Operating Sounds
Improvements in refrigeration design may produce sounds in your new refrigerator that are different or were not
present in an older model. These improvements were made to create a refrigerator that is better at preserving food,
is more energy efficient, and is quieter overall. Because new refrigerators run quieter, sounds may be detected that
were present in older refrigerators, but were masked by higher sound levels. Many of these sounds are normal.
Please note that the surfaces adjacent to a refrigerator, such as hard walls, floors and cabinetry may make these
sounds seem even louder. The following are some of the normal sounds that may be noticed in a new refrigerator.
SOUND
• Freezer control (A) clicks when starting or
Clicking
• Motorized device (B) sounds like an electric
• Freezer fan (C) and condenser fan (D) make
Air rushing or
whirring
Gurgling or
• Evaporator (E) and heat exchanger (F)
boiling sound
• Ice cubes from ice maker (select models) drop
Thumping
Vibrating noise
• Compressor (H) makes a pulsating sound
• Refrigerator is not level.
Buzzing
• Ice maker water valve (I) hookup (select
• Ice maker (J) is in the on position without
Humming
• Compressor (H) can make a high-pitched hum
• Defrost heater (K) hisses, sizzles or pops when
Hissing or
popping
POSSIBLE CAUSE
stopping compressor.
clock and snaps in and out.
this noise while operating.
refrigerant makes this noise when flowing.
into ice bucket (G).
while running.
models) buzzes when ice maker fills with
water.
water connection.
while operating.
operational.
B
C
I
J
G
A
H
D
F
SOLUTION
• Normal operation
• Normal operation
• Normal operation
• Normal operation
• Normal operation
• Normal operation
• See page 3 for details on how to level
your refrigerator.
• Normal operation
• Stop sound by raising ice maker arm
to off position (see page 14).
• Normal operation
• Normal operation
B
A
E
J
G
K
F
B
C
E
I
H
K
D
24