Brand New Fridge Making Noise? [17 Causes & Fixes!]

Is your newly purchased refrigerator making noises that you can’t quite decipher? Well, fret not, because I’m here to shed some light on the matter.

While no fridge is completely silent, certain sounds are considered normal during its operation, while others may indicate a serious issue requiring immediate attention.

Under regular circumstances, a new refrigerator might produce mild chimes, grinding, humming, gurgling, ticking, electric buzzing, hissing, or rattling noises while running. However, if these sounds become excessively loud and start interfering with your conversations, it is considered unusual.

It is important to note that these noises can vary not only among different refrigerator brands but also among various sizes. Hence, we will not only discuss the different sounds but also focus on major refrigerator brands such as LG, Samsung, Whirlpool, and Frigidaire, highlighting the most common sounds associated with them.

17 Brand New Fridge Noises and Fixes!

Fridge Sound Type	Possible Cause of Low-Volume Sound	Possible Cause of High-Volume Sound	Quick Fix
Chiming or Beeping	Power outage, door alarm	Door improperly attached	Have an expert detach and reattach the fridge door properly
Banging	Ice falling, items falling	Rarely high volume	If loud, have an expert check the fridge condition
Grinding	Ice dispensing	Rarely loud	Allow time for ice dispensing to end
Vibrating	Refrigerant flowing	Unstable ground	Stabilize the fridge
Humming/Buzzing	Self-defrosting, ice maker, compressor, motor	Ice maker on but water supply off,	Connect water supply, clear obstruction, replace motor/fan
		failing fan blades, obstructed fan blade	blade
Rattling	Refrigerant flow	Lack of clearance, overstocking	Avoid overstocking, create clearance around fridge
High-Pitch (Pulsating)	Fan and compressor adjustment	Ice mass around fan	Clear ice mass around fan
Whistling/Blowing	Circulating fans	Lack of clearance	Create enough clearance around the fridge
Squeaking	Door harness not sitting properly	Door improperly installed, excessive grease	Detach and reattach door, use food-grade silicone spray
Hammering/Thumping	Supply line hammering wall on fridge	Supply line thrashing wall on fridge	Move refrigerator away from wall
Owl Squealing	Damper door opening/shutting	Jammed ice maker	Reduce excess ice in the ice maker
Gurgling/Dripping	Refrigerant movement	Not applicable	Allow time for refrigerant flow
Crackling/Snapping	Expansion/contraction of plastic parts	Not applicable	If sound persists, consult an expert
Electric Buzz	Water filling up ice maker	Not applicable	Allow time for ice maker to fill
Ticking	Refrigerant movement, working fans	Not applicable	No action needed
Clicking	Compressor restarting after electric outage	Not applicable	Wait up to 5 minutes for compressor to restart
Hissing/Drizzling	Ice melting, dripping onto evaporator heater	Not applicable

Identifying Normal and Unusual Sounds

When you bring home a brand new fridge, it’s common to hear some noises emanating from it. It’s crucial to distinguish between normal sounds and those that indicate a potential issue. Let’s explore 17 types of sounds that can be produced by new refrigerators and what they signify:

Chiming or Beeping Sound

A beeping or chiming sound accompanied by blinking indicates high temperature, usually during a power outage. It’s also normal for fridges with alarm doors like certain Samsung models when the door isn’t properly shut. However, if the beeping is excessively loud and unrelated to power or door issues, it suggests an improperly attached door that requires expert attention.

Banging Sound

The sound of ice falling into the ice bucket or a wobbly item falling can result in a banging noise. If the banging is consistent and unusually loud, it may indicate a serious problem that warrants professional assistance.

Grinding Sound

When dispensing and crushing ice, the ice maker can produce a grinding sound, which is normal. However, if the grinding is overly loud and the dispenser fails to dispense any ice, it could indicate a significant issue that requires expert inspection.

Vibrating Sound

A slight vibration is typical as the refrigerant flows through the cooling lines. However, if the vibration is loud, it may be due to an unstable positioning on uneven ground. In such cases, repositioning the fridge on stable ground or adjusting the feet can resolve the issue.

Buzzing Sound

A subtle hum or buzz is common during the water-filling process of the ice maker and when the compressor and motor are running. As long as the buzzing isn’t excessively loud, it shouldn’t cause concern. However, if the humming becomes too loud, it might indicate a faulty compressor fan or obstructed components that need attention.

Rattling Sound

Low-volume rattling noises are often a result of the refrigerant flow and tend to fade away. If the rattling persists, it suggests blocked vents, possibly due to overstocking or placing the fridge too close to objects or high-temperature sources. Ensuring proper clearance around the fridge and avoiding overstocking can alleviate this issue.

High-Pitched Noise

During the initial stages, a high-pitched sound can be heard as the fan or compressor adjusts to the operating conditions. However, if this sound persists, it may indicate excessive ice around the fan, which should be removed using a hairdryer.

Whistling or Blowing Sound

Insufficient air circulation can cause a whistling or blowing sound, particularly when objects obstruct the fridge. Creating adequate clearance around the unit usually resolves this issue. In some cases, the sound may be due to normal fan circulation.

Squeaking Sound

During the first few weeks of usage, the fridge door may produce a squeaking noise if the harness hasn’t settled properly. Once the harness is in place, the squeaking should cease. However, if it persists, it may be due to improper installation or excessive grease around the door hinge, which can be addressed by an expert or by removing the grease with CRC Food Grade Silicone.

