A sudden extraneous sound in the refrigerator always causes alarm. It would seem that just yesterday the equipment worked quietly and unnoticed, but today it makes sharp, crackling sounds that disturb the peace in the house. The refrigerator is cracking this is not always a signal of a critical breakdown that requires an immediate call to the technician. Often the source of noise lies in natural physical processes or minor malfunctions that can be eliminated on your own.
Before you panic and look for the service center number, it is important to analyze the nature of the sound. The crackling noise can be intermittent, occurring only when the engine is running, or constant, reminiscent of cracking plastic. Understanding the nature of sound is the first step to diagnosis. In this article, we will analyze in detail why your equipment makes such sounds, how to distinguish normal from pathology, and what actions to take to restore silence.
Ignoring the problem can lead to more serious consequences, especially if the crackling sound is associated with vibration of internal mechanisms. However, there is no need for extra haste: sometimes it is enough to simply straighten a nearby vase or align the legs of the unit. Let's look at the main reasons in order, from the most harmless to those requiring specialist intervention.
Natural physical processes: plastic deformation
The most common and absolutely safe reason why the refrigerator cracks is thermal expansion of materials. The inner walls of the chamber and trays are often made of plastic, which reacts to temperature changes. When the compressor turns on and begins to cool the chamber, or vice versa, turns off and the temperature rises, the plastic contracts or expands.
This process is accompanied by a characteristic crackling sound, reminiscent of clicks or crunches. This sound usually occurs in new refrigerators or after defrosting. If your unit makes such sounds sporadically (periodically) and only when the temperature changes, there is nothing to worry about. This is a design feature, not a defect.
However, if the cracking becomes too loud or is accompanied by other symptoms, you should pay attention to the condition of the seals. Rubber cuffs can also make sounds when rubbing against the metal of the case, especially if they are dirty or dry.
⚠️ Attention: If the cracking of plastic is accompanied by the smell of burning or melted insulator, immediately unplug the equipment. This may indicate overheating of the wiring or contacts.
It is important to note that the intensity of the sounds may depend on the quality of the plastic used by the manufacturer. In budget models Indesit or Beko the walls may be thinner, so the reaction to temperature changes is more pronounced. Premium models, such as Liebherr or Siemens, use denser materials that dampen such noise.
Problems with the compressor and start relay
If a cracking noise is heard from the rear lower part of the refrigerator and coincides with the moments when the motor is turned on or off, the problem may lie in compressor. This is the “heart” of the refrigerator, and any malfunctions in its operation are clearly audible. Often the source of the sound is the starting relay - the part responsible for starting the engine.
When the relay wears out or carbon deposits appear in its contacts, an electric arc occurs when voltage is applied, accompanied by a loud click or crackling sound. If the compressor tries to start, makes a sound and stalls, this is a sure sign of a faulty starter. In such cases, the motor may hum but not start, which is dangerous for its windings.
- 🔊 A loud metallic clanging sound during startup often indicates wear on the internal moving parts of the compressor.
- ⚡ Frequent clicking without switching to operating mode indicates problems with the electrical starting circuit.
- 🌡️ Overheating of the motor housing in combination with a crash requires immediate shutdown of the equipment.
In some models, for example, in old Soviet refrigerators or modern ones Atlantakh, the compressor design may be noisier by default. However, a sharp change in the nature of the sound is always a reason to check. If you hear as if something is dangling inside the motor, this may indicate destruction of the rotor suspension.