Why Does My Whirlpool Refrigerator Make a Popping Noise?

A sudden pop from your Whirlpool refrigerator can sound as though a shelf has cracked or an internal part has broken. The noise may happen once after the compressor stops, several times during the night, or whenever the freezer makes a new batch of ice.

In most cases, an occasional popping or cracking sound is normal. The plastic liner, metal panels, cooling pipes, insulation, and other materials inside the refrigerator expand and contract as the temperature changes. Automatic defrosting and ice-maker operation can create similar sounds.

Whirlpool specifically identifies the contraction and expansion of a refrigerator’s interior walls as a normal cause of popping, especially during initial cooling and defrosting. Ice leaving the ice-maker mould and falling into an empty bin can also create a surprisingly loud crack or bang. (Product Help | Whirlpool)

However, continuous popping accompanied by weak cooling, heavy frost, repeated electrical clicking, leaking, smoke, or a burning smell should not be dismissed as normal.

This guide explains why a Whirlpool refrigerator makes popping noises, how to locate the source, which checks you can safely perform, and when professional repair is necessary.

Quick Answer

Your Whirlpool refrigerator is most likely making a popping noise because its interior walls and cooling components are expanding or contracting as the temperature changes.

This commonly happens:

• During the first cooling cycle after installation
• During or after automatic defrosting
• When the compressor starts or stops
• After a large amount of warm food is added
• After the doors have been open for a long time
• When ice is released from the ice-maker mould
• When ice falls into an empty storage bin
• After a power outage
• When the refrigerator is not level
• When a water line or cabinet panel vibrates against another surface

If the refrigerator is maintaining the correct temperature and the popping only happens occasionally, a repair is usually unnecessary.

Investigate the sound more closely if it occurs every few seconds or appears with poor cooling, excessive frost, fan scraping, water leaks, a hot plug, sparks, or an electrical smell.

Is It Normal for a Whirlpool Refrigerator to Make Popping Noises?

Yes. Occasional popping and cracking noises are normal for many Whirlpool refrigerators.

A refrigerator contains several operating systems that switch on and off throughout the day. These include the compressor, fans, automatic defrost heater, refrigerant lines, water inlet valve, and ice maker. Even when every component is working correctly, the appliance will not remain silent.

Whirlpool’s refrigerator guidance lists the following as normal operating sounds:

• Popping: Expansion and contraction of the inside walls
• Creaking or cracking: Ice being released from the ice-maker mould
• Buzzing: The water valve opening to fill the ice maker
• Pulsating: The compressor or fans adjusting their performance
• Hissing or rattling: Refrigerant flow, water-line movement, or objects on top of the refrigerator
• Sizzling or gurgling: Water reaching the heater during defrosting
• Running water: Melted ice draining during a defrost cycle (Whirlpool)

A normal popping noise generally has these characteristics:

• It occurs occasionally rather than continuously.
• The refrigerator and freezer remain cold.
• There is no unusual error or warning.
• No smoke, sparks, or burning smell is present.
• The sound is associated with cooling, defrosting, or ice production.
• It may be more noticeable in a new refrigerator.
• It does not become progressively louder every day.

The frequency, timing, and accompanying symptoms are more important than the volume of a single pop.

Normal Popping Noise vs. a Possible Whirlpool Refrigerator Fault

What You Notice	Likely Explanation	Recommended Action
An occasional pop during cooling	Normal expansion or contraction	No repair is usually needed
Popping during or after defrosting	Interior materials changing temperature	Monitor the refrigerator
A crack followed by ice in the bin	Ice-maker operation	Usually normal
A loud bang from an empty ice bin	Ice falling into the hard plastic bin	Usually normal
Popping after installation	Initial cooling and cabinet settling	Allow the refrigerator to stabilise
Noise after moving the refrigerator	Poor levelling, a kinked line, or wall contact	Check installation
Popping only when a door moves	Hinge, door alignment, gasket, or centre flap	Inspect the door movement
Repetitive clicking with poor cooling	Compressor, relay, control, or power problem	Request professional diagnosis
Fast tapping or scraping in the freezer	Fan contacting ice or an obstruction	Arrange service
Popping with heavy frost	Defrost or airflow problem	Arrange diagnosis
Popping with smoke or a burning smell	Possible electrical fault	Disconnect power if it is safe

What Causes a Whirlpool Refrigerator to Make a Popping Noise?

