Why Is Samsung Fridge Making Noise When Door Is Closed?
It can be quite concerning for Samsung fridge owners when they notice their units making noise upon closing the door, only for the noise to cease when the door is opened.
Determining whether this occurrence is normal or problematic can be difficult, which is why this article aims to provide clarification.
In an ideal scenario, Samsung fridges are designed so that the compressor and evaporator fan enter standby mode when the door is opened, and resume operation when the door is closed. This explains why the fridge becomes noisy upon closing the door and remains quiet when the door is open. However, certain issues can cause abnormal sounds, indicating a malfunction.
Various types of noises, such as low vibrations, crackling, popping, snapping, whistling, sizzling, hissing, bubbling, soft bangs, and soft humming, are generally considered normal when a Samsung fridge is in operation. On the other hand, loud vibrations, buzzing, grinding, rattling, and squeaking noises are indicative of a malfunction.
Therefore, not every noise emitted by your Samsung refrigerator is necessarily a cause for concern. Some noises simply indicate that your refrigerator is functioning properly, so there is no need to worry. However, it is crucial to promptly address and troubleshoot noises that are unusual or alarming.
This guide will help you distinguish between different types of refrigerator noises and provide guidance on what steps to take when encountering particularly strange or worrisome sounds. Before delving into troubleshooting, it is important to note that the information provided assumes your Samsung fridge is operating under normal conditions, without any anomalies. Let’s proceed to explore further!
Quick Troubleshooting Guide
| Fridge Noise Type | Cause Under Normal Conditions (Low Noise) | Cause Indicative Of A Malfunction (Loud Noise) | Quick Fix |
| Popping, Snapping, or Crackling | Contraction and expansion of plastic parts during defrosting | Broken or faulty evaporator fan | Replace the faulty evaporator fan to fix the loud noise |
| Humming or Buzzing | Compressor running or ice maker filling | Empty ice maker or faulty ice maker, or compressor | Connect the ice maker’s water supply or replace the ice maker or compressor to fix the loud buzz |
| Gurgling, Hissing or Burbling | Refrigerant flow or water dripping | – | No action required |
| Beeping/Chiming | – | The door is not shut well, or a high temperature | Properly close the fridge door and lower the temperature to about 38°F |
| Whistling or Air Blowing | – | The refrigerator is very close to the wall | Move the fridge away from the wall by at least 2 inches |
| Thumping, Banging, Knocking, or Jackhammer Sound | Unsteady items falling over, or ice falling into the bucket | Ice growth, loose water pipe, damaged plastic parts, or bad ice maker | Defrost the unit, secure any loose pipes, or replace the ice maker or plastic parts depending on the issue |
| Grinding | Ice dispensing | Ice collision or faulty motor, or water inlet valve | Remove ice obstruction along the motor or replace the inlet valve or motor |
| Squeaking | – | Dry or faulty door hinges | Lubricate the hinge with food-grade silicone spray or replace it if it’s faulty |
| Rattling | Compressor coming to a stop | Something rubbing against the fridge or a faulty water inlet valve | Create a 2-inch clearance around the refrigerator and replace the inlet valve if it’s faulty |
| Clicking | Ice maker filling up | – | Wait for the icemaker to finish filling up with water |
| Fluttering | Compressor stopping at a specific temperature | – | No action required |
| Vibration | Auger motor or compressor running or the ice maker is filling up (with water) | Unleveled floor, understocking, misaligned door, loose parts, inadequate clearance, or faulty evaporator fan motor | Level the fridge, avoid understocking, realign the door, secure loose parts, create proper clearance, and replace the evaporator fan motor if faulty |
| Flapping Sound | – | Broken or loose door gasket | Replace the broken or loose door gasket |
| Faint Noise | Freezing temperature | Dirty condenser | Adjust the fridge temperature and clean the condenser |
| Squealing | – | Faulty evaporator fan | Replace the faulty evaporator fan |
| Whirring | New fridge (lack of lubrication) | – | Wait for the fridge to acclimate to the conditions |
Why Does My Fridge Make Noise When the Door Is Closed?
It is a common concern for Samsung fridge owners when they hear noise upon closing the door, and it stops when the door is opened. These two questions are related and can be explained.
Under ideal conditions, Samsung fridges are designed to deactivate the evaporator fan and enter standby mode for the compressor when the door is opened. As a result, the fridge should remain silent during this time. However, once the door is closed, the evaporator fan, compressor, and other components resume their operations almost instantly.
Consequently, it is normal to hear some noise from the fridge when it is working correctly, ranging from snapping and clicking sounds to low grinding and a soft buzz.
However, if the fridge is experiencing a problem, you may hear strange noises like loud grinding, squeaking, or heavy thumping.
Let’s now differentiate between different sounds made by the refrigerator.
Is Your Samsung Fridge Making Noise When the Door Is Closed? Here’s Why!
To address this question, we need to discuss the various noises that Samsung fridges may produce and determine whether they are typical or unusual.
Here are the most common noises you may encounter with your Samsung fridge:
Popping, Snapping, or Crackling Fridge Sound
During defrosting, plastic parts in the fridge can produce popping, snapping, or crackling sounds. This is normal, especially in new Samsung fridges as they adjust to the temperature and humidity of your home. However, if the crackling is excessively loud, especially in an older fridge, it may indicate a faulty evaporator fan that needs replacement.
