Whirlpool Refrigerator Making Noise And Not Cooling
If your Whirlpool refrigerator is noisy and failing to stay cold, the most likely causes are a faulty evaporator fan motor, a clogged condenser fan, or a failing compressor start relay. Listen to the location of the sound: noise from the freezer usually indicates a fan issue, while clicking from the back suggests a relay or compressor problem.
To fix it, start by cleaning the condenser coils and checking for obstructions in the fan blades before testing electrical components with a multimeter.
Finding your whirlpool refrigerator making noise and not cooling is a stressful moment for any homeowner. You rely on that appliance to keep your food safe, and a sudden hum, click, or squeal can feel like a looming, expensive repair bill.
I understand how frustrating it is to see your ice cream melting while the fridge makes a racket. The good news is that many of these sounds are “talking” to you, telling you exactly which part is failing.
In this guide, I will walk you through the diagnostic steps to identify the source of the noise. We will cover the tools you need and the simple fixes you can perform in your own garage or kitchen to get things running smoothly again.
Safety First: Preparing for Your Refrigerator Repair
Before we dive into the mechanical guts of your appliance, we have to talk about safety. Working on a whirlpool refrigerator making noise and not cooling involves electricity and moving parts.
Always unplug the refrigerator from the wall outlet before removing any panels. If you cannot reach the plug, flip the circuit breaker in your main electrical panel to ensure the unit is completely dead.
You should also wear work gloves and eye protection. Refrigerator cabinets often have sharp metal edges on the interior frame that can easily slice a finger during a reach-in inspection.
Give yourself plenty of room to work. If your fridge is tucked into a tight cabinetry nook, carefully shimmy it out so you can access the back panel without straining your back or scratching the floor.
Identifying the Source of the Noise
To solve the mystery of a whirlpool refrigerator making noise and not cooling, you need to use your ears. Different parts make distinct sounds when they begin to fail or become obstructed.
If the noise is coming from the freezer section, it is likely the evaporator fan. This fan circulates cold air throughout the unit, and if it fails, the fridge won’t stay cold even if the compressor is running.
If the noise is coming from the bottom or back of the fridge, you are likely looking at a condenser fan or compressor issue. A loud buzzing or rhythmic clicking is a classic sign of a struggling compressor component.
Take a moment to open the freezer door. If the noise gets louder when the door is open, the evaporator fan is almost certainly the culprit. If the noise stops when you open the door, the fan might be hitting ice buildup.
Troubleshooting a Whirlpool Refrigerator Making Noise and Not Cooling
When you are faced with a whirlpool refrigerator making noise and not cooling, the diagnostic process should move from the easiest fixes to the more complex mechanical replacements.
Start by checking the condenser fan motor located at the back of the unit near the floor. Dust, pet hair, and debris often accumulate here, causing the fan to struggle, overheat, and make a loud humming or grinding noise.
If the fan is blocked, the refrigerant won’t cool down properly. This leads to a refrigerator that stays warm despite the motor running constantly to try and keep up with the rising internal temperature.
Use a vacuum with a crevice tool to suck out the dust. Spin the fan blade with your finger; it should spin freely. If it feels stiff or “crunchy,” the bearings inside the motor have likely failed and the motor needs replacement.
Inspecting the Evaporator Fan Motor
The evaporator fan is located behind the back panel of your freezer. Its job is to pull air over the cooling coils and push it into the food compartments. If this fan dies, the cooling stops immediately.
A failing evaporator fan often produces a high-pitched chirping or squealing sound. In some cases, if your defrost system is failing, ice can build up around the fan, causing the blades to hit the ice and create a loud “clacking” noise.
To inspect this, you will need to remove the freezer shelves and the back evaporator panel. If you see heavy frost or ice buildup, you may have a defrost heater issue rather than a fan motor issue.
If the area is clear of ice but the fan is noisy or not spinning, use a multimeter to check for continuity. If the motor shows no continuity, it has an internal electrical break and must be replaced to restore cooling.
The Role of the Condenser Coils
Sometimes the noise isn’t a mechanical failure but a symptom of extreme stress on the system. Dirty condenser coils prevent the fridge from releasing heat effectively, forcing the compressor to work harder.
When the compressor works overtime, it runs hotter and louder than usual. This can lead to a vibrating noise that resonates through the entire kitchen, making you think a major part has snapped.
I recommend cleaning these coils at least once every six months. Use a specialized coil brush—a long, skinny brush available at most hardware stores—to reach deep into the coil “snakes” under the fridge.
Once the coils are clean, the compressor won’t have to struggle. You will likely notice the noise level drops significantly and the cooling efficiency of your Whirlpool unit improves almost overnight.
Testing the Compressor Start Relay
If your whirlpool refrigerator making noise and not cooling is specifically making a clicking sound every few minutes, the problem is likely the start relay. This is a small device plugged into the side of the compressor.
