My Refrigerator Is Making A Buzzing Noise And Not Cooling

Refrigerators are an important part of everyday life. Any fault in it would mean that your daily routine is disturbed, and the weekly food you have purchased from your budget will get spoiled. Considering all this, a user is afraid when a buzzing noise comes from the fridge.

Buzzing noise indicates that a fault is in the initial phase, and you should pay attention to it. If you do not resolve the issue, the buzzing sound will become rattling, and you will get annoyed. It is simple to diagnose the problem that your fridge is going through.

First, you must locate the portion from where the noise is coming. The noise will mostly come from the bottom or back of the fridge. The next thing is to identify the specific component that is at fault.

This article will explain the problems in each component that can cause the buzzing noise. We will also explain the solution to all these problems as well.

My Refrigerator Is Making A Buzzing Noise And Not Cooling: Common Causes of Refrigerators Making Buzzing Noises

Drain pan

As the name suggests, the drain pan is a pot fixed at the bottom of the fridge to accumulate condensed water. This water is then required to be drained out by the fridge owner.

The drain pan is placed to catch the condensed water, and the whole process runs on the principles of gravity i.e. the water droplets are pulled to the pan.

Problem

If your refrigerator is making a buzzing noise then you should check the origin. Noise from the bottom of your fridge would mean the drain pan is at fault. These noises can be caused by either improper placement of the drain pan or the inability to retain the condensed water.

Solution

Correcting the improper position

You should check the drip pan position first. Inspect the manual to understand how to load it inside the bottom compartment.

You need to check if the drain pan is full. If it is full, then you should drain it on your own. Once the water is drained and the pan is empty, place it properly inside the bottom compartment of your fridge.

Ratifying position with a dutch tape

If the drain keeps making noise after performing the above-mentioned solution, you should move around the drain pan inside the compartment. Any hindrance or shaking would mean that you should fix it to the compartment with dutch tape.

Replacing the faulty pan

Inspect the drain pan for any hole or crack from where the water might spill at the bottom. If you find any such issue, then it is advised to order it online.

Check the model number of your refrigerator before ordering. You should try fixing the hole with other DIY procedures for discontinued models.

Condenser fan

A condenser fan is a critical component in most refrigerators. It keeps the temperature intact. One of the important functions that it performs is to keep the condenser coil cool.

Modern models have condenser fans to make the cooling process quicker, but older models might not have it integrated into them.

Problem

The fan spins the whole day to perform its job. This makes it dirty and restricts the rotatory motion of the blades. The motor tries to spin it, and this effort produces unwanted noise.

Solution

Cleaning the condenser fan

Inspect the manual to know where the condenser fan is located in your refrigerator. Once you find the fan, unplug the fridge and let the system cool down. Open the cover of the condenser fan. Clean the fins with a brush.

Ensure your hands are gentle, so the fins do not break. Put the condenser fan cover back when the cleaning procedure is complete. Plug the refrigerator back into the power supply. Wait and assess if there is noise coming or not.

Replacing the faulty fan motor

Pay attention to the fan motor when you check the fan and clean it. Inspect the motor for any physical damage. If you find any motor problem, call a professional to repair or replace it.

Condenser coil

There are condenser coils at the back that help the fridge operate efficiently. It plays a critical role in the cooling system.

Problem

If the noise comes from the back of your refrigerator, the problem might be in the coils at the back. A faulty condenser coil would mean the fridge cannot operate properly and must be fixed.

Solution

Cleaning the condenser coil

The first thing that you need to do is to unplug the refrigerator from the power outlet. Let the coils cool down for a few minutes. Pull out the rear panel that contains the condenser coils.

Clean them with a brush. Make sure that you do not damage the coils, as it will make the situation even worse. Call a professional if you cannot pull out the rear panel.

Door gasket

The door gasket is a rubber or plastic strip along the edges of the fridge door. It ensures that the refrigerator is sealed properly throughout the day. It does not let the air escape and keeps the inside cool.

Problem

The door gasket can be an indirect source of the noise. If it does not work, then the air will leak out. The refrigerator’s interior will not be as cool as it needs to be.

This will burden the compressor as it must work harder to keep it cool. The compressor will make a noise, and avoiding the situation can damage it.

Solution

Checking and cleaning the door gasket

Close the door of your refrigerator and see if it is sealed. Also, put your hand on the sides to feel any cold air coming out. Upon finding a leakage, open the door and inspect the gasket.

Remove any accumulated dirt on it to ensure it remains where it is supposed to be. Also, check the alignment and fix it accordingly.

