Refrigerators can be noisy (clicking, buzzing, humming, high pitched squeaks) and some sounds are just a normal process of refrigeration. Sometimes a refrigerator will develop a problem and a high pitched noise can be heard. To fix this issue you must determine the source of the sound. By doing so you can locate the problem and hopefully avoid calling an appliance repair company.
TO FIX THE NOISE COMING FROM YOUR REFRIGERATOR:
You first have to do a little easy investigating. What type of noise it is that makes the refrigerator sound as if something is wrong? Is it a squeaking noise, a clicking noise, a buzzing noise, a humming noise, a loud high pitch vibration noise, or an occasional rattling noise? How loud is it and how long does the sound happen? If it is not a continuous sound, how often does it occur? Is this affecting the proper operation of your refrigerator or is it just an occasional annoyance? These factors can help you identify the source of the problem to help you to determine what you need to do to fix it.
Open the fridge freezer and determine if the noise is coming from one or the other. If the noise is inside the refrigerator… it is the circulating fan. This fan’s purpose is to move the cool air from the freezer to your refrigerator. This fan can start to make different types of noises over time. Usually the circulating fan will need to be replaced. In some situations you can take the fan out clean it off and bend or straighten the blades to make the noise stop. Usually the noise is from the motor of the fan which is not fixable. Order a new circulating fan online will be inexpensive for you to repair the problem with your fridge.
If the noise is coming from the rear or back of the refrigerator, 2 things can cause the noise:
1. Compressor (see below for troubleshooting)
2. Condenser fan (see below for troubleshooting)
Common Fridge Compressor
Common Refrigerator Condenser Fan And Motor
Compressor: The compressor contains a motor that sits in a sealed case. If it becomes faulty it can make high pitch noises. If your compressor is causing the noise, the compressor needs to be replaced and this can be expensive. It may make more sense to just buy a new refrigerator if your compressor is shot.
Condenser Fan: If you find that the condenser fan is making the noise you can clean it off from dirt and lint. A dirty condenser fan can cause the noise you are constantly hearing. It is located near the compressor and can’t be missed if you are behind your refrigerator looking for it. You can also give the fan a few drops of oil as it may just need oil to lubricate it to stop the noise.
Another area that could be making a noise on your fridge is the very bottom. A drain pan is the only thing underneath the fridge but it may need to be repositioned as it could be vibrating and causing a noise.
Refrigerator Making an Odd Noise – Kenmore, Sears, Whirlpool, LG, Samsung, GE
Noisy Whirlpool Fridge Fan Motor Refrigerator Fix
If you have experience in fixing or repairing a refrigerator making a high-pitched noise, please leave a comment below to assist others.
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Written by Keith Schneerer
Certified Appliance Tech · Founder, RemoveAndReplace.com
Keith has spent 28 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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i have a GE fridge and freezer..it makes a shrieking high pittched noise for hours at a time from the bottom of it….it echoes in my whole house…
i am renting so i called the owner who called the service and they replaced a fan in the freezer but it is not where the noise comes from..reading here iot seems it could be the drain pan..how do i get to it and clean it or what do i have to do?
is there a sort of foam i can buy for now to absorb this noise?
please help!!
Hey Naama,
I’m in the EXACT same situation as you. But mine is a Samsung refrigerator. I’ve called Samsung and waiting to hear back from them about setting up a repair time. I kind of expect the technician to say “oh, that’s normal.” But I’ll push for them to open it up and at least grease some fans or something.
Either way, I’d say we had bad luck and ANY brand of fridge might have the same high pitch noise so returning for a different brand may not help. Call Kenmore and have them come look at it.
I just bought a Kenmore Elite bottom freezer refrigerator. Its making high pitch noise. Not too loud but enough to drive me crazy. The first 24 hours were the loudest and now it’s more subtle, but i can still hear it. Should i return the refrigerator? I am in a dilemma here because i am sensitive to high pitched sounds and i am afraid that it will also be the case with the next refrigerator. Any recommendation for a refrigerator that do not have this problem? (For a maximum 30″ wide fridge). I like this new fridge, but worried about the noise.
My fridge makes an extremely loud hum, like a generator or AC unit, whenever it is cooling the contents. In other words, not all the time, but just when it kicks in to cool. Sometimes there is a high pitched sound as well as the hum. It sounds so awful that when it kicks off you feel incredibly relieved. Is there any chance it is something cheap to fix like the fan or is it likely the compressor? Thanks!
I have a new fridgidaire french door fridge with the freezer below. Since about 3 weeks in it has been making a nearly constant high pitched whirring sound, i think it’s coming from somewhere down behind the freezer. Some people can’t hear it at all, but i have sensitive ears and it drives me absolutely bonkers. Any ideas?
Sarah G,
Usually a high pitched noise coming from the refrigerator when the compressor kicks on is a fan issue.
Did the technician check both fans?
-RR
Brand: Maytag
Model: MTF1893AR
Issue: Fridge/Freezer Freezer on Top/Fridge on Bottom makes high pitched noise. It doesn’t do it all the time. It appears to do it when it kicks into high gear cooling it. Maintenance guy unplugged fan to see if fan was cause but not the cause. Maintenance guy says can’t be compressor because compressor runs 24/7/366.
Any thoughts on cause? Plus so high pitch that I can hear it but Maintenance guy can barely hear it so doesn’t want to replace it.