9 Reasons Your Fridge Is Making a Buzzing Sound (& How to Fix It)

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Expert tips to quiet a noisy fridge
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It’s normal to hear some noise coming from your fridge, but what should you do if it suddenly starts buzzing? Don’t worry—in many cases, you can fix a buzzing refrigerator yourself at home, and it might not even cost anything, especially if the fridge is cooling normally. We talked to appliance repair technicians Gevorg Grigorian and Aaron Beth to find out why your fridge might be buzzing (or making other noises), what you can do about it, and when you should call in the pros.

Why is my refrigerator making a buzzing noise?

A buzzing sound from your refrigerator could be caused by a dirty condenser fan or coils, a blocked evaporator fan, a cracked drain pan, a bad start relay, or a bad compressor. Less serious issues include an ice maker that isn't hooked up properly, a fridge that's unlevel, or loose screws inside the refrigerator.

Section 1 of 3:

Causes of a Buzzing Fridge & How to Fix It

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  1. Over time, dirt can build up on the condenser fan or condenser coils. This can block the condenser fan from turning or keep it from operating efficiently, so you might hear a buzzing sound. [1]
    • How to diagnose it: Unplug the fridge and pull it out from the wall, then check the condenser fan and condenser coils for dirt or dust. You may need to remove a cover to see the condenser coils—consult your owner’s manual to see how to access them.
    • How to fix it: If the condenser fan or condenser coils are dirty, wait until they’re defrosted, then vacuum them with a soft brush or clean them with a refrigerator coil brush . Also, make sure nothing has fallen behind the fridge and blocked the condenser fan.
    • Maintenance: Grigorian recommends pulling your fridge away from the wall periodically to clean dirt, dust, and pet hair that may be clogging the condenser coils. He says, “If you do this every 6 months, it will prolong the life of your refrigerator, and it will also run more efficiently during the summer months.”
  2. Having too much food in your fridge can block the flow of air to the evaporator fan. The fan can also get blocked if too much frost builds up on the fan blades. This can cause a buzzing noise when the fan tries to turn. You may also notice that your fridge isn’t getting as cold as it usually does. [2]
    • How to diagnose it: Locate the evaporator fan—it’s usually on the back wall of the freezer. If the area in front of the fan is packed tight with food, that could be the problem. If not, visually inspect the fan to see if it’s covered with frost. If you can’t tell if the fan is blocked, unplug the fridge, then see if you can rotate the fan with your hand. [3]
    • How to fix it: Clear out your fridge so air can circulate around the evaporator fan. If there’s frost, unplug your fridge and thaw it out, then clean up any water as the ice melts.
    • When to call a pro: If the evaporator fan isn’t blocked but it still isn’t running correctly, the motor may be bad. According to Beth, issues with frost buildup can be caused by a faulty timer or heater, or you might have an air leak. Grigorian advises that it’s best to have these types of issues diagnosed and repaired by a professional.
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  3. If water freezes inside the drain pan, the pan could crack or shift out of place. If this happens, you might hear a rattling noise when the refrigerator is running. [4]
    • How to diagnose it: Consult your owner’s manual to see how to access the drain pan—it will be near the bottom of the fridge, behind either the kick panel on the bottom front of the fridge or the panel on the back of the fridge. [5] Check whether the pan is cracked, and make sure it’s in the right place.
    • How to fix it: If the drain pan has shifted out of place, move it back to the location indicated on your owner's manual. If it’s damaged, replace it with a new one. A new drip pan can cost $50–$150 depending on the make and model of your fridge.
  4. If your refrigerator start relay is going bad, you may hear a click, then a buzz when your refrigerator starts running. You might also notice that your fridge isn’t staying as cool as it usually does. [6]
    • How to diagnose it: Unplug the fridge and pull it away from the wall. Use your owner’s manual to locate the start relay near the side of the compressor—you’ll likely need to remove a panel. Use a flathead screwdriver to pop the start relay cover loose, then pull the relay off of the compressor. Gently shake the relay—if you hear a rattling noise, the relay is bad.
    • How to fix it: Pull the wires off of the old relay—use needle-nose pliers if you can’t do it by hand. Then, reconnect the wires to the new relay , push the relay into place on the compressor, and replace the cover. [7]
    • A new relay usually costs between $10 and $20.
  5. Unfortunately, once the compressor on a fridge starts going out, it’s usually time to start thinking about a new fridge. Replacing the compressor is pretty expensive—with parts and labor, it can easily cost around $800. And there’s no guarantee that the repair will be long-lasting, especially if the fridge is fairly old. In the long run, it may cost less to buy a new fridge.
    • How to diagnose it: If you hear loud buzzing from the bottom or back of the fridge, it could be the compressor. [8] If you can’t fix the problem yourself, Beth recommends having a professional diagnose the problem and tell you whether it would be cheaper to repair or replace the fridge.
    • How to fix it: Because the fridge compressor contains hazardous materials like refrigerant, replacing a compressor should only be done by a qualified repair technician. [9]
  6. If your ice maker is on but it isn’t attached to the water line, you might hear a buzzing sound as the ice maker tries to draw in water. Or, if your ice maker is hooked up to a water supply and is working properly, the buzzing sound could just be the sound of the ice maker filling up. [10]
    • How to diagnose it: Listen to see if the sound is coming from the ice maker. If you’re not sure whether the ice machine is hooked up to a water line, look for a small flexible hose running from the back of the fridge.
    • How to fix it: If the ice maker isn’t hooked up to a water line, turn off the power switch on the ice machine so you won’t hear it running anymore. If it is hooked up to a water line, the sound is normal and you don’t need to do anything.
  7. When the compressor kicks on, the whole fridge vibrates slightly. If the fridge isn’t level, those vibrations might create a buzzing sound. [11] The fridge could also be slightly touching the cabinets, wall, or other appliances around it. [12]
    • How to diagnose it: Place a level on top of the fridge or look under the fridge and check whether the leveling feet are even. You can also pull the fridge out from the wall to see if it stops buzzing.
    • How to fix it: According to Beth, most fridges have leveling feet on the front of the fridge that you can use to make sure it sits evenly on the floor. Beth also says that if the floor under the fridge is uneven, you can use thin pieces of plywood as spacers to level the fridge. If the fridge is already level, try shifting it slightly away from the cabinets or wall.
  8. The vibrations from your fridge can loosen the screws that hold your fridge together. This can amplify the vibrations, leading to a louder-than-normal buzzing sound. [13]
    • How to diagnose it: Go through your fridge and gently wiggle various parts to see if any of them are loose, including the doors, handles, shelves, motor mounts, and fans. Also, check whether you put any items on top of the fridge that could create a buzzing noise when the fridge vibrates.
    • How to fix it: Use a small screwdriver to tighten any loose screws in the fridge.
  9. If the fridge is new, you may not be used to the sound. Fridges might make a buzzing sound when the compressor comes on, for instance. [14]
    • How to diagnose it: Pay attention to how often you hear the buzzing sound and monitor the temperature of the fridge with a fridge thermometer . If the fridge buzzes at fairly regular intervals and your fridge is staying at a steady, cool temperature, there’s a chance that it’s just the way the fridge sounds when it operates.
    • How to fix it: Nothing to fix here! If the fridge is brand-new, give it a little time—newer fridges sometimes get quieter after they’ve settled in. You may also find that you get used to the sound over time.
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Section 2 of 3:

