Undercounter refrigeration tends to be more noticeable acoustically than a standalone kitchen fridge, simply because it’s installed closer to where people are sitting and standing — which makes a change in noise level worth paying attention to.
A Buzz or Hum That Wasn’t There Before
Often points to a loose mounting bracket or panel vibrating against the cabinetry rather than the compressor itself — worth checking before assuming the worst.
Clicking on Startup
Occasional clicking as the compressor cycles on is normal; frequent short-cycling with repeated clicking can indicate a start relay issue worth having checked.
A Genuinely Louder Compressor
If the compressor itself sounds meaningfully louder or different than it used to, that’s worth a diagnostic — see our refrigerator repair page.