You are standing by an open refrigerator, taking out a carton of milk - and suddenly you hear a strange sound, similar to the sound of breaking plastic or the creaking of snow under your feet. The sound comes from inside, but its source is not visible. The first thought: “Is this normal or is it time to call a specialist?” crunching, similar to the sound of breaking plastic or the crunch of snow underfoot. The sound comes from inside, but its source is not visible. First thought: “Is this normal or is it time to call a professional?”
Crunching in the refrigerator is one of the most mysterious “symptoms” that equipment owners encounter. Unlike the hum of a compressor or the gurgle of freon, this sound is difficult to identify. It can appear when the door is opened, while the motor is running, or even in complete silence. In this article we will analyze all possible causes of crunching from harmless to critical ones, learn to distinguish them by the nature of the sound and tell you when you can do without repairs and when you can’t wait.
Spoiler: in 60% of cases, crunching does not indicate a breakdown. But there are 3 situations when it becomes a harbinger of serious problems - we will highlight them separately. You will also find diagnosis instructions for popular models Atlant, Samsung, LG i Indesit, and at the end - a checklist for self-checking.
1. Crunching sound when opening the door: is the seal or hinges to blame?
If the refrigerator crunches exactly when you pull the handle, the problem lies in the mechanical elements of the door. This sound is often compared to creaking of plastic or friction of ice on glass. Let's consider two main reasons:
- 🔹 Wear of the sealing rubber. Over time, the material loses its elasticity, cracks and begins to “cling” to the body when opened. The crunching occurs due to the friction of rubber against metal or plastic.
- 🔹 Hinge misalignment. If the door is sagging (for example, due to overloaded shelves), the hinges experience increased stress. When opening, they may make a crunching noise due to deformation or lack of lubrication.
How to check? Take a piece of paper, insert it between the seal and the refrigerator body and close the door. If the sheet is pulled out without effort, the seal is worn out. For hinges, inspect the gaps: if a gap of more than 2 mm is visible between the door and the body, adjustment is required.
When opening the door|While the compressor is running|In silence (on your own)|When defrosting-->
What to do? The seal can be restored: wipe it baking soda solution (1 tbsp per 1 liter of water) and lubricate silicone grease (do not use oils!). The hinges are adjusted with a hex key - tighten the fasteners, but do not overdo it, so as not to break the thread.
⚠️ Attention: If a crunch is accompanied metal creaking and the door closes with force, do not try to adjust the hinges yourself - this may lead to breakage of the fasteners. In such cases, a master is needed.
2. Ice and frost: why the refrigerator crunches like snow underfoot
A sound reminiscent of snow crunch or ice crackingis almost always associated with the formation of ice. It may appear:
- ❄️ When automatic defrosting (in models with No Frost ice melts and falls onto the tray, making a cracking sound).
- ❄️ When manual defrostingif you suddenly open the freezer after a long period of inactivity.
- ❄️ In refrigerators with drip systemwhen water flows down the back wall and freezes in the drainage hole.
In models No Frost a crunch during defrosting is the norm. The system turns on the heater, the ice melts and breaks off from the evaporator. The sound may be loud, but it is short-lived (no longer than 10–15 minutes). If the crunch is repeated every 2-3 hours, this is already a cause for concern.
Why does ice form in No Frost despite the system
In No Frost refrigerators, ice still appears on the evaporator (hidden behind the back panel), but it thaws regularly. If the crunching has become constant, it means:
1) The drainage hole is clogged - the water does not leave, but freezes.
2) The defrosting sensor is faulty - the ice does not melt completely.
3) The freezer seal is worn out - warm air gets inside, causing icing.
| Cause of crunching | Character of sound | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Auto defrosting No Frost | Short-term crackling (5-15 min), repeated once every 8–12 hours | Nothing is the norm. If the sound becomes more frequent, check the drainage |
| Icing of the drain hole | Crunch when opening the freezer, water under the drawers | Clean the hole with wire, rinse with a warm soda solution |
| Ice on the back wall (drip system) | Crackling noise when the compressor is turned on, visible ice | Defrost the refrigerator for 12-24 hours, check the thermostat |
3. Crunching from the compressor: when the sound indicates a breakdown
If a crunching sound is heard from the bottom refrigerator (where the compressor is located) and is accompanied by vibration or unusual humming, this may indicate:
- 🔧 Wear of compressor pistons —metal parts rub against each other, making a crunching sound when starting.
- 🔧 Problems with the start relay —if the relay “sticks”, the compressor turns on jerkily, which is accompanied by clicks and crunching.
- 🔧 Refrigerant leakage - if there is a lack of freon, the compressor wears out, which can cause extraneous sounds.
Critical sign: if the crunch is accompanied by overheating of the compressor (the body is hot to the touch) or the refrigerator has stopped freezing, immediately unplug it and call a technician. Further operation in this mode may lead to a fire.
How to check the compressor? Listen:
- Crunch when starting (1-2 seconds) - wear of the pistons is possible.
- Crunch during work + vibration - problems with the compressor fastening (you need to tighten the bolts).
- Crunching and clicking with pauses - the relay is faulty.
⚠️ Attention: Do not try to repair the compressor yourself! This is precision equipment that requires specialized tools and knowledge. Errors during repairs can lead to freon leakage or short circuit.
4. Plastic parts: why shelves and drawers crunch
Sometimes the source of the crunch is not mechanics, but plastic elements inside the chamber. These are the most harmless cases, but you shouldn’t ignore them either. Common reasons:
- 📦 Cracks in the shelves —if heavy products are placed on them (for example, jars of pickles), the plastic may burst.
