When your fridge runs properly, it should be relatively quiet. You may hear the occasional noise from the ice maker, but overall, it is a relatively noiseless appliance. However, if you’ve noticed a loud and recurring buzzing noise coming from your refrigerator, you may have a problem with your hands.
The most common cause of a buzzing noise coming from your fridge is an issue with the condenser. Typically, this will have to do with the condenser coils, but it can also be the fan. Dust buildup can lead to overheating, resulting in the obnoxious noise your hearing.
That said, there are plenty of different issues that can cause a buzzing noise to emanate from your fridge. Figuring out what is causing the problem can be tricky, but once you’ve identified the problem, you should be able to fix your fridge in short order.
Magnets or Other Items
If your fridge is making an overly loud buzzing noise, it could be that the issue is external. Items placed on or against the fridge can tap against it as it vibrates, causing a buzzing sound that might lead you to believe the fridge is acting up.
Before going any further with your investigation, you should remove any magnets from the doors and sides of the fridge and check to see if anything is resting on top of it. If you strip the fridge and it quiets itself, you’ve solved your problem.
Items in the Fridge
Just as items stuck on the fridge can vibrate and cause a loud humming noise, a misplaced item within the fridge can do the same. It’s worth checking for this as well before moving on to more thorough diagnostics.
The most thorough way to investigate if this is the cause is to pull everything out of the fridge. That said, if you are looking for a quicker, simpler solution, you can look for items that lie against the walls of the fridge or the plastic lips on the shelves.
It’s important to note that the fridge shouldn’t make noise when items are placed inside unless they are awkwardly positioned. If your bottles are rattling when they are resting properly on the shelf, that might be indicative of a larger underlying problem.
Faulty Compressor
Turning our attention to the compressor, a dirty compressor is a likely culprit for the buzzing noise coming from the fridge. The compressor is the element of your fridge that controls the temperature. It works with the thermometer to keep the fridge at the correct level of coolness.
The compressor will produce an intermittent low-level buzz when working properly. When it isn’t working properly, this noise will be constant and may be louder than normal.
If the compressor is having issues, it is probably going to need a complex repair or a full replacement. You are most likely not going to be capable of performing this yourself. You should instead call in an expert to correct the problem for you.
Dirty Condenser
The condenser is the part of the fridge that deals with the heat that results from the electricity that powers the fridge. This unit is normally located towards the back of the fridge.
The condenser works by releasing the heat into the air. This is similar to most appliances. When you feel a device heat up when in use, it is because the heat must be released in order to avoid having elements melt or face heat damage.
In a refrigerator, this is all the more important. The heat must be channeled away from the fridge itself in order to keep the inside cold enough for food storage.
Often, the condenser coils wind up accumulating dust. This is simply a result of daily living, just the same as dust builds up on a shelf. However, because the condenser is hard to access, you probably aren’t regularly cleaning it.
When dust and debris build up on the coils, the heat can’t dissipate as it should. This leads to the condenser having to work harder, and eventually results in the loud buzzing noise you may be experiencing.
Luckily, this problem tends to be an easy fix. All you have to do is clean the dust off the condenser. This should allow the heat to disperse into the air as normal.
To clean the condenser, start by unplugging the fridge and letting it rest for a while. The condenser will need to cool before you can safely clean it. Once the unit has cooled, you can clean the dust off using a vacuum or a rag.
Broken Condenser
If you’ve cleaned the condenser coils and plugged the fridge back in, hopefully, the buzzing noise will cease. If it doesn’t, you may be dealing with a more serious issue with the condenser.
Sometimes the condenser coils can break completely. If this happens, the condenser coils that remain in operation won’t be able to dissipate the heat properly, as they will be forced to handle too much of the workload.
If this is the case, you’ll need to call in a professional to repair the condenser or replace the coils. It’s best not to attempt this on your own.
The condenser can get very hot and has a lot of electricity running through it. Not only do you risk hurting yourself, but an incorrectly repaired condenser could result in a fire.
Related Questions
Is it normal for a fridge to make noise?
A properly functioning fridge will make some noise. The compressor makes noise when distributing cold air. The ice maker can also make noise, even when functioning properly.
However, if the noise is constant and very loud, it could indicate a problem with your fridge. In this case, you’ll want to check the elements to make sure they are functioning properly. It’s also worth checking the temperature to make sure the fridge stays cold.
Is it worth replacing a refrigerator compressor?
Generally, it’s not worth replacing a compressor for your fridge. A replacement compressor will cost between $200 and $500. For that amount of money, you could just buy a new fridge.
That said, if you are very attached to your fridge, you can have the compressor replaced. Contacting a professional is the best way to go about doing so.
