Sound Guide for LG Owners

LG Air Conditioner Making Noise

LG systems are known for running quietly, so an LG air conditioner making noise soon gets your attention. Some sounds are completely normal parts of how an inverter system works. Others are early warnings of a worn fan, a loose panel or an electrical problem. This guide helps you tell them apart and decide what to do next.

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Listen Carefully

Where Is the Noise Coming From?

Start by working out which part of the system is noisy. The indoor and outdoor units contain different parts, so the location immediately narrows the possibilities. Stand near each unit while it runs and listen for a minute or two.

Indoor Unit Sounds

The indoor unit contains the barrel fan, its motor, the louvre motors, the coil and the drain tray. Noises here are often related to airflow, dirt on the fan or plastic parts expanding and contracting.

Outdoor Unit Sounds

The outdoor unit houses the compressor, the propeller fan, the reversing valve and the inverter electronics. Louder mechanical or electrical noises usually come from here.

Also note when the noise happens. Does it start at switch on, during steady running, when the unit stops, or only in heating? That timing is just as useful as the type of sound.

If you can, record a short video on your phone with the sound clearly audible. Noises have a habit of stopping the moment a technician arrives, so a recording helps enormously. Note the mode, fan speed and outside temperature at the time as well, because some sounds only appear under particular conditions.

Finally, think about any recent changes. A new pergola, fresh landscaping, a storm or building work nearby can all affect how an outdoor unit sounds. Even a bird nest or wasp colony can alter the noise, and those details help point the diagnosis in the right direction quickly.

Perfectly Normal

Which LG Sounds Are Nothing to Worry About?

Every split system makes some noise. LG’s dual inverter compressor is designed to be quiet, yet refrigerant flow, temperature changes and defrost all create sounds of their own. The following are generally normal.

Soft Clicking at Start and Stop

Relays on the control boards click as they switch. Plastic casings also tick as they warm up or cool down. Occasional light clicks are expected.

Gentle Hiss or Gurgle

Refrigerant moving through the pipes and valves can make a quiet hissing or trickling sound, particularly after start up or shut down.

Whoosh During Defrost

In heat mode, the reversing valve switches to begin defrost. You may hear a distinct whoosh from outside, followed by steam rising from the outdoor coil.

Changing Hum From the Compressor

Because the inverter varies compressor speed, the outdoor hum rises and falls. That shifting tone is simply the system matching its output to demand.

Fan Running After Switch Off

If auto clean or auto dry is active, the indoor fan keeps running quietly after you turn the unit off. It is drying the coil, not malfunctioning.

Warning Signs

What Do Unusual LG Noises Usually Mean?

Some sounds point clearly to a developing fault. The table below matches common descriptions with their likely causes, from the most minor to the most serious.

Sound You Hear

Rattling or vibrating panel
Flapping or ticking from the indoor fan
Squealing or high pitched whine
Loud buzzing from the outdoor unit
Grinding or scraping
Banging or loud knocking at start
Constant loud hissing

Likely Cause

Loose screws, a cover or the mounting bracket
Debris or dirt buildup on the barrel fan
Worn fan motor bearings
Electrical fault, failing capacitor or contactor on some models
Fan blade hitting its shroud, or failing bearings
Loose compressor mounts or internal compressor wear
Possible refrigerant leak at a joint or valve

One sound on its own may not mean much. However, a new noise that grows louder over days or weeks deserves attention before it becomes a breakdown.

Indoor Detail

Why Is My LG Indoor Unit Rattling or Ticking?

Indoor noises are usually linked to airflow and cleanliness. The long barrel fan inside an LG wall split collects dust and mould over time. As buildup spreads unevenly, the fan goes out of balance and starts to wobble or tick.

Similarly, a blocked filter forces the fan to work harder, which can create a whistling or rushing sound. Loose front panels, poorly seated filters and louvres that rub on their guides add rattles and squeaks.

Less commonly, the indoor fan motor itself begins to fail. In that case, the noise may come with weaker airflow, and the unit can stop with a CH10 indoor fan code. Insects or small debris inside the fan can also cause sudden ticking.

Outdoor Detail

Why Is My LG Outdoor Unit So Loud?

Outdoor units are naturally louder than indoor ones, yet a sharp change in sound is a clue. Several causes are common in Australian backyards and balconies.