The sound’s timing and location can usually help you identify its cause.

1. Interior Walls Expanding and Contracting

Thermal expansion is the most common explanation.

The temperature inside a refrigerator changes throughout the day. When the compressor runs, the interior becomes colder. When the compressor stops or the defrost system activates, parts of the appliance become slightly warmer.

Plastic, metal, insulation, and tubing do not expand or contract at exactly the same rate. A panel or liner may remain under slight pressure until it suddenly shifts, producing a sharp pop or crack.

You may notice this more often:

• When the refrigerator is first installed
• During the first cooling cycle
• After changing the temperature setting
• After loading warm groceries
• Following an extended door opening
• During hot weather
• After electrical power is restored
• During or after defrosting

Whirlpool describes this type of popping as part of normal refrigerator operation, particularly during initial cooling and defrosting.

Does Thermal Popping Require Repair?

Usually, it does not.

If temperatures remain stable and the noise occurs only occasionally, replacing the compressor, fan, or control board is unlikely to solve it. The sound is being created by normal material movement rather than a defective part.

You may be able to make it less noticeable by levelling the refrigerator, correcting installation clearance, and preventing the cabinet from touching nearby surfaces.

2. The Automatic Defrost Cycle

Whirlpool frost-free refrigerators periodically remove frost from the evaporator area. During this cycle, internal temperatures change and accumulated frost begins to melt.

You may hear:

• Popping
• Cracking
• Sizzling
• Gurgling
• Dripping
• Hissing
• Running water

The popping may come from the interior liner and cooling components changing temperature. A sizzling or gurgling sound may occur when water reaches the defrost heater, while running water may be heard as melted frost moves towards the drain pan.

These sounds are included in Whirlpool’s list of normal refrigerator noises.

When Defrost Noise May Indicate a Problem

Arrange an inspection if the popping occurs with:

• Thick frost on the freezer’s rear wall
• A fan scraping or tapping
• Reduced airflow
• A refrigerator compartment that is becoming warm
• Water repeatedly collecting under the drawers
• Water leaking onto the floor
• The compressor running almost constantly
• Food beginning to soften
• An error or warning indicator

These symptoms may point to a defrost heater, sensor, fan, drain, door-seal, or airflow problem rather than harmless thermal movement.

3. A New Whirlpool Refrigerator Cooling Down

A newly installed refrigerator may make more popping noises than the appliance it replaced.

It must initially cool its cabinet, shelves, drawers, insulation, freezer compartment, and stored food from room temperature. This creates a much larger temperature change than the refrigerator normally experiences.

A new unit may also run longer because:

• The interior has not yet reached the selected temperature.
• A large amount of food was loaded immediately.
• The room is warm.
• The doors are being opened frequently.
• The compressor and fans are adjusting to changing cooling demand.
• The ice maker is beginning its first production cycles.

Whirlpool’s manual notes that new refrigerators may produce intermittent sounds that were not noticeable on an older model. It also instructs owners to allow approximately 24 hours after installation for the refrigerator to cool completely.

During this period, occasional pops are usually not a concern unless cooling fails or another warning symptom appears.

4. Ice Being Ejected From the Ice Maker

The ice maker is another common source of popping, cracking, and banging noises.

During ice production, cubes freeze inside a mould. The mechanism then releases them into the storage bin. This process may create a crack as the cubes separate from the mould, followed by a louder bang when they land in the bin.

The noise is particularly noticeable when:

• The storage bin is empty.
• Several cubes fall together.
• Ice production has just started.
• The freezer is quiet.
• The bin is made from hard plastic.
• The refrigerator was recently installed.
• The ice maker has resumed after being switched off.

Whirlpool identifies both ice ejection and ice falling into an empty bin as normal causes of cracking or banging.

How to Test Whether the Ice Maker Is Responsible

Observe whether the sound is followed by fresh ice appearing in the bin.

You can also temporarily turn off the ice maker using the switch or wire shutoff arm described in your owner’s manual. Monitor the refrigerator through several cooling cycles.

