If your fridge is making an annoying buzzing sound, don't worry—you're not alone. There are several common causes of the noise, and some of them are surprisingly easy to fix. Here are the top five reasons your refrigerator Repair or may be buzzing and how you can get rid of the noise!
Loose door seals can cause a buzzing sound in your fridge. Make sure to periodically check the door seals of your fridge, that they fully touch the frame when you close it and that they haven’t been damaged in any way. If there are gaps due to wear or damage, replace them immediately and you should stop hearing the buzzing noise.
If, after you check the fridge seals, the buzzing noise continues, you may need to look into other possible causes. You could have a defective fan motor or a worn-out condenser coils which may be causing the fridge to work harder than it needs resulting in the noise. If that is the case then it’s best to contact an experienced refrigerator technician and have them take a look at your fridge so they can diagnose and fix the problem.
Clean out the defrost drain to ensure it is not clogged
A clogged defrost drain in your freezer could be the cause of the buzzing noise. The drain tube collects condensation from the evaporator coil and directs it to the drip pan. If it clogs, water can back up and into the evaporator fan motor, creating a loud buzz. To fix that problem you need to locate the drain tube and clean out any blockages with warm water.
To access the drain tube try unfastening the back panel from inside the freezer and if you can't reach it from there, use a flashlight to check behind the refrigerator. Be sure to turn off your fridge and unplug it first before attempting to unclog the drain. If you are having difficulty, consider hiring a professional repair service or appliance technician for assistance. Cleaning out a clogged defrost drain should help get rid of that buzzing sound, but if not, there could be other troubleshooting steps necessary to properly diagnose your fridge’s issue.
Make sure the fan motor is running properly and replace if necessary
Your refrigerator's evaporator fan motor circulates air across the evaporator coils and into the fridge. If this motor has failed, it can make a loud buzzing noise as it tries to run. To diagnose this issue, you can check to make sure the motor is running properly. If the motor appears to be functioning normally, then you may need to look further into your system for another issue. If the motor is not working properly, you will need to replace it.
To test your fan motor, first turn off your fridge, then unplug it. Look for the fan motor behind the back panel. If you can’t find it readily, refer to your manufacturer manual or look online for help locating the part. Once you’ve located the fan motor, use a multimeter to check if it is receiving power and running correctly. If there are no issues detected, then you may need to look elsewhere in your unit to identify what’s causing the noise. If you do find an issue with the fan motor, replace it according to instructions in your owner’s manual or contact a qualified refrigerator repair technician to complete this job safely and accurately.
If you suspect an issue with your compressor, inspect the condenser coils for signs of wear or damage and make sure to address issues promptly.
If the condenser coils are worn, your compressor could be straining, causing it to make a loud buzzing sound. To diagnose this properly, turn off the fridge and unplug it from the wall, then inspect the coils for signs of damage or clogging due to pet hair, dust build-up or other debris. If you see any of these issues, clear away the debris or replace the damaged coil as it may be causing your compressor to buzz.
Don’t forget to check the thermostat settings as well. If it is set too low, your compressor can be forced to work harder than necessary causing too much strain and making a buzzing sound. To avoid this from happening, try setting your thermostat between 37 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal performance and energy efficiency. Lastly, if you consistently hear a loud buzzing sound from the refrigerator, the compressor may need replacing - in which case you should call a qualified HVAC technician.
Your ice maker could be faulty, so if you notice it making buzzing noises, it may need repairs or replacements.
If your fridge has an ice maker, it could be causing the buzzing sound if your icemaker is malfunctioning. Common causes of a faulty ice maker could include rust or dirt build-up, a lack of hot water supply to the icemaker, or loose parts. Check for any debris that might have clogged up the water line and see if there’s a buildup of rust or dirt on any of the metallic components. If so, clean them thoroughly and make sure they are connected securely. If all else fails contact a professional to diagnose and fix the issue.
Depending on the age and make of your fridge, it may also be a good idea to replace the ice maker unit entirely if it’s been worn down by usage. Replacing it will ensure that any small issues like broken parts don’t become a major issue later on. At worse, the buzzing sound could mean wiring issues, which you should never attempt yourself as this can create an electric shock hazard. If your ice maker is making too much noise despite all your troubleshooting efforts, call a professional for help.