Fan Strikes and Debris

Sticks, leaves or a bent blade can make the outdoor fan tap or scrape. A seized or stalled fan may trigger a CH67 outdoor fan code.

Vibration Through Mounts

Worn rubber feet, a sunken slab or a wall bracket that has loosened let vibration travel into walls and floors. Inside, that can sound like a deep hum.

Compressor Strain

A compressor working too hard, perhaps from a dirty coil or low charge, can sound harsher. Knocking at start up may suggest internal wear.

Apartment balconies deserve a special mention. Hard surfaces reflect sound, so an outdoor unit tucked into a corner can seem louder than it really is. Even so, a sudden increase still points to a change worth checking.

Safe Checks

What Can I Do About LG Noise Myself?

These steps are safe for any owner and solve many minor noise complaints. Always switch off the unit before touching filters or clearing debris. For a wider set of simple fixes, see our guide on resetting common faults yourself.

Switch Off and Isolate
Turn the unit off with the remote, then switch off the breaker before cleaning or clearing anything.
Clean the Filters
Remove, rinse and dry the indoor filters. Refit them carefully so they sit flat in their guides and do not rattle.
Close the Front Panel Firmly
Make sure the front panel clips into place on both sides. A half closed panel vibrates surprisingly loudly.
Clear the Outdoor Unit
Remove leaves, sticks and loose items from around and on top of the outdoor unit. Keep children’s toys and garden tools away from it.
Look for Loose Items Nearby
Pipe covers, downpipes or fences touching the outdoor unit can buzz with vibration. Gently move anything resting against it.
Restart and Listen Again
Restore power, wait three minutes and run the unit. Compare the sound with what you heard before.

Hands Off

Which Noise Repairs Should Only a Technician Handle?

Many noise causes sit inside sealed parts of the unit, close to electrical components or refrigerant lines. Attempting these yourself risks injury and further damage.

Removing the indoor casing to clean or rebalance the barrel fan
Replacing fan motors, bearings or louvre motors
Tightening or replacing compressor mounts
Testing capacitors, contactors or inverter boards
Finding and repairing refrigerant leaks
Re levelling or re securing wall brackets that carry the unit’s weight

Refrigerant work in Australia requires an ARCtick licence, and electrical repairs must be done by appropriately licensed people. The technicians we send hold the licences their work requires.

Weather and Wear

Does Australian Weather Make LG Units Noisier?

Climate plays a bigger part in noise than many people expect. Heat, salt, dust and storms all leave their mark on fans, mounts and coils over time.

Extreme Heat in Perth and Adelaide

On scorching days, the outdoor fan and compressor run at high speed for hours. Worn bearings that were quiet in spring often start to squeal during the first serious heatwave.

Humidity in Brisbane and Sydney

High humidity keeps indoor coils and fans wet. Mould grows faster on the barrel fan, which leads to imbalance and ticking. Regular cleaning keeps that in check.

Salt Air on the Coast

Beachside homes in every capital face corrosion of fan blades, screws and brackets. Rusted fixings loosen over time, and corroded fan hubs can start to wobble.

Melbourne Frost and Defrost

Cold mornings mean frequent defrost cycles in heat mode. The whoosh of the reversing valve and the crackle of melting ice become familiar, and both are normal.

Storm Debris

Strong winds blow leaves and twigs into outdoor units. A single stick caught in the fan guard can produce a loud, alarming clatter until it is removed.

Codes and Noise

Can an LG Error Code Go With a Noise Problem?

Yes. When a noisy part fails completely, LG often stops the system and shows a CH code. Our LG error codes guide explains how to read them. The codes below most often appear alongside unusual sounds.

CH10 Indoor Fan

The indoor fan is stuck, slow or not reporting its speed. Ticking or scraping often comes first.

CH67 Outdoor Fan

The outdoor fan is locked or stalled. Grinding or tapping can precede this code.

CH26 Compressor

The compressor did not start correctly. Knocking or labouring sounds may come before it.

CH21 Peak Current

A current spike in the inverter, sometimes alongside harsh compressor noise at start up.

CH61 High Temperature

Overheating protection, often after the outdoor unit has been straining loudly in the heat.

CH62 Heat Sink

The inverter heat sink is too hot, sometimes linked to a weak or noisy outdoor fan.

On Site

What Does a Technician Do About a Noisy LG?

The technician first listens to the system running, ideally reproducing the noise you described. They then isolate the source and inspect the parts involved.

