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why is my fridge making a dripping noise

by Prof. Rosa Kulas Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

A dripping noise from the back of your fridge is probably your drain pan, or drip tray. A drain pan collects excess condensation or moisture created by the refrigerator. They're featured on lots of major household appliances, all with the same purpose — preventing puddles of water outside or around the unit.Jun 8, 2021

Full Answer

Why is my fridge making a humming sound?

  • Unplug your fridge and wait for a few minutes for it to release some heat.
  • Remove the rear cover of your fridge.
  • Take a paintbrush to remove the debris and dust from the blades of your condenser fan.
  • Plug your fridge and wait for the weird noises to come back. If there is none, you solved the problem.

Why is my refrigerator making a moaning noise?

  • Washing machine (next)
  • Door
  • Door handle
  • Door latch, door lock
  • Drain pump
  • Drum pulley
  • Heating element, inserted electrical element
  • Pressure switch
  • Programmer, control module
  • Thermostat, thermal circuit breaker

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Why is my Jenn Air refrigerator making noise?

Refrigerator - Normal Sounds and Noises Made

  • A chirping/barking/woof/howl sound can sometimes be heard as the damper door opens/closes.
  • A change in fan speed as the refrigerator responds to changes in temperature due to door openings.
  • A clicking/tic-tock noise can be heard when the defrost timer switches on and off.

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What causes a refrigerator to make noise?

The Fridge Makes a Loud Popping Noise

  • Refrigerator unit turning on and off
  • Due to thermal expansion
  • Originates from the water inlet valve
  • The noise may also come from its evaporator coil

Why does my Samsung fridge sound like it's dripping?

Refrigerant moving through the cooling system changes from liquid to gas and back again. This makes a gurgling or bubbling sound. Water dripping onto the defrost heater makes a hissing or sizzling sound.

Why is my fridge making a weird sound?

Loud noises coming from the back of the unit could indicate an issue with the defrost timer, condenser fan, or compressor. If the loud refrigerator noise is coming from the inside of your appliance, the failing part is probably the evaporator fan, which circulates air through the freezer and fridge.

What does a dying fridge sound like?

Most refrigerators emit a gentle hum, but if your appliance has recently started buzzing loudly, the motor might be struggling to work properly. Try unplugging the fridge and plugging it back into the socket. If the buzzing doesn't stop, your fridge is probably dying.

Can a noisy fridge cause a fire?

One might never think of a refrigerator being a fire risk; however, an overheated compressor or an electrical short can cause fires. In addition, a light that stays on all the time can be hazardous.

Why is my fridge vibrating?

A vibrating sound may mean your refrigerator isn’t steady. Remove the base grille from the bottom of the refrigerator and adjust the leveling screw...

Why is my refrigerator buzzing?

Buzzing is a normal sound that may occur when the refrigerator compressor or fans are adjusting to optimize performance. If this becomes a loud ref...

Why is my fridge making a hissing noise?

You may hear a hissing noise when refrigerant is flowing through the cooling system — this is normal and nothing to worry about.

Why is my refrigerator making a gurgling or dripping noise?

Gurgling or dripping noises are generally normal refrigerator sounds that may occur when ice melts during the defrost cycle and water runs into the...

Why is my refrigerator humming or pulsating?

You may hear a humming or pulsating sound if your refrigerator’s ice maker isn’t connected to the water supply, but the water valve is still openin...

Why is my refrigerator making noise like creaking or cracking?

If your fridge has an ice maker, you may hear a creaking or cracking sound as ice is ejected from the ice maker mold and falls into the bin. This i...

Why is my refrigerator or freezer making noise like popping?

A popping noise is a normal sound a refrigerator makes as its inside walls contract and expand, which may happen as it cools down for the first tim...

Why is my refrigerator compressor noise lasting so long?

New refrigerators have a high-efficiency compressor that may run longer than older models in order to consume only the energy necessary for optimum...

Why does my fridge make a loud noise?

“If you determine the noise is caused by the condenser fan, try cleaning away dust and debris that may have accumulated between the fan blades, using a soft brush ,” says Rogers.

Why does my refrigerator make a rattling noise?

If you hear a loud rattling noise near the bottom of the refrigerator, the culprit is likely to be the drain pan , says Doug Rogers, president of repair company Mr. Appliance.

What does a squeaky refrigerator sound like?

