support points.
Safety First
Unplugging the refrigerator is not always required for a tray replacement. Still, you should work safely around cold surfaces, glass shelves, and food.
Use these safety steps:
- Keep children and pets away from the open refrigerator.
- Move food to a cooler if the door will stay open long.
- Support glass shelves with both hands if they must move.
- Do not place heavy food on a loose tray.
- Do not force cracked plastic apart.
- Dry wet surfaces before you grip parts.
If you need to move bins or shelves, lift them with both hands. Many refrigerator parts slide, tilt, or hook into rails. If you twist them, they can crack.
Avoid using a knife, screwdriver, or pry tool on the liner unless your model instructions tell you to. Metal tools can gouge the refrigerator interior.
How to Install Tray WP67001279
Common Mistakes That Damage Refrigerator Trays
Most tray problems happen during removal or first loading. Avoid these mistakes.
| Mistake | Why it causes trouble | Better move |
|---|---|---|
| Forcing the tray | Cracks tabs or liner points | Stop and find the catch |
| Skipping cleaning | Debris blocks full seating | Clean and dry supports |
| Loading too fast | Weight hides bad alignment | Test with light items first |
| Mixing up orientation | Tray may fit halfway only | Match old tray position |
| Ignoring broken chips | Small pieces block rails | Remove all loose fragments |
Pitfall Ranking From Most to Least Costly
- Forcing a stuck tray
This can crack the liner or support area. That turns a small repair into a bigger issue.
- Installing the tray backward
It may seem close at first. Later, drawers can bind or food can shift.
- Leaving food debris under the tray
Sticky residue can hold one corner high. That creates uneven support.
- Overloading right after install
A misseated tray may fail under weight. Test fit before full loading.
- Skipping model confirmation
A look-alike part can waste time and cause frustration.
When a Tray Problem Looks Like a Bigger Refrigerator Issue
A broken tray does not control cooling. It does not run the compressor, fan, or defrost system. Still, it can make your refrigerator seem like it is not working properly.
For example, loose storage can block airflow. Food pushed too far back can restrict vents. A sagging tray can keep a drawer from closing. Warm air can enter if items block the door from sealing.
Before you blame a cooling part, inspect storage layout. Make sure vents stay clear. Do not pack items tightly against the back wall. Keep the door path clear.
If your refrigerator still runs warm after the tray repair, check basic conditions. Make sure the door closes fully. Confirm the controls are set correctly. Look for heavy frost, fan noise changes, or long run times.
Use Whirlpool’s Product Help Library for model-specific care and troubleshooting topics. Match advice to your exact refrigerator model.
How to Know the Tray Is Installed Correctly
A correct tray install should pass five checks.
First, it should sit flat. No corner should float above its support.
Second, it should feel stable when you touch it near the center. A little normal plastic flex can happen. Rocking or sliding is not normal.
Third, nearby drawers should move without rubbing. If a drawer scrapes, the tray may not be seated.
Fourth, stored items should sit level. If containers roll or tilt, inspect the support points again.
Fifth, the door should close with no storage contact. Door bins, shelves, and food containers should clear each other.
If the tray fails any check, remove it. Do not keep pushing it into place while loaded. Empty the area and inspect again.
Repair Time and Difficulty
This is a medium DIY repair. Most people can finish it in 30 to 60 minutes.
The job takes longer if food has spilled into the support area. It also takes longer if a cracked old tray leaves pieces behind.
You do not need advanced appliance repair skills. You do need patience and a careful eye. The hard part is not the tray itself. The hard part is avoiding damage to nearby plastic and glass parts.
Plan extra time if the refrigerator is full. Moving food safely often takes more time than installing the tray.
Should You Repair Now or Wait?
Do not wait if the tray is cracked, loose, or unsafe. A weak tray can fail when loaded. Food containers can fall. Glass jars can break. Spills can reach drawers, gaskets, or hard-to-clean corners.
You can wait briefly if the tray has only light cosmetic wear and still sits firmly. Even then, watch it. Small cracks can spread under weight.
Use this quick guide:
| Tray condition | Action |
|---|---|
| Small scuff, no crack | Monitor |
| Light crack near edge | Replace soon |
| Broken tab or support point | Replace now |
| Tray rocks or sags | Replace now |
| Drawer cannot move correctly | Replace now |
| Food falls or spills often | Replace now |
A tray is a support part. Once support fails, the repair should move up your list.
How to Protect the New Tray
A new tray lasts longer when you load it with care. Do not use it as a step, handle, or lever. Do not slam drawers into it. Do not drop frozen food onto it.
Spread weight across the tray. Avoid stacking all heavy items on one front corner. Keep tall bottles and jars in stable areas.
Clean spills soon. Sticky liquids can glue bins or containers to the tray surface. Later, you may pull hard and stress the plastic.
Use warm water and mild soap for cleaning. Avoid harsh cleaners unless your owner information allows them. Strong chemicals can dull or weaken some plastic surfaces.
Keep airflow paths clear. Good storage habits help the refrigerator work as designed. They also reduce ice, condensation, and odor problems.
What to Do Next
Need help finding the right part for your Whirlpool refrigerator?
Final Installation Checklist
Use this checklist before you call the repair done.
- You confirmed your full refrigerator model number.
- You compared the old tray with Tray WP67001279.
- You removed food and nearby parts safely.
- You cleaned and dried the support area.
- You removed all broken plastic pieces.
- You installed the tray without forcing it.
- You checked all corners for full seating.
- You reinstalled drawers, bins, or shelves correctly.
- You tested drawer movement.
- You checked that the door closes fully.
- You loaded lighter items first.
- You watched for rocking, rubbing, or sagging.
If every item passes, the tray install is complete.