Samsung Refrigerator Noise Stops When Door Open (Explained!)
When you open a Samsung fridge, you might expect it to produce some noise. However, there are instances where the opposite happens, and the noise stops when the door is open.
Typically, this occurs because the evaporator fan automatically turns off and the compressor goes into standby mode. Nevertheless, if the noise persists after opening the door, it indicates a potential issue.
There are several factors that could contribute to the continuous noise, including leaving the door open for an extended period, squeaky hinges, a misaligned fridge, a leaky door strap, ice obstruction, or improperly positioned glass items.
Conversely, the refrigerator may also produce noise when the door is closed. To address the situation appropriately, it is crucial to differentiate between normal operational sounds and abnormal ones. I will guide you in identifying these distinctions.
If you are pressed for time, refer to the table below for a summary of possible reasons for a noisy Samsung fridge when the door is open.
Quick Troubleshooting Guide
| Likely Explanation | Recommended Fix |
| The door has been open for too long | Attempt to close the door, and if it does not close properly, inspect the door seal for any faults or damage. Replace the door seal if necessary to ensure a proper seal and prevent air leaks. |
| Squeaky hinge | Apply a food-grade silicone spray to the hinges to lubricate them and reduce squeaking. |
| Misaligned fridge | Level the fridge to reduce vibrations and ensure stability. Use a leveling tool to adjust the fridge’s feet or add shims to achieve proper alignment. |
| Leaky door strap | Repair or replace the leaky door strap to prevent any water leakage. |
| Ice obstruction | Allow the fridge to self-defrost by unplugging it for several hours. This will help melt any ice obstruction that may be affecting the proper closing of the door. Once defrosted, clean out any remaining ice or water. |
| Incorrectly placed glass items | Correctly position any glass items that may be out of place and blocking the proper closing of the door. Ensure that the items are arranged in a way that allows the door to close fully and securely. |
Why Samsung Refrigerator Noise Ceases When the Door Is Opened (Normal Operation)
During regular operation, Samsung refrigerators undergo a brief self-shut process when the door is opened. This process involves the evaporator fan stopping its rotation.
Simultaneously, the thermostat prompts the compressor to enter standby mode. Consequently, the compressor ceases operation, resulting in a lack of audible noise unless there is a fault or an external factor causing it to run continuously.
The primary purpose of this operation is energy conservation when the refrigerator door is open. However, if the refrigerator continues to produce noise after the door is opened, it indicates a potential issue.
Samsung Refrigerator Noise Persists When the Door Is Opened (High-Pitched Noise)
If your Samsung refrigerator becomes noisy immediately after opening the door, it signifies an anomaly, and the possible reasons could be as follows:
Prolonged Door Opening (Beeping Sound)
When the Samsung refrigerator door remains open for an extended period, it emits a beeping sound to alert you to the problem. This is not an actual anomaly but rather a correctable mistake.
Solution: Ensure the refrigerator door is securely closed to check if the beeping ceases. If it continues, inspect the door seal for possible damage and replace it if necessary.
Squeaky Door Hinge (Squeaking Sound)
The door hinge may squeak due to various reasons, most commonly dirt or rust. It is important to examine the hinge to determine the cause of the squeaking.
Solution: Attempt to resolve the issue by applying food-grade silicone spray to the door hinge. Such sprays can be obtained online, but avoid using WD-40 sprays as they can contribute to further dirt accumulation.
Misaligned Refrigerator (Vibrating Sound)
If a Samsung refrigerator emits noise even after opening the door, it may indicate improper leveling or alignment. The fridge could be vibrating due to an imbalance.
Solution: Inspect the refrigerator’s alignment and reposition or realign it if instability is detected.
Leaky Door Strap
The magnetic door strap in the refrigerator creates an airtight seal to preserve cold air. If the door strap becomes faulty, it can allow cold air to escape, resulting in excessive noise from an overworked compressor.
Solution: Examine the door strap for any signs of damage and repair or replace it accordingly.
Ice Buildup (Grinding Sound)
If your refrigerator produces a grinding sound upon opening the door, it could be due to ice accumulation. The sound occurs when the fan encounters ice and grinds against it.
Solution: Inspect the evaporator fan for potential ice obstructions and unplug the refrigerator to allow for defrosting.
Incorrect Placement of Glass Items (Vibrating Sound)
If glass items inside the refrigerator are improperly positioned, they may vibrate even after the fridge door is opened. This vibration is a natural response from the running refrigerator.
Solution: Check the placement of glass items in the refrigerator and adjust them correctly if they are loose or out of position.
Why Does My Samsung Fridge Make Noise When I Close the Door?
Not all noises produced by a closed Samsung refrigerator are cause for concern. The majority of them do not indicate a malfunction. Let’s distinguish between normal and abnormal sounds.
Normal Noises When the Samsung Refrigerator Door Is Closed:
Samsung states that the following noises are generally normal. However, if they persist excessively or for an extended period, troubleshooting may be necessary.