Hear a noise inside the refrigerator that sounds like a squeak or rattle? It’s probably the circulation fan, which pushes air through the freezer and fridge sections of your appliance. The circulation fan is located right behind an access panel on the back of the refrigerator.

Why does my fan make a knocking noise?

Rogers says a knocking noise is likely to be a sign that the condenser is failing or that the fan motor isn’t working properly. The fan is probably too hot or running too hard.

What does it mean when you hear a gurgling noise?

Keep in mind that not every noise you hear is a sign that something’s amiss. Gurgling, for example, is Freon boiling in the evaporator, which is how it cools the fridge.

What does it mean when your refrigerator lights are buzzing?

If it sounds like buzzing or humming in your refrigerator. Your light is probably close to going out if you hear an electrical buzzing sound, says Sears home service knowledge author Adrienne Berain-Normann. On some units, you can replace the lights yourself, though you may need to call a repair service.

Why does my ice maker keep clicking?

A click-click-click coming from your ice maker could mean that the water line valve is loose or not connected to the water supply. If you recently moved the fridge, a broken connection could prevent the ice maker from working.

Refrigerator

Repair and disassembly guides for food cooling appliances including refrigerators, freezers and fridge-freezers.

3 Answers

That J shaped plastic tube is the drain tube. The pan below it that it drips into IS the drain pan. The pan isn’t designed to be removed. The water it collects will evaporate from the heat from the compressor and the condenser fan blowing air across it helps cool the compressor. This is the design used most often.

What is the noise coming from the back of my refrigerator?

What is the Noise, and Where is it Coming From? A dripping noise from the back of your fridge is probably your drain pan, or drip tray . A drain pan collects excess condensation or moisture created by the refrigerator.

What does it mean when your refrigerator drips water?

It likely means everything is working normally. Here’s why.

Why is my refrigerator overflowing?

Sometimes, moisture leaking from a crack in the icemaker water line or evaporator drain line adds to the condensation in the pan, causing an overflow. You’ll know because you’ll see water on the floor near the base of the fridge.

Can you find water in a refrigerator?

Yes, absolutely. Check for any pools of water inside, underneath or behind your refrigerator just to be safe. If you can’t find any, there’s no reason to fret. And if you do, locate the source of the leak or call a handyman. Originally Published: June 08, 2021.

Why does my refrigerator make a gurgling noise?

Gurgling or dripping noises are generally normal refrigerator sounds that may occur when ice melts during the defrost cycle and water runs into the drain pan. If you notice water spillage from your refrigerator along with the dripping noise, contact a certified technician, as it may indicate a leak.

Why does my refrigerator buzz?

Why is my refrigerator buzzing? Buzzing is a normal sound that may occur when the refrigerator compressor or fans are adjusting to optimize performance. If this becomes a loud refrigerator noise, contact a certified technician to determine if there’s a problem.

Where does the sound come from in a refrigerator?

These sounds may come from behind the refrigerator, inside the fridge or freezer compartment or from the ice maker. Keep reading to learn more about what you might hear from your refrigerator. Select a link below to jump ...

How to contact Whirlpool for service?

If you have a Whirlpool ® Refrigerator and need to schedule service for noise or something else, make an appointment online or call us at 1-866-698-2538.

Refrigerator Noise Stops When Door Is Open – Quick Fix

Check the evaporator fan behind the back panel inside the freezer if you hear a noise that stops once you open the refrigerator door. Disconnect the refrigerator from electric power and unmount the screws holding the panel in place. Carefully remove the panel because the fan is attached to it on the inside.

Refrigerator Noise Troubleshooting – Steps

There are a few common causes of refrigerator noise. Here is how to troubleshoot and fix them:

Refrigerator Noise After Power Outage – Solved

Check the compressor if you hear a noise coming from your refrigerator after a power outage. Most likely, the start relay is trying to provide a power boost for the compressor to start and run. But if the pressure has not equalized, the relay will shut down, and the compressor will click off. After some minutes, the process repeats.

Refrigerator Making Noise and Not Cooling – Solution

Check the start relay if your refrigerator is making noise and not cooling. Unplug the refrigerator from the wall outlet and move it to gain access to the bottom back. Remove the rear access panel and unmount the relay from the compressor.

Refrigerator Making Noise and Leaking Water – What to Do

The noise you hear may be water dripping on the defrost heater during a defrost cycle. You can confirm if the noise sounds like hissing or sizzles. If that is the noise you hear, it is pretty normal. But if the refrigerator is leaking, something is obstructing the defrost drain.