Humming/Buzzing Fridge Noise
When the compressor runs or the ice maker fills up, it is normal for a Samsung fridge to emit a low buzz or soft hum. No action is required during this time.
However, if the fridge hums very loudly, it could be due to an empty ice maker, a faulty ice maker, or a malfunctioning compressor. In such cases, check the water supply for the ice maker to ensure it is connected and functioning properly. If everything seems fine, consider replacing the compressor, especially if the fridge is not cooling properly.
Gurgling, Hissing, or Burbling Fridge Noise
When you close the fridge door, it is normal to hear gurgling, hissing, or burbling sounds, indicating the flow of refrigerant or water dripping. There is no need to take any action for these sounds.
Beeping/Chiming Fridge Noise
The fridge may emit a beep or chime sound under two conditions: when the temperature inside is too high (accompanied by blinking) or when the door is not properly shut (accompanied by an alarm sound).
In the first case, adjust the fridge temperature to around 38°F (3.3°C), and ensure the door is tightly closed. In the second case, make sure the door is securely shut.
Whistling or Air Blowing Fridge Sound
It is generally recommended to leave at least a 2-inch clearance between the fridge and the wall. Failure to do so can result in a whistling or air-blowing sound.
Thumping, Banging, Knocking, or Jackhammer Sound
These noises can be typical in some cases and do not necessarily indicate a problem. They may occur when there are unsteady items inside the fridge or when ice falls into the ice bucket. There’s usually no need for alarm.
However, if the thumping is excessively loud, it could be due to:
- Ice growth
- Loose water pipes
- Damaged plastic parts
- A faulty ice maker
In such cases, defrosting the fridge, refitting loose water pipes, or replacing faulty plastic parts or the ice maker may be necessary, depending on the source of the problem.
Grinding Fridge Noise (Samsung Fridge Making Loud Noise When the Door Is Closed)
A soft grinding noise is normal when the ice is being dispensed. However, if the grinding noise is loud and occurs when ice is not being dispensed, it could be caused by:
- The motor fan colliding with ice growth or being faulty
- A faulty water inlet valve
Inspect the evaporator motor for any ice obstruction and remove it. If that’s not the issue, test the water inlet valve for continuity using a multitester or multimeter. If the valve is functioning properly, consider replacing the motor.
Squeaking Fridge Sound
If the fridge door hinges are dry or faulty, they may produce a squeaking sound. In the case of dry hinges, lubricate them with food-grade silicone spray. If the hinges are faulty, they should be replaced.
Rattling Fridge Noise
A low-pitched rattling sound is typically normal, often occurring when a running compressor comes to a stop. However, if the rattling is excessively loud, it could be caused by:
- Something rubbing against the fridge’s outer side
- A faulty water inlet valve
Consider removing any objects that come into contact with the fridge and create a 2-inch clearance. If the noise persists, test the water inlet valve with a multimeter and replace it if there is no continuity.
Clicking Fridge Noise
A clicking sound, similar to a low buzz, is commonly heard when the ice maker is filling up. This is a normal operation, and there is no need for concern. Simply allow the ice maker to complete its cycle.
Other Reasons for Samsung Fridge Making Noise When Closed
Fluttering Fridge Noise
Certain Samsung fridge models may produce a fluttering noise when the compressor reaches a specific temperature and stops. This noise is entirely normal and does not indicate any issues. It is simply a characteristic of the fridge’s operation.
Vibration Fridge Noise
During regular operation, Samsung fridges can generate low-pitch vibrations. These vibrations occur when the auger motor, compressor, and ice maker are running, particularly when the ice maker is filling up with water. Such vibrations should not be a cause for alarm.
Flapping Sound
A flapping sound coming from the fridge is a cause for concern. It often indicates a loose or broken door seal/gasket. Inspect the door seal and replace it if it is slack or damaged to prevent further issues.
Squealing Fridge Sound
If your Samsung fridge is making a squealing noise, it is likely due to a faulty fan. In such cases, the best solution is to replace the defective fan, especially if it fails to turn.
Whirring Fridge Sound (New Samsung Fridge Making Noise When the Door Is Closed)
It is normal for new fridges to make a whirring sound. This is because the fridge is not yet fully lubricated, which occurs naturally over time. You may need to wait for some time and continue using the fridge until the sound settles.
Whirring Fridge Sound (New Samsung Fridge Making Noise When Door Closed)
It is completely normal for new fridges to emit a whirring sound. This occurs because the internal components are not yet fully lubricated, which is a natural part of the fridge’s initial operation. In such cases, it is advisable to give the fridge some time to settle in and allow the lubrication to distribute properly. With regular use, the whirring sound should diminish over time.
Conclusion
Samsung fridges can generate various types of noises, some of which are perfectly normal while others may seem unusual. It is crucial to distinguish between these noises to determine if they require attention or not.
The provided guide is designed to help you differentiate between normal and potentially problematic sounds in your Samsung fridge. We recommend referring to it before considering a service call.
