Advice on annoying noise in refrigerator no frost LG

carlmdv · 26 Aug 2022 at 22:25

Hi forum.

I recently bought an LG no frost refrigerator and I find its noise very annoying.
Mainly a constant high-pitched sound, similar to the coil whine of PC components, which is present almost constantly since it turns on every 15 minutes.
It also makes a pretty loud sound when the compressor starts to run hard (when the walls get hot).

And here my doubt, assuming that it is a normal noise, is it recommended that you change it for a Cyclic refrigerator? are they quieter?

Thanks!!!

ChrisD. · 26 Aug 2022 at 23:23

Is it under warranty?

carlmdv · 27 Aug 2022 at 00:59

ChrisD. said:
Is it under warranty?

Yes, but a technician already saw it and says that it is the normal noise.

RobTi · 27 Aug 2022 at 16:31

funny i have an LG American frost free style, 4 months old and its whisper quite, i would say there must be something wrong with it

Mr.Cookie · 27 Aug 2022 at 18:32

Some systems are noisier than others even on identical models.

Couple of questions though, is it built in or freestanding and is it a busy house with the doors being opened and closed a lot?

carlmdv · 27 Aug 2022 at 19:37

RobTi said:
funny i have an LG American frost free style, 4 months old and its whisper quite, i would say there must be something wrong with it

Maybe because I have more sensitive hearing or it's a quieter apartment. this is the sound: https://imgur.com/a/MEwmFf5

carlmdv · 27 Aug 2022 at 19:41

Mr.Cookie said:
Some systems are noisier than others even on identical models.

Couple of questions though, is it built in or freestanding and is it a busy house with the doors being opened and closed a lot?

Not really, the fridge is opened very few times a day. This is the annoying sound, sharp and dirty electrical noise every 15 minutes. https://imgur.com/a/MEwmFf5
Later at night, it makes a louder sound when it is generating cold, even more unbearable.

Mr.Cookie · 27 Aug 2022 at 21:03

Sounds like an inverter compressor, how close to the compressor were you recording that and can you put your hand on the compressor or is it very hot?

carlmdv · 27 Aug 2022 at 21:09

Mr.Cookie said:
Sounds like an inverter compressor, how close to the compressor were you recording that and can you put your hand on the compressor or is it very hot?

Exactly, inverter.
The recording was about 20 cm, I tried to touch it and the temperature seems acceptable, more or less the temperature reached by the walls of the refrigerator.

Mr.Cookie · 27 Aug 2022 at 21:15

In reality think it is what it is an inverter compressor will speed up and slow down depending on cooling needs as long as it's doing that I certainly wouldn't want to break into the system to either change compressor or just do a drier and recharge.

carlmdv · 27 Aug 2022 at 22:13

Mr.Cookie said:
In reality think it is what it is an inverter compressor will speed up and slow down depending on cooling needs as long as it's doing that I certainly wouldn't want to break into the system to either change compressor or just do a drier and recharge.

Thanks, yes, I guess it's normal, just that some of us have the most sensitive hearing.
Do you recommend changing to a cyclic model? are they quieter?

labbby · 27 Aug 2022 at 22:21

carlmdv said:
Hi forum.

I recently bought an LG no frost refrigerator and I find its noise very annoying.
Mainly a constant high-pitched sound, similar to the coil whine of PC components, which is present almost constantly since it turns on every 15 minutes.
And here my doubt, assuming that it is a normal noise, is it recommended that you change it for a Cyclic refrigerator? are they quieter?

Thanks!!!

Ive had this with a fridge freezer before. I have super sensitive hearing especially for my age. It drove me nuts because friends and family couldn’t hear it until I finally found someone else that could. I hear all sorts of **** most can’t, like those pesky fox/cat lawn deterrent things.

Mr.Cookie · 27 Aug 2022 at 22:25

Yours is cyclic unless I'm misunderstanding you

Mr.Cookie · 27 Aug 2022 at 22:29

labbby said:
Ive had this with a fridge freezer before. I have super sensitive hearing especially for my age. It drove me nuts because friends and family couldn’t hear it until I finally found someone else that could. I hear all sorts of **** most can’t, like those pesky fox/cat lawn deterrent things.

I went to a job a couple of years back, bloke wasn't happy with frost free cracks and bangs and general system noises mooing squeaking etc, when I said nothing wrong with it, he said well hearing does deteriorated when you get older!!

carlmdv · 27 Aug 2022 at 23:09

Mr.Cookie said:
Yours is cyclic unless I'm misunderstanding you

I understand the cyclic ones are the conventional ones, this is a "no frost" inverter. https://www.lg.com/cl/refrigeradores/lg-gt29bppk

carlmdv · 27 Aug 2022 at 23:12

labbby said:
Ive had this with a fridge freezer before. I have super sensitive hearing especially for my age. It drove me nuts because friends and family couldn’t hear it until I finally found someone else that could. I hear all sorts of **** most can’t, like those pesky fox/cat lawn deterrent things.

I don't know if I reach that level, but that kind of high-pitched sounds drive me crazy, before it used to happen to me with my PC with the coil whine.

Mr.Cookie · 27 Aug 2022 at 23:22

No frost is just a frost free freezer, instead of the evaporator being behind the liner (chest freezer) or the 'shelves' the draws run on it looks more like a car radiator and also has a heater and fan, most likely hidden behind a plastic cover.
Because a freezer can't be allowed to go above 0oC every 12 hours or so a heater is energised to melt the frost which forms on the evaporator and will run for circa 15 minutes, the fan will run when the compressor is pumping to circulate the air inside the cavity.

jpaul · 27 Aug 2022 at 23:54

sounds just like the rustle/flow of the refrigerant in the cooling/condensor pipes .....

I'd check that there is no vibration/reverberation noise due to proximity of wall; with the current summer temperatures, it's pretty noticeable how much the fridge warms up the kitchen overnight with kitchen door closed.
our built in fridge/freezer has poor ventilation behind it, although there is an air gap extending from back to top, the cupboard door covers it, right up to the ceiling.

carlmdv · 28 Aug 2022 at 03:58

jpaul said:
sounds just like the rustle/flow of the refrigerant in the cooling/condensor pipes .....

I'd check that there is no vibration/reverberation noise due to proximity of wall; with the current summer temperatures, it's pretty noticeable how much the fridge warms up the kitchen overnight with kitchen door closed.
our built in fridge/freezer has poor ventilation behind it, although there is an air gap extending from back to top, the cupboard door covers it, right up to the ceiling.

I think it is in a good location, there is more than 10cm of separation with the walls. Also in my country it is not yet summer.

Mr.Cookie said:
No frost is just a frost free freezer, instead of the evaporator being behind the liner (chest freezer) or the 'shelves' the draws run on it looks more like a car radiator and also has a heater and fan, most likely hidden behind a plastic cover.
Because a freezer can't be allowed to go above 0oC every 12 hours or so a heater is energised to melt the frost which forms on the evaporator and will run for circa 15 minutes, the fan will run when the compressor is pumping to circulate the air inside the cavity.

Exactly, I was referring to those, the ones that have a type of radiator and you have to clean them every so often to remove the frost.
Are those quieter? because if they are quiet compared to these inverters, I don't mind having to clean the freezer once in a while.

Mr.Cookie · 28 Aug 2022 at 07:38

The only additional noises on frost free are when it's doing the defrost cycle, the other system noises will still be present as the refrigerant turns from gas to liquid to gas on non frost free but will also be more basic models.