Use and Care Manual
30
NORMAL OPERATING SOUNDS AND SIGHTS
Understanding the sounds you 
may hear
Your new, high-efciency refrigerator may 
introduce unfamiliar sounds. These sounds 
normally indicate your refrigerator is operating 
correctly. Some surfaces on oors, walls, and 
kitchen cabinets may make these sounds more 
noticeable.
The following is a list of major components 
in your refrigerator and the sounds they can 
cause:
  A Evaporator Refrigerant through the 
evaporator may create a boiling or 
gurgling sound.
  B  Evaporator fan You may hear air being 
forced through the refrigerator by the 
evaporator fan.
  C  Defrost heater During defrost cycles, 
water dripping onto the defrost heater 
may cause a hissing or sizzling sound. 
After defrosting, a popping sound may 
occur.
  D  Automatic ice maker When ice has 
been produced, you will hear ice cubes 
falling into the ice bin. Ice maker fan, 
water valve activation, and refrigerant gas 
uid may create sounds from its operation.
 E  Electronic control & automatic 
defrost control These parts can produce 
a snapping or clicking sound when turning 
the cooling system on and off.
  F  Condenser fan You may hear air being 
forced through the condenser.
  G Compressor Modern, high-efciency 
compressors run much faster than older 
models. The compressor may have a high-
pitched hum or pulsating sound.
  H  Water valve Makes a buzzing sound each 
time it opens to ll the ice maker.
  I  Drain pan (not removable) You may hear 
water dripping into the drain pan during 
the defrost cycle.
  J Condenser May create minimal sounds 
from forced air.
  K  Motorized damper May produce a light 
humming during operation.
  L  Ice dispensing paddle When dispensing 
ice, you will hear a snapping, clicking, or 
popping sound.
NOTE
Energy efcient foam in your refrigerator is 
not a sound insulator.
NOTE
During automatic defrost cycle, a red glow 
in the back wall vents of your freezer 
compartment is normal.
K
Features vary by model










