A freezer is an essential appliance in any kitchen. If you suspect something is wrong with it, you need to act fast to determine the cause of the problem and fix it.
One of the most common questions we get regarding freezers is “why is my freezer making a loud humming noise?”, so we decided to put together the guide below to help you get to the bottom of the issue.
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We’ll discuss normal and abnormal freezer sounds, possible reasons your freezer is making loud humming noises, and ways you can resolve them. Let’s get started!
Is It Normal for a Freezer to Make Noises?
Yes, it’s normal for a freezer to make noises — this is just part of its operation. Noises that you don’t need to worry about include:
- A low or moderate humming noise when the compressor is working.
- A low or moderate buzzing noise, also when the compressor is working.
- A gurgling noise that results from the flowing of the refrigerant through tubing at the end of a cooling cycle.
- Cracking or popping noises can happen due to the contraction and expansion of the freezer’s inner walls in response to changes in temperature.
- A clicking noise as the defrost timer turns on and off.
When Are Freezer Noises a Sign of a Problem?
If your freezer is making noises that are too loud or unusual sounds, it could be a sign of a problem.
A high-pitched, loud humming noise can be an indication that your freezer is experiencing issues with its evaporator fan, condenser fan, condenser coils, compressor, or air vents. It can also mean a problem with the ice maker/dispenser or the positioning of the appliance.
7 Reasons Your Freezer Is Making a Loud Humming Noise and How to Fix Them
Now that you have a better idea of normal vs abnormal freezer noises, let’s take a closer look at what could be causing the loud humming noise in your freezer.
1. The Evaporator Fan Is Faulty
An issue with the evaporator fan can cause your freezer to make a loud humming noise. The culprit could be the evaporator fan’s blade or motor as follows:
Evaporator Fan Blade
A frozen evaporator fan blade can occur due to the buildup of ice, dirt, and debris over time. With a clogged fan, the evaporator will cool down less air, slowing down the freezer’s operation.
In this case, the noise will be the result of the blade hitting the accumulated ice or the frozen blade moving heavily. A defrosting session is an ideal solution for such an issue.
If your freezer is frost-free, you may be looking at a damaged evaporator fan blade. You can access the fan from behind the evaporator cover or the air grille to check its blade and replace it if necessary.
Evaporator Fan Motor
The parts of the evaporator fan motor can get worn out or dried up over time. This can cause a loud humming noise in the appliance.
The best solution here is to replace the motor. Start by unplugging the freezer from the power outlet, then access the evaporator as mentioned above. After that, detach the wire harness connector, take out the mounting screws, and install the new motor.
2. The Condenser Fan Is Dirty or Damaged
The condenser fan is responsible for cooling down the compressor and the condenser coils. A loud humming noise can result from the condenser fan if:
- The fan has a buildup of dirt — use a soft cloth or brush to clean it.
- The blade is loose — make sure it’s tightly attached.
- The blade is damaged — access the condenser and install a replacement.
- The fan motor is worn out — in most cases, replacing the motor grommet will do the trick.
3. The Condenser Coils Are Clogged
Accumulated dirt, debris, and dust on the condenser coils can disrupt airflow within the freezer, causing it to work harder and take longer to do its cooling job. This clogging can result in a loud humming noise.
To clean the condenser coils, follow the steps below:
- Unplug the freezer from the power outlet.
- Locate the condenser coils, usually at the top or back of the freezer.
- Use a soft cloth, a soft brush, or a vacuum hose with a brush head to remove the dirt.
4. The Air Vents Are Blocked
It’s common for a freezer to produce loud humming noises when its airflow is disrupted due to blocked air vents. You can prevent this by removing any items that are too close to the air vents.
5. The Compressor Is Malfunctioning
The compressor is an integral component of any freezer. It’s prone to sustaining damage over time and malfunctioning, which can cause a loud humming noise.
In this particular case, it’s better to call in a professional to handle the situation. Not only are the inner workings of a compressor complicated, but it’s also dangerous to work on one if you’re untrained as it contains refrigerant gasses.
Another reason your compressor may be malfunctioning is dirt buildup. Cleaning it using a soft brush or cloth can resolve the issue.
6. The Freezer Is Not Level
If your freezer isn’t level with the ground, it’s likely to vibrate all the time causing a humming noise. Check the leveling screws or feet at the bottom of the freezer and adjust them as necessary. You can add some noise dampening pads to the feet of your freezer as well. You can use a levelling tool to double check this.
7. The Ice Maker/Dispenser Is Defective
Finally, the loud humming noise could be related to the ice maker/dispenser in your freezer.
Check the water inlet line and make sure it’s properly connected. The problem could also be a malfunctioning control panel, which requires a technician to fix it.
Wrap Up
A loud humming noise from your freezer could be a sign of a problem with the evaporator fan, condenser fan, condenser coils, compressor, or air vents. It can also mean an issue with the ice maker/dispenser or the positioning of the appliance.
Don’t hesitate to contact a professional technician if you can’t pinpoint the source of the humming noise, if the noise persists even after you try the solutions we discussed above, or if a component in the freezer requires repairing or replacing.
We have discussed what you can do if your freezer is not freezing here.
