While it’s pretty normal for the Whirlpool refrigerator to make a low humming sound when the compressor runs or the icemaker fills with water, it’s not normal when the humming is so loud. So, you’ve to wonder, ‘why is my Whirlpool refrigerator making loud humming noise?’
Your Whirlpool refrigerator is humming loudly because of a disconnected icemaker’s water supply, floor vibrations, obstructed air vents, dirty condenser coils, or a failing compressor, condenser fan, evaporator fan, water inlet valve, or ice maker.
Generally, a loud humming is not a good thing, unlike a low humming. It shows a failure or malfunction you can fix without an expert, apart from a few, especially those involving a component replacement.
Let’s get straight into troubleshooting to see how you can silence your loudly humming refrigerator.
In a rush? Below is a quick troubleshooting guide for your loudly humming Whirlpool refrigerator.
Quick Troubleshooting Guide for A Whirlpool Refrigerator Making Loud Humming Noise
| Reason | What to Check | Quick Fix | |
| 1. | Disconnected Icemaker’s Water Supply | The ice maker is not connected to the water supply but is turned on | Turn off the icemaker and switch on its water supply |
| 2. | Floor Vibrations | Unlevelled refrigerator | Level up the fridge (by adjusting the feet) and lay an anti-vibration mat underneath |
| 3. | Obstructed Air Vents | Food overload | Rearrange and space your food items to unblock the air vents |
| 4. | Dirty Condenser Coils | Debris and dust on the coils | Clean the condenser coils if they are dirty |
| 5. | Failing Compressor | A dirty or worn-out compressor | Clean the compressor if it’s dirty but replace it (with an expert’s help) if it’s defective |
| 6. | Failing Condenser Fan | A dirty or damaged, or loose fan | Clean the condenser fan if it’s dirty and replace it if it’s damaged or loose |
| 7. | Failing Evaporator Fan | Ice-obstructed, damaged fan blade, or worn-out fan motor | Defrost the evaporator fan and if the fan blade or motor is damaged, replace the entire fan motor assembly |
| 8. | Failing Water Inlet Valve | Valve obstruction (with mineral deposits) | Replace the water inlet valve if it’s mineral-obstructed |
| 9. | Failing Icemaker | Damaged icemaker | Replace the icemaker if it’s damaged |
Why is My Whirlpool Refrigerator Making a Humming Noise? (Loud Humming Noise)
Generally, your Whirlpool refrigerator is humming loudly because of one of the nine issues discussed below:
1. Disconnected Icemakers Water Supply
While the icemaker makes a low humming noise when filling up with water, it’s the opposite when its water supply is disconnected.
In such a case, the icemaker (if turned on) will produce a loud humming sound which is a sign that it’s struggling to fill up. So, you’ve to watch out for a disconnected but turned-on icemaker.
Fix
First, check if the icemaker is disconnected from the water supply and if it’s turned on. Once you confirm the two, turn off the icemaker and connect its water supply.
After that, turn on the icemaker to allow it to fill up with water. Overall, you can turn off the icemaker using any of these two ways:
- Option 1 (automatic shutoff) – Slide the automatic shutoff switch to the left (ON position)
- Option 2 (manual shutoff) – Lift the icemaker shutoff arm wire and wait for it to click to indicate that the icemaker is now off.
2. Floor Vibrations (New Whirlpool Refrigerator Making Loud Humming Noise)
If your loudly humming Whirlpool refrigerator is pretty new, the reason is likely to be that it’s unstable. That could be due to an uneven floor or loose (unlevelled) feet. If the loose feet don’t cause it to hum, it will likely produce a vibrating sound. (www.jonesaroundtheworld.com)
Fix
Start by trying to adjust the refrigerator’s legs. That should level it up and stop the floor vibrations. If it doesn’t, or perhaps you cannot steady the fridge on the floor, put a thick anti-vibration mat underneath to absorb the excess vibration and consider a fridge-specific mat.
3. Obstructed Air Vents
Proper clean air circulation is vital for the smooth running of your refrigerator. That, however, may not be the case if you overload food in the fridge.
In such a case, the food items will obstruct the air vents causing the refrigerator to struggle to run, thus humming loudly.
Fix
Consider rearranging your food items in the fridge and moving them away from the air vents. Ensure you space them correctly so that air can circulate uniformly.
4. Dirty Condenser Coils
Over time, the condenser coils cake up with debris and dust. That forces the refrigerator to overwork, trying to cool itself, resulting in a humming noise.
So, while the humming noise is a huge concern, it’s not as massive as your Whirlpool refrigerator not cooling. Unfortunately, you will likely experience both issues if the condenser coils are dirty.
Fix
Whirlpool recommends cleaning the condenser coils as often as possible. So, check them and clean them if they are filthy. But if the coils are damaged, contact an expert technician.
