Many owners of household appliances are faced with a situation where the refrigerator makes strange soundsthat were not previously typical for them. The sudden appearance of crackling, clicking or humming often causes panic and fears that an expensive unit will soon fail. However, extraneous noise does not always indicate a critical breakdown that requires an immediate call to a repairman.
It is important to understand that a modern refrigerator is a complex electromechanical device, the operation of which is associated with physical processes of expansion and contraction of materials. Temperature changes inside the chamber and in the motor compartment inevitably affect the condition of plastic, metal and internal components. It is these changes that often become the primary reason why the device begins to crack.
In this article we will analyze in detail the main causes of crackling, dividing them into normal operating processes and signs of malfunctions. You will learn to distinguish between harmless sounds and symptoms of serious problems that require professional intervention. This will help you save time and money, as well as extend the life of your equipment.
⚠️ Attention: If the cracking sound is accompanied by a strong burning smell, smoke or a complete loss of cooling, immediately disconnect the device from the power supply and contact a service center.
Natural physical processes during operation of equipment
The most common the reason why the refrigerator is cracking in normal mode lies in the thermal expansion of the materials. The inner walls of the chamber, shelves and back panel are made of plastic and metal, which have different expansion coefficients. With a sharp change in temperature, for example, after stopping the compressor or, conversely, when starting it, these materials are deformed, emitting characteristic sounds.
Often users hear a loud crackling sound, reminiscent of clicks, immediately after the motor stops. This means that cooling cycle is completed and the internal elements begin to slowly cool or warm up to ambient temperature. In modern models with a system No Frost such sounds may occur more often due to the presence of a larger number of plastic parts in the air ducts.
It is also worth considering the operation of the automatic defrosting system. It turns on periodically Heater (Tubular Electric Heater), which melts the ice on the evaporator. Sharp contact of heat with frozen elements can cause short-term cracking of ice or plastic air ducts.
The intensity of such sounds may vary depending on the time of year and room temperature. In the summer, when the room is hot, the refrigerator works more intensely, and temperature changes inside the unit are sharper, which increases the likelihood of crackling.
Operation of the compressor and start relay
The heart of any refrigeration unit is compressor. It is this that ensures the circulation of refrigerant throughout the system. When the engine starts or stops, the starting relay comes into operation and can also make sounds. If you hear a loud click followed by the hum of the engine, or a click when it turns off, this is usually the norm.
However, if the crackling noise is heard directly in the area of the engine compartment and is of a repetitive, intrusive nature, you should listen more carefully. Start relay is a mechanism that wears out over time. If its contacts burn out or the mechanism jams, the relay may click repeatedly, trying to start the compressor, but not allowing it to turn on.
In such a situation, the refrigerator may hum for several seconds, then click sharply and go silent. After some time, the cycle repeats. This is no longer just noise, but a sign that trigger mechanism requires replacement. Ignoring this problem can lead to overheating and combustion of the compressor itself, the repair of which is much more expensive.
For diagnostics, you can carefully (observing safety precautions) put your hand on the back wall in the area of the motor. If a strong vibration or jerk is felt at the moment of clicking, and the motor does not start, the problem most likely lies in the electrical part of the start.
Problems with the No Frost defrosting system
Owners of equipment with the system No Frost often wonder why their refrigerator makes sounds similar to cracking glass or plastic. In such models, the evaporator is hidden behind a plastic panel, and the defrosting process occurs automatically. Ice accumulating on the radiator may crack when melting.
In addition, the system No Frost has a fan that circulates cold air. If ice has formed on the fan blades or on the walls of the duct, the blades may touch ice build-up. This causes a rhythmic cracking or knocking noise that gets worse when the refrigerator is running at full power.
Also worth mentioning is the air bypass valve. In some models, it may jam due to frozen ice, producing characteristic clicks when trying to open or close. This indicates a violation of the defrost cycle, perhaps the timer or defrost sensor has failed.
How to check the fan?
To do this, you will need to remove the back panel in the freezer. Visually assess whether there is ice on the blades. Rotation should be free, without jamming.
If the crackling sound is accompanied by a “coat” of ice growing in the freezer compartment, and the food begins to thaw, it means that the defrosting system is not working correctly and requires the intervention of a technician to replace the heating element or sensor.
The influence of incorrect installation on the noise level
Often the reason for a banal crackling or rattling noise lies not in the internal components, but in the way the unit itself is installed. If the refrigerator is uneven, vibration from the operating compressor is transmitted to the housing and intensifies, causing resonance of internal parts and shelves.
Check the stability of the device. It should not wobble when lightly pressing on the corners. For adjustment, the front support legs are used, which can be twisted or unscrewed. Incorrect installation can cause tubes inside the engine compartment to come into contact with each other or with the walls of the housing, causing metallic ringing or vibration noise.