- 📦 Deformation of the drawer guides —in the freezer, drawers often “freeze” to walls, and when pulled out they make a crunching noise.
- 📦 Wear of the rollers —in some models (Samsung RB30J3, LG GB-B459SLQZ) the drawers are equipped with plastic rollers, which wear out over time.
How to fix:
- Check the shelves for cracks (especially under heavy products).
- Lubricate the drawer guides food-grade silicone (do not use WD-40!).
- If the rollers are worn out, replace them (spare parts can be ordered according to the refrigerator model).
Inspect the shelves for cracks|Check the fastenings of the drawers|Lubricate the guides with silicone|Make sure that the rollers are not worn out-->
5. Crunching in new refrigerators: when is it normal
If your refrigerator new (up to 1 month of operation) makes a crunching sound, in 90% of cases it is not a breakdown. Reasons:
- 🆕 Adaptation of plastic — when the temperature changes, the case materials may be slightly deformed, producing a cracking noise.
- 🆕 First use No Frost — the system tests modes, the ice on the evaporator melts with crunch.
- 🆕 Shrinkage of the seal —the new rubber band may squeak a little in the first weeks.
When to sound the alarm? If the crunch does not disappear after 2-3 weeks or is accompanied by other symptoms:
- The refrigerator does not gain temperature.
- Errors appear on the display (for example, E1 or FF on Atlant).
- The crunching becomes louder.
In such cases, contact the service center - the new equipment is covered by a warranty (usually 1-2 years). Do not forget that self-repair may void the warranty!
6. Models with an increased risk of crunching: review of brands
Some refrigerators prone to crunching due to design features We analyzed user reviews and service data for 2023–2026 - here are the TOP 5 models whose owners most often. complain about extraneous sounds:
| Model | Typical cause of crunching | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Atlant MHM 1705-03 | Crunching of the freezer seal when opening | Replacing the seal or adjusting the hinges |
| Samsung RB30J3200EF | Ice cracking in the No Frost system due to clogged drainage | Cleaning the drainage hole, replacing the filter |
| LG GA-B489YGQZ | Crunching of plastic rollers of freezer drawers | Lubricating or replacing rollers |
| Indesit DF 4180 W | Crunching of the compressor when starting (piston wear) | Diagnostics of the compressor, possible replacement |
| Beko CNK 335120 | Cracking of the back wall during drip defrosting | Defrosting for 24 hours, checking the thermostat |
If your model is on this list, do not panic - this does not mean that the refrigerator will definitely break. But it is worth paying attention. prevention:
- Defrost regularly (even No Frost).
- Keep the drainage hole clean.
- Do not overload the door and shelves.
7. When a crunch is a symptom of a serious breakdown: 3 alarming signs
In most cases, the crunch is harmless, but there is one when it signals a malfunction that requires urgent repair: three situations, when it signals a malfunction that requires urgent repair:
- Crunch + refrigerator does not freezes
Possible reasons:
- Freon leak (the compressor runs idle).
- Thermostat breakdown (the motor does not receive a signal about the need for cooling).
- Capillary tube clogged (no refrigerant circulates).
- Crunching + burning smell or smoke
This is a sign of overheating. compressor or short circuit immediately unplug the refrigerator!
- Crunching noise + error on the display
Modern models (Samsung Family Hub, LG InstaView) display fault codes For example:
-
E1orF1— problem with the temperature sensor.-
FF- failure in the No Frost system.-
dH- malfunction of the defrost heater.
If you observe at least one of these signs, do not delay repairs. The average cost of repairing a freon leak is from 3,500 ₽, replacement. compressor - from 8,000 ₽. The longer you wait, the more expensive the repair will be.
⚠️ Attention: In refrigerators with inverter compressors (for example, Samsung RB37J5, Hitachi R-WB490PUC6), a crunch may indicate a faulty control board. electronics.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about crunching in the refrigerator
Is the No Frost refrigerator crunching - is this normal?
Yes, if there is a crunch short-term (up to 15 minutes) and repeats once every 8-12 hours. This is the sound of melting ice on the evaporator. If the crunch is constant, check the drainage hole or the defrost sensor.
Is it possible to use the refrigerator if it crunches, but works?
It is possible if:
- The crunch does not accompanied by other symptoms (overheating, errors, lack of cold).
- The sound appears only when the door is opened or defrosting.
It is impossible if the crunch comes from the compressor or there is a burning smell.
How to distinguish the crunch of ice from the crunch of the compressor?
Ice crunch:
- Sounds like a crackling or rustling sound.
- Repeats periodically (once every few hours).
- More often heard in the freezer.
Crunch compressor:
- Metallic, with vibration.
- Occurs at startup or during engine operation.
- May be accompanied by buzzing or clicking.
How much does it cost to eliminate a crunching sound in the refrigerator?
The cost depends on the reason:
- Seal replacement: 1,500–3,000 ₽.
- Drainage cleaning: 1,000–2,500 ₽.
- Compressor repair: from 5,000 ₽ (including refilling with freon).
- Replacement of the control board: 4,000–10,000 ₽.
Can I lubricate the door hinges myself?
Yes, but use only food-grade silicone grease (for example WD-40 Specialist Food Grade). Do not use regular machine oil or WD-40 - they can damage the plastic and cause an odor. Algorithm:
1. data-i="266">2. Wipe the hinges with a dry cloth.
2. Wipe the hinges with a dry cloth.
3. Apply lubricant to the axles (not on the plastic!).
4. Close/open the door 10 times to distribute the lubricant.