Fridges make noise. Some of it is normal. Some of it means something is wrong. The tricky part is knowing which is which. Here is a guide to the most common fridge noises and what each one actually means.
Normal Fridge Sounds
A quiet humming or buzzing is the compressor running. This is completely normal and happens every time the fridge cycles on to maintain temperature. You will hear it more often if the fridge is in a hot kitchen or if the door has been opened frequently. A gurgling or trickling sound is the refrigerant flowing through the system. It sounds like water moving through pipes and is entirely normal, especially after the door has been opened or after a defrost cycle. A clicking sound when the fridge turns on or off is the compressor starting and stopping. Some models are louder than others for this. A quiet fan noise is the evaporator fan circulating cold air inside the fridge. Normal.
Sounds That Mean Something Is Wrong
A loud or constant buzzing that is different from the normal compressor hum often points to a failing condenser fan motor. The fan blade may be hitting something, or the motor bearings may be worn. Unplug the fridge and check whether the condenser fan (at the back or underneath) is clear of debris and spinning freely.
A rattling sound usually comes from the fridge vibrating against the wall, the floor, or something sitting on top of or beside it. Check that the fridge is level using an adjustable wrench on the front levelling feet. Also check that nothing is resting against the back of the fridge. If the rattling continues with nothing touching the fridge, it could be a loose drain pan underneath the unit.
A grinding or scraping noise is more serious. This can indicate that the evaporator fan blade is touching a build-up of ice. If your fridge also seems to be less cold than usual, the defrost system has probably failed and ice has accumulated on the evaporator coils. This needs a technician.
A loud knocking or clunking noise, especially when the compressor turns on or off, can indicate that the compressor mounting springs are worn or broken. The compressor hangs on rubber mounts inside the unit, and when these degrade, the compressor moves more than it should when starting and stopping. This is not an emergency fault but it will worsen over time.
A hissing sound from the back of the fridge, particularly if accompanied by an oily residue around the compressor area, can indicate a refrigerant leak. This needs immediate professional attention. A fridge with a refrigerant leak will progressively get warmer and eventually stop cooling entirely.
When to Call a Technician
If the noise is new, getting louder, or accompanied by reduced cooling performance, it is worth having a technician look at it. For older fridges, the repair cost can sometimes exceed the value of the fridge. If your technician quotes more than $250–$300 for a fridge that is 10 or more years old, a refurbished replacement may be the better option.
At Oceania Appliances in Wetherill Park, we stock refurbished fridges from $249 — tested, warranted, and delivered free across Sydney. If you are weighing up repair versus replacement, feel free to call us and we can help you think through the decision. Our showroom at 2/14 Centre Place, Wetherill Park is open 7 days 10 am to 8 pm.