From time to time he may – but if your fridge is constantly humming or humming loudly, you have to act! You can read important information about the causes of humming and remedies against it in the following.
Basically, every refrigerator makes noise. Newer models tend to be quieter than older ones. Nevertheless, a humming can be heard on all common models when the compressor switches on, which ensures even cooling. Since this normally only comes on for a short time, the refrigerator should be more or less quiet most of the time. If it hums loudly all the time, something is wrong. There are many possible causes – luckily you can easily fix some yourself.
Refrigerator hums loudly: research into the cause of the interior
Unfortunately, defrosting the freezer compartment is part of the regular maintenance of many refrigerators. Did you shy away from it for a long time? Then that could be the cause of the humming, because if the freezer compartment is heavily iced over, the compressor starts up more often – with the result that the device hums more often. Or maybe it’s just loose shelves or drawers that are causing the noise in the refrigerator. Check that everything inside is firmly in place and does not vibrate loudly in cooling mode.
Possible cause of humming: Leaking refrigerator door
A leaking door can also be responsible for the increased background noise, as this means that more warm air penetrates from the outside into the interior. In order to be able to maintain the desired temperature, the compressor switches on and it gets loud. You can find out whether the door is leaking with a simple trick: switch off the light in the kitchen, put a flashlight in the refrigerator and close it. If light escapes, the door is defective. In this case, a new door seal will quickly bring peace and quiet again.
Is the refrigerator correct?
If the fridge isn’t level, that can be another common cause of increased volume and continuous hum. It is best to use a spirit level to check whether the device is crooked and, if necessary, straighten it. If that doesn’t work, place a piece of paper under one of your feet to balance. Sometimes the problem is that the refrigerator has been placed too close to the wall: when moving parts come into contact with the wall during operation, they can cause loud noises. In any case, refrigerators should always be a few centimeters from the wall: this is the only way to ensure optimal heat dissipation.
If the fridge is too close to the wall, it will make noise.
Image: © Bosch 2019
compressor broken? What to do if nothing works
In addition to the possibilities mentioned, a defect in the refrigerator and in particular in the compressor can also be responsible for an unusually high noise level. In this case, you should consult a professional who will repair the damage. But consider whether a repair is worthwhile at all. Depending on the age of the fridge, getting a new and more energy efficient model may be a better alternative.
#Fridge #buzzing