If the popping stops while the ice maker is off, the sound is probably related to:

• Ice being released
• Cubes falling into the bin
• The water valve filling the mould
• A cube caught near the ejector mechanism
• The ice bucket being positioned incorrectly

Do not force the ice-maker arms, gears, tray, or ejector components by hand.

5. The Water Inlet Valve or Supply Line

The water valve briefly opens when an automatic ice maker needs water. Whirlpool describes the resulting buzzing sound as normal, but pressure changes or movement in the supply line may sometimes sound like a click, knock, or pop.

The sound may become louder if:

• The household supply valve is not fully open.
• The water line is kinked.
• The line is pressed against the wall.
• The line is tapping the rear panel.
• The filter is restricted or installed incorrectly.
• Water pressure is outside the model’s required range.
• The ice maker is switched on without a connected supply.

Whirlpool advises turning off the ice maker if the refrigerator is operating before its water line has been connected. This helps prevent excessive noise and possible water-valve damage. The company also notes that a kinked water line may create chattering or rapid clicking.

What You Can Check Safely

Confirm that:

1. The refrigerator has an active water connection.
2. The household shutoff valve is fully open.
3. The visible supply line is not bent or crushed.
4. The line is not touching the wall or cabinet.
5. The ice maker is switched off if no supply is connected.
6. The water filter, where fitted, is correctly installed.
7. There is no visible leak.

Do not dismantle the water valve while the refrigerator remains connected to electricity and water.

6. Compressor and Fan Operation

The compressor circulates refrigerant through the cooling system. The fans distribute cold air and help release heat.

Depending on the refrigerator design and cooling demand, you may hear:

• A brief click
• A low hum
• A soft thump
• A change in pitch
• Pulsating
• A light pop when operation begins or ends

Whirlpool states that pulsating may result from fans or the compressor adjusting to optimise performance. Some Whirlpool models with dual cooling circuits may also produce rapid repetitive clicking while a valve changes cooling between compartments; Whirlpool describes that particular operating sound as normal on applicable models.

When Compressor Clicking May Be Abnormal

Be concerned when the pattern sounds like this:

Click, silence, click, silence

and the compressor never remains running long enough to cool the refrigerator.

Possible service-level causes include:

• An electrical supply problem
• Compressor overheating
• A start-device problem
• A control fault
• A compressor fault

Do not remove the compressor terminal cover or test live electrical components. Proper diagnosis requires electrical testing and appliance-repair experience.

7. Refrigerant and Water Moving Through the System

Refrigerant constantly changes pressure as it moves through the sealed cooling system. Water also moves through the defrost drain and, where fitted, the ice-maker line.

This movement may create:

• Gurgling
• Bubbling
• Hissing
• Light tapping
• Rattling
• Occasional popping

Whirlpool includes refrigerant flow and water-line movement among the explanations for normal hissing or rattling sounds.

The sealed refrigerant system should never be opened as a home repair. Do not cut, bend, puncture, heat, or loosen refrigerant tubing.

8. The Refrigerator Is Not Level

An unlevel refrigerator can make a normal internal sound appear much louder.

When the cabinet does not sit evenly:

• Panels may remain under uneven pressure.
• Doors may lift or drop when opened.
• Shelves and containers may vibrate.
• The freezer drawer may not sit squarely.
• The cabinet may transfer vibration into the floor.
• Water lines may strike the rear panel.
• The doors may not seal correctly.

Whirlpool identifies an unlevel refrigerator and an unlevel floor as causes of vibration-related noise.

Use a spirit level and follow the adjustment procedure in the installation instructions for your exact model. Make sure the appliance does not rock when gently pushed.

Do not use unstable pieces of cardboard or wood as a permanent levelling solution.

9. Insufficient Clearance Around the Refrigerator

A refrigerator positioned against a wall, cabinet, trim panel, or pipe can transfer normal vibration into the surrounding structure. A minor internal pop may then sound like a loud knock.

Check whether:

• The rear panel touches the wall.
• A side panel touches a cabinet.
• The top touches overhead cabinetry.
• The power cord is trapped.
• The water line strikes the wall.
• An object has fallen behind the refrigerator.
• Something is resting against the appliance.

