Why is my refrigerator making noise?

Refrigerators and freezers make a variety of normal operating sounds, but you may not have heard them all before. These sounds may come from behind the refrigerator, inside the fridge or freezer compartment or from the ice maker. Keep reading to learn more about what you might hear from your refrigerator.

7 common refrigerator noises explained

It can be concerning when you hear an unfamiliar noise coming from your refrigerator. Explore some common refrigerator noises below to learn what they might be and what they may mean for your appliance.

1. Vibrating

A vibrating sound may mean your refrigerator isn’t steady. Remove the base grille from the bottom of the refrigerator and adjust the leveling screws so the fridge is level.

2. Buzzing

Buzzing is a normal sound that may occur when the refrigerator compressor or fans are adjusting to optimize performance. If this becomes a loud refrigerator noise, contact a certified technician to determine if there’s a problem.

3. Hissing

You may hear a hissing noise when refrigerant is flowing through the cooling system. This is normal and—in most cases—is nothing to worry about.

4. Gurgling or dripping

Gurgling or dripping noises are generally normal refrigerator sounds that may occur when ice melts during the Defrost cycle and water runs into the drain pan. If you notice water spillage from your refrigerator along with the dripping noise, contact a certified technician, as it may indicate a leak.

5. Humming or pulsating

You may hear a humming or pulsating sound if your refrigerator’s ice maker isn’t connected to the water supply, but the water valve is still opening and closing. Check that the ice maker has been turned off if your refrigerator isn’t connected to a water supply.


Maintenance tip: Even though it won’t make a noise when it needs to be changed, be sure to replace your refrigerator’s ice and water filter every six months for optimal performance. Learn more about how your fridge’s water filter works.

6. Creaking or cracking

If your fridge has an ice maker, you may hear a creaking or cracking sound as ice is ejected from the ice maker mold and falls into the bin. This is a normal refrigerator noise.

7. Popping

A popping noise is a normal sound a refrigerator makes as its inside walls contract and expand, which may happen as it cools down for the first time or defrosts.

Why is my refrigerator compressor noise lasting so long?

New refrigerators have high-efficiency compressors. This refrigerator part may run longer than older models in order to only consume the energy necessary for optimum efficiency. This is normal, and you may also hear it if the room is warm, a lot of food was just added, or if the doors are open often or were accidentally left open.

When should I worry about my fridge noises?

If your refrigerator is making excessive noise or you are unable to determine the cause on your own, you may need to contact a professional to investigate the noise further. Even if you don’t have a Whirlpool^® Refrigerator, you can search the help page for answers to your questions.

If you have a Whirlpool^® Refrigerator and need to schedule service for noise or something else, make an appointment online or call 1-866-698-2538.