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6 Steps to Fix a Refrigerator Making Loud Noise
A loud humming noise coming from your fridge can be both annoying and concerning. It’s a sign that something isn't quite right.
The good news? Many noise-related issues are easy to diagnose and fix. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you silence your fridge and keep it running smoothly.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Key sources of loud humming noises include improper placement, dirty condenser coils, obstructed evaporator fans, loose components, and malfunctioning ice makers. Adjustments like leveling the fridge, cleaning coils, defrosting ice buildup, and securing loose parts often resolve the issue.
- Persistent issues, such as excessively hot compressors, damaged evaporator fan motors, or faulty ice maker assemblies, may require professional repairs.
- Scheduling annual professional refrigerator maintenance helps prevent noise issues, extend appliance lifespan, and ensure efficient operation. Regular cleaning, inspection, and adjustments are crucial for long-term reliability.
1. Inspect the Refrigerator's Placement and Levelness
Refrigerators need a little breathing room to work efficiently. If yours is pressed too tightly against the wall or cabinets, vibrations can amplify the humming sound. If the refrigerator is actually touching an adjacent wall or cabinet, the fridge can make a humming noise when the compressor motor runs.
Also, components such as the compressor that rely on adequate airflow through the machine compartment can overheat and begin making humming noise when you don’t leave enough clearance around the fridge for air to circulate properly to cool internal components.
Pull the refrigerator out slightly, ensuring there's at least an inch of clearance on all sides and 2 inches of clearance behind the fridge.
The fridge must be placed on stable flooring and leveled properly to prevent humming noises.
Use a level to check if the fridge is sitting evenly. Adjust the leveling legs if needed to stabilize the fridge and eliminate humming noise.
2. Clean the Condenser Coils
Dirty condenser coils force your refrigerator to work harder, which can create a louder-than-usual hum. These coils, typically located at the back or bottom of the fridge, collect dust and debris over time.
Here’s a video that shows how clean refrigerator condenser coils:
- Unplug the fridge for safety.
- Remove the bottom front toe panel or the machine compartment panel on the back of the fridge to access the condenser coils.
- Use a coil brush and/or vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to remove dust and debris from the coils.
- Reassemble the fridge and plug its power cord back in to restore electrical power.
Cleaning the condenser coils may fix the loud humming noise coming from the fridge.
3. Check the Evaporator Fan
The evaporator fan, located inside the freezer compartment, circulates air throughout the refrigerator. If it's obstructed by excessive frost or ice, it will make a loud humming or buzzing noise as the spinning fan blade hits the ice or frost buildup.
Unplug the fridge and remove the back panel of the freezer. Inspect the area around the evaporator fan for excessive ice or frost buildup that the evaporator fan blades could be hitting. Defrost the area if needed.
If the excessive frost and ice returns within a day or two, troubleshoot the automatic defrost system in the fridge to permanently fix the problem. Here’s a video that shows how to fix defrost problems:
A faulty fan blade or failing evaporator fan motor can cause a humming noise. If you see no frost or ice buildup around the evaporator fan and you know that it’s humming loudly, manually spin the fan blade. If it feels stuck or wobbly, replace the evaporator fan.
If the fan blade is okay, touch the fan motor so see if it’s hot. If it is, then the fan motor is likely bad. Replacing the evaporator fan motor may fix the problem if the motor is hot and buzzing when it runs.
4. Examine the Compressor
The compressor is the heart of your refrigerator, located at the back bottom. A humming sound from the compressor is normal, but if it's louder than a faint buzz, it could signal an issue.
Unplug the fridge and remove the machine compartment panel on the baci of the refrigerator. Feel the compressor for excessive heat.
If the compressor is too hot or the sound persists, schedule refrigerator repair to have the problem fixed. Only a service technician is allowed to replace a compressor because the repair involves handling CFC refrigerant.
5. Tighten or Replace Loose Components
Loose parts like screws, panels, or the drain pan can vibrate and produce a humming noise.
Inspect the rear and bottom of the refrigerator for loose components.
