Why Is My Whirlpool Freezer Not Working & It Is Clicking?

Normal Noise

• Some amount of noise is normal from the freezer. If the clicking can also be described as a popping, this is completely normal. This noise usually happens when the unit is trying to cool, such as after a new installation or when a lot of items have been added to the unit. If the noise can also be described as a cracking or creaking, this is a normal noise from the ice maker. It happens when ice is being ejected out of the mold.

New Unit

• If your Whirlpool refrigerator unit is new to your home, this could be the cause of the freezer not working and making a clicking sound. It takes 24 hours for the freezer to cool enough so that it will work properly. And that period can take longer if you are opening the door to check the temperature periodically. Give the unit the proper time to cool once you have installed it before you take other troubleshooting actions.

Door Not Closing

• If your freezer door is not closing fully, it might be to blame for the freezer clicking and not working. When the door is open, even just a little, warm air comes into the freezer and makes it difficult for the freezer to stay cool. Inspect the door to determine if this is what is going on. It might look like it is closed, so feel around the edges to see if any cold air is leaking out of the door seal. If the door is not fully closed, open it and look for items that could be pushing it open. Move any food items that are in the way so that you can get the door closed fully.

Temperature Controls

• If your temperature controls are not set properly for the freezer, this could be the cause of your problems. The controls are located in the refrigerator. If you have a manual control knob in your unit, the coldest setting is the highest number while the default setting is the middle number. Some units have a digital temperature control where the default setting is 0 degrees F. If your setting looks to be too high, you should lower it by only one setting and give it 12 hours to adjust. Once that period passes, assess the freezer to see if it is cooling. If not, lower by another setting and repeat the process until you get it cool enough.

Freezer Not Making Ice

• If the ice maker in your freezer is not producing ice, it could be because of a new installation. The ice maker needs 24 hours before it can begin producing ice. The ice maker also might not be on. Some units have an “on/off” switch that you must slide to get the ice maker on. In other models, you must lower the metal arm in the ice maker bin area to get it to produce ice. If the ice maker is on but clicking, you might have an obstruction in the ice maker. Get a wooden or plastic utensil to move any ice buildup from the ice maker so that it can resume making ice.