The buzzing sound could be normal.
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. How to diagnose it: If the sound comes and goes at regular intervals and doesn’t seem to get louder over time, 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: 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.
You may hear the ice maker.
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. How to diagnose it: Listen to see if the sound is coming from the ice maker. How to fix it: If the ice maker isn’t hooked up to a water line, turn it off 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.
Loose screws could cause a buzzing noise.
Over time, 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. 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.
The fridge might buzz if it isn’t leveled or is touching a cabinet.
When the compressor kicks on, the whole fridge vibrates slightly. If the fridge isn’t level, those vibrations might create a buzzing sound. The fridge could also be slightly touching the cabinets, wall, or other appliances around it. 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: Turn the leveling feet on the bottom of the fridge to raise or lower them until they’re all making contact with the floor. If the fridge is already level, try shifting it slightly away from the cabinets or wall.
The drain pan could be cracked.
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. How to diagnose it: Check your owner’s manual to see how to access the drain pan, then remove the pan and inspect it. How to fix it: If the drain pan has shifted, move it back into place. 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.
The condenser fan or coils could be dirty.
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. 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. 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.”
The evaporator fan could be blocked.
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. How to diagnose it: Locate the evaporator fan—it’s usually in the freezer. Visually inspect the fan to see if it’s blocked by food or frost. If you can’t tell, unplug the fridge, then see if you can rotate the fan with your hand. 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 appliance repair technician Givorg Grigorian, it’s best to have problems with the evaporator fan diagnosed and repaired by a professional.
The start relay could need replacing.
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. 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 flat head 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. A new relay usually costs between $10 and $20.
The compressor might need be bad.
A loud buzzing sound coming from your fridge could mean that the compressor is going out. 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. 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.
FAQs
Is a noisy fridge dangerous? 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.
When should I call a professional? Call a qualified technician if you suspect that the buzzing sound is caused by an electrical issue, you’ve tried to fix the problem yourself and couldn’t, or your fridge isn’t cooling normally.
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