Brand New Fridge Making Noise? [17 Causes & Fixes!]

No fridge is ever quiet, not even brand new. The difference is that some noises are pretty normal when the unit is running, while others indicate a serious problem that needs immediate attention. So, is your brand new fridge making noise, and you can’t explain if it’s normal or problem-related? 

A brand new fridge may make a low-volume chiming, grinding, humming, gurgling, ticking, electric buzzing, hissing, or rattling sound when running under normal conditions. It becomes unusual if these sounds become too loud to interfere with your conversations. 

I’ll help you understand when these sounds are normal and when they aren’t and what you should do in the latter case.

It’s worth noting, however, that these sounds may differ among fridge brands and even among fridge sizes. So, we will not just discuss the various noises, but we’ve also highlighted major fridge brands like LG, Samsung, Whirlpool, and Frigidaire, indicating the most typical sounds known to them.

17 Brand New Fridge Noises and Fixes!

Below is a table overview of the various sounds a brand new fridge can make, possible causes, and relevant DIY fixes.

Is Your Brand New Fridge Making Noise? Discover The Cause Behind It

Generally, if your brand new fridge is making some noise, it’s essential to identify the noise and decide if it’s usual or unusual. To help you, here are 17 types of sounds that brand new fridges make:

1. Chiming or Beeping Sound

If your fridge beeps or chimes and blinks simultaneously, it shows its temperature is very high. That’s normal during a power outage. It’s also normal for fridges with alarm doors like Samsung models when you don’t shut the door properly.

But if the beeping is too loud and has nothing to do with the door incorrectly shutting or power outage, then the door was improperly attached. So, have an expert detach and reattach it correctly.

2. Banging Sound 

The ice may make a banging sound when falling into the ice bucket. Likewise, the fridge may produce a sound if a wobbly item falls.

But if the banging is quite loud and consistent, it could be a grave issue that needs a fridge expert interaction.

3. Grinding Sound

The ice maker will likely make a grinding sound when dispensing ice and crushing it. That is often the sound of the motor moving the ice.

But if the grinding is too loud, and the dispenser is not dispensing any ice, it could be something serious that you should have an expert check.

4. Vibrating Sound

The fridge may vibrate slightly when the refrigerant flows across the cooling lines. But still, it may vibrate loud if it’s unstable for standing on the non-uniform ground.

In the latter case, you should reposition it on stable ground. You can even readjust the feet so that everything touches the ground.

5. Brand New Fridge Making Buzzing Noise or Buzzing Sound

A slight hum or buzz happens when the water fills the ice maker during self-defrosting and the regular running of the compressor and motor.

In such cases, the buzzing shouldn’t alarm you. But if the humming is too loud, it could be that the compressor fan is faulty, thus needing replacing.

Other reasons include obstructed inlet valves or fan blades, which you’ve to clear the obstructions around them.

6. Brand New Fridge Making Rattling Noise

A low-volume rattling fades away, and it’s usually a product of the refrigerant flow. But if it doesn’t, the chances are that the vents are blocked. That could be due to overstocking or placing the fridge close to objects or high temperatures.

So, ensure you don’t overstock the fridge, and there’s enough clearance around it to encourage circulation. 

7. Brand New Fridge Making High Pitched Noise

The fridge may produce a high-pitched sound during its early stages as a sign of the fan or compressor adjusting to the condition.

That should not last long. If it does, it’s a sign of too much ice around your fan, which you should remove. You can melt it with a hairdryer.

8. Whistling or Blowing Sound

A brand new fridge will likely produce a whistling or blowing sound when there’s insufficient air circulation, especially if there are objects around it.

So, the quick fix is to create enough clearance around the unit. In some cases, however, the sound may be due to the regular circulation of the fan.

9. Squeaking Sound

The fridge door may make a squeaking noise within the first few weeks of usage if the harness hasn’t sat well.

But once it does, the squeaking stops. But if it continues, it could be that the door was improperly installed and so you should have an expert check it.

It could also be excessive grease around the door hinge which you can remove with CRC Food Grade Silicone.

10. Hammering or Thumping Sound

A hammering or loud thumping or knocking sound often indicates the water supply line intensely hammering the rear side of the fridge or the wall.