Running the unit in different modes and fan speeds to reproduce the sound
Inspecting and cleaning the indoor barrel fan and coil
Checking fan motor bearings indoors and outdoors
Tightening panels, screws, brackets and pipe clamps
Inspecting outdoor fan blades, guards and mounts
Checking compressor mounts and vibration isolation
Testing electrical components linked to buzzing or humming
Checking for refrigerant leaks if hissing is constant
Reviewing any stored CH codes

After identifying the cause, the technician explains the repair options. In many cases, a thorough clean and some tightening are enough to restore quiet operation.

Keep Using It?

Is It Safe to Run My LG While It Is Noisy?

Mild, normal sounds are no reason to stop. Likewise, a rattle from a loose panel is more annoying than dangerous. Some noises, on the other hand, mean you should switch off straight away.

Stop using the system if you hear grinding, loud banging, crackling from electrical parts, or a buzzing that comes with a burning smell. Continued running in these conditions can wreck a motor or compressor, or create an electrical hazard.

Open more detail

Indoor fan noisy but working. Our article on an AC fan that is not working properly explains fan faults in more depth.

Noise with poor cooling. A noisy unit that also struggles to cool may have a dirty coil or low charge. See our guide on an LG not cooling.

Outdoor fan not spinning. If the outdoor fan is silent and still while the compressor hums, read about an outdoor unit not running.

Unit stops after the noise. If the system shuts down soon after a noise begins, our article on an air conditioner that keeps turning off may help.

LG Models

Are Some LG Models Quieter Than Others?

LG designs its Dualcool and Artcool wall splits with low noise operation in mind. Their dual inverter compressors avoid the harsh on and off cycling of older fixed speed units. Most models also offer a quiet or sleep setting that lowers fan speed at night.

Because of that quiet baseline, any new sound tends to stand out. A unit that was nearly silent for years and now clicks or hums is telling you something has changed. Listening carefully and acting early usually means a simpler fix.

LG ducted systems are installed in the roof or under the floor, so indoor fan noise reaches rooms through the ducts. Rattling vents, whistling grilles and humming in the ceiling may point to duct connections, dampers or the indoor fan. Our LG air conditioning page covers the wider range.

Book a Visit

Where Can a Licensed Technician Check My Noisy LG?

We arrange LG noise diagnosis and repairs across five capital cities, sending licensed local technicians. Choose your city below, or explore our troubleshooting hub for help with other faults.

Sydney AC Repairs

Noise diagnosis for apartments and houses alike.

Melbourne AC Repairs

Help with fans, mounts and defrost noises.

Brisbane AC Repairs

Cleaning and repairs for humid season fan wear.

Perth AC Repairs

Fixes for bearings worn by long, hot summers.

Adelaide AC Repairs

Diagnosis for outdoor units under heatwave strain.

For local LG information, visit our pages for LG Sydney, LG Brisbane, LG Perth and LG Adelaide. Our air conditioning service Australia homepage explains how bookings work.

Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my LG make a clicking sound when it turns off?

Relays switching and plastic contracting as it cools both cause light clicks. Occasional clicks are normal. Loud or repeated clicking without the unit starting should be checked.

Is a hissing LG leaking refrigerant?

Not necessarily. A brief hiss at start up or shut down is normal refrigerant flow. A constant loud hiss, especially with poor cooling, may suggest a leak.

Why does my LG outdoor unit whoosh in winter?

That sound is usually the reversing valve switching for defrost. It is normal, and steam from the outdoor unit often follows.

Can cleaning stop my LG making noise?

Often, yes. Dirty filters and a dusty barrel fan cause many indoor noises. A professional clean removes buildup that home cleaning cannot reach.

Why is my LG louder at night?

Background noise drops at night, so normal sounds seem louder. Try the quiet or sleep setting. If a specific new noise appears, have it checked.

Should I oil a squeaky LG fan myself?

No. Fan motors are sealed and sit inside the casing near electrical parts. A technician can assess the bearings and replace the motor if needed.

Does a noisy LG use more power?

It can. A fan out of balance or a compressor straining against a dirty coil works harder. Fixing the cause often improves efficiency as well as comfort.

Worried About a New Sound From Your LG?

Describe the noise and tell us your model. We will book a licensed technician to track it down before it becomes a breakdown.

Call 03 9088 4796

Reviewed by AC repair and service specialist on 22 October 2026. How we write our articles