Causes of Other Fridge Noises

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  1. If there’s something on top of, behind, or under your fridge, it could rattle when the fridge vibrates. The drain pan under the fridge can also rattle. You might also hear rattling coming from the ice maker if it isn’t hooked up to a water line. [15]
  2. A loud humming sound from your fridge is probably the compressor. If the noise is louder than usual, it could be a sign that your compressor is going bad—you’ll need to consult a professional technician to be sure. [16]
  3. Fridges normally make a clicking sound when the compressor or ice maker comes on. If the clicking continues, the ice maker may not be connected to a water line—check the valve where the water line connects to the ice maker to be sure it hasn’t come loose. [17]
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Section 3 of 3:

FAQs

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  1. Noisy fridges usually aren’t dangerous—often, the buzzing is caused by a vibration when the fans come on. But if the buzzing is caused by an electrical issue, it could pose a fire risk. [18]
  2. Call a qualified technician if you suspect that the buzzing sound is caused by an electrical issue, the compressor is bad, you’ve tried to fix the problem yourself and couldn’t, or your fridge isn’t cooling normally. [19]
  3. Wipe down the outside and inside of your fridge regularly, including the seals, and clean up spills right away. [20] Grigorian also recommends vacuuming the coils on the back of the fridge twice a year.
    • You can also use a fridge thermometer to ensure the temperature of the fridge remains constant.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://repair.geappliances.com/resources/faq/article/why-is-my-freezer-making-noise
      2. ↑ https://repair.geappliances.com/resources/faq/article/why-is-my-freezer-making-noise
      3. ↑ https://registerappliance.com/refrigerator-repair/7-reasons-why-your-refrigerator-is-making-noises/
      4. ↑ https://registerappliance.com/refrigerator-repair/7-reasons-why-your-refrigerator-is-making-noises/
      5. ↑ https://www.weekand.com/home-garden/article/drip-pan-refrigerator-18031899.php
      6. ↑ https://repair.geappliances.com/resources/faq/article/why-does-my-fridge-keep-clicking-on-and-off
      7. ↑ https://youtu.be/sWCVeKaNPKY?t=29
      8. ↑ https://www.dtappliance.com/blog/viking-refrigerator-making-noise/
      9. ↑ https://registerappliance.com/refrigerator-repair/7-reasons-why-your-refrigerator-is-making-noises/
      1. ↑ https://products.geappliances.com/appliance/gea-support-search-content?contentId=16833
      2. ↑ https://repair.geappliances.com/resources/faq/article/why-is-my-freezer-making-noise
      3. ↑ https://www.lg.com/us/support/help-library/lg-refrigerator-common-noises-from-an-lg-refrigerator--20150292153479
      4. ↑ https://www.searshomeservices.com/blog/quieting-a-noisy-refrigerator-a-guide-for-homeowners
      5. ↑ https://repair.geappliances.com/resources/faq/article/why-is-my-freezer-making-noise
      6. ↑ https://registerappliance.com/refrigerator-repair/7-reasons-why-your-refrigerator-is-making-noises/
      7. ↑ https://registerappliance.com/refrigerator-repair/7-reasons-why-your-refrigerator-is-making-noises/
      8. ↑ https://www.dtappliance.com/blog/viking-refrigerator-making-noise/
      9. ↑ https://adk.co.uk/ways-tell-fridge-might-dying-needs-replaced/
      10. ↑ https://registerappliance.com/refrigerator-repair/7-reasons-why-your-refrigerator-is-making-noises/
      11. ↑ https://safetyculture.com/topics/refrigerator-maintenance/

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