The short answer
New noise from a HC model is most often the cabinet touching something, the unit sitting out of level, or the compressor mount having settled. All three are checkable without a tool, and all three come before anything that requires a panel off on this platform.
What you observe
- The noise changes when you lean on the cabinet — That is the whole diagnosis in one move: the cabinet is transmitting into the floor or into what it is touching.
- Gurgling or trickling from inside — Refrigerant moving and condensate running. Both are normal sounds and neither is a fault on their own.
- A rattle that comes and goes — Intermittent noise is nearly always contact - a line touching the shell, a tray moving, or a shelf that is not seated.
- A loud moment at start-up that settles after a few seconds — Start components and the compressor taking load. Loud and brief is different from loud and continuous.
Causes, most likely first
- The cabinet standing out of level or on a flexing floor — First on this family. A light cabinet does not damp its own vibration the way a heavy one does, so a foot that is not carrying weight lets the whole shell move with the compressor.
- The cabinet touching a wall, a unit or a stored item — Second. On a compact unit sited in a tight space, the sides and back are close to something almost by definition, and any contact turns the shell into a sounding board.
- The drip tray resonating on its rails — A shallow tray under the cabinet moves easily and rings when the compressor runs. Repositioning it is free and it removes a noise that sounds far more serious than it is.
- A loose panel, shelf, tray or cover — Anything not seated will vibrate. It is worth a pass over the cabinet before assuming a component, because it explains a good share of complaints on a light shell.
Check in this order
- Open the door and listen for the noise changing — On models with a fan that stops with the door, this identifies the fan without opening anything.
- Take the shelves and drawers out and run it empty for a while — Last of the free checks, and it settles whether the noise is the cabinet or its contents.
- Note whether the noise is continuous, intermittent or only at start-up — This splits the list in three before you touch anything, and it is the single most useful thing you can establish.
- Rest a hand firmly on the top and on each side while it runs — If the noise changes, it is the shell transmitting, and the cause is level or contact rather than a component.
Before you open anything
Safety
Unplug the appliance or switch off its breaker before removing any panel. A capacitor can hold a charge after the power is off. Never reach behind a running fan to find a noise - stop the unit first, because the blade on this platform sits close to the panel opening.
Models in the HC family — The models this page covers, as the product spine lists them. The models here differ only in a trailing code, which means none of them ranks this cause differently.
Reference| Model number | Family key |
|---|---|
| HC-70 | black-decker:refrigerator:hc |
| HC-95 | black-decker:refrigerator:hc |
When to call
The line on this family is the rear cover. Levelling, clearing, reseating and emptying are all owner work and need no tool.
Other faults on this family
Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 12 years experience
Experienced technician with 12 years specializing in washing machine and dryer repairs across all major brands.
