When should I worry about my fridge noises?

You should begin worrying about and investigating refrigerator noises when the appliance starts producing harsh, unusual mechanical sounds that differ significantly from its normal gentle humming and soft fan breezes. Normal sounds include low compressor hums and airflow; however, worrisome noises include loud metallic grinding or squealing sounds indicating seized fan motor bearings, scraping sounds caused by fan blades striking heavy frost accumulations on the evaporator coils, or repetitive electrical clicking noises every few minutes indicating a failing compressor start relay or a locked motor. You can troubleshoot noise sources easily by opening the freezer door to check if fan noises stop. You can verify that your worry is justified and take corrective action when identifying these abnormal sounds allows you to defrost ice, replace fans, or fix relays before complete mechanical failure occurs.