Why Is My Fridge Making a Loud Noise? Normal Sounds and Faults

Most fridge noises are normal. Humming, bubbling and gurgling come from the compressor and the refrigerant moving round the system, clicks come from the thermostat and switches, and cracking or popping is the automatic defrost. Noises worth acting on are new ones: loud buzzing or knocking from the compressor, grinding or rattling from a fan, or rattling because the fridge is not level or is touching a wall.

This guide sorts the normal sounds from the ones that need attention, using what Electrolux, Bosch, Hotpoint and LG publish for their fridges, and covers what changes with commercial cabinets.

At a glance

Noise	Usual cause	Normal?
Humming or droning	Compressor or fans running	Yes
Bubbling, gurgling, flowing or hissing	Refrigerant moving through the pipes	Yes
Clicking	Thermostat, switches or valves turning on and off	Yes
Cracking or popping	Automatic defrost, parts expanding and contracting	Yes
Light whirring after the door closes	Internal fan circulating cold air	Yes
Rattling or vibrating	Not level, touching a wall or cupboard, items rattling inside	Usually fixable yourself
Grinding, scraping or a loud fan	Fan catching ice or debris, or worn fan motor	No
Loud buzzing, knocking or clicking with no cooling	Compressor struggling to start	No

Normal fridge noises

Electrolux's UK guide to fridge freezer noises explains that refrigerators use several mechanical and refrigeration parts that make sounds during normal operation:

• The compressor starts and stops to hold the temperature, which can create humming, buzzing or clicking sounds. Electrolux also notes that a regular knocking noise can occur when a compressor switches on and off.
• The refrigerant flowing through the system can cause bubbling, gurgling, hissing or flowing-water sounds. Electrolux adds that newer appliances may sound different from older ones because of the newer refrigerants they use.
• Automatic defrost creates cracking, popping or dripping noises as ice melts and parts expand and contract. Electrolux says these can be heard several times a day.
• Fans circulating cold air may make a light whirring sound, particularly after the door is closed.
• The thermostat makes a click when it turns on or off.

Bosch's UK guide lists the same normal sounds, plus a droning noise from motors that often happens when the door is opened and a rumbling noise as ice cubes drop into an ice maker's container. Hotpoint notes that frost-free appliances use a series of internal and external fans, so they make slightly more operating noise.

Noises you can usually fix yourself

Rattling because it is not level

Bosch says a fridge that is not standing level will not work optimally and its operating noises may be louder than normal. Check it with a spirit level and adjust the feet. Our guide to a fridge vibrating covers levelling in more detail.

Rattling against a wall or cupboard

Electrolux says vibrating or rattling noises can occur when the pipe system on the back of the fridge touches a wall or cabinet, and that items placed on top of the appliance can also cause noises. Hotpoint lists pipework vibrating against the wall as a cause, with the fix of checking the fridge's position.

Rattling from inside

LG notes that vibration noises from inside are usually caused by items touching each other, such as bottles in the door. Space them out and check shelves, bins and drawers are seated properly.

Louder running from poor ventilation

Electrolux points out that all refrigeration appliances need ventilation, especially integrated ones, and that noises can occur when performance is affected by insufficient ventilation. A fridge squeezed into a gap or with blocked vents runs harder and longer, and sounds it.

Noises that need an engineer

• Grinding, scraping or a fan that sounds rough. A fan blade catching ice or debris, or a fan motor with worn bearings, makes a harsh noise. Our guide to a fridge fan making noise explains fan faults.
• Loud buzzing or repeated clicking with little or no cooling. This can be a compressor trying and failing to start, or a fault in its start components.
• Knocking that shakes the cabinet. A light knock as the compressor stops can be normal, but a heavy knock or rattle from the compressor area can point to worn mountings or a failing compressor.
• A hiss with poor cooling or an oily mark on pipework. That can be a refrigerant leak, which needs finding and repairing. Our guide to fridge regassing explains why gas only escapes through a leak.

Commercial fridges and freezers

Commercial cabinets are noisier than domestic fridges by design. They have bigger compressors and stronger fans, run more often, and many sit in hot, busy kitchens. The same rules apply, though. A steady hum and the sounds of defrost are normal. New grinding, rattling or a compressor that buzzes and cuts out are not, and they often come before a breakdown. Dust on the condenser makes the compressor and condenser fan work harder and louder, so regular cleaning keeps noise and running costs down. Our commercial refrigeration repair engineers cover cabinets, counters and cold rooms across London, and planned refrigeration maintenance includes condenser cleaning and fan checks.

What you can check safely

1. Listen for where the noise comes from: inside, the back, the bottom or the freezer section.
2. Check the fridge is level and not touching a wall, cupboard or another appliance.
3. Clear anything off the top and space out items inside.
4. Check the vents are clear and there is space for air around the fridge.
5. Note whether the fridge is still cooling properly.

Unplug the fridge before reaching behind or underneath it, and do not remove covers or touch fans, the compressor or wiring.

Questions people ask about fridge noises

Why is my fridge so loud?

Often because it is not level, is touching a wall or cupboard, or has poor ventilation, which makes normal running noises louder. If the noise is new grinding, rattling or loud buzzing, a fan or the compressor may need an engineer.

Is it normal for a fridge to make noise?

Yes. Electrolux, Bosch and Hotpoint all list humming, bubbling, gurgling, clicking and cracking as normal sounds from the compressor, refrigerant, thermostat and defrost system.

Why is my fridge making a buzzing noise?

A steady buzz or hum from the compressor or fans while the fridge cools is normal, as Electrolux explains. A loud buzz that comes and goes with clicking while the fridge stays warm can mean the compressor is struggling to start.

Why does my fridge make a cracking or popping noise?

Electrolux says cracking and popping come from the automatic defrost cycle as parts expand and contract, and can be heard several times a day. It is normal.

Why is my fridge making a gurgling noise?

Gurgling and bubbling come from the refrigerant flowing through the coils and pipes. Electrolux and Bosch both describe it as normal.

When should I worry about fridge noise?

When it is new and harsh, such as grinding, scraping or heavy knocking, or when a noise comes with poor cooling. Those point to a fan, compressor or refrigerant fault that needs an engineer.

The short version

Hums, gurgles, clicks and cracks are a fridge working normally. Rattles usually mean it needs levelling or moving. Grinding, loud buzzing or knocking, especially with poor cooling, is the point to call an engineer.

Last updated: 4 November 2026