Installation requirements vary between models. The Whirlpool manual associated with the WRF535 series specifies approximately ½ inch of space at each side and above, 1 inch behind the appliance, and at least 2½ inches on the hinge side when installed beside a fixed wall, although some models may require more. Always follow the manual supplied with your appliance.

10. Loose Shelves, Bins, Bottles, or External Objects

Normal compressor vibration may cause a loose object to shift suddenly and make a popping sound.

Check for:

• Glass bottles touching each other
• Jars resting against the interior wall
• An incorrectly seated shelf
• A loose door bin
• A freezer basket that is not fully installed
• An ice bucket that is out of position
• Items stored on top of the refrigerator
• A removable tray that is vibrating
• Containers leaning against an air vent

Whirlpool includes objects stored on top of the refrigerator as a possible source of rattling and vibration.

Separate glass containers and reseat all removable components. Avoid overloading door bins or forcing shelves into an incorrect position.

11. Ice Buildup Around the Evaporator Fan

A sound described as popping may actually be fast tapping from a fan blade contacting ice.

Common clues include:

• The sound changes when the freezer door opens.
• Frost covers part of the freezer’s back wall.
• Airflow feels weaker than usual.
• The refrigerator compartment is becoming warm.
• The freezer remains cold while fresh food warms.
• The sound resembles a playing card hitting bicycle spokes.
• The noise becomes faster when cooling starts.

A fan contacting ice is not the same as an occasional cabinet pop. It usually indicates an airflow, drainage, door-seal, or defrost problem.

Do not use a knife, screwdriver, heat gun, hair dryer, or boiling water to remove hidden ice. These methods can damage the liner, wiring, fan housing, or refrigerant tubing.

12. Door Hinges, Alignment, or the Centre Flap

If the pop happens only when you open or close a door, the cooling system may not be responsible.

Possible causes include:

• An unlevel refrigerator
• A door hinge under strain
• A misaligned French door
• A worn closing component
• A sticky gasket
• A door bin striking an interior part
• The centre flap or mullion changing position
• The door rubbing against a cabinet
• An obstruction preventing complete closure

Open each door slowly and observe the top and bottom hinges. Look for a door that rises, drops, shifts sideways, or catches at the same position every time.

Start by correcting the refrigerator’s level and removing any obstruction. Leave hinge disassembly to a technician unless your Whirlpool manual provides a specific owner adjustment.

Why Does My Whirlpool Refrigerator Make a Loud Popping Noise?

A refrigerator’s hollow cabinet can amplify a small internal movement. The liner, metal shell, insulation, floor, and surrounding cabinets may act like a sound box.

A normal pop may seem much louder when:

• The kitchen is quiet at night.
• The refrigerator is nearly empty.
• Ice falls into an empty bin.
• The appliance sits inside a tight cabinet opening.
• The cabinet touches the wall.
• The floor is hard or uneven.
• The unit has just finished defrosting.
• A large temperature change has occurred.
• The refrigerator is new.

A single loud pop does not automatically mean the compressor has failed. Check whether the refrigerator is cooling, whether the noise repeats, and whether any other symptoms are present.

How to Locate the Source of a Whirlpool Refrigerator Popping Noise

Avoid replacing parts until you have identified the pattern.

Note When the Sound Happens

Record whether the pop occurs:

• When cooling begins
• When the compressor stops
• During the night
• After the freezer drawer is opened
• When ice drops
• After the refrigerator is moved
• Following a power outage
• During defrosting
• Every few seconds
• Only when a door moves

Timing often reveals more than the sound itself.

Identify the General Location

Inside the freezer: Consider the ice maker, ice bin, evaporator fan, frost buildup, freezer baskets, or defrost process.

Inside the refrigerator compartment: Check shelves, containers, air ducts, drawers, and liner movement.

At the lower rear: Consider the compressor, condenser fan, water valve, tubing, or rear-panel vibration.

At a door: Check the hinges, alignment, gasket, centre flap, and door bins.

Behind the appliance: Look for wall contact, a trapped cord, or a moving water line.

Do not remove electrical covers or place your hand near a moving fan.

