Fridge Making Loud Noises? Here’s What Those Sounds Usually Mean (Toronto Tech Breakdown)
Fridge noises can drive you crazy, especially when they wake you up in the middle of the night without being able to unplug the fridge to stop the noise.
You’re just walking into the kitchen for a snack and suddenly the fridge is making a sound you’ve never heard in your life - buzzing, rattling, clicking, or that weird “rrrrrr” noise.
Don’t worry.
Most fridge noises come from only a handful of places, and we hear them constantly in Toronto homes.
Let me walk you through the usual suspects so you can get an idea of what’s going on.
Why Fridges Make Loud Noise
Fridges aren’t silent machines. They’ve got fans, compressors, motors, and plastic parts that move and vibrate. A normal fridge makes a soft hum. But when something is off, the sound changes and that’s usually your early warning sign.
Here are the most common noises we hear from customers:
Loud fan noises in the fridge/freezer
Condenser fan problems
Noisy or struggling compressor
Let’s have a quick walk through that will help you identify the cause
1. Evaporator Fan
A very common noise complaint we get. The evaporator fan is a part inside the freezer that pushes cold air around the fridge.
There are two main reasons it gets noisy:
a. The Fan Motor Is Failing
When the motor starts wearing off, it can make loud noises because the shaft is going out of place and the circulation causing the shaft to grind against the plastic of the part or causing the blades to spin unevenly touching the frame. If the noise gets louder when you open the freezer door, this is usually the cause. In some models, the noise will stop as soon as you open the freezer door - that’s when you know it is probably the evaporator fan motor.
b. Ice Buildup From a Defrost Problem
This one makes the most recognizable noise:
a rapid, repetitive “rrrrrrrr-tick-tick-rrrrrr” sound.
That noise happens because the evaporator fan blades are literally hitting ice. Ice shouldn’t be there. When the defrost system isn’t melting frost properly, it piles up around the fan and the blade clips it every time it spins. This is extremely common and we see it every week in Toronto households.
2. Condenser Fan Noise
The condenser fan is the one at the back or bottom of the fridge (Or on top in some built-in fridges)
If it gets noisy, it’s usually one of these two reasons:
a. The Condenser Fan Motor Is Failing
Same deal as the evaporator fan - motors get old, bearings give up, and the noise starts creeping in.
It might buzz, whine, or sound like a tiny helicopter.
b. The Fan Frame Is Falling Apart
Your condenser fan is usually attached to a plastic frame that holds it in place. When that frame is exposed to high heat behind the fridge (Due to poor ventilation because of little to no gap behind) the frame start cracking and falling apart resulting in the blades touching the frame and making a noise. In those cases the frame will either need to be adjusted or replaced if available.
3. A Loud Compressor (Or Constant Clicking)
A compressor that’s working properly makes a low, steady hum. But when a compressor is struggling - especially an old one the sound gets noticeably louder. Do not ignore a louder than usual compressor since it almost always means a failing unit that will struggle with cooling.
A loud compressor might sound like:
A deep rumble
A louder-than-usual hum that kicks on and off
When Should You Call a Technician?
Call us if:
The noise keeps getting louder
You hear scraping, ticking, or “rrrrrr” sounds
The fridge is warm or not cooling properly
The noise stops when you open the freezer door (big clue)
The compressor sounds like it’s straining
You hear a constant clicking noise
Fridge noises almost always point to a failing part and catching it early can save you from a bigger repair later.
Why Toronto Homeowners Call Us
People call us because:
We have 350+ 5-star reviews across all major platforms
Same-day or next-day repairs
Fair, honest pricing
Service call is waived with any repair
Every part replaced comes with warranty.
Local, Family owned and operated
Book Your Fridge Repair in Toronto
If your fridge is making weird noises, let’s take a look before something fails completely.
Call: 647-424-1316
Visit: bestrepairs.ca
Serving Toronto, Mississauga, Vaughan, Aurora, Markham, Newmarket, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Richmond Hill, North York, East York, Whitchurch-Stouffville, King City, Maple, Thornhill, Woodbridge, Unionville, Aurora and Bolton.