Have you ever stepped into your kitchen just to be welcomed by an unusual humming noise?
Perhaps you would describe it as rattling or a buzz. If this is the case, just know that there is nothing to fear.
To hear this sound is completely normal and where you are hearing this humming from is your fridge.
The sound is unusual and may cause a panic that your fridge is broken, but more often than not this is not the case.
Hearing a rumble from your fridge is completely normal and there are a number of reasons behind this which we will uncover in this article.
Why Your Fridge Is Making A Humming Noise
There are a variety of reasons as to why your fridge is making that strange humming noise, but there is no need to panic.
These reasons are natural for a fridge.
Below, we will be listing some of the main reasons for this sound.
Drain Pan
One reason for a humming fridge is due to a misplaced drain pan.
A drain pan is easily misplaced if the refrigerator has been moved or the drain pan has been touched at some point.
If this is the case, this is very easy to fix.
All you need to do is check the position of the drain pan which is located at the bottom of your fridge and place it back in its place.
You should also make sure that it is not damaged.
Items Inside Fridge
Another simple reason for the rattling sound could be due to the items inside your fridge.
It could be that your food items are pressed up too close to the air vent and the natural vibration can cause these items to move.
You will know this is the culprit if the sound becomes louder after opening the fridge door. To fix this issue, simply rearrange the items in your fridge.
Condenser Fan
Hearing rattling and humming from the back of your fridge probably means there is an issue with the condenser fan.
Again, this is nothing that you cannot fix.
The condenser coils are known for being prone to picking up debris and dust so more than likely the issue is down to a dirty condenser fan.
With a dirty condenser fan, it is natural to hear some noise. Once this fan is cleaned, however, you will be returned with silence.
Ice Maker
Many fridges come with ice makers and it is natural to hear a subtle humming sound when using.
However, if you happen to hear any noise whilst it is not in use then this means there is an issue.
The best thing to do in this case is to completely turn your ice maker off – leaving it on may cause damage to your fridge.
If you still hear some sound after turning it back on, try adjusting the water pressure.
Brand New Refrigerator
Is your fridge brand new? If this is the case and you hear some unexpected sounds, then this is not an issue.
If you hear a popping sound, then this is a clear sign of a brand new fridge adjusting itself.
What your fridge is doing is adjusting itself to the new climate and temperature of your kitchen, however with time this sound will eventually fade away.
But, with this said, it is still important to keep an ear out for this sound.
If the sound does not resemble crackling or popping and is continuous, reach out to a professional for help and advice.
Evaporator Fan
The evaporator fan could be another reason for your fridge making that humming noise.
You will know this is the case if you can hear noise coming from the back of the fridge and it grows louder when opening the door.
To check this fan, you will need to open the freezer door as the fan circulates cool air from your freezer to your fridge.
Check that everything is secure and that nothing is worn out.
Unfortunately, if the evaporator fan is the culprit then this is because of a much bigger issue. You should contact a professional to try to fix the problem.
Frost Build Up
This final point is similar to the last but is still essential enough to be considered.
It may be that there is a build up of frost in your refrigerator, and this build up will typically be found in the evaporator fan.
As the frost behind the panel in the fridge compartment builds up, this frost will eventually begin hitting the fan’s blades, causing a build up.
With this issue, you will hear a humming and crackling sound and is an issue that should be sorted immediately. If not, you are at risk of your fan giving up and burning out.
Final Thoughts
Overall, hearing a loud humming noise in your fridge is completely normal and something that a lot of people experience.
On rare occasions it is something to be concerned about, but it is first important to highlight the issue at hand and try to resolve it.
In this article, we have listed a variety of reasons as to why you are hearing this loud humming sound from your fridge as well as some solutions for the problem.
There are many reasons such as your brand new fridge adjusting itself, the ice maker playing up, problems with the drain pan, your items in your fridge needing to be reorganized, and plenty more.
Although humming from your fridge is easily fixable, you may feel more comfortable contacting the manufacturer or a repairman to have a closer look. If this is what you prefer, this is completely fine.
It is true that for the most part humming noises are natural, but that doesn’t mean that there is never an underlying issue.
To make sure, contact a professional who can help you. As long as you do this, you will not have to listen to that humming sound again.
