If your refrigerator is making a noise or a constant repetitive clicking noise, here are 2 reasons why that can occur. There are 2 different types of fan motors in your refrigerator. One is located in the freezer and this one is called the evaporator fan motor.
The other is located behind your fridge and it is called the condenser fan motor. To repair and stop this buzzing or humming noise, first make sure the fan blade is not hitting anything. If the fan, motor and surrounding areas look fine, you will more than likely need to remove and replace the fan blade or fan motor.
To repair a buzzing or noisy refrigerator you will need some basic tools and of course the fan motor you are going to swap out. First determine where the noise is coming from. If it is inside the freezer then you need to buy a new refrigerator evaporator fan motor. If the noise is coming from the bottom and back of the fridge you will need a refrigerator condenser fan motor.
Here is what a noisy refrigerator evaporator fan motor will sound like.
Here is what a noisy refrigerator condenser fan motor will sound like.
Here is a video to show how to replace a noisy refrigerator evaporator fan motor.
Here is a video to show how to replace a noisy refrigerator condenser fan motor.
 Do you know of another method to repair a buzzing or noisy refrigerator? Please leave a comment below.
Written by Keith Schneerer
Certified Appliance Tech · Founder, RemoveAndReplace.com
Keith has spent 30+ years repairing machines, starting as a military mechanic and later maintaining food processing equipment before moving into appliance repair. He founded RemoveAndReplace.com to share field-tested repair advice.
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My refrigerator sound coming like beep after 15-20 minute interval. What kind of problem may be possible.
Deb,
Most likely it is a fan either down in the bottom of the back of the fridge or in the freezer. Can you tell us where the sound is coming from? What make and model is your refrigerator?
-RR
My fridge does not sound like the noises above, it makes a very high pitch sound which has gotten higher over the last couple of months and louder. It’s very reminiscent of an extremely loud cricket that doesn’t quit for about 15 minutes at a time. Any answers and suggestions as to how to fix this? Fridge is an LG and just a few years old.
I have never taken a look behind my refrigerator before, I didn’t realize there was a fan present. Perhaps I should investigate mine, and do some preventative maintenance. It will work better if it is in optimal condition.
Noisy refrigerators! I should probably start by doing what you suggest, and inspect the fans. Then I can see if there is anything in them, and I can figure out which of the fans is making the noise. I think it is probably the condenser motor, since it seems to be coming from the outside.
A buzzing refrigerator is not only annoying, but suggests that there is a problem with your fridge. You make a good point to distinguish between the two fans on a refrigerator: the evaporator fan motor and the condenser fan motor. It is important to distinguish which one is troublesome before attempting any repair.
I ignored the buzzing noise coming from my refrigerator thinking it was nothing, until after it kept going for two weeks straight. Now I’m starting to think that there’s something seriously wrong with my fridge, and I really want the buzzing noise to go away. According to the information that you posted, the problem with my fridge needs to be fixed by replacing the condenser fan motor, since the noise is coming from the bottom and back of my refrigerator. Now I can get the right part at a home improvement store so that I can finally fix the problem. Thanks for the tips!