Whirlpool Refrigerator Making Noise? (Things To Note)

By - Hs Saini

Updated -

It is not uncommon for refrigerators to make some noise; most refrigerators make some usual operating sounds that generally begin as soon as you have turned them on.

However, you may not notice because you may have become used to the sound. However, you should be concerned if your refrigerator is making noise in some cases.

However, some uncharacteristic sounds could indicate a fault or a mechanical problem in the Whirlpool refrigerator.

In that case, you will have to check carefully and examine the sound to know what it means and be sure that your refrigerator is not faulty.

Whirlpool refrigerators tend to make different noises, and some noises are usually normal. The noises occur when the fridge is trying to cool your food; however, sometimes, a noise could indicate a damaged component in the refrigerator.

Whirlpool Refrigerator Making Clicking Noise?         

If the Whirlpool refrigerator is making a Clicking sound, there may be a few things responsible for that. 

#1. Ice Maker Not Connected To Water Source

The refrigerator could make a clicking sound if the fridge has an ice maker, but it has not been connected to a water source.

When the water valve tries to fill up the ice maker, it could make a clicking sound. If the refrigerator ice maker is not connected to a water supply source, make sure that you turn it off.

Otherwise, the clicking sound will get worse. 

#2. Dual Operator Valve

Additionally, when the dual operator valve regulates the cooling operation, there will be repetitive clicking.

There will also be rapid clicking noises, and this occurs as the unit keeps switching from cooling one compartment to cooling the other compartment.

This sound may not necessarily mean something wrong, and this is a very typical sound.

#3. Faulty Start Relay

The compressor won’t run successfully when your fridge has completely stopped cooling your food.

And you’ll hear a clicking sound three minutes apart, and the start relay is the component that switches on the compressor and allows it to initiate the cooling process. 

The start relay is found in the same compartment as the compressor, and when it does not function properly, it clicks.

The clicking indicates that it is attempting to begin the process but failing.

Check your start relay if you hear this repetitive clicking and your fridge isn’t cooling either.

#4. Water Faucet

Finally, the water faucet may beep or clock when it attempts to load the ice maker. If your Whirlpool refrigerator has an ice maker, that could be the source of the clicking sound.

Whirlpool Refrigerator Making Knocking Noise?       

 If your refrigerator is making a knocking noise, there could be a few reasons for the sound you’re hearing.

#1. Condenser Coils Or Fan Motor

First of all, try listening to the refrigerator closely to detect where the sound is coming from.

If it’s coming from behind the fridge or underneath the refrigerator, the condenser coils or the fan motor are faulty. 

This happens when there is a buildup of dust which causes a reduction in airflow. The refrigerant moves through the condenser tube to distribute heat and exchange it with surrounding air.

This is what makes the air warmer and the fridge cooler. 

However, the coils cannot effectively function if they’re greasy and filled with dust, lint, dirt, and other nonsense.

So they have to work hard to chill the refrigerator, that’s why you hear a clicking sound. You may also notice that your fridge isn’t as cold as usual. 

First, check if the coils need to be cleaned. If that is not the issue, check if the knocking noise is coming from the motor. If that’s the issue, then the coils need to be replaced.

Luckily, coils like that are pretty easily replaceable.

#2. Refrigerant Circulation

This is one of the most obvious reasons, and the sound could be coming from the refrigerant.

This is very normal, and this knocking sound may occur during the transformation from liquid to gas and vice versa.

As this goes on, Freon passes through the condensers and compressors.

This could also be a source of the knocking sound, which could be alarming at first.

However, if it’s not extremely loud, don’t do anything about it, especially if the cooling levels of your fridge don’t go down.

#3. Water Hammers

This could happen when the water flowing through a water pipe is forced to stop or take another path. This could occur if the valve from an appliance shuts or a tap is turned off.

This can cause a loud hammering sound, and if nothing is done, it can cause damage.

You can’t DYI this one, except you’re a certified technician. Otherwise, call a technician to take a look at it.