Confirm Whether Cooling Is Normal

Check whether:

• Frozen food remains solid.
• Drinks and fresh food remain properly chilled.
• Cold air is leaving the vents.
• The doors seal completely.
• Excessive frost is developing.
• The compressor is running normally.
• An error or warning is displayed.

Use an appliance thermometer if you need an accurate temperature measurement.

Record the Noise

A brief video can be extremely helpful when the sound is intermittent.

Try to capture:

• The popping sound
• The area where it is loudest
• The control display
• Any visible frost
• Door movement
• Ice-maker activity
• Water-line movement

A recording may help Whirlpool Support or a technician avoid unnecessary part replacement.

How to Fix a Whirlpool Refrigerator Popping Noise

The correct solution depends on the cause. Start with safe, non-invasive checks.

Step 1: Allow a New Refrigerator to Stabilise

If the refrigerator was recently installed, allow it to complete its initial cooling cycles.

Whirlpool advises allowing approximately 24 hours for a newly installed refrigerator to cool completely. For models with an ice maker, the manual may also advise waiting about 24 hours for ice production to begin and up to 72 hours for full production.

Monitor the temperature rather than judging the appliance by sound alone.

Step 2: Check the Refrigerator’s Level

Place a spirit level on a stable shelf or the top of the cabinet if accessible.

Check:

• Side-to-side level
• Front-to-back position
• Contact between the feet and floor
• Whether the refrigerator rocks
• Door alignment
• Freezer-drawer movement

Use the levelling instructions for your exact model. Recheck the sound after several cooling cycles.

Step 3: Correct the Installation Clearance

Inspect the space around the appliance.

Make sure:

• The rear does not touch the wall.
• The sides do not press against cabinets.
• The top has adequate ventilation.
• The cord is not trapped.
• The water line is not striking another surface.
• Nothing has fallen behind the refrigerator.

Unplug the appliance before moving it, and have another person help with a large refrigerator.

Step 4: Rearrange Containers and Removable Parts

Separate bottles and jars so they cannot knock together.

Reseat:

• Shelves
• Door bins
• Crisper drawers
• Pantry drawers
• Freezer baskets
• Ice buckets
• Removable trays

Remove loose items from the top of the appliance.

Step 5: Test the Ice Maker

Temporarily switch the ice maker off according to the owner’s manual.

If the popping stops:

• Confirm that the water supply is connected.
• Check that the supply valve is open.
• Inspect the visible line for kinks.
• Look for a cube caught near the ejector.
• Reseat the ice bucket.
• Determine whether the sound was simply ice falling.

Do not repeatedly force an ice-maker test cycle unless Whirlpool’s instructions for your model specifically require it.

Step 6: Inspect the Water Line

Check the visible water line behind the refrigerator.

It should not be:

• Bent sharply
• Trapped under a wheel
• Crushed against the wall
• Vibrating against the rear panel
• Leaking
• Pulled tight

If the refrigerator has no connected water supply, turn off the ice maker.

Step 7: Check the Doors

Open and close each door slowly.

Look for:

• A pop at the same point each time
• A hinge that lifts or drops
• A gasket that catches
• A centre flap that does not move smoothly
• A door touching a cabinet
• An overloaded door bin
• An obstruction preventing full closure

Correct levelling and storage problems before assuming that a hinge requires replacement.

Step 8: Check for Frost and Fan Contact

Look at the freezer’s rear interior panel.

Request service if you notice:

• Heavy frost
• Repeated scraping
• Weak airflow
• Uneven temperatures
• A fan sound that changes when the door opens
• Ice returning after it has melted naturally

Avoid aggressive DIY defrosting methods.

Step 9: Monitor the Pattern

If cooling remains normal and no fault is found, keep a brief log for several days.

Record:

• Time of the noise
• Approximate frequency
• Location
• Whether the compressor was running
• Whether ice had just dropped
• Door activity
• Refrigerator and freezer temperatures
• Any warning or error

Occasional thermal pops usually do not require mechanical repair.

Why Does the Whirlpool WRF535SMBM00 Make a Popping Noise?

Owners of the Whirlpool WRF535SMBM00 often search for a model-specific explanation, but the main causes are usually the normal operating sounds described in the refrigerator’s documentation.

