Why Does My Refrigerator Make Popping Noises? Normal?

Quick answer: Why does my refrigerator make popping noises? In most cases it’s the plastic liner and walls expanding and contracting as the temperature inside changes. Whirlpool, GE and Samsung all list popping and cracking as normal, especially after a defrost cycle or when a new fridge first cools down.

I know a sharp pop at 2 a.m. sounds like something just broke. Usually nothing did, and the pattern of when the pops happen tells you which kind you have.

When Popping Is Normal

The plastic inside your fridge changes size slightly as it warms and cools. Each time it moves past a mounting point or seam, it can make a pop, crack or snap.

According to the manufacturers, this happens most:

• After a defrost cycle. GE says popping can happen after defrost as the evaporator cools back down.
• When the fridge first cools from room temperature. GE’s owner’s manual says cracking or popping from the plastic liner occurs mainly in this phase, so new fridges and fridges restarting after an outage are noisier for a day or two.
• During normal cycling. Whirlpool explains popping as the walls expanding and contracting. Samsung says the same about its plastic parts.

In practice, normal popping is occasional and random. You might hear a few pops an hour, then nothing.

Why Does My Refrigerator Make Popping Noises at Night?

Most people notice the pops at night simply because the house is quiet. There’s a second reason too: if the fridge ran a defrost cycle in the evening, the cool-down afterwards is when the plastic snaps back into shape.

When you hear popping mainly at night, at no fixed interval, and the fridge stays cold, I’d treat it as normal.

Other Sounds People Mistake for Popping

Sound	What it usually is	Normal?
Single click	Compressor starting or stopping (Whirlpool)	Yes
Clicking for 3 to 5 minutes after a power cut	Compressor trying to restart (GE)	Yes
Hiss or sizzle	Water dripping on the defrost heater	Yes
Buzz or click every 15 minutes	Ice maker water valve with no water (GE)	Fixable
Thud or bang when water runs	Water hammer from high home water pressure (GE)	Fixable
Loud, repeated popping every few seconds	Possible fault	Get it checked

How Long Does Popping Last on a New Fridge?

GE ties liner popping mainly to the cool-down from room temperature. In practice, that means the first day or two after delivery, after a move, or after the fridge has been unplugged for cleaning are the noisiest stretches you’ll get.

After that, the cabinet settles into a narrow temperature range and the pops become occasional. If a brand-new fridge is still popping loudly every few minutes after a week, I’d mention it to the retailer while you’re still inside the return window, simply so it’s on record.

A 5-Minute Listening Check

When you can’t tell whether a sound is normal, this quick routine helps:

1. Note the time. Pops right after the compressor stops, or about 20 to 30 minutes after a defrost, point to normal expansion.
2. Open the freezer door. If the sound is louder inside the freezer and sounds like a crack rather than a scrape, it’s usually the liner or evaporator area cooling.
3. Touch the side panels gently. A pop under your hand means the cabinet is flexing, which levelling usually calms.
4. Check the temperature. If the fridge holds 37°F to 40°F and the freezer 0°F, a normal noise is far more likely than a fault.
5. Listen at the back. Crackling near the compressor with a burning smell is the one combination that needs an immediate unplug and a call.

My take: if the fridge is cold and the pops are irregular, you can stop worrying and get some sleep.

How to Reduce Popping Noises

You can’t stop the plastic from expanding, but you can cut down on the temperature swings that make it move so much.

Keep the Door Closures Short

Every long door opening warms the interior and sets up another cool-down cycle. The trick is to grab everything you need in one trip.

Don’t Overload With Warm Food

Putting a big pot of warm leftovers in the fridge makes the walls warm and contract unevenly. I’d let food cool to near room temperature first, within the food-safety limit of 2 hours.

Level the Fridge

A fridge that sits slightly twisted puts stress on the cabinet, which can make pops louder. Adjust the front legs until the fridge sits firm and the doors close on their own.

Fix Water Hammer If You Hear Bangs

If the “pop” is really a bang when the ice maker fills, GE points to high water pressure in the home. A plumber can fit a pressure-reducing valve or water hammer arrestor.

When Popping Means a Problem

Samsung says very loud or persistent popping, humming or grinding warrants a service call. I’d also call a technician if:

• The popping is regular and rapid, every few seconds, for hours
• It comes with the fridge failing to stay cold
• You hear popping plus a burning smell or electrical crackle (unplug it first)
• The noise started right after a repair or move and hasn’t eased after 2 days

If the main sound is a hum rather than pops, see why is my fridge making a loud humming noise. Restarting after an outage? Our guide on how to reset a refrigerator after a power outage explains what to expect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it normal for a fridge to make popping sounds?

Yes. Whirlpool, GE and Samsung all describe popping and cracking from plastic parts expanding and contracting as normal refrigerator sounds.

Why does my new fridge pop so much?

GE says cracking and popping from the plastic liner happen mainly when the fridge is cooling down from room temperature. A new fridge usually quiets down within a day or two.

Why does my fridge pop after defrosting?

After a defrost cycle, the evaporator and surrounding parts cool back down quickly. GE lists popping during this cool-down as normal.

Can a refrigerator popping noise be dangerous?

Usually not. But popping with an electrical crackle, burning smell or a fridge that stops cooling should be checked by a technician. Unplug it if you smell burning.

How do I stop my fridge from popping at night?

You can’t stop it entirely, but fewer long door openings, letting hot food cool first and leveling the fridge reduce temperature swings and stress on the cabinet.

Last updated: November 9, 2026. Sources: Whirlpool normal refrigerator sounds, GE normal refrigerator sounds and Samsung refrigerator noises.