When your refrigerator is noisy there can be many causes for the noise. Most of the sounds you will hear from a new or old refrigerator is normal operating sounds. Some noises from your refrigerator can be fixed by doing a small adjustment to the fridge. Below are all the different sounds and noises your refrigerator can make with explanations for each.
Noisy Refrigerator? – 20 Sounds your fridge makes and what they are.
Some new refrigerators have compressors that are able to regulate the temperature in a highly efficient way. Newer style compressors use less energy and are very quiet. When a newer more efficient compressor is operating normally, you will hear the normal operational noises your refrigerator makes. Most of these sounds are created by your fridge operating normally. Some sounds may sound loud or seem to occur very often. Find the different fridge sounds below and see what the sound is and how to make an adjustment if necessary to stop the noise.
1 – Vibration Noise
CAUSE = The refrigerator may not be level on the floor.
SOLUTION = Adjust the fridge legs or leveling screws and lower the leveling feet to the floor.
2 – Dripping Noise
CAUSE = The compressor refrigerant flow or the flow of the oil in the compressor.
SOLUTION = This sound is a common refrigerator operating sound and is completely normal.
3 – Hissing Noise
CAUSE = Flow of refrigerant and or the flow of oil in the compressor.
SOLUTION = This sound is a common refrigerator operating sound and is completely normal.
4 – Gurgling Noise
CAUSE = Can be heard when the ice melts during the defrost cycle and the water runs down and into the drain pan.
SOLUTION = This sound is a common refrigerator operating sound and is completely normal.
5 – Water Running Noise
CAUSE = May be heard when ice melts during defrost cycle and water drips into the drain pan.
SOLUTION = This sound is a common refrigerator operating sound and is completely normal.
6 – Buzzing Noise
CAUSE = Heard when the water inlet valve opens and closes to dispense water or fill the ice maker.
SOLUTION = If the refrigerator is connected to a water line, this is normal.
SOLUTION = If the refrigerator is not connected to a water line, turn OFF the ice maker.
7 – Clicking Noise
CAUSE = Heard when the water inlet valve opens or closes to dispense water and fill the ice maker.
SOLUTION = If the refrigerator is connected to a water line then this is normal and can be ignored.
SOLUTION = If the refrigerator is not connected to the water line then turn the ice maker to the OFF position.
8 – Repetitive Clicking Noise
CAUSE = Evaporator valve regulating the temp cooling operation.
SOLUTION = This sound is normal and is the rapid repetitive clicking sound as the fridge switches from cooling one compartment to another.
9 – Pulsating Noise
CAUSE = The fans or the compressor is adjusting to optimize the performance during normal operation.
SOLUTION = This sound is a common refrigerator operating sound and is completely normal.
10 – Whirring Noise
CAUSE = Fans or the compressor adjusting to optimize performance during normal compressors operation.
SOLUTION = This sound is a common refrigerator operating sound and is completely normal.
11 – Popping Noise
CAUSE = The contraction or expansion of the inside walls.
SOLUTION = This sound is a common refrigerator operating sound and is completely normal.
12 – Rattling Noise
CAUSE = The water lines moving against the refrigerator cabinet or possibly items on top of the refrigerator.
SOLUTION = Secure water lines to cabinet or remove items from the top of the refrigerator.
13 – Banging Noise
CAUSE = Items are on top of the refrigerator or the moving of the water lines against the refrigerator.
SOLUTION = Remove items from the top of the refrigerator or secure water lines to cabinet.
14 – Sizzling Noise
CAUSE = Water is dripping down on the heater during the defrost cycle.
SOLUTION = This sound is a common refrigerator operating sound and is completely normal.
15 – Clatter Noise
CAUSE = Ice cubes are falling into the ice storage bin.
SOLUTION = This sound is a common refrigerator operating sound and is completely normal.
16 – Creaking Noise
CAUSE = Ice cubes are being pushed out of the ice maker mold.
SOLUTION = This sound is a common refrigerator operating sound and is completely normal.
17 – Grinding Noise
CAUSE = Ice is being ejected from the ice maker mold.
SOLUTION = This sound is a common refrigerator operating sound and is completely normal.
18 – Cracking Noise
CAUSE = The ice cubes are being ejected from the ice maker mold.
SOLUTION = This sound is a common refrigerator operating sound and is completely normal.
19 – Water Dribbling Sound
CAUSE = Flow of compressor refrigerant or the flow of oil inside of the compressor.
SOLUTION = This sound is a common refrigerator operating sound and is completely normal.
20 – Compressor Running Too Long Noise
CAUSE = High efficiency compressor and fans running longer or slower to be more efficient.
SOLUTION = Large and more efficient refrigerators run longer at lower more energy efficient speeds. This is normal.
Do you have other reasons a refrigerator will make noises? Please leave a comment or question 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.
More about Keith →
I have had my Maytag refrigerator for over 15 years and it just started making a hissing noise. You stated that this is normal and I am telling you that it is not normal. What I have found is that it could be a build up of some kind in the water line. What I can not find is how to clean it out or fix it.
A sound not listed – the main circuit board has a buzzer that will make a noise. I don’t know the solution unfortunately. I’m trying to figure it out. IT’s some kind of indication that the circuit board is bad
My Maytag refrigerator makes a rubbing sound when the refrigerator door is opened or closed.
The very loud popping noise I keep hearing coming from behind my fridge definitely doesn’t sound normal, not fan, not water running etc…
Sounds more electrical sound. It’s so loud it makes me jump.
Also the compressor is so hot I can’t hardly touch it.
Sal,
If the water line is kinked and when you slide the fridge out to find the noise issue, the water line may snap or cause a leak.
Either way, to avoid a water leak or possible flood (since you cannot get behind the refrigerator to turn the water valve off) you could turn off the water to your home and slowly slide the refrigerator out and not be worried if the water line breaks or disconnects.
We would suggest to have another refrigerator water line on hand before you do this so all can be repaired at once while the water is off.
Once you get behind the refrigerator and most likely replace the water line, make sure it is positioned so whenever the water is used by the refrigerator it does not make noise.
Inspect the back of the refrigerator for any other issues that may be causing the noise.
-RR
Just bought a Whirlpool side by side. It’s been making loud high pitch buzzing sounds. Thought it was the refrigerator but have a hunch it is the SS water line that’s is touching the frig somehow. The sound changes from a rattle to vibrations and high pitch buzz when I move it in or out from its enclosure or wiggle side by side.. I don’t know for sure what’s going on b/c I cannot pull it out all the way to look in back. It seems stuck. I am afraid to yank it. I wasn’t watching when delivery men installed it. But since finding out the water line is 6 ft., I am wondering how it is coiled. Will I break anything if I force it out? Do you suppose the waterline could be the cause of all the noise?
My GE makes a soft humming noise and doesn’t stop for quite awhile. Will this burn anything out, like the compressor?