Whirlpool lists the base WRF535SMBM as a 36-inch-wide, approximately 25-cubic-foot French-door refrigerator.

For this model family, popping may be related to:

• Contraction and expansion during initial cooling
• Temperature changes during automatic defrosting
• Ice being released from the ice-maker mould
• Ice falling into the freezer bin
• The water valve opening to fill the ice maker
• Refrigerant moving through the cooling system
• Meltwater entering the defrost drain
• The freezer baskets or ice bin shifting
• An unlevel cabinet
• The water line touching the wall

The relevant Whirlpool owner’s manual specifically identifies popping from interior-wall contraction and expansion, creaking or cracking from ice ejection, buzzing from the water valve, and sizzling or gurgling during defrosting as normal operating sounds.

WRF535SMBM00 Checks Worth Performing

For this model, pay particular attention to:

1. The freezer ice maker: Determine whether the pop happens when ice enters the bucket.
2. The water connection: If no water line is connected, make sure the ice maker is off.
3. The freezer baskets: Confirm that both baskets sit correctly and do not shift.
4. The French doors: Check alignment and the movement of the centre flap.
5. Installation clearance: Make sure the cabinet is not touching a wall or surrounding furniture.
6. Levelling: Confirm that the refrigerator and floor are level.
7. Defrost symptoms: Look for frost, weak airflow, or a fan contacting ice.

The manual also states that the model and serial numbers can be found on the inside wall of the refrigerator compartment. Use the complete code from that label when requesting parts, manuals, warranty assistance, or service.

Do not create a diagnosis based only on the WRF535SMBM00 model number. The noise pattern and accompanying symptoms still determine whether the sound is normal or requires repair.

Safe DIY Checks

You can safely:

• Confirm that the refrigerator is cooling.
• Check the appliance with a spirit level.
• Provide the required ventilation clearance.
• Move bottles and containers apart.
• Reseat removable shelves and bins.
• Check the visible water line.
• Turn off an unused ice maker.
• Observe door and hinge movement.
• Look for visible frost or leaking.
• Record the sound.
• Check the model label and manual.

Avoid attempting to:

• Open the sealed refrigerant system
• Test live compressor terminals
• Bypass a safety device
• Remove ice with a sharp tool
• Apply direct heat to the freezer liner
• Replace a compressor based only on noise
• Disassemble a powered ice maker
• Use an extension cord as a permanent refrigerator supply

Whirlpool’s manual instructs users to connect the appliance to a grounded outlet and not to remove the ground connection, use an adapter, or use an extension cord.

When to Contact Whirlpool Support or a Refrigerator Technician

Arrange professional diagnosis when:

• The refrigerator is no longer cooling correctly.
• The compressor repeatedly clicks but does not stay on.
• The popping happens continuously.
• The sound becomes progressively louder.
• A fan is scraping or striking ice.
• Thick frost repeatedly forms.
• Water leaks from the refrigerator.
• A door no longer aligns or seals.
• The ice maker repeatedly jams.
• The appliance displays an error or warning.
• The noise remains after levelling and clearance checks.
• Electrical or sealed-system parts require testing.

Stop using the refrigerator and disconnect power, provided it is safe to do so, if you notice:

• Smoke
• Sparks
• A burning or melting smell
• A damaged power cord
• A discoloured or unusually hot plug
• Repeated circuit-breaker trips
• An electric shock or tingling sensation

Damaged electrical appliances can create fire or shock risks and should be repaired or replaced rather than continually restarted. (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission)

Do not reach behind the refrigerator if water, smoke, melted wiring, or active sparking makes the area unsafe.

Frequently Asked Questions About Why Does My Whirlpool Refrigerator Make a Popping Noise?

Why Does My Whirlpool Refrigerator Keep Making a Popping Noise?

Widely spaced pops are usually caused by repeated cooling and defrost cycles. The interior walls expand and contract each time their temperature changes.

Investigate further if the sound happens every few seconds, cooling becomes weak, or the compressor repeatedly attempts to start.

Why Is My Whirlpool Refrigerator Making Loud Popping Noises at Night?

