New Delhi, Nov. 26 -- It's common to wake up to a loud pop or click from your fridge, especially in a quiet home. While these noises can be unsettling, most have simple mechanical explanations. Modern refrigerators constantly cycle between cooling and resting. During these cycles, plastic panels, metal tubing, and foam liners expand and contract. This thermal movement can create a single pop or a short series of clicks, much like a knuckle cracking.

These noises are normal if cooling remains steady and sounds do not loop continuously.

Certain sounds may indicate issues:

At night, normal fridge sounds seem louder because ambient noise drops, making mechanical clicks, pops, and gurgles more noticeable. Doors usually stay closed for hours...