It could be that the supply line is too long or the fridge is too close to the wall. So, you should be able to stop the hammering by moving the refrigerator away from the wall.

11. Owl ‘Squealing’ Sound

If your fridge is squealing like an owl, it could be that you are opening or shutting the damper door, which shouldn’t alarm you.

However, if the squealing is too loud, it could be due to a jammed ice maker. In that case, you should remove the excess ice from the icemaker.

12. Gurgling, Dripping, Burbling or Boiling Sound

The movement of the refrigerant across the fridge often sounds like water gurgling, dripping, burning, and sometimes boiling. That shouldn’t alarm you, as it’s likely to fade away in no time.

13. Cracking, Snapping, or Popping Sound

A low-volume cracking, snapping, or popping sound is typical when new fridges acclimate to the surrounding temperature and humidity.

The sound is often a result of the expansion and contraction of plastic parts from the accumulation of ice in the evaporator. But if it becomes too loud, you should take the fridge to an expert to check it up.

14. Electric Buzz

When water fills the icemaker, it’s likely to sound like an electric buzz. So, this issue shouldn’t concern you unless it continues after water fills the icemaker.

15. Ticking Sound

The refrigerant flowing across the fridge may also make a ticking sound which is quite normal. The two fans (evaporator and condenser fan) may make a ticking sound which is pretty normal.

16. Clicking Sound

You are likely to hear a clicking sound coming from your fridge immediately after an electric outage to indicate that the compressor is restarting, taking up to 5 minutes. So, it shouldn’t alarm you.

17. Hissing or Drizzling Sound

You might hear a hissing or a drizzling sound when the ice drips onto the evaporator heater or when the ice melts on the evaporator. This sound usually is brief, so it shouldn’t alarm you.

Fridge Noise Per Model

1. Brand New GE Fridge Making Noise

Under normal running conditions, a GE fridge may produce these sounds:

• Chirping or howl sound when the damper door closes or opens
• Clicking sound when the units defrost timer goes off or switches on
• Gurgling or boiling sound due to refrigerant circulation
• Humming sound when water fills the icemaker
• Hissing sound during self-defrost
• Banging sound when supply lines rattle against the fridge
• Rattling sound when only the ice maker is on (water supply is off)

2. Brand New Frigidaire Fridge Making Noise

The commonest noises associated with brand new Frigidaire fridges include:

• Rattling noise because of a loose (or vibrating) drain pan
• Chirping or squealing sound due to a faulty fan motor or blocked motor blade
• Clicking or humming sound due to a malfunctioning water inlet valve, which you should replace with an original Frigid water inlet valve.

3. Brand New Whirlpool Fridge Making Noise

A brand new Whirlpool refrigerator is likely to make the following sounds:

• Buzzing sound to indicate the fan or compressor is adjusting
• Hissing sound when the refrigerant is flowing
• Vibrating sound for standing on unsteady ground
• Gurgling sound when defrosting
• Buzzing sound when the water supply is turned off while the ice maker is on
• Cracking sound when the ice leaves the ice maker and falls into the bucket

4. Brand New LG Fridge Making Noise

An LG fridge may make these sounds under normal conditions:

• Clicking sound during automatic defrosting
• Whoosh sound when the motor circulates air
• Popping sound during the contraction and expansion of the fridges inside walls
• Rattling or gurgling sound during the flow of the refrigerant
• Dripping sound due to the running of water into the unit’s drain pan
• Pulsating sound due to high temperature
• Vibrating sound if the fridge is unsteady or the doors aren’t well-aligned

5. Brand New Samsung Fridge Making Noise

When it comes to brand new Samsung fridges, the commonest noises, which are often normal, include:

• Crackling, snapping, or popping sound due to the movement of the refrigerant
• Beeping sound with blinking due to an improperly shut fridge door or power outage
• Whistling/blowing sound due to not having enough clearance around the fridge
• Low humming sound when water fills the icemaker and sometimes a loud buzz when the water supply is off while the ice maker is on
• Rattling or vibrating noise when something is rubbing the fridges back

6. Brand New Mini Fridge Making Noise

A brand new mini fridge matt produces the following types of sounds:

• Pulsating sound due to a dirty evaporator fan
• Rattling noise due to a vibrating drain tray or dirty fan
• Running water sound during defrosting (which is normal)
• Popping sound due to compressor overloading or vibration
• Gurgling or bubbling sound during the regular running of the compressor
• Buzzing noise due to a dusty fan or unsteady fridge

What are the most common noises that fridges make?