Replacing the door gasket

How would you know that the door gasket needs replacement? It is simple. If the alignment of the gasket is out irreparably, then you should replace it. Moreover, cracks and physical damage also mean that you should replace them with a new gasket.

Defrost timer

There are defrost timers installed in most modern refrigerators. Older models had no such component. As a result, the fridge would cool the food 24 hours a day. This wastes electricity and causes ice to deposit where it is not required.

Defrost timer enables the fridge to transition between cooling and defrosting mode. It ensures that when the cooling target is reached, the system defrosts to save energy and avoid making ice.

Problem

If the defrost timer does not work properly, there are two consequences. The refrigerator remains in defrosting mode. In this case, there is no noise, and the interior will have no traces of cool air.

On the contrary, when the fridge is stuck in the cooling mode then the ice is deposited on the evaporator fan. The fan will stop functioning, or the ice on the fan will cause noise.

Solution

Checking the evaporator fan and defrost timer for replacement

Buzzing and scraping noises from the refrigerator means the defrost timer is not working. Use the manual to locate the defrost timer inside your fridge. It is mostly made of white plastic so finding it will be a bit tricky.

Check the defrost timer for any physical damage. Also, check if there is ice deposited on the evaporator fan. Any of these symptoms would mean the defrost timer is faulty, and you must replace it.

Evaporator fan

The evaporator fan is installed inside the fridge to ensure the cold air is circulated effectively. A cooling system is about producing cool air and maintaining an uninterrupted flow of air within the storage compartment. Your fridge might have a single evaporator fan or more than one.

Problem

The evaporator fan can stop due to different reasons. There might be ice deposited on it or dirt accumulated. No matter the problem, it will restrict the fan’s rotation. Any hindrance in the rotatory motion will generate noise.

Solution

Check the fan and brush the dust

You should first unplug your refrigerator from the power source and let the machinery cool down. Meanwhile, check the manual to locate the evaporator fan in the fridge. Once you have found the fan, try rotating it with your fingers.

Check the fan for dirt and brush it off. Replug the fridge and see if the fan is operating properly. If the noise continues, then call a technician.

Check and replace the defrost timer.

Apart from what we have previously mentioned, ice deposited on the evaporator fan would mean that the defrost timer is not working properly. Check and replace the defrost timer by applying the procedures mentioned in the previous heading.

Compressor Problem

The compressor normally makes a humming sound when operating in the required manner. However, when there is a fault in the compressor, it will make a loud buzzing sound. The continuous buzzing sound is annoying, to say the least, but why does it happen?

As we have mentioned earlier, other faulty parts can burden the compressor. This, in turn, means that the compressor will need to work more. An increased burden will damage or impair it. The buzzing sound you hear is usually the indicator of damage that is about to come your way.

Solution

Call a technician and ask if you need a replacement

You should unplug the refrigerator when you suspect a fault in the compressor. This will save the compressor from further damage. Call a technician to solve the problem. Usually, a faulty compressor will require replacement. It is an expensive component that will cost hundreds of dollars.

Other things that might cause a buzzing sound

Several other things might cause a buzzing sound. These reasons are not problematic but just the routine things that your refrigerator has to deal with. List of the most common reasons behind the unproblematic buzzing sound contains:

1. A new fridge usually makes a buzzing noise as the new components are still getting used.
2. The ice maker fills with water after a few minutes. A buzzing sound coming from the ice maker is usually not problematic.
3. A badly positioned refrigerator can be the reason why the buzzing sound is generated. Make sure that the fridge is evenly positioned.
4. Being a piece of machinery, your fridge will need a break. You should give it some time to cool down. The buzzing sound might indicate that the fridge should be shut down for an hour.
5. An overloaded fridge also makes a buzzing sound. Make sure that you do not overload it.
6. The bulb installed inside the fridge might not be working well. You should replace the bulb to end the buzzing sound.

Conclusion

A buzzing noise is usually associated with a faulty appliance. However, this is not always the case when we talk about refrigerators. A fridge might make a humming or light buzzing sound when operating. The problem might occur when the buzzing gets louder, or you hear continuous rattling.

We have mentioned some of the most common reasons behind the buzzing sound that your fridge is producing. We have also mentioned solutions to help you fix or negotiate the annoying buzzing sound.

You should make sure that you consult the manual whenever required. Our guidelines are general, so a more specific solution will be mentioned there. Other than this, calling a professional is a costly but more reliable solution to your problem.

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