Samsung's manual for the RF29BB8600 lists the normal sounds and says a service visit for normal operating sounds may be charged. Starting or ending an operation can sound like a car engine ignition, and the fan gives whirring that stops when the set temperature is reached. During defrost, water dripping on the defrost heater makes a sizzling sound; refrigerant gas moving through sealed pipes bubbles; plastic parts expand and contract with knocking or cracking; the ice maker water valve buzzes when it fills; and opening or closing a door produces a whoosh from pressure equalising.
Differential
Likely causes of “Samsung refrigerator makes buzzing, clicking, rattling or knocking noises”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Normal starting, stopping and fan sounds
What separates it Clicking, buzzing, chirping or whirring that fades as the temperature is reached
How to confirm The manual lists these as normal, so no action is needed
- 2
Defrost and refrigerant sounds
What separates it There are sizzling, bubbling, cracking or knocking sounds because of defrost and refrigerant sounds
How to confirm These occur during defrost and as parts expand and contract
- 3
The ice maker water valve filling
What separates it A buzz when the water valve opens, or a buzz with no water connected
How to confirm It is normal while filling; turn the ice maker off if no water supply is connected
- 4
The refrigerator is unlevel or touching a wall
What separates it There is vibration or rattling from the cabinet because the refrigerator is unlevel or touching a wall
How to confirm Level it and keep 2.5 inches (5 cm) of clearance
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The type of sound: click, buzz, whoosh, bubble, sizzle, knock or grind
- When it occurs: at start, during defrost or continuously
- Whether the ice maker is on with no water connected
Try in this order
0 of 5 completedMatch the sound to the normal list
ReversibleClicking or chirping at start, whirring from the fan, sizzling in defrost, bubbling refrigerant, cracking or knocking from expansion, a buzz when the ice maker valve opens and a whoosh from pressure equalising are all normal.
Check the ice maker
ReversibleIf the ice maker function is on but the water supply is not connected, it buzzes; turn off the ice maker.
Check leveling and clearance
ReversibleLevel the refrigerator on its front leveling screws and keep at least 2.5 inches (5 cm) around it.
Check the drawers
ReversibleMake sure the FlexZone and freezer drawers are seated and the racks are not rattling.
Allow settling time
ReversibleSounds are more noticeable when the refrigerator starts up or after loading a lot of food.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Normal sounds list
- Samsung's list: an engine-ignition sound at start or end of an operation, clicking, buzzing or chirping, whirring fan noise, sizzling on the defrost heater, bubbling refrigerant, knocking or cracking from plastic expanding and contracting, an ice maker water valve buzz and a whoosh when a door is opened or closed. Each is normal and needs no service.
- First ice and SmartThings
- After turning the refrigerator on, let the ice maker run for 1 to 2 days and throw out the first one or two buckets of ice so the system is flushed. The ice maker offers cubed ice and ice bites, each started or stopped from the panel. If the Wi-Fi indicator flashes when you open or close the door, the refrigerator is not connected to the SmartThings app and Samsung recommends reconnecting before relying on it. Never put fingers or objects into the dispenser outlet, ice chute or ice maker.
- Normal and abnormal noise
- A refrigerator hums, clicks and gurgles during normal cycles, but a loud buzz, a rattle or a squeal is not normal. Check that it is level and not touching the wall, and that nothing rattles on top. A loud fan may have ice or debris near it.
- Defrost and ice
- Ice build-up on the evaporator fan produces a scraping noise. Defrost the freezer by unplugging it for a day if the manual allows, and look for a fault in the defrost system if it returns. Call service if the noise changes with the compressor.
- Parts for this problem on the RF29BB8600 (RepairClinic, 2026-09-21)
- condenser fan motor, part number DA97-20025A, at $144.85; fan motor, part number DA31-00334D, at $186.18.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit models RF30BB6600, RF32FMQDBSR, RF28R7551, RF27T5501, RF28T5001, RF23M8070, RS27T5200, RT18M6215.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If a loud grinding, scraping or squealing continues, contact a Samsung service center
- !If the sound started with a burning smell, unplug and call service
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Samsung's own support page for the Bespoke 4-Door French Door refrigerator, listing the manual and revision.
Parts and list prices as shown on RepairClinic's parts search for this model number on 2026-09-21.
Exact questions
Common questions
Is buzzing normal?+
Yes, for the ice maker water valve when it opens to fill.
What is the whooshing?+
Pressure equalising when you open or close a door.
Why does it bubble?+
Refrigerant gas moving through sealed pipes as it cools or freezes.
Why does it sizzle?+
Water dripping on the defrost heater during a defrost cycle.
Why does it knock or crack?+
Plastic parts contract and expand as the temperature changes.
Can I be charged for a normal-noise visit?+
Yes, Samsung says you will be charged for visits related to normal sounds.
What if the ice maker buzzes constantly?+
The function is on but water is not connected; turn off the ice maker.
Will noise stop once the temperature is reached?+
Fan sounds stop when the set temperature is reached.
Is a clicking sound normal?+
Yes, during defrost and ice making.
What does a scraping noise mean?+
Ice on a fan.