What does it mean when a fridge is making a noise?
It means a moving part is working, vibrating or failing. The moving parts are the compressor at the back, the evaporator fan inside the freezer and, on some models, a condenser fan beside the compressor.
- Normal: a low hum, gurgling, one click as a cycle starts or stops, and cracking as the cabinet changes temperature.
- Fault: grinding, squealing, repeated clicking, or any buzzing or knocking that is new or getting louder.
Common causes of fridge noise by sound type
The most common causes are vibration, a fan fault and a compressor that struggles to start.
At a glance
| Sound | Likely cause | Who fixes it |
|---|---|---|
| Gurgling or trickling | Refrigerant or defrost water moving | You can check this |
| Low hum | Compressor running | You can check this |
| Buzzing or rattling | Drip tray, pipes or feet vibrating | You can check this |
| Knocking in the freezer | Fan blade hitting ice | Technician |
| Clicking every few minutes | Compressor failing to start | Technician |
| Noise with the door closed | Evaporator fan | Technician |
| Grinding or squealing | Worn fan motor bearings | Technician |
| Loud drone from the back | Worn compressor or mountings | Technician |
- 1
Fridge making water sounds
You can check thisGurgling, bubbling and trickling are normal. Refrigerant flows through the evaporator, and the sound is clearest just after the compressor stops. Defrost water also drips and sizzles on a frost-free model.
- 2
Fridge making a humming noise
You can check thisA low, steady hum is the compressor running. The hum grows louder when dusty condenser coils or hot weather make it work harder.
- 3
Fridge making a buzzing noise
You can check thisBuzzing or rattling is usually vibration from the drip tray, touching pipes or uneven feet. The sign is a noise that changes when you press on the cabinet.
- 4
Fridge making a knocking noise
TechnicianOne knock as the compressor stops is the motor settling on its internal springs. Knocking or ticking inside the freezer is a fan blade hitting ice. Loud, repeated knocking from the compressor needs a technician.
- 5
Fridge making a clicking sound
TechnicianOne click as the compressor starts or stops is normal switching. Clicking every few minutes with no steady hum means the compressor is failing to start. A technician tests the start relay, overload protector and compressor.
- 6
Fridge making noise when the door is closed
TechnicianOn many models the evaporator fan stops when the door opens. A noise that stops with the door open comes from that fan. Worn bearings or ice around the blade are the causes, and a technician repairs both.
- 7
Fridge making a grinding noise
TechnicianGrinding or squealing comes from a fan motor with worn bearings. It is the evaporator fan inside the freezer, or the condenser fan at the back. A technician replaces the motor.
- 8
Fridge making a loud noise from the back
TechnicianA compressor that has become much louder has worn internally or has perished rubber mountings. The sign is a harsh drone that lasts the whole cycle. This is a fridge repair for a technician.
What you can safely check yourself
You can check for vibration and dust without opening any panel. Switch off and unplug at the wall before touching anything at the back.
- Find where the sound comes fromListen inside the freezer, then at the back near the floor. Note whether it stops when a door opens.
- Level the fridgeAdjust the front feet until the fridge stands firm and does not rock.
- Clear the space around itLeave a gap between the fridge and the wall. Remove anything on top that can rattle.
- Reseat the drip trayCheck that the tray above the compressor sits firmly in place.
- Clean the condenser coilsBrush or vacuum the dust from the coils at the back.
When to stop and call a technician
Stop and call a technician if the noise comes with a burning smell, tripping power or a fridge that is getting warm. Stop if the compressor clicks on and off every few minutes, or if water is near the wiring. Do not open the compressor terminal cover, the control board or the sealed refrigeration system.
Still having trouble with your fridge?
Our technician comes to your home, usually the same day. The R450 call-out falls away if you go ahead, and you get a fixed price in writing before any work starts.
How a technician diagnoses a noisy fridge
- Locates the soundThe technician runs the fridge and isolates the noise to the compressor, a fan or the cabinet.
- Tests the fansEach fan is run under power to find worn bearings or ice contact.
- Checks the compressor startThe start relay and overload protector are tested, and the compressor current is measured.
- Inspects mountings and defrost partsCompressor rubbers and pipe clips are secured. Ice around the evaporator fan means the defrost heater is tested.
What does it mean when a fridge is not making any sound?
A fridge that is not making sound is normal between cooling cycles and during a defrost. Silence is a fault when the fridge is warm. If the light is also off, check the plug point and the DB board. If the light works, the thermostat, start relay, control board or compressor is faulty. See why a fridge is not cooling.
Is a noisy fridge worth repairing?
Repair usually makes sense when
- The noise comes from a fan motor, drip tray or mountings
- The fault is a start relay or a defrost part
- The fridge still cools and freezes normally
Replacement is worth considering when
- The compressor is worn on an old fridge
- The fridge is noisy and no longer holds temperature
- The cabinet is rusted or the liner is cracked