Hearing a buzzing sound from your fridge when it is fairly new can be quite worrisome, especially if the sound is loud. Apart from the possibility that a buzzing fridge might be faulty, the noise can be an annoying disturbance to the ears.
Why Is My Fridge Buzzing? Your fridge is buzzing due to an accumulation of dust and dirt on the condenser coils. These contaminants will not allow the heat to escape from the coils causing the compressor to have to overwork creating a buzzing noise from the compressor.
According to an appliance expert with Mr. Appliance, your fridge might give off a buzzing sound when dust piles up on the condenser coils. Since the compressor performs the cooling action, the presence of dust can overwork the fridge and lead to an audible buzz.
How Do I Stop My Fridge from Buzzing?
You can stop your fridge from buzzing by eliminating vibrations between the bottom of the fridge and the floor. Your fridge’s buzzing can also be stopped by cleaning the fan and compressor of your fridge.
While there are many ways to stop your fridge from buzzing, you first need to know the cause of the issue before deciding on a solution.
- Take Everything Off the Fridge:
If the buzzing is heard from the top of your fridge, the first thing you should do is take off everything that is placed on the fridge. Magnets and various containers that are placed on the fridge can cause a slight buzzing sound due to the vibrations that the fridge makes normally.
While you take everything off the fridge, also try to space out the items kept in the fridge. This could get rid of the buzzing noise being heard.
- Get rid of Floor Vibrations:
If you can hear the buzzing close to the bottom of your fridge it is probably caused by the fridge being improperly balanced. You can check the floor and make sure the area the fridge is set on is even. The fridge’s legs should also be checked regularly to ensure they are set right.
If this does not still get rid of the floor vibrations, it is helpful to get thick rubber mats and place them under the fridge – this can reduce overall noise and help stop the buzzing. The use of anti-vibration pads can also be helpful. You can use the anti-vibrant and rubber mats together to get rid of floor vibrations totally.
- Clean Fans and Compressor:
Regularly maintaining your fridge by cleaning the fan and compressor might also take care of this buzzing problem. When dirt and dust cover the compressor, it can cause the fridge to overwork itself. This excessive workload can lead to a buzzing noise. For the Frigidaire FRT, FRS, PLH, GLR, GLH, WRT, GRT, CRT I recommend the evaporator fan motor replacement. Click here to read the reviews on Amazon.
Dirt and dust can also cover the condenser’s fan, obstructing its motion and creating a buzzing sound as a result. General cleaning of the fridge should be part of the routine maintenance done to the fridge to keep it running efficiently and to make the fridge quieter.
- Use Acoustic Foam:
Acoustic foam is an open-celled foam used to reduce the effect of airborne sound waves, reducing their amplitude, with the aim of noise reduction. It is perfect for absorbing the buzzing sound produced by your fridge. Compressor coils are typically located behind the fridge and if you notice that the noise is coming from there then your options are limited.
When acoustic foams are installed right, depending on the manufacturer, they can eliminate the buzzing sound by 50 – 90%. All you must do is attach them to the wall behind your fridge and make sure that the fridge is close to the insulated wall for good noise absorption.
- Make Wooden or Soundproof Enclosure for Fridge:
An enclosure is another highly effective way to stop the fridge from buzzing. Building a soundproof enclosure around the fridge traps sound waves and makes it hard for them to escape into the rest of the home.
When choosing or building a wooden enclosure, make sure that not all the sides of the enclosure are covered to ensure proper ventilation. The back of the fridge can be left open and acoustic foam panels can be placed on the wall behind it. With that combination, the fridge’s noise will be reduced from all corners.
- Fill Up Your Fridge:
Sometimes, when fridges are empty, they tend to make a buzzing noise. The cause of this sound is that when a fridge is empty, its compressor will keep turning on and off very often. However, when a fridge is full, it will run consistently and continuously, making it less noisy.
A lighter fridge has a remarkably high tendency to keep buzzing. Try keeping your fridge always filled with food items to make it quieter. If you cannot put in food items, try to fill empty bottles with water and place them in the fridge to reduce the buzzing noise.
- Move Your Fridge:
In some cases, you may realize that no matter what your efforts, you are unable to stop the buzzing noise coming from your fridge. You can consider moving the fridge to an area where you cannot hear it from where you stay in the house.
- Fix Loose Parts in the Fridge:
Appliances come with various parts that might be either static or moving. The more an appliance is being used, some parts might loosen up, and in the case of a fridge, this can lead to an audible buzzing sound.
Firstly, inspect the fridge thoroughly, making sure to look out for any loose screws, handles, or panels. Also, check for any loose trays or drawers in the fridge. If any is found, you can try to tighten it or contact a professional to fix it up.
- Get a quieter fridge:
If the fridge has been used for an exceedingly long time, the buzzing sound might be unavoidable. No matter how awesome an appliance is, it loses over years of active use. If this is the case with your fridge, it might be best if another refrigerator is bought.
Here is table that highlights would actual fridge owners feel is the cause of the buzzing noise in their fridges. Data was derived from various online forums on home appliances and DIY repairs:
| What caused the buzzing noise in your fridge? |
|---|
| In a Frigidaire model, the compressor was being overworked and a buzzing noise was apparent. |
| If a capacitor is blown within the compressor, a buzzing sound will come and go. |
| When the base plate where the compressor is mounted is loose, vibrations will travel to the fridge body causing a buzzing sound. |
Why Does My Fridge Stop Buzzing When I Open the Door?
Your fridge stops buzzing when you open the door because there is a fault with the fridge’s fan or its cooling system. Both issues can be resolved by either regular maintenance or by contacting a qualified repairer.