Fridge Noise Reason What to Do (Troubleshooting)
| Bubbling/Hissing/Gurgling | Refrigerant flow or water dripping | No action required unless the sound is excessively loud, in which case contacting Samsung is recommended. |
| Beeping/Chiming | Door left open for a long time or not shut properly | Try closing the fridge door and replace the faulty door seal if necessary. |
| Popping/Crackling/Snapping | Expansion and contraction of plastic parts during defrosting | No action required as the noise usually fades away after a short while. |
| Low Hum/Buzz | Icemaker attempting to fill up with water or running compressor | Ensure the ice maker is properly connected to the water supply. |
| Whistling/Blowing Circulating/running fans | Try repositioning the fridge, but the noise shouldn’t be a cause for concern. | Low Grind Ice dispensing Wait for the dispenser to finish dispensing the ice. |
| Rattling | Something rubbing against the fridge’s walls | Remove any objects causing friction with the fridge. |
| Fluttering | Unit has reached a specific temperature | Reset the refrigerator’s temperature to restart the compressor. |
| Clicking Icemaker filling up with water | Wait for the noise to subside as the icemaker fills with water. | Loud Bang Ice dropping into the ice bucket or unsteady objects falling in the fridge Secure any unstable items inside the fridge. |
Abnormal Noises When the Samsung Refrigerator Door Is Closed:
If the noise from your Samsung refrigerator is excessively loud or irritating when the door is closed, consider the following issues:
Blocked Fan (Fan Noise due to Ice Buildup)
The evaporator fan may produce a loud buzzing or grinding sound if it encounters ice while spinning. In this case, the problem lies with the defrost unit rather than the fan itself.
Solution: Unblock the evaporator fan by emptying the fridge, unplugging it, and allowing it to defrost for up to 24 hours.
Ice Buildup (Grinding Sound)
If the freezer compartment accumulates ice, it may generate noise during operation. This indicates a problem with the defrosting system that should be inspected by a professional.
Solution: The freezer will require defrosting, which may involve disassembling the unit. Seek assistance from a refrigerator technician.
Failing Evaporator Fan Motor (Loud Humming)
The evaporator fan motor, located in the freezer compartment, circulates cold air within the fridge. When it malfunctions, the freezer may fail to properly freeze items and may emit a loud humming noise.
Solution: Inspect the evaporator fan. If it produces a loud buzzing sound and the freezer is not cooling adequately, replace the fan motor.
Bad Water Inlet Valve (Loud Grinding)
A loud grinding noise may occur if the water inlet valve fails to function correctly. This electronically controlled valve allows water to reach the dispenser. Over time, it can become clogged, hindering water flow and causing the noise.
Solution: Inspect the water inlet valve if the fridge emits a loud grinding sound and the dispenser fails to fill with water.
Defective Compressor (Loud Humming Noise from Samsung Refrigerator)
As previously mentioned, it is typical for a Samsung refrigerator to cease making noise when the door is opened, indicating that the compressor is functioning. However, if the compressor emits a loud humming noise and the refrigerator fails to cool or freeze, it indicates a malfunction.
Solution: To address this issue, the compressor needs to be replaced if it continues to hum loudly and the refrigerator does not cool or freeze properly.
Common Questions About Samsung Refrigerator Noise
Why does my fridge make noise but stop when I open the door?
When you open the door, your fridge may make noise and then stop. This is because the compressor enters standby mode and the evaporator fan turns off. This is a normal operation for most refrigerators, including Samsung models.
Why is my Samsung refrigerator making a loud humming sound?
If your Samsung refrigerator is emitting a loud humming sound, it could be due to a failing compressor, an ice-obstructed fan motor, or issues with the ice maker filling up with water, such as a disconnected water supply.
How can I stop my Samsung refrigerator from buzzing?
A low buzzing sound from the ice maker or compressor is normal for a Samsung refrigerator. However, if the humming is loud, it may indicate high water pressure, which can be reduced to minimize the noise.
Is it normal for a Samsung fridge to make noise?
Yes, it is normal for a Samsung fridge to produce a low-tone noise during operation. This may include a banging sound when ice drops from the ice maker, hissing or gurgling when water drips or refrigerant flows, popping or snapping due to the expansion and contraction of plastic parts, a low buzz or hum from the running ice maker, and beeping or chiming to indicate an open door or high temperature.
Why does my fridge make noise at night?
At night, a Samsung fridge may become noisy due to the repetitive contraction and expansion of its plastic parts. This can result in brief popping or cracking sounds. However, if the noise persists or becomes excessively loud, it is advisable to contact Samsung for assistance.
Conclusion
It is normal for a Samsung refrigerator to stop making noise when the door is open, as the compressor enters standby mode and the fan motor shuts off.
However, if the fridge continues to make noise even with the door open, it could indicate issues such as a prolonged open door, squeaky hinges, a misaligned fridge, a leaky door strap, ice buildup, or incorrectly placed glass items.