Whirlpool Refrigerator Making Buzzing Noise?

A constant buzzing sound coming from your refrigerator is very typical. But if your compressor is dirty, the humming can become louder than usual.

That is often because the compressor is dirty.

The compressor coils are at the back of the refrigerator, and they dissipate heat, but when they become dusty, they work harder to do their job.

That is when you’ll notice that the buzzing noise is much louder. All you need to do is clean your compressor coils thoroughly, and you will fix that.

You should know that a low sound level coming from the compressor coils is normal but when the buzzing sound becomes intolerable, and a cleaning does not solve the problem, call a technician to look at it.

You may also hear the buzzing noise when the fan or compressors adjust their function to optimize performance.

Again, this sound is typical, but call the technician if it’s getting too loud and annoying.

Whirlpool Refrigerator Making Vibrating Noise?

If your whirlpool refrigerator is vibrating, it could mean that the fridge isn’t steady. When a fridge is on a lower density floor on an uneven floor, it will make more noise.

This noise usually sounds like vibrations.

If your Whirlpool refrigerator is making a vibrating noise, you can.

  • Adjust the leveling screws so that the fridge is more level and steady. You will have to remove the base grille from the bottom of the refrigerator before you do that.
  • You can place your fridge on a mat if adjusting the legs doesn’t do the trick. Of course, this has to be something more substantial than a traditional floor rug. But you can buy a carpet specifically for that purpose. 
  • Don’t try lifting the refrigerator alone as that may cause injury to you or damage to the fridge.
  • You can also place the fridge on a mat, not a living room mat, and you can get a refrigerator rug for that purpose. 

Whirlpool Refrigerator Making Sizzling Noise?

It is pretty standard for your refrigerator to make sizzling noises; the noises usually come from the water dripping into the defrost heater during the defrost cycle.

But, again, this is a normal part of the refrigerator’s operating mechanism. 

This is common when the fridge goes into defrost cycle, and the heating element becomes typically red hot.

Once the ice begins to melt and drop on it, the resultant effect is the sizzling sound you hear.

Whirlpool Refrigerator Making Whining Noise?

The most common cause of the whining noise coming from your fridge is the evaporator fan; the evaporator fan is powered by a motor like any other electric fan.

This fan is very likely to make a lot of different noises, from squeaking to moaning to whining. 

This is usually because there is no more lubrication from extended usage or worn-out bearings from prolonged use.

However, since it is impossible to lubricate the evaporator fan motor, you will need to install a new one.

Whirlpool Refrigerator Making High Pitched Noise?

The normal function of the evaporator fan can cause it to produce a mild high-pitched noise; the evaporator fan’s role is to draw air over the cooling coils, forcing the air to spread all through the fridge.

This forced air circulates through the refrigerator’s fresh food compartments and other different orifices.

In some models, especially older models, this air can cause a high-pitched whistling sound as it moves through the various refrigerator compartments.

However, this is usually a typical sound, and it’s nothing to be concerned about.

Additionally, newer refrigerators are manufactured with more efficient compressors than the older models.

As a result, they work faster and consume less energy; however, these more recent and higher efficiency units produce a different noise, a high-pitched whining or whistling sound. 

It is rather unfortunate if you find the sound annoying or if the sound bothers you because the sound is a normal part of the refrigerator’s operation.

Whirlpool Refrigerator Making Knocking Noise When Dispensing Water?

If your refrigerator is making a knocking noise while dispensing water, the issue is with either the water filter, the water inlet valve, or the filter housing.

But to find out the exact cause of the problem, you have to troubleshoot the filtered water dispenser.

This means you’ll have to carry out an analysis to determine the noise source.

  1. Unscrew the water filter from the water filter housing in the fridge, and replace the filter with the bypass plug that comes with the refrigerator.

    If this gets rid of the noise, then make sure you remove any debris or dirt from the water filter; replace the water filter when you’ve done that. If the noise continues, get a new filter. 
  2. However, if the issue is not coming from the water filter, you’ll have to examine the water inlet valve along the bottom of the refrigerator.

