Samsung Refrigerator: making noise

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Is your Samsung refrigerator making unusual noises like buzzing, rattling, or clicking? This can occur from various sources, including the compressor, fans, or even the ice maker. Understanding the potential causes can help you troubleshoot effectively and restore quiet operation.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Samsung Models

  • Certain Samsung models report ice maker assembly noises from failing drive motors; specific assembly replacement may be needed

Possible Causes

Compressor operating noise and vibration

How to Identify: Low-frequency buzzing from rear or bottom; louder when fridge is working harder (e.g., after loading warm food

Part: Compressor / condenser unit

Fans (evaporator / condenser) issues or obstruction

How to Identify: High-frequency rattling or “clatter” that stops when door opens; noise near freezer or interior vents

Part: Evaporator fan, condenser fan

Installation vibration or unstable placement

How to Identify: Rattling or amplified vibration noise, especially if fridge touches wall/furniture or is unlevel

Part: Refrigerator frame, adjustable feet, floor interface

Ice maker motor or mechanism noise

How to Identify: Noise localized near ice maker, especially during ice harvest cycle

Part: Ice maker assembly / motor

Shared object resonance or internal items

How to Identify: Noise diminishes when items are repositioned or removed; clicking from within shelves

Part: Internal shelves or stored items

Defrost cycle or refrigerant flow sounds (normal)

How to Identify: Short popping, hissing or refrigerant flow sounds during temperature change or defrost operations

Part: Refrigerant lines / automatic defrost components

DIY Solutions

Level and stabilize refrigerator

Moderate 10–30 minutes
Tools Needed: level, wrench or pliers for adjusting feet
  1. Ensure fridge is on a flat surface
  2. Adjust feet until fridge is level side-to-side and front-to-back
  3. Ensure at least minimal space from surrounding walls and objects
⚠️ Safety First: Unplug before moving fridge

Clean rear coils and fan area

Moderate 20–45 minutes
Tools Needed: vacuum with brush attachment or soft brush
  1. Unplug refrigerator
  2. Move it slightly from wall
  3. Use vacuum or brush to remove dust from condenser coils and fan area
  4. Replace fridge and plug in
⚠️ Safety First: Ensure power is off

Defrost if fan contacting ice

Easy several hours
Tools Needed: towels or trays to catch water
  1. Turn off fridge and unplug
  2. Open doors to allow natural defrost
  3. Collect melting water
  4. Once fully defrosted, plug back in and test
⚠️ Safety First: Do not use heat sources like hair dryers directly on fridge components

Reposition internal items

Easy 5–10 minutes
  1. Remove or rearrange items near vents and shelves
  2. Ensure no bottles touch walls or shelves loosely
  3. Test for noise change

Professional Repairs

Replace faulty fan motor

Estimated Cost: $50–$150 (parts) + labor

Ice maker assembly replacement

Estimated Cost: $75–$200 (parts) + labor

Compressor repair or replacement

Estimated Cost: $200–$500+

When to Call a Professional

Loud noise persists after DIY steps
Strange noises accompanied by cooling issues or error codes
Noise from compressor area that is unusually loud or harsh

Preventive Maintenance

  • Clean condenser coils: Reduces compressor load and fan noise
    Frequency: every 6 months
  • Check level and clearances: Reduces vibration noise
    Frequency: annually
  • Inspect and defrost ice build-up: Fan contact noise
    Frequency: seasonally

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Samsung Refrigerator making noise?
Common causes include compressor operation, fan issues, and installation vibrations.
How do I fix Samsung Refrigerator making noise myself?
Level the fridge, clean rear coils, defrost if needed, and rearrange internal items.
How much does it cost to fix making noise?
Professional repairs can range from $50 to $500+, depending on the issue.
When should I call a technician for making noise?
Call a technician if DIY solutions don't resolve the noise or if it worsens.

References & Sources

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

50%
DIY Success Rate Difficulty: DIY

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Ice maker issues (1 mentions)
  • Defrost sensor malfunction (1 mentions)

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Clear drain tubes and possibly replace defrost sensor.

    Success rate: 33.0%
Analysis based on 2 community discussions
View Sources

Data compiled from real discussions on r/appliancerepair and r/Appliances:

  1. Samsung ice goes tick tock
  2. Samsung Refrigerator

Community Discussions

making a loud noise

Clear drain tubes and possibly replace defrost sensor.

DIY View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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