Last Updated: January 27, 2022
You might be wondering, “Why is my fridge so loud?”
Spoiler alert!!!
“All refrigerators make noise - that’s just how they function.” 🙂
However, a refrigerator buzzing, humming, rattling, or clicking loudly for prolonged periods is not only quite intolerable but problematic as well.
These may be signs that there’s an issue with your fridge, so we’re going to help you identify and diagnose the source of the loud noise so you can fix them immediately.
Keep reading to find out how!
Abnormal Noises In Your Fridge
Listed below are the four main suspects that contribute to the refrigerator making a loud humming noise.
Of course, these aren’t universal since not all fridges are built the same. Make sure to read your fridge’s manual or research about the particular model.
Finally, make sure to unplug the fridge before taking any action.
Compressor
Located at the lower back is the compressor. It serves as the engine of the fridge since it starts off the cooling process, essentially being the most crucial and power-consuming part of the fridge.
As it operates, it will produce a subtle fridge buzzing or humming noise at the mentioned location.
However, once the noise becomes loud and intolerable, call a technician immediately.
Condenser Coils
These are the thin copper tubing located in the external area behind the fridge. It is responsible for cooling the refrigerant which then releases heat into the environment.
After some time, the coils will have some dirt build-up, which causes the condenser to lose efficiency. To compensate, the condenser would overwork itself, resulting in the fridge making a humming noise.
Ice Maker
For refrigerators with an ice maker, it releases a soft humming sound only when it’s being filled with water or producing ice.
If the refrigerator is humming loudly or there is a clicking sound even when the water line isn’t connected or the machine isn’t making ice, turn off the ice maker before it damages the fridge.
If your water line is not in a good condition due to wear and tear over time, you can try and replace it with a new one. This will assure a clean and quiet operation.
If the issue persists, call for professional help since the components of an ice maker are quite complex, so don’t try to open it up by yourself.
Fans And Air Vents
Most modern refrigerators have a condenser fan, an evaporator fan, and vents inside the rear access panels of the fridge. The condenser fan is at the upper rear, while the evaporator fan is at the bottom, behind the freezer.
If you hear a rattling or chirping sound, that probably means that there is an obstruction in these components. You can open the access panels by using a screwdriver.
You have to make sure that no food items are clogging the vents, while you can use a soft brush to remove any dust or debris on the fans to maximize the fridge’s airflow. You can also try spinning the fan with your finger to see if it operates properly.
This means that there is a malfunction in the defrost cycle of the fridge, wherein you need a technician’s help to fix this problem.
Here's a Samsung fan noise fix that's easy to follow if you have one:
Normal Noises In Your Fridge
Not all noise coming from the refrigerator is automatically bad - some noises indicate that the components of the fridge are working properly, though most of them are soft sounding.
Here is a list of the major natural noises from your fridge that shouldn’t cause alarm:
- A click when the fridge turns on and off, and a boiling/bubbling sound while the unit is running.
- A hum as the icemaker fills with water, a loud bang as ice cubes are dropped into the dispenser, and a snapping sound after removing a glass/mug from the dispenser.
- A vibrating noise if the ice maker is turned on but not connected to a water line.
- A blowing noise due to air circulation.
- Hissing or sizzling sound as water drips onto the defrost heater.
- Cracking or popping of brand new fridge doors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Is My Refrigerator Making A Long And Loud Buzzing Sound?
To answer the question, “Why is my fridge so loud?” A refrigerator making a buzzing noise typically comes from an issue on either the compressor or condenser coils of the fridge.
You can simply vacuum or wipe off the dust build-up from the condenser coils to reduce its noise, but a loud fridge buzzing from a compressor needs the help of a technician.
On the other hand, clicking noises signify a problem with the ice maker, while a rattling sound means that there is an obstruction on the fans or vents.
Is It Dangerous When The Refrigerator Makes A Loud Hum Sound?
In extreme cases, a malfunctioning compressor that makes a loud humming sound may overheat and cause a house fire, especially if the fridge is near direct sunlight or an appliance that produces heat.
Additionally, if a noise problem is ignored, the refrigerator will sustain severe damage which poses a great danger to your wallet to get it fixed or replaced.
Do I Need To Call A Technician If My Fridge Is Making A Long Humming Sound?
It depends on your fridge’s source of loud noise.
You can first check if removing the dust or debris from the condenser coils, fans, and vents will solve the problem. If the noise persists, you need to call a technician since it may be coming from an intricate component of the fridge.
The Bottom Line
A refrigerator’s components create noise which indicates that they are working properly. However, this noise can get out of hand especially if the fridge is poorly maintained.
It’s crucial to identify the root of a refrigerator making a humming noise and fix them as soon as possible.
If this problem is left unnoticed, it will become more severe until your fridge ultimately breaks down, which is going to cost a lot to repair.
We hope that this article helped you in solving the noise issues of your refrigerator.