Refrigerator Making a Beeping Noise – How to Fix

Here are several reasons your refrigerator is beeping and how to fix them:

Refrigerator Making a Buzzing Noise and Not Cooling – Quick Fix

Typically, a compressor makes a buzzing or humming noise when running. The noise is low and negligible. You should worry if the noise is excessively loud and the refrigerator stops cooling. Check the condenser coils; dirty coils negatively affect the compressor and the refrigerator’s cooling capacity.

Is a Noisy Fridge Dangerous?

You’ll have to investigate the source of the noise your fridge is making before you panic.

Why is my Refrigerator Making Noise?

There are a number of reasons why your refrigerator may be making noise.

15 Common Refrigerator Noises and How to Fix Them

We’ll discuss the common reasons why a refrigerator is making noise and what steps you can take to fix them.

Why Does My Samsung Refrigerator Make a Noise?

Samsung is a major international supplier of fridges, other white goods as well as electronic devices including mobile phones.

Conclusion

As we can see from the above discussion, many noise issues with fridges are caused by the compressor or condenser.

What to do if your refrigerator is loud?

If you hear a loud humming, take note. Compressors make low humming or buzzing sounds as part of their normal operation. But if the refrigerator noise gets louder and louder to the point where you can hear it from the next room, contact a licensed technician.

Why does my ice maker rattle?

Keeping the icemaker on when not connected to a water supply could damage it. If you hear a rattling sound, a few possible culprits could be to blame. The cause of the rattling may be as simple as the sides or back of the fridge touching another surface like a wall or cabinet.

What to do if ice maker is not connected to water?

If the icemaker has intentionally not been connected to a water supply, locate the metal shut-off arm or the on/off switch and move it to the “off” position. Keeping the icemaker on when not connected to a water supply could damage it.

Where is the condenser fan on a refrigerator?

One is a condenser fan located in the bottom of the refrigerator, and the other is an evaporator fan in the freezer compartment. Identify which area the sound seems to be coming from, and then disconnect the power to troubleshoot. If the sound seems located in the condenser fan, remove the rear access panel and inspect for anything ...

Can you level a refrigerator?

Alternatively, your fridge may not be level. Place a level atop the fridge and adjust the legs accordingly. Finally, the drain pan below the refrigerator may have come loose. Refer to your instruction manual for how to access the evaporator drain pan (located below the refrigerator).

Is it Normal for a Fridge to Drip Water?

Home appliances that involve hot and cold air, like a refrigerator and a microwave, usually produce water. Most times, this production of water is inevitable.

Is it Normal for the Fridge to Make Dripping Sounds?

Under normal conditions, a refrigerator is meant to run for years, every hour of every day, without any faults. The reason is that so many processes take place in the electronic appliance that keeps it in the right shape. But, unfortunately, all these actions produce so many sounds, thus making the machine very noisy.

Is it Possible to Stop the Fridge from Making Dripping Sounds?

Since some of the sounds made by the fridge are normal, they can’t be stopped. Moreover, stopping them might cause damage to a part of the whole refrigerator. Nevertheless, you can control these sounds.

Why does my refrigerator make a gurgling noise?

When the water line is damaged, if the air is pulled into the waterline as the refrigerator is pulling in freshwater, that causes gurgling noise to be created. The way this problem can be fixed is, you either replace the damaged or leaky water hose yourself or contact a professional to assist you.

What are the sounds of a refrigerator?

A refrigerator can make different sounds when in operation. Sounds could be buzzing, rattling, popping, humming and a whole lot of variant sounds. You may be wondering why is my refrigerator making gurgling noise.

How to tell if a refrigerator has an ice breaker?

If you are hearing buzzing and gurgling noise simultaneously, you may want to first check the water valve at the back of the fridge if it has an ice breaker. Make sure the valve is turned completely on and not constricting the flow of water to the refrigerator via the water supply line.

How long does it take for a refrigerator to defrost?

When a refrigerator is defrosting, you may hear gurgling and dripping sounds. This is normal and it can take sometimes up to 30 minutes to complete. When the appliance is defrosting, the heating coil is turned on and the melted water from the frost flow down to the drain pan to be evaporated.

How long does a gurgling drain last?

This gurgling noise can last for just a few seconds but the noise will eventually dissipate. You may notice the drain tube gurgling noise during times of high humidity, which more commonly produces this sound than in periods of low humidity. The way to fix this is to wait while the water equalizes in the refrigerator.

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