    You will need to pull the fridge away from the back wall to access the rear part of the appliance, and you’ll have to get someone to depress the water dispenser to listen to the water inlet valve if the noise is coming from it. 
  3. If the knocking noise isn’t coming from the water inlet valve, check the filter housing. To do this, you have to open your refrigerator door and depress the water dispenser lever.

    Listen carefully to check if the noise is coming from the filter housing. If it iYou’llo replace the filter housing to eliminate the noise.

Whirlpool Refrigerator Making Noise When Getting Water?

If you notice that your water refrigerator makes noise when you’re getting water from the dispenser, some minor or significant faults are causing the noise.

#1. The Water Inlet Valve Is Faulty

If the water inlet valve has a fault, it may cause the fridge to make some noise when getting water, and you have to check it out.

First, remove the refrigerator from the wall and have someone try to get water from the dispenser while you listen to the inlet valve.

If that’s where the noise is coming from, you will need to remove and replace the valve.

#2. Air In Water Lines

If you have a suspicion that the noise is coming from the air in the water lines in the dispenser, all you need to do is run about ten to fifteen full glasses of water from the dispenser.

Doing that will remove all the air from the water strains in the refrigerator. This should solve the problem, and each time it happens, try doing this. 

However, if it becomes a recurrent problem and happens frequently, you may need to call a technician. 

#3. The Water Filter Is Damaged Or Dirty

A damaged or dirty water filter can cause noise when you’re getting water, remove the water filter and check to see if there is dirt or debris on the head.

Then, insert the clean water filter and check if you can still hear the noise.

If the water filter is damaged or faulty, try a new one and see if the new one works. If not, call a technician to give it a more professional perusal.

#4. Faulty Water Inlet Valve

If the water inlet valve is faulty, remove it and replace it with a new one.

Whirlpool Refrigerator Makes Noise After Changing Water Filter?

If you’ve recently changed your water filter and can now detect some noise coming from your refrigerator, the problem is likely the changed water filter.

Or not. Either way, you have to be sure. 

The first thing you should do is continue to run water through the dispenser to make sure the noise is not coming from a pocket of air in the water lines. 

If that is not the cause of the noise, you’ll have to unscrew the water filter.

Then, carefully examine the fridge to ensure there is no blockage around the area where the filter connects with the housing.

Also, make sure that all the seals are tight and intact. 

Additionally, if you are using a different filter than usual, it could be that the new filter is not compatible with your refrigerator. And you should consider replacing it. 

Finally, the issue could be coming from your water inlet valve. Check it carefully for blockages; even if you can’t find any, you may need to replace them.

Whirlpool Fridge Making Noise When Door Closed?

 Whirlpool refrigerator making noise when the door is closed could result from the negative pressure to keep the fridge door closed.

While the door is closed, if the air blasts past a loose piece of the door seal, the part may vibrate, resulting in a whistling or rushing sound.

Another thing that can cause the door to vibrate is the fan motor. The fan motor may also vibrate in the process of pulling the slight vacuum to seal the door.

The vibration will, in turn, make noise. Ice overgrowth can also cause the noise you hear when you close your fridge.

Ice is a prevalent feature in the refrigerator; when the refrigerator temperature is set extremely low, ice may form even in the walls and components of the fridge.

The frost struck in the parts may stop them from moving efficiently and cause some noise, especially when the door is closed.

What you need to do in this situation is to turn off the refrigerator and allow it to defrost thoroughly. 

Conclusion

It’s normal for the Whirlpool refrigerator to make noise during operation. However, these sounds don’t usually affect the appliance’s output, and it doesn’t indicate a fault with any of its components.

However, some clicking, knocking, and whining noises could mean damage, especially when they become unbearably loud.

When the whirlpool refrigerator begins to make uncharacteristic sounds, clean it or call a maintenance specialist.

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