What other noises might be heard depending on the design of the fridge?

Depending on the design of the fridge, there may be other noises that can sound a bit different. These additional noises are not specified in the provided excerpt.

What noises occur during the defrosting process?

During the defrosting process, you might hear more banging or popping sounds coming from the evaporator. These sounds are caused by thermal expansion and contraction. Additionally, there may be a hissing sound as ice drips down onto the evaporator heater, as well as dripping and water-flowing noises as the ice melts off the evaporator and turns into water.

What noises are associated with the ice maker?

When the ice maker fills, you might hear the buzzing of electricity going through the water valve as it turns on. At the same time, you may hear the sound of water flowing through the fridge. This noise typically lasts around five to ten seconds.

What noises can b eheard when the refrigerant moves through the lines?

The movement of refrigerant through the lines can produce a gurgling or water-flowing noise.

What noises do compressors make when they turn on?

When the compressor turns on, it produces a humming noise. In some cases, the humming might get a little bit louder after a few seconds if the compressor runs at variable speeds.

“Are you wondering about the various noises that your fridge may make? Let me provide you with a comprehensive list of common sounds produced by different fridge brands. For instance, a GE fridge under normal running conditions may emit a chirping or howling sound when the damper door closes or opens. You might also hear a clicking sound when the defrost timer activates or deactivates. Gurgling or boiling noises could be attributed to the circulation of refrigerant, while a humming sound may indicate the water filling the icemaker. During the self-defrost process, a hissing sound may be observed.

If you have a brand new Frigidaire fridge, you might encounter a rattling noise caused by a loose or vibrating drain pan. A chirping or squealing sound could be due to a faulty fan motor or a blocked motor blade. Clicking or humming sounds may originate from a malfunctioning water inlet valve, which, if necessary, can be replaced with an authentic Frigidaire water inlet valve.

Similarly, a brand new Whirlpool refrigerator might produce a buzzing sound as the fan or compressor adjusts, while hissing sounds could be a result of refrigerant flow. Vibrating noises may occur if the fridge is placed on unsteady ground. Defrosting can lead to gurgling sounds, and turning off the water supply while the ice maker is on may cause a buzzing sound. The departure of ice from the ice maker and into the bucket could be accompanied by cracking sounds.

If you own an LG fridge, automatic defrosting might result in a clicking sound. The motor circulating air might produce a gentle whoosh sound. Popping sounds can occur due to the natural expansion and contraction of the fridge’s inner walls. The flow of refrigerant may generate rattling or gurgling noises, while water running into the drain pan can produce a dripping sound. High temperatures can cause a pulsating sound, and an unsteady fridge or misaligned doors might lead to vibrations.

Moving on to brand new Samsung fridges, you may notice crackling, snapping, or popping sounds, which are typically associated with refrigerant movement. Improperly shut fridge doors or power outages can trigger beeping sounds with blinking lights. Whistling or blowing sounds may arise when there is insufficient clearance around the fridge. The water filling the icemaker can produce a low humming sound, and if the water supply is turned off while the ice maker is on, a loud buzz may be heard. Lastly, a rattling or vibrating noise might be due to something rubbing against the back of the fridge.

Lastly, if you have a brand new mini fridge, a pulsating sound could indicate a dirty evaporator fan, while a vibrating noise might be caused by a vibrating drain tray or a dirty fan. Defrosting can generate the sound of running water, which is considered normal. Compressor overloading or vibration may result in popping sounds, and regular compressor operation can lead to gurgling or bubbling noises. A buzzing noise might be due to a dusty fan or an unsteady fridge.”

Closing Remarks On Brand New Fridge Making Noise!

Now you know why your brand new fridge is making all that noise, given that I’ve shared 17 categories of sounds. What’s important is knowing when the sound is normal and when it’s not. In the latter case, you should fix it or take it to someone who can.

Also Read:

• Why Refrigerator Light Comes On But Nothing Else?
• Why You Freezer is Making a Loud Humming Noise