Also pay attention to the distance to the wall. If the refrigerator is moved close to a wall or furniture, vibration can be transmitted to them, causing interior items to rattle, which is mistakenly perceived as noise from the appliance itself.
☑️ Checking the installation of the refrigerator
Make sure that inside the chamber all containers and bottles are stable and do not touch each other. Even slight contact of glass bottles during vibration can create a sound very similar to the crackling of a mechanism.
Diagnostic table: Normal or broken?
To make it easier for you to navigate the nature of the sounds, we have prepared a summary table. It will help you quickly determine whether you should worry or whether you can safely continue operating the equipment.
| Sound type | Occurrence frequency | Probable cause | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single clicks | When turned on/off | Relay operation, plastic expansion | Normal |
| Quiet crackling | Periodically, day and night | Thermal expansion of the walls | Normal |
| Series of clicks | Constantly, the motor does not start | Malfunction of the starting relay | Failure |
| Loud cracking + ice | Constantly in the freezer | The fan touches the ice | Breakage |
| Metal clanging | When the compressor is running | Vibration of tubes, touching the body | Requires editing |
This table is for reference only. If you are not sure about the nature of the sound, it is better to be safe. In some models, for example Liebherr or Bosch, design features may imply specific sounds of valve operation, which are described in the instructions.
⚠️ Attention: The design of the tubes in the engine compartment is fragile. Do not try to straighten them or change their position yourself if you do not have experience - you can damage the circuit and cause freon leakage.
Mechanical damage and wear of parts
Over time, even high-quality parts wear out. In old refrigerators, a cracking sound can be caused by dried out rubber shock absorbers on which the compressor is suspended. If the rubber has lost its elasticity, the metal motor housing begins to vibrate against the metal elements of the frame.
Another reason is weakening of the fasteners. Screws holding the motor casing or interior panels can become loose over time from constant vibration. This leads to rattling and knocking. In such cases, it is enough to simply tighten the fasteners.
In rare cases, a cracking noise may occur on its own compressor due to internal wear of valves or bearings. This is usually accompanied by a strong hum and heating of the motor. If you hear something rattling inside the “metal barrel,” this is a bad sign indicating the need to replace the unit.
Regular maintenance, including cleaning the condenser from dust (located at the bottom or top rear), also reduces the load on the compressor. A condenser clogged with dust causes the motor to work longer and harder, which increases the likelihood of noise and overheating.
When you need to call a technician
Despite the fact that many sounds are normal, there are situations when you cannot hesitate. If the crackling sound is accompanied by a lack of cold, the appearance of puddles under the refrigerator, or the continuous operation of the motor without shutting down, these are signs of a serious malfunction.
It is also worth calling a specialist if you notice that the nature of the sounds has changed dramatically. For example, a quiet refrigerator suddenly began to crack and hum loudly. This may indicate a refrigerant or electrical problem. Self-diagnosis is good for long-term checks, but deep repairs require professional equipment.
Remember that breaking seals or independently repairing complex components often leads to loss of warranty. If your refrigerator is under warranty service, it is better to coordinate this intervention with an authorized service.
Is it possible to use a refrigerator with a crack?
If there is cooling, and the crack is caused by the expansion of the plastic, it is possible. If the relay crackles and the motor does not start, the products may go bad.
In conclusion, careful attention to the “behavior” of your equipment will help you notice the problem in time. Most sounds are simply a “language” in which physics describes the operation of complex mechanisms.
Is it normal for a refrigerator to crack immediately after purchase?
Yes, this is absolutely normal. The new equipment is undergoing a “break-in” process. Plastic parts have not yet taken their final shape under the influence of temperatures, so in the first weeks of use, cracking may be more frequent. Also, the new compressor may run a little louder until the lubricants are developed.
Why does the refrigerator only crack at night?
At night, the overall noise level in the apartment decreases, and you simply begin to notice sounds that were inaudible during the day. In addition, at night the room temperature is often lower, which can affect the frequency at which the compressor turns on and the nature of thermal expansion.
Can an empty refrigerator crack?
Yes, it can. An empty refrigerator is even subject to large temperature changes, since the food acts as a heat accumulator. When the door is opened, more warm air enters the empty chamber, causing a sharper reaction of the cooling system and, as a result, louder sounds of expansion of materials.
Is it dangerous if a cracking noise is heard from the top of the refrigerator?
Depends on the design. The evaporator or air ducts are often located at the top. A cracking sound there is usually associated with the operation of the No Frost system or expansion of the plastic. If you hear the crackling sound of an electric arc (similar to the sound of a short circuit), this is dangerous and requires immediate shutdown.