Tighten screws, secure the drain pan, and ensure all panels fit snugly.
Test the fridge after making adjustments to see if the noise disappears.
6. Check the Ice Maker Operation
If your refrigerator has an ice maker, it might be the source of the humming sound. Issues like a stuck ice cube in the ice maker ejection arms can cause gears in the ice maker to slip and buzz.
Check the area above the ice mold for a stuck ice cube. Remove any stuck ice cubes from the ejection arms.
If the ejection motor is humming even though no ice cubes are stuck in the ejection arms, you’ll likely need to schedule refrigerator repair service to have a technician replace the ice maker assembly.
Not all humming noises are easy to find.
If these tips don’t help you resolve the noise issue, the problem might be beyond a simple DIY fix.
Strange noises can indicate serious issues like a failing compressor or damaged internal components. In such cases, contacting a qualified technician quickly is your best bet to fix the problem. Don’t let the noise drive you crazy—take action today and restore peace in your kitchen.
To help prevent unusual refrigerator noises and unexpected failures, schedule professional refrigerator maintenance service yearly. We’ll send a Sears Home Services technician to your home to clean, maintain, inspect and adjust the fridge to keep it in top shape and running smoothly all year long.
Annual preventive maintenance will also help your refrigerator last longer and run more efficiently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I unplug my fridge if it’s making a loud humming noise?
If your refrigerator isn’t cooling properly and the likely source of the loud humming noise is a bad compressor, then you should unplug the fridge until you have it fixed by a service technician. If the refrigerator is cooling properly and the humming noise is coming from a loose panel or the fridge is vibrating against an adjacent cabinet, then you may be able to fix the noise problem without unplugging the fridge. You will need to unplug the fridge while accessing and checking any internal components such as the evaporator fan or ice maker. But you can plug the fridge back in once you find and fix the source of the noise.
What does a bad compressor on a refrigerator sound like?
You may hear clicking or a rattling noise when the compressor is bad. You may also hear loud buzzing or a knocking sound when the compressor shuts off. A snapping noise can also point to a failed compressor. You’ll likely notice cooling problems in the fridge and freezer when you hear these noises and the cause is bad compressor.
Why is my fridge so loud all of a sudden?
Sudden loud noise in a refrigerator can be caused by an ice cube stuck in the ice maker ejection arms. Gears in the ice maker module will make loud buzzing noise when gear teeth grind against each other. Another source of sudden loud noise in a fridge is evaporator fan blades hitting against excessive frost and ice buildup around the evaporator in the freezer. Defrosting the freezer evaporator and fixing the cause of the excessive frost can permanently eliminate that type of noise. A bad compressor can make loud noises. If the sound is coming from the compressor, you’ll likely need to have a service technician repair the fridge.
How do I reset a refrigerator compressor?
Many compressors are controlled by an electronic circuit board (sometimes more than one). You can reset the control board in the fridge by unplugging the power cord or shutting off the house circuit breaker to completely disconnect electrical power going to the appliance. Lease the power disconnected for 2 minutes to allow the control boards to reset. Restore power and see if the compressor starts and runs normally. If not, you’ll likely need to have a service technician fix the problem.
Schedule your refrigerator repair now!
Backed by years of experience, our technicians possess the skills necessary to fix your refrigerator. And because our techs our local, they can fix it for you fast.
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Glossary Terms
A compressor is a mechanical device that increases the pressure of a gas by reducing its volume, essential in various systems including refrigerators, air conditioners, and HVAC units for cooling and refrigeration processes.
A condenser is a component of HVAC and refrigeration systems, responsible for releasing absorbed heat from the refrigerant into the outside air or a water line, thus facilitating the cooling process.
A dual ice maker is a feature in some refrigerators that includes two separate ice makers: one in the fridge compartment and another in the freezer section. This setup doubles the appliance's ice-making capacity.
A French-door refrigerator features two doors that open side-by-side on the top section for the refrigerator compartment, with a bottom freezer drawer, combining style, efficiency, and easy access to both refrigerated and frozen goods.
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