Why Is My Fridge Making A Loud Humming Noise? 6 Causes and Solutions

For the most part, your refrigerator is quiet and unobtrusive. But when things start to go wrong and your appliance becomes a noisy distraction, knowing how to diagnose and fix the issue could save you hundreds on a full replacement. In this guide, we’ll explain why your fridge is making a loud humming noise and how to fix the problem.

1. Loose Parts

One of the simplest issues to fix that could cause loud humming noises is loose screws and fasteners. The fridge compressor vibrates during operation, and the vibration can loosen screws over time, causing them to hum.

The Solution

If your refrigerator is on the older side, check all of the visible screws under and behind your fridge, and hand tighten any loose ones with a screwdriver, wrench, or Allen key. This is a simple task to DIY, but unplug your fridge before you start for safety.

2. Improper Fridge Clearance

Similarly, a fridge’s compressor can cause the entire appliance to vibrate slightly, and if the fridge is too close to the wall behind it or the walls or cabinets next to it, you may notice a humming noise.

The Solution

Simply position your fridge with the proper clearance on all sides. Check your manufacturer’s recommendations first, or go with 1/2-inch to an inch on both sides and 2 inches in the rear.

3. Your Fridge Isn’t Level

That same minor vibration from the normal compressor operation can get amplified and create a distracting humming noise if your fridge isn’t properly leveled.

The Solution

Your fridge should have leveling feet on the bottom, which you can adjust yourself. Unplug your fridge and have a friend or family member tilt the fridge slightly to adjust the feet. You can use a level for precision or just adjust until all four feet are flat on the floor.

4. Dirty Condenser Coils

Dirty condenser coils will make your fridge work harder than it needs to in order to keep everything inside cool. The added strain on the cooling components can be responsible for that loud humming noise.

The Solution

Pull your fridge out from the wall, unplug it, and clean the condenser coils. Use a duster to remove dust first. If they’re still dirty, you can use an old toothbrush with some water to scrub off stuck-on debris.

5. Compressor Issues

The most severe and expensive issue that can cause a loud humming noise from your refrigerator is a damaged or failing compressor. The compressor vibrates during operation, and if anything goes wrong with the internal components or the motor is getting worn out, you’ll hear unusually loud humming that can be distracting.

The Solution

Compressors are complex components that are challenging to repair and replace. Call in a professional to confirm that your compressor is the underlying problem, and have them do the repair or replacement work. This is an expensive fix, so a full replacement might make more sense if your fridge is close to or more than a decade old.

6. Dirty or Damaged Fans

You have two main fans in your fridge, and they can make humming noises if they’re dirty or damaged. If this is your issue, you’ll usually hear the humming intermittently when the compressor turns on or twice daily when your freezer goes through the defrost cycle.

The Solution

Replacing these components is possible to DIY, but make sure you purchase the correct replacement parts and shut off the power to your fridge first. If you’re not comfortable with the work, a professional can get this done for a relatively low cost.

When to Call a Pro

Many of the problems that can cause a fridge to make a loud humming noise have DIYable solutions. You can rule out some of the more minor issues first by leveling your appliance, maintaining the proper clearance around it, and tightening screws under and behind your fridge.

If these solutions don’t fix the humming, you should call a pro. Refrigerators have electrical components in close proximity to water supply lines, as well as many complex and expensive parts that are challenging to work with. If the simple solutions don’t do the trick, it’s best to call a local fridge repair company for a professional solution.