Refrigerator sounds are easier to hear when the home is quiet. Defrosting, thermal contraction, compressor operation, and ice falling into an empty bucket may all occur at night.

Check that the refrigerator is level and not touching a wall or cabinet that could amplify vibration.

Why Is My New Whirlpool Refrigerator Making a Popping Noise?

A new refrigerator experiences significant temperature changes during its initial cooling period. The liner, cabinet panels, shelves, insulation, and cooling components may pop as they contract.

Allow the refrigerator to stabilise, confirm that it is level, and make sure installation clearances match the manual.

Why Does My Whirlpool Refrigerator Pop During Defrosting?

The defrost cycle temporarily changes the temperature around the cooling components. Interior panels may shift, frost may crack, and water may reach the heater or drain.

Occasional popping, sizzling, gurgling, and running-water sounds can be normal during this process.

Can the Whirlpool Ice Maker Cause a Loud Pop?

Yes. Ice can make a cracking sound when it leaves the mould and a loud bang when it falls into an empty bucket.

Temporarily switch off the ice maker to determine whether the noise stops.

Why Does My Whirlpool Refrigerator Pop After a Power Outage?

After electricity returns, the refrigerator must restore its internal temperature. The larger temperature change may increase expansion and contraction sounds.

Monitor cooling and avoid repeatedly disconnecting and reconnecting the appliance.

Why Does My Whirlpool Refrigerator Pop After I Moved It?

Moving the refrigerator may leave it unlevel, kink the water line, trap the power cord, or position the cabinet against the wall.

Check its level, clearance, water connection, and removable components.

Why Does My Whirlpool Refrigerator Make a Pop When I Open the Door?

A pop associated only with door movement may come from a hinge, gasket, closing component, centre flap, or door misalignment.

Check the refrigerator’s level and watch whether the door lifts, drops, or catches while opening.

Can I Completely Stop My Whirlpool Refrigerator From Popping?

You can eliminate noise caused by poor levelling, wall contact, loose containers, a moving water line, or incorrect door alignment.

You may not be able to eliminate normal thermal popping because it results from materials responding to temperature changes.

Should I Reset My Whirlpool Refrigerator Because It Pops?

Usually not.

A reset will not stop normal expansion, defrosting, or ice-ejection sounds. It may also remove information that could help diagnose an actual fault.

Follow a reset procedure only when the manual or Whirlpool Support recommends it for a specific problem.

Should I Unplug a Whirlpool Refrigerator That Makes Popping Noises?

An occasional pop with normal cooling does not normally require unplugging the refrigerator.

Disconnect it if the noise occurs with smoke, sparks, a burning smell, an overheating plug, a damaged cord, an electric shock, or repeated breaker trips.

How Long Will a New Whirlpool Refrigerator Make Popping Noises?

There is no fixed timeline for every refrigerator. Popping often becomes less noticeable after the appliance completes its initial cooling cycles and begins operating under stable conditions.

Request service if the sound is continuous, worsening, or accompanied by cooling problems.

Is Popping From a Whirlpool WRF535SMBM00 Normal?

Occasional popping is generally normal when it occurs during initial cooling, defrosting, or ice production.

It is less likely to be normal when accompanied by repeated start attempts, rising temperatures, heavy frost, leaking, fan scraping, or electrical symptoms.

Final Thoughts

So, why does your Whirlpool refrigerator make a popping noise?

Most often, it is the sound of the interior walls and cooling components expanding or contracting as temperatures change. Automatic defrosting, ice ejection, falling ice, water-valve operation, refrigerant movement, and compressor cycles can create additional pops, cracks, and bangs.

Begin by checking whether the refrigerator is cooling normally. Identify when and where the sound occurs, level the appliance, provide the correct clearance, separate containers, inspect the visible water line, and observe the ice maker and doors.

For owners of the Whirlpool WRF535SMBM00, pay particular attention to initial cooling, freezer ice production, defrost activity, water-line installation, freezer-basket placement, and French-door alignment.

An occasional pop with stable temperatures is usually harmless. Continuous popping accompanied by cooling failure, heavy frost, fan scraping, leaking, smoke, a burning smell, or electrical problems requires professional attention.