GE fridges are known for their reliability and smooth operation, but even the most trustworthy brands can sometimes have issues. If your fridge suddenly starts to make a loud humming noise, it isn’t just annoying—it’s worrying! Does it signify a serious problem? Does it mean your fridge needs replacing? Could it even potentially be dangerous?
Thankfully, many of the issues that can cause your refrigerator to make a humming noise are not too tricky to fix, even for a novice DIYer. Read on to find out the main causes of a loud humming noise in your GE fridge, and what you should do about it.
This guide covers all major models of GE fridge, including:
1993LPO
90280JC
90280JD
90280JE
90280JF
90288JC
90288JD
90288JE
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GSH25JSRFSS
GSH25JSTASS
GSL25JFPABS
GSL25JFTABS
GSS20IEMBWW
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GTH18GBDDRWW
GTH18GBDERWW
GTS18FBSARWW
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PSS25SGNABS
PSS26SGPASS
Let’s start out with the easy fixes. If your GE refrigerator has suddenly started making a loud humming noise, and you’ve recently moved it to clean or retrieve something from behind it, then the position of your fridge could be at fault.
If the refrigerator is touching the wall or another appliance such as the dishwasher, then the usually silent vibrations made by the cooling process can start to sound pretty loud. To fix this issue, ensure your refrigerator has at least an inch of space between it and the wall or any other appliance.
Another easy fix, this one is often caused by shelves that are put back incorrectly after a deep clean of your refrigerator. Refrigerator shelves, trays, and compartments should be held firmly in place, and if one is loose, it can cause a humming noise as it vibrates. Check to make sure all the loose internal parts of your fridge are held tightly in place, and if not, make sure to set them back in firmly.
The compressor is a vital component of the refrigerator’s cooling system, and over time, its efficiency may decrease due to wear and tear or internal damage. This can result in increased vibration and noise levels, including a loud humming sound.
In most cases, when a compressor is deemed faulty, you need to have it replaced rather than repaired. The process of replacing a compressor involves handling refrigerants, which requires EPA certification, and working with high-voltage electrical components, posing a risk to those unfamiliar with the procedures.
A common cause of a loud humming noise is that the condenser fan motor is obstructed. If this is your issue the noise will be coming from the bottom of your refrigerator. To fix this, follow these steps:
A humming noise caused by a problem with your GE refrigerator’s automatic defrost system could be related to the defrost timer, defrost heater, or the defrost thermostat. To fix this issue, follow these steps:
Worn or damaged seals in a GE fridge usually do not directly cause a humming noise. However, if the seals are not functioning properly, they can indirectly contribute to the noise. Damaged seals can allow warm air to enter the refrigerator and cold air to escape, forcing the compressor to work harder and sometimes create loud noises.
Poorly sealing doors can lead to frost and ice buildup inside the freezer and around the evaporator fan. This can cause the fan to make noise while operating, such as a humming or buzzing sound.
If you suspect that worn or damaged seals are contributing to a humming noise in your GE fridge, inspect the seals for damage, wear, or debris. Clean them with mild detergent and warm water, and replace them if necessary to ensure a proper seal.
If you’ve gone through our list and still weren’t able to solve the noise, you might want to check out your ice maker. Some common ice maker-related issues that may produce a humming noise include:
A malfunctioning motor in the ice maker can create a humming or buzzing noise during operation. If this is the issue you’ll need to replace the part.
The ice maker may have its own fan, and debris or ice buildup around the fan can cause a humming noise. If this is the issue, try defrosting it by using a hairdryer.
Ice may become stuck or jammed in the ice maker mechanism, creating a noise when the ice maker tries to cycle. Defrosting with a hair dryer is also a good fix for this issue.
A faulty water inlet valve can produce a humming noise as it struggles to control the water flow to the ice maker. Replacing the part is usually the only course of action in this case.
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