The start relay provides the “kick” of energy needed to get the compressor motor spinning. If the relay is burnt out, the compressor will try to start, fail, and then click as the overload protector trips.
To test this, unplug the fridge and remove the small plastic cover on the side of the compressor. Pull the relay off the metal pins. Give it a gentle shake near your ear.
If you hear a rattling sound like a broken lightbulb, the internal ceramic disk has shattered. This is a very common failure point in Whirlpool models and is a relatively cheap and easy DIY fix.
Understanding Compressor Failure
The compressor is the heart of the cooling system. While most of the issues we have discussed are external parts, sometimes the internal valves of the compressor itself are the source of the noise and cooling failure.
A compressor that is failing internally may make a very loud metallic knocking or thumping sound when it shuts off. This usually indicates that the internal springs holding the motor have snapped.
If the compressor is humming loudly but the fridge isn’t getting cold, and you have confirmed the fans are working, the compressor may be low on refrigerant or have a “dead spot” in the motor.
Replacing a compressor is not a DIY job. It involves handling refrigerant gases, which requires EPA certification and specialized welding (brazing) equipment. If the compressor is dead, you may need to weigh the cost of repair versus a new fridge.
Checking the Defrost Timer and Control Board
Modern Whirlpool refrigerators use a control board or a mechanical defrost timer to manage the cooling cycles. If these components glitch, the fridge might get stuck in a “defrost mode.”
During defrost mode, the compressor and fans shut off while a heater melts ice off the coils. If the timer gets stuck here, the fridge will stop cooling entirely, though it might not make much noise in this state.
However, if the control board is failing, it can send erratic signals to the fans or compressor. This can result in “stuttering” sounds where a motor tries to start and stop rapidly, creating a buzzing or clicking noise.
Inspect the control board for burnt traces or bulging capacitors. If you see any signs of heat damage on the green circuit board, replacing the board is often the only solution to fix the erratic behavior.
Tools You Will Need for the Job
To successfully diagnose a whirlpool refrigerator making noise and not cooling, you don’t need a massive workshop, but a few specific tools will make the job much easier for a DIYer.
- Nut Driver Set: Most Whirlpool panels are held on by 1/4-inch or 5/16-inch hex head screws.
- Multimeter: Essential for testing fan motors and start relays for electrical continuity.
- Phillips Head Screwdriver: For removing interior freezer panels and trim pieces.
- Vacuum and Coil Brush: For cleaning the condenser area and restoring airflow.
- Work Light: It gets dark behind the fridge and inside the compressor compartment.
Having these ready before you pull the fridge out will save you from frustrating trips back and forth to the garage. A simple digital multimeter is the most valuable tool here for confirming a part is actually dead.
Frequently Asked Questions About Whirlpool Refrigerator Noises
Why is my Whirlpool fridge clicking but not getting cold?
The clicking is usually the start relay trying to kick-start the compressor. If the relay is bad or the compressor is drawing too much current, the overload protector clicks off to prevent a fire. Replacing the start relay often fixes this.
Can a dirty fridge cause it to stop cooling?
Yes. If the condenser coils are coated in thick dust, the heat cannot escape the refrigerant. This causes the system to overheat, leading to poor cooling and potentially causing the compressor to shut down prematurely.
Is it worth fixing a 10-year-old Whirlpool refrigerator?
If the issue is a fan motor or a start relay (usually under $100), it is absolutely worth fixing. However, if the compressor has failed, the repair cost can often be 50% or more of the price of a new unit.
How do I know if my evaporator fan is bad?
Listen for noise inside the freezer. If you hear squealing or growling, or if you don’t feel any air moving through the vents in the fridge section, the evaporator fan is likely the problem.
Taking Action to Save Your Appliance
Dealing with a whirlpool refrigerator making noise and not cooling is a challenge, but it is one that most DIYers can handle with a little patience. By systematically checking the fans, cleaning the coils, and testing the relay, you can often solve the problem for a fraction of the cost of a service call.
Remember to work methodically. Take photos of the wiring before you unplug anything so you know exactly how it goes back together. Most of these parts are “plug and play,” meaning you don’t need to be an electrician to swap them out.
Once you have identified the faulty part, you can find the exact model number of your fridge on a sticker inside the door frame. Use this number to order the correct OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts for a guaranteed fit.
Don’t let a noisy fridge ruin your week. Grab your tools, clear some space, and take control of your home repairs. You’ve got the skills to get that Whirlpool humming quietly and keeping your food ice-cold once again.
- Whirlpool Refrigerator Power Cord Replacement – Restore Power Safely - July 8, 2026
- Whirlpool Refrigerator Display Symbols – Decode Error Codes & - July 8, 2026
- Whirlpool Refrigerator Flexi Slide Bin Installation - July 8, 2026