Last updated: November 20, 2022 at 13:29 pm
There are a range of household appliances that are essential for modern living, but that can create quite a noise issue. Often, one of the noisiest appliances is the refrigerator. While we all require them, fridges can cause enough noise to be a disturbance.
They are not supposed to make this much noise, and far too often they go unchecked. People don’t realise that there are things that you can do to fix a fridge making a buzzing noise. Here are the most common 7 reasons…
IN THIS ARTICLE
1. An Uneven Fridge
Your fridge needs to sit on the floor completely flat. Most fridges will have legs to allow this to happen. It isn’t necessarily detrimental to the fridge for it to not sit flat, but it can be detrimental to your comfort by causing a loud buzzing noise.
The noise is caused by the fridge wobbling, the bottom of the fridge rattling on the floor, and potentially the sides meeting the walls. This movement is caused by vibrations that fridges produce as a by-product of keeping cool.
Sometimes, an uneven fridge is unavoidable. In old homes with uneven flooring, it can be hard to find a spot to place the fridge where it won’t make noise. But there are a few things that you can do to try and limit the noise that your uneven fridge is making. On some fridges, the legs are adjustable to help to reduce the noise.
Adjust one or two of the legs to level out the fridge and you will likely see a reduction in buzzing. Alternatively, padding the surrounding area to the fridge may work, too. If your fridge is knocking on the wall when it vibrates, pad the wall to make the impact softer, and subsequently reduce the noise.
2. Issues With the Water Line
Larger fridges with ice makers will need to have a water line attached in order to produce ice and water. Sometimes, this water line is the cause of the buzzing noise. If attached incorrectly or damaged, the water line can cause noise when in use or just after use.
Sometimes, in fridges where there is an ice maker, but no water line is connected, the ice maker will buzz too.
To fix this, you can remove and then reattach the water line from the ice maker, and in the process, check for any damage. If there is an issue with the water line, fixing it should help to reduce the buzzing from your fridge.
3. Compressor
Fridges have a large compressor on the back of them that work as a mechanical pump. The compressor is key to the fridge working, but it can also be the source of that annoying buzzing noise that echoes around your kitchen.
Since the compressor is located at the back of the fridge, it can often get dusty, and sometimes even knocked out of place. It is important when fixing this, to be careful. Any damage to the compressor could lead to reduced usability of your fridge.
To fix the compressor on your fridge, you need to move the fridge forward from the wall and carefully clean the compressor. If you notice it is out of place in any way, tighten and readjust it before returning your fridge to its spot. This should stop the buzzing coming from your fridge. If not, it may be worth trying one of the other fixes.
4. Condenser Coils or Fan
The condenser coils are located at the back of the fridge and are an important part of how the machine functions. Sometimes, like the compressor, though, they can get covered in dust and dirt. This can then cause a buzzing or humming sound which can be really grating.
Just like with the compressor, fixing a condenser coil is easy. You just need to pull your fridge away from the wall and give the condenser coil and fans a little wipe. That should be enough to get your fridge to work at least a little quieter.
5. Doors
Just like with any doors, the fridge doors can loosen over time from use. This can create a rattling buzzing noise, as when the fridge vibrates, the doors will wiggle in place. Luckily, this is an incredibly easy issue to diagnose and to fix. To see if the door is loose, try to wiggle it in place when open. If there is any give, it likely needs tightening.
6. Drip Tray
All fridges will have a drip tray that is designed to collect any condensation.
Sometimes, the drip tray can get knocked or moved, and as the fridge vibrates, the tray will knock on the floor, or the fridge itself. To fix this, simply locate your drip pan and realign it.
7. Items on or in the Fridge
Plenty of people use the top of their fridges as a place to store items. Whether it’s plates, a fruit bowl, cans, or anything else. This is not necessarily a problem. Although, with some fridges it can result in issues. As it prevents heat escaping, it can be the cause of your dreaded buzzing noise.
The fridge vibrates at quite a high frequency, and sometimes this can cause the items on your fridge to knock against one another or to move along the surface, making noise. To fix this, simply find a new home for your items.
Likewise, items in the fridge will sometimes move as the fridge wobbles. This can create a noise and can result in shaken-up cans or battered fruit. If this is the case, you may need to move the items in your fridge around. Or, if you think that your fridge is vibrating too much, contact a professional to look.
