Noisy Refrigerator? What Those Sounds Mean (and When to Call a Pro)

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All refrigerators make some noise. Your fridge might even be humming right now. But what happens when you hear an unfamiliar or annoying (or even loud) noise coming from your fridge—is there cause for concern?

If your noisy fridge is accompanied by other issues—like food not cooling properly, the ice maker not working, or lots of heat emanating from underneath the appliance—it’s wise to call a repair person.

But if you can determine where the noise is coming from (for example, from the compressor) and how often it occurs, you might be able to diagnose and deal with this loud refrigerator problem yourself.

We spoke with two fridge experts who discussed some of the most common refrigerator noises you might hear, what they might mean, and when to call in a pro to take a look.

If the rattling noise is coming from the bottom of the refrigerator

If you hear a loud rattling noise near the bottom of the refrigerator, the culprit is likely to be the drain pan, says Doug Rogers, president of repair company Mr. Appliance.

“This is an easy fix: Just secure the pan back in place for peace and quiet,” he says. The drain pan is located underneath the fridge and is roughly an inch above the floor.

If the noise is coming from the back of the refrigerator

A noisy sound coming from the back of the fridge is probably the condenser fan or the compressor.

“If you determine the noise is caused by the condenser fan, try cleaning away dust and debris that may have accumulated between the fan blades, using a soft brush,” says Rogers.

Of course, be sure to unplug your refrigerator before cleaning the compressor, attempting any repairs, or calling a technician.

If the noise is coming from inside the refrigerator

Hear a noise inside the refrigerator that sounds like a squeak or rattle? It’s probably the circulation fan, which pushes air through the freezer and fridge sections of your appliance. The circulation fan is located right behind an access panel on the back of the refrigerator.

“You can make certain this is the problem by pushing in the light switch in the freezer,” says Rogers. If the circulation fan is the culprit, the noise in the refrigerator will get louder.

Fan motors in refrigerators can fail in many different ways, but one of the most common (and gross) ways is an animal getting inside the fan and dying. You might not hear any noise, since the animal is blocking the fridge fan from running. It might also feel really warm and hot by the fan.

Unfortunately, Rogers says, the only fix for this is to replace the noisy fan in your refrigerator (a repair service is in order).

If it sounds like squealing or a bird chirping in your fridge

Your fridge shouldn’t sound like a bird or small critter is trapped inside. If you do hear noisy refrigerator sounds like squealing or chirping, it may mean the evaporator fan is malfunctioning.

If something is wrong with the refrigerator fan, the freezer won’t cool adequately, says Rogers.

The evaporator fan can be accessed by removing the freezer’s contents and looking at the inside panel in the back of the freezer. You’ll need a screwdriver to open it. See if the blade is operating smoothly by spinning it. Check wires and all components for signs of wear and tear, along with grommets.

“If the fan blade doesn’t move freely, or there are signs of damage or corrosion on wires or connectors, it may be necessary to replace these fridge parts,” Rogers says.

If it sounds like buzzing or humming in your refrigerator

Your light is probably close to going out if you hear an electrical buzzing sound, says Sears home service knowledge author Adrienne Berain-Normann. On some units, you can replace the lights yourself, though you may need to call a repair service.

If it sounds like knocking

Rogers says a knocking noise is likely to be a sign that the condenser is failing or that the fan motor isn’t working properly. The fan is probably too hot or running too hard.

If a clicking sound is coming from your ice maker

A click-click-click coming from your ice maker could mean that the water line valve is loose or not connected to the water supply. If you recently moved the fridge, a broken connection could prevent the ice maker from working.

Noises not to worry about

Keep in mind that not every noise you hear is a sign that something’s amiss. Gurgling, for example, is Freon boiling in the evaporator, which is how it cools the fridge.

“It’s not a noise to be concerned about,” says Rogers.

Also, as a general rule, an older refrigerator will make more noise than a newer unit. A typical refrigerator can last up to 20 years.

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