What’s that Refrigerator Sound?

When to Worry About the Fridge

Imagine standing in your kitchen, pouring a glass of water, when a strange hum, click, or pop comes from the refrigerator. A brief moment of panic may follow — could something have gone wrong? Before worry sets in, know this: many sounds from newer refrigerators signal normal operation. Let’s break down some of the most common refrigerator noises and their causes.

Common Refrigerator Sounds

Manufacturers design modern refrigerators to work more efficiently than ever before, and sometimes that efficiency comes with a little extra noise. Still, you may find yourself wondering what some of those noises actually mean. What’s going on inside the workings of your refrigerator?! The following sounds are no cause for concern:

Humming or Buzzing

A low humming sound often means the compressor is running. Compressors push refrigerant through the system, keeping food cold and fresh. A louder hum sometimes happens when the ice maker fills with water or when the fridge works harder during hot weather.

Clicking or Tapping

Clicks usually happen when the defrost timer starts or ends a cycle. Newer models rely on precise electrical controls, and those little clicks mark the start or stop of different processes inside the fridge.

Gurgling or Bubbling

Refrigerant moves through coils and tubes hidden behind the walls of the refrigerator. (These tubes used to be mounted on the back of the refrigerator, instead of safe inside it.) As the liquid changes into gas, it may create soft gurgling, bubbling, or even hissing sounds. These noises mean the cooling system is functioning properly.

Popping or Cracking

Pops and cracks often come from the parts in the refrigerator adjusting to temperature changes. Plastic and metal parts expand and contract as the interior cools or warms. These sounds resemble ice cubes snapping in a glass of water — quick, harmless, and totally normal.

Whirring or Whooshing

Fans circulate air through different sections of the refrigerator and freezer. A smooth whirring or soft whooshing sound usually indicates a fan is working to maintain appropriate temperatures.

Dripping or Sizzling

Water sometimes drips onto the defrost heater during a defrost cycle. A faint sizzling sound follows as the water evaporates. No need for alarm as this step keeps frost from building up where it should not.

Understanding the sounds explained above brings peace of mind and prevents unnecessary panic or service calls. Nevertheless, when a refrigerator is about to break or is already broken, it does tend to get noisy. How can you know when a refrigerator sound isn’t normal?

When to Call for Refrigerator Help

Normal sounds usually fade into the background once you know what causes them. Very loud and sudden sounds, and especially grinding noises, point to something that needs attention in a refrigerator. If a sound is new or unusual, persists longer than normal, and definitely if it comes with cooling problems, a professional inspection ensures peace of mind and prevents disastrous food losses due to spoilage.

River City Appliance stands ready to help fix your refrigerator! Whether you need a quick answer, a full inspection, or a minor repair, our team brings experience and friendly service right to your door. If your refrigerator makes noises that cause concern, trust River City Appliance to get to the bottom of it.