Last updated: February 9, 2023 at 21:51 pm
Some appliances within our homes we expect to be kind of noisy. Things like the washing machine, tumble dryer, dishwasher – they all make noises on a regular basis and have done since they were bought. We don’t think twice about it. But other appliances, like the fridge, are usually quiet.
So when they start to get noisy, we go into panic mode. Do we need to buy a new fridge? Is the fridge still working? Is the food inside the fridge safe to eat? Essentially, we find ourselves wondering whether our noisy fridge is dangerous.
The answer to that question, in short, is that it depends. Fridges can make all sorts of noises, and sometimes they’re completely innocent. Other times, they are a sign that there is something seriously wrong with the appliance and that’s when your noisy fridge becomes dangerous.
IN THIS ARTICLE
What Fridge Noises Aren’t Dangerous?
Gentle Humming
Most fridges make a gentle humming noise as part of their normal operation. This is the sound of the compressor working within the fridge. Typically, the noise isn’t loud enough for the average person to take much notice of it. If you’re noticing it, it may simply be because you’ve got a new fridge, or another appliance that covered the noise has been removed from the environment.
So long as the humming is low, and is not getting louder, and you cannot hear it from the next room, a gentle humming coming from your fridge does not indicate any danger.
Rattling Sound
A lot of people report a rattling sound coming from their fridge. You’ll be pleased to know that it does not typically indicate anything dangerous. Usually, a rattling fridge will be caused by the sides of a fridge touching another item or wall and knocking into it. Simply pull the fridge away from the wall a little to stop the noise.
If that isn’t the case, it may be that your fridge is not level, so the same thing is happening but with the floor instead. You can usually adjust the legs on fridges to fix this issue.
If neither of those seem to be the culprit, it is likely your drip pan. The drip pan collects water but can sometimes be put back in wrong or loose and will need tightening. Typically, instructions on how to do this should be in your fridge’s manual.
Clicking Sound
If you have a fridge with an icemaker and you’ve noticed that it has started to click a lot, it’s likely the icemaker that’s your problem. Icemakers will click or vibrate when they are not connected to a water supply.
If you’ve not connected your icemaker on purpose, simply turn the shut off switch to off, as leaving it on and not connected is not only noisy but could damage the machinery.
Grinding or Scraping Noise
A fridge that is grinding or scraping is not dangerous, but it is something you should try to fix as soon as you can. The noise is usually caused by an obstruction to the fan within the fridge.
It will either be an obstruction to the condenser fan at the bottom of the fridge or the evaporator fan in the freezer compartment.
To fix this, you’ll need to remove the rear access panel (condenser fan) and inspect the blades. If they are damaged, you will need to replace them. For the evaporator fan, you will need to remove the cover from inside the freezer department and inspect the blades.
Also read: 5 Best Silent Mini Fridges for a Bedroom (42dB Max)
What Fridge Noises Are Dangerous?
Most of the time, a noisy fridge is just a pain. It’s loud, it’s annoying, and sometimes it can be a real inconvenience to find the time to fix whatever is causing the noise. Sometimes, though, a noisy fridge can be dangerous. If your fridge is doing any of the following, unplug it and contact a professional.
Humming That Gets Louder and Louder
Humming is normal in a fridge. But, if your fridge is making a buzzing or humming sound that seems to get louder and louder (or that you can hear from another room) this is not good. This suggests that the compressor is struggling to manage the temperature of the fridge and may be about to overheat.
The compressor runs along the back of your fridge and is responsible for cooling the gas that is circulated around the appliance. Sometimes, it fails to do this and becomes too warm. When this happens, your fridge becomes a fire hazard.
You should unplug if it feel hot to the touch. This can happen due to trapped gas as the back. This can generate more and more heat which can result in fires.
Note: Not warm, as this is normal.
Related: Is a Squeaky Dryer Dangerous?
Regular Clicking Noise
If your fridge is making a clicking noise that is regular, almost like clockwork, it suggests that your compressor is turning off and on again repeatedly. This is not a good sign. It will mean that your fridge is not working properly and is a symptom of an overheating compressor.
The regular clicking can also be a sign of an issue with the capacitor or the socket that your fridge is plugged into. This can mean that you’re in for an electrical issue, which can often lead to electrical fires. The safest bet is to unplug your fridge as soon as possible and to call out a professional to look at your fridge.