Hammering or Thumping Sound

A hammering or loud thumping sound often results from the water supply line striking against the rear side of the fridge or the wall. Adjusting the fridge’s positioning to create more distance from the wall can eliminate this noise.

Owl ‘Squealing’ Sound

Sometimes, your fridge may emit a squealing sound resembling that of an owl when you open or shut the damper door. This is typically normal and shouldn’t be a cause for concern. However, if the squealing is excessively loud, it may indicate a jammed ice maker. In such cases, removing any excess ice from the icemaker should resolve the issue.

Gurgling, Dripping, Burbling, or Boiling Sound

As the refrigerant circulates throughout the fridge, you may hear sounds reminiscent of water gurgling, dripping, or even boiling. These sounds are generally normal and tend to fade away quickly.

Cracking, Snapping, or Popping Sound

When new fridges adjust to the surrounding temperature and humidity, they may produce low-volume cracking, snapping, or popping sounds. This is often a result of the expansion and contraction of plastic parts, particularly due to the accumulation of ice in the evaporator. While these sounds are typically harmless, if they become excessively loud, it is advisable to have a professional inspect the fridge.

Electric Buzz

During the process of water filling the icemaker, it’s normal for the fridge to produce an electric buzz-like sound. However, if this buzzing sound persists after the icemaker has been filled, it may indicate a potential issue that requires further attention.

Ticking Sound

The flow of refrigerant within the fridge can create a ticking sound, which is generally considered normal. Additionally, the operation of the evaporator and condenser fans may also contribute to this ticking sound.

Clicking Sound

Immediately following an electric outage, you may hear a clicking sound as the compressor restarts. This is a normal occurrence and typically lasts for up to 5 minutes. Therefore, it shouldn’t be a cause for alarm.

Hissing or Drizzling Sound

Occasionally, you might notice a hissing or drizzling sound when ice drips onto the evaporator heater or when the ice melts on the evaporator. These sounds are typically brief and shouldn’t give rise to concern.

Fridge Noise Per Model

Let’s take a look at some common noises associated with specific brand new fridge models:

Brand New GE Fridge Making Noise

Under normal running conditions, a GE fridge may produce the following sounds:

• Chirping or howling sound when the damper door closes or opens.
• Clicking sound when the defrost timer switches on or off.
• Gurgling or boiling sound due to refrigerant circulation.
• Humming sound when the icemaker fills with water.
• Hissing sound during self-defrost.
• Banging sound when supply lines rattle against the fridge.
• Rattling sound when only the ice maker is activated (water supply is off).

Brand New Frigidaire Fridge Making Noise

Common noises associated with brand new Frigidaire fridges include:

• Rattling noise caused by a loose or vibrating drain pan.
• Chirping or squealing sound due to a faulty fan motor or blocked motor blade.
• Clicking or humming sound resulting from a malfunctioning water inlet valve, which should be replaced with an original Frigidaire water inlet valve.

Brand New Whirlpool Fridge Making Noise

A brand new Whirlpool refrigerator may produce the following sounds:

• Buzzing sound: This indicates that the fan or compressor is adjusting.
• Hissing sound: It occurs when the refrigerant is flowing.
• Vibrating sound: This results from the fridge standing on unsteady ground.
• Gurgling sound: It is normal during the defrosting process.
• Buzzing sound: When the water supply is turned off while the ice maker is on, you may hear this sound.
• Cracking sound: As the ice leaves the ice maker and falls into the bucket, a cracking sound can be heard.

Brand New LG Fridge Making Noise

Under normal conditions, an LG fridge may produce the following sounds:

• Clicking sound: This occurs during the automatic defrosting process.
• Whoosh sound: It happens when the motor circulates air.
• Popping sound: This results from the contraction and expansion of the fridge’s interior walls.
• Rattling or gurgling sound: It is common during the flow of the refrigerant.
• Dripping sound: This is caused by the running of water into the unit’s drain pan.
• Pulsating sound: It indicates high temperature.
• Vibrating sound: If the fridge is unsteady or the doors aren’t well-aligned, you may hear this noise.

Brand New Samsung Fridge Making Noise

When it comes to brand new Samsung fridges, the following sounds are commonly heard and are often normal:

• Crackling, snapping, or popping sound: This occurs due to the movement of the refrigerant.
• Beeping sound with blinking: It indicates an improperly shut fridge door or a power outage.
• Whistling/blowing sound: This results from inadequate clearance around the fridge.
• Low humming sound: It is normal when water fills the icemaker, and sometimes a loud buzz can be heard when the water supply is off while the ice maker is on.
• Rattling or vibrating noise: This occurs when something is rubbing against the fridge’s back.

Brand New Mini Fridge Making Noise

A brand new mini fridge may produce the following sounds:

• Pulsating sound: This indicates a dirty evaporator fan.
• Rattling noise: It results from a vibrating drain tray or a dirty fan.
• Running water sound: This is normal during the defrosting process.
• Popping sound: It may occur due to compressor overloading or vibration.
• Gurgling or bubbling sound: This is common during the regular running of the compressor.
• Buzzing noise: It can be caused by a dusty fan or an unsteady fridge.

In conclusion 

Being aware of the different sounds your brand new fridge can make is essential. Understanding when a sound is normal and when it may indicate a problem allows you to take appropriate action.

If you encounter any concerning sounds, consider fixing the issue yourself or seeking assistance from a professional.