Loud Pops, Buzzes and Clicks From Your Fisher & Paykel Freezer: Normal Sounds and Warning Signs

A freezer is rarely silent. Cooling, defrosting and temperature changes all produce sounds, and many are completely ordinary. The trick is learning which ones are routine.

Sounds that are usually fine

• A low hum while the compressor runs, which comes and goes through the day.
• Soft cracking or popping as plastic and metal parts expand and contract with temperature changes.
• A gurgle or hiss as refrigerant moves through the lines.
• A click when the cooling cycle starts or stops.
• Dripping or sizzling during the defrost cycle.

Sounds worth noticing

• Loud buzzing or rattling that did not exist last month, which can point to a loose panel, a fan blade touching ice, or a tired fan motor.
• A grinding or squealing noise that rises and falls with the fan.
• Repeated clicking with no cooling afterward, which may mean a part is trying to start and failing.
• A hum that never stops while the inside gets warmer.

Quick things to try

Check that the freezer is level and not touching the wall or cabinet. Remove anything stacked against the back wall that might block the fan. Make sure the shelves and baskets are seated and nothing is resting on the cooling vents. Heavy frost on the back panel can also cause fan noise, so note whether the freezer has been opened often during humid weather.

When to call

If the sound is new, getting louder, or paired with soft food or a warm reading, call sooner rather than later. A freezer that fails during a Houston summer can lose a full load of food quickly.

Visit our freezer repair page to learn how a visit works, and confirm we cover you on the service area page. You will see a written price before work starts, plus a 30-day workmanship warranty.