Refrigerator - Buzzing Noise

If you hear a buzzing, humming, vibrating, or faint rattling sound coming from your Refrigerator, it is most likely coming from the icemaker or icemaker/dispenser water valve. In most cases, a buzzing noise is considered normal operation.

Icemaker and Dispenser - During Normal Operation

• When the icemaker is filling with water, the water valve opens and can make a buzzing or humming type of sound. This would occur briefly every 1 to 1-1/2 hours or so.
• You may hear the water valve buzz when you get water on Refrigerators with an internal or external water dispenser.

Icemaker and Dispenser - Troubleshooting

• On models with the XWF or XWFE filter (featured on many Bottom Freezer and Side-by-Side style Refrigerators): You may hear a buzzing sound for 5 seconds about once every hour. It is caused by an isolation valve that is designed to help prevent major leaks from the filter.
• The icemaker is turned on but the water supply to the icemaker is turned off: The buzzing noise would be heard approximately every 15 minutes (every time the icemaker attempts to fill with water). Check to make sure the water supply line connected to the Refrigerator is turned on.
  • To keep this buzzing from occurring, make sure the icemaker is turned off if water is not connected to the Refrigerator. See our Refrigerator - How to Turn Icemaker On or Off article for more information.
• On models with the XWF filter (featured on many Bottom Freezer and Side-by-Side style Refrigerators), you may hear a buzzing sound for 5 seconds about once every hour. It is caused by an isolation valve that is designed to help prevent major leaks from the filter.

Support

If the above suggestions do not resolve the issue, a service call may be needed. For repair assistance, please schedule a service appointment with GE Appliances Factory Service.