The fan behind the back panel inside the refrigerator might give off a buzzing noise when it is dirty, going bad, or if there is an ice build-up around the fan. For some fridge models, since the fan immediately stops rotating once the door is opened, the buzzing noise will also stop when you open your fridge’s door.
Another reason the refrigerator might go quiet when the door is open is that the cooling system might have a malfunction. This happens because the cooling system uses refrigerant gas to cool down the interior of the fridge. Immediately the door of the fridge is open, the gas leaves the system, and the buzzing sound stops.
In these cases, the buzzing sound can be stopped by cleaning the fan or contacting a technician for repair.
Is A Buzzing Fridge Dangerous?
Yes, a buzzing fridge can be dangerous depending on the volume at which the fridge operates. If the buzzing is low or moderate, then there is likely no reason to worry. However, in most cases, a buzzing fridge is not dangerous.
The buzzing sound the fridge makes is a part of the normal operation of the fridge. When the buzzing sound gets too loud, it could be a sign that there is a major problem with the fridge.
A fridge should normally operate at a volume ranging from 37 to 42Db(decibels). There are mobile apps that you can use to measure the volume of sound coming from your fridge. If the buzzing noise that your fridge makes is louder than the range given above, then there is an issue with the fridge.
Noises like humming, whirring, clicking, and buzzing made by a fridge’s compressor are very ordinary. However, once these sounds get loud that they can be heard from a far distance, then there might be cause for alarm.
In cases like this, the compressor has become faulty. Such an issue should be fixed by a qualified technician and not by yourself.
When Is My Fridge Buzzing On and Off?
Your fridge is buzzing on and off because of the operation of its compressor. The buzzing sound begins when the compressor is starting a cooling cycle and ends when the cycle is over.
Like many other appliances that provide temperature changes, fridges function in cycles. Their operation consists of a cooling cycle and a rest cycle. Since a fridge’s compressor makes a buzzing sound while it is working, the sound might come on and off depending on the changing fridge cycles.
During a cooling cycle, the refrigerator creates cool air by drawing air over cold coils with a fan. The compressor pumps gas through an expansion chamber, expanding it rapidly. The gas cools down quickly, causing icy cold coils needed for refrigeration. This complete process gives off a buzzing sound.
If the buzzing sound is not too loud, there is no reason for you to be worried.
Why Is My GE Refrigerator Making a Loud Humming Noise?
Your GE refrigerator is making a loud humming noise because the ice maker is either filling with water or has no access to water. Other possibilities include the sound of the compressor or the fan.
Sometimes, a humming sound is just a part of how your refrigerator functions but when it gets too loud, there could be an issue with the fridge. Here are some reasons why your GE refrigerator might be humming.
- Compressor Running:
During normal operation, a compressor makes a low, consistent humming sound. If the sound gets too loud and is accompanied by rattling, the compressor is faulty. Also, if the compressor is dirty, it can cause a loud and uncomfortable humming noise. If you need to replace a compressor on a Whirlpool, Kitchen Aid or Kenmore fridge, I recommend this compressor that is available on Amazon.
- Fans Whirring:
When the fan cools air over the cooling coils, it makes a whirring noise that sounds like humming. This sound is very normal for the operation of the fan in the refrigerator. However, one should be concerned if the fan slows down or if its blades are covered in ice or dirt. When this happens, the humming noise could get very loud.
- Ice Maker Filling:
When your refrigerator has an automatic ice maker, water flows from the supply line and fills up the ice maker. The filling process is another reason the GE refrigerator could be making a loud humming noise.
- Self-Defrost:
Some of the new GE refrigerators that are being produced are equipped with a self-defrosting feature. The fridge defrosts to keep ice from building up and potentially stopping the cooling. Melting ice produces drops of water that drip on the defrost heaters and the resulting sound might sound like humming. This sound is completely normal, and it won’t damage the refrigerator.
- Evaporator or Condenser Fan Blade:
The fan blades might be obstructed by an object or might be iced over. Since the fan constantly speeds up and slows down, the obstructions and coating could also be the cause of the loud humming noise.
- Water Inlet Valve
The ice maker of your GE refrigerator needs to be connected to a water inlet valve for it to function, as water from the valve automatically flows into the icemaker at regular intervals.
If there is no water supply, or if the inlet valve is switched off, the fridge might make a humming sound occasionally to fill up the ice maker with water.
Why Is My Fridge Making a Buzzing Noise and Not Cooling?
Your fridge is making a buzzing noise and not cooling because there is an issue with the compressor. The compressor is responsible for the cooling of a fridge, and it might not perform this function properly if it is faulty.
The compressor is the most critical part of the cooling unit in the fridge. It could be said to be the “heart” of the refrigerator. The entire process of cooling in the fridge depends on the compressor’s efficiency as it circulates the cooling refrigerant through the system.
When the compressor is switched on, it usually makes a clicking sound, and a humming sound follows that to indicate that the cooling has started. However, if the fridge is buzzing and does not cool, then the compressor has an issue.
A compressor might misbehave if there is dirt or dust on its coils. The set of wiring causes heat in the environment and this makes the coils accumulate dirt after a while. The compressor’s coils are located at the back of the fridge and can be cleaned with a vacuum and a brush.
Lack of cooling may also mean that the evaporator or refrigerator fan is malfunctioning because the fan is also essential to a freezer cooling adequately. A fridge’s fan could have issues if it is dirty, if its motor is weak, or if something is caught in the fan blades. These obstructions can also cause a buzzing sound, and this can be resolved by simply cleaning the fan.
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