5. Loud Whirlpool Refrigerator Due to A Failing Compressor
Remember, the compressor makes a low humming sound when running normally. Expect the humming, however, to get louder once the compressor starts failing.
The compressor may fail due to excess dirt build-up around it or wear. So, you may have to take your unit apart to check the status of the compressor.
Fix
Clean the compressor if it’s dirty, and you can do it using these steps:
- Disconnect and unplug your Whirlpool refrigerator from the power
- Push it out of the wall to access the rear access panel
- Unscrew the panel to access the compressor
- Use a clean, soft cloth or soft brush to clean the compressor and everything around it
- You can also vacuum it but be gentle not to damage any fridge component
Note that sometimes the compressor may alternate the humming with a loud knock to show it’s faulty, and in such a case, you should replace it.
6. Failing Condenser Fan
The condenser fan, whose job is to circulate the inbound air and cool the compressor and condenser coils, shouldn’t fail. If it doesn’t either because it’s dirt-obstructed, damaged, or loose, the fridge will make a loud humming sound.
Thus, inspect the condenser fan for the three possibilities.
Fix
Use a soft cloth, brush, or low-power vacuum to clean the condenser fan if it’s dirty. If the fan is damaged or loose, consider pulling it out and replacing it. But if you can’t do it, approach an expert technician for help.
7. Failing Evaporator Fan (Loud Humming Whirlpool Refrigerator Freezer)
You should check the evaporator fan for faults, especially if the loud humming noise comes from the freezer. But unlike the condenser fan, you must check the evaporator fan for ice obstruction, not dirt obstruction.
Ice may build up around the evaporator fan blade and prevent it from turning, thus the humming sound. But still, the evaporator fan blade might be damaged and, therefore, unable to spin correctly, or the motor could be worn out.
Fix
Unplug the refrigerator from the power and unscrew the access panel to access the evaporator fan. Then inspect it for ice obstruction and allow it some time to defrost naturally.
If the blades are damaged, or the motor looks worn out, replace the entire fan motor assembly.
8. Loud Humming Noise from Whirlpool Refrigerator Due to an Obstructed Inlet Valve
Suppose your refrigerator is humming so loud when water fills up the ice maker, and the problem has nothing to do with the water supply or the ice maker. In that case, it’s likely to be the water inlet valve.
Over time, the valve may accumulate mineral deposits, which may end up clogging it and restricting water flow. Once that is the case, the refrigerator may start making a loud humming sound, indicating that the icemaker is struggling to fill up with water.
Fix
Check the water inlet valve for possible mineral deposits and replace it. While at it, ensure you get a compatible Whirlpool water inlet valve.
9. Non-Working Icemaker
Lastly, consider that the cause of the loud humming noise could be the icemaker which is not working. A damaged icemaker cannot run properly and may produce a loud humming sound when it tries to do so.
Fix
You’ll need to replace a non-working icemaker but before you do, have an expert technician inspect it and the entire fridge.
People Also Ask
1. Why Is My New Fridge Making a Loud Humming Noise?
Your new fridge is making a loud humming noise because the icemaker is struggling to fill up (disconnected) or due to floor vibrations. So ensure you connect the icemaker and stabilize the legs (or use an anti-vibration mat).
2. Are Whirlpool Refrigerators Loud?
Whirlpool refrigerators, like others, are not entirely quiet. They make some low noise when running under normal conditions and louder noises when something is wrong. So, it’s best to differentiate normal Whirlpool fridge noises from those suggesting a problem.
3. Why Is My Whirlpool Fridge Making a Loud Humming Noise?
Your Whirlpool fridge is making a loud humming noise because the icemaker’s water supply is disconnected. It could also be due to floor vibrations relating to an unstable fridge or issues like dirty coils or a faulty condenser fan, icemaker, or water inlet valve.
4. Why Is My New Fridge Making a Loud Noise?
Your fridge could be making a loud noise because of different reasons. It could be due to a disconnected or faulty icemaker, floor vibrations, dirty condenser coils, or a non-working compressor, fan motor, or water inlet valve.
5. What to Do If Fridge Is Humming?
If your fridge is humming, establish where the noise is originating from. If it’s from the back, check the evaporator, and fan motor for ice obstruction, looseness, or damage. Clean it if it’s dirty but replace it if it’s loose or damaged.
Also, ensure the fridge is stable, the icemaker’s water supply is connected, and the condenser coils are clean.
Closing Thought On the Whirlpool Refrigerator Making Loud Humming Noise:
Generally, consider the shared nine reasons when your Whirlpool refrigerator hums loud. Start with the icemaker to ensure it’s getting enough water, then move to the fridge to ensure it’s not vibrating.
After that, inspect the air vents for obstruction and the condenser coils for filthiness. And don’t forget to check the compressor, condenser fan, evaporator fan, water inlet valve, and icemaker for failure.
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