The clicking sound from a whirlpool refrigerator is not a direct indication of trouble or a signal to wear your thinking cap and open up your wallet. The repetitive clicking noise, if mild, is actually normal, as it comes from the system switching between cooling compartments.
However, when you notice the clicking noise with other problems, or it’s simply getting too loud and nearly unbearable, this might be a good sign that your whirlpool refrigerator is faulty or has a mechanical problem.
The repetitive clicking noise could result from one of many different reasons. But, in most cases, the condenser is to be blamed. It’s dirty and needs to be cleaned to resume its efficient whisper-quiet cooling performance.
While there’s an extensive list of reasons why your whirlpool refrigerator makes a clicking noise, we’ve summed it up in this post and discussed how to fix it quickly.
Primary Causes For Whirlpool Refrigerator Clicking Noise
As said earlier, there are several reasons why your fridge might be making some uncharacterized noise.
In this section, we’ll go through the common cause of this problem:
Dirty condenser coils
The clicking noise from the refrigerator usually migrates from the compressor. If you attempt to pinpoint where the noise is coming from, you’ll find out it’s likely from the compressor.
One of the main reasons a compressor can get noisy is when it’s overloaded. This happens when the condenser coils are filthy. The condenser tubes play an integral role in the cooling mechanism of the fridge. It transports the refrigerant for heat exchange between the surrounding air for a cooler refrigerant and warmer air.
Without dirt, this operation should function effortlessly. Sadly, filth, such as grease, lint, or dirt, prevents the coils from exchanging heat with ambient air. Therefore, the compressor struggles to keep the refrigerator chilled. Thus, causing your fridge to make some clicking noises.
So, if you hear a clicking noise and notice your appliance is failing to keep your goods cool, then there’s a good chance your condenser coils are dirty.
Faulty start relay
When your compressor gets faulty and can no longer do its job, the start relay is unaware of this new issue. Therefore, it’ll keep attempting to activate the compressor by pressurizing the refrigerant gas to trigger the cooling cycle.
This repeated attempt by the start replay without success causes an intermittent clicking sound between 1 – 5 minutes.
Water Faucet
For refrigerators with an ice maker, the clicking or beeping sound you hear might be the water faucet trying to load the ice maker. The beeping sound is expected if the ice maker is not correctly connected to a water source.
Normal cooling function
Your refrigerator might make a clicking noise when the two evaporator values modulate the cooling function. As it changes the state of conditioning of one chamber to the other, you might notice a quick periodic clicking noise. This is totally normal and has no cause for alarm.
Poor topography
Another common cause for whirlpool refrigerators making a clicking noise is an unstable refrigerator. It’s important to correctly position your refrigerator for proper and improved function.
Thus, it’s best to keep your refrigerator on a flat, balanced surface. If the floor topography is uneven, then you should attempt to use shims to balance your appliance.
To ensure it’s properly balanced, check out the setup instructions or the user’s guide on how best to go about this process.
Condenser Fan
When you start noticing the clicking noise from your refrigerator, you might want to check the state of the condenser fan. This device cools the refrigerant in the condenser coils. If the fan is faulty, the compressor gets hot and struggles to serve its purpose: keeping your content cold. This struggle results in intermittent clicking noise.
Whirlpool Refrigerator Makes Clicking Noise: How to Fix It
Dirty condenser coils
If your condenser coil being filthy is the cause of the noise, cleaning it off easily and quickly solves the problem. However, you should take a quick run down to your local store to purchase a special condenser brush built for a specific purpose – cleaning condenser coils.
If you can get one, you might want to try using a clean cloth and a vacuum. But before you start cleaning the coils, it’s best to unplug the whirlpool refrigerator to prevent potential electrical hazards.
Next, pull out the appliance for easy access to the condenser coils. You don’t want to struggle to fit in the tight space between your refrigerator and the wall. You should find the condenser coils on the bottom or behind the refrigerator, depending on your model.
After gaining access to the coils, you can use a condenser brush to clean the coils thoroughly. If you don’t own this particular brush, no worries, you can use a clean, dry cloth and a vacuum to suck the debris and dust off the condenser coils. After sucking as much as possible, you want to use the cloth to wipe off the remaining dirt.
At this point, your condenser coils should appear clean and ready. Replace the refrigerator and plug it into an electrical outlet. This should solve the clicking noise. If the noise persists, try out other options in this post or call a professional.
Fixing faulty compressor
The compressor is a complex component and challenging to navigate. So, if you figured out that the compressor is to blame, we strongly recommend calling a professional at this point. It’s up to them to diagnose and determine the best course of action 一 repairing or replacing the compressor.
Bad start relay
A start relay is usually found attached to the compressor. But before tampering with this small box, you should unplug the refrigerator. Also, you might have to move the refrigerator away from the wall and the back panel to gain access to the compressor and the attached start relay.
Gently shake the device once the start relay is unplugged from the compressor. If it makes some rattling noise while you shake it, you need to replace the start relay.
Now, it’s time to travel down to your favorite hardware store with the unplugged start relay to purchase a new compatible replacement part. Attach the new start replay to the compressor, the same spot you remove it and close the back panel. This should solve your clicking noise issue with your whirlpool refrigerator.
Suppose the result is disappointing after plugging the refrigerator into a power source. Fret not, it’s time to check the state of the condenser fan.
Faulty condenser fan
There’s a small fan close to the compressor like the start relay. Similarly, you’ve to unplug the refrigerator and lower the back panel to gain access to the fan.
Try turning it manually to check if the condenser fan is to blame. If it does not spin freely or recreates the annoying clicking sound, you should replace the fan. However, if you notice the blades are bent, you can straighten them out and see if this solves the problem.
The condenser fan’s purpose is to prevent the compressor from overheating. So, if it’s not turning, the clicking sound is coming from the overheated compressor. You should call a professional to replace the compressor fan for homeowners who don’t like to get their hands dirty.
When To Replace Your Whirlpool Refrigerator
Sometimes the crackling noise can indicate that you need to replace it. But before settling for that notion, it’s best to run through some of the simple troubleshooting methods discussed in this guide. You might just be able to fix the problem and get the most out of your appliance.
However, if none of the solutions discussed above solve the noise issue, seek technical know-how to repair your appliance. This is the best solution to your problem to avoid wasting your hard-earned cash on unneeded parts or wasting time diagnosing and trying to fix the refrigerator.
Allow the professional to diagnose your refrigerator and determine if replacing some parts or purchasing a new one is the best option for you. Don’t be too quick to link crackling noise to a damaged refrigerator.
Conclusion
It’s normal for your refrigerator to make gentle repetitive clicking noises. The noise level shouldn’t be disturbing. But if this is not the case and you notice your foods start going bad, try out our troubleshooting methods and quick solution to this problem. Usually, the compressor is the underlying culprit.
But suppose none of them stops the noise. In that case, we suggest calling a professional appliance technician to diagnose and repair your whirlpool refrigerator. Keep in mind that you might be better off purchasing a new refrigerator if it’s old and has served you for a long time.
