Are Water Coolers Quiet? What to Expect and When to Worry

Water coolers are generally quiet appliances — but they’re not completely silent. If you’ve just set one up and you’re hearing the occasional hum, gurgle, or click, that’s usually completely normal. Here’s what to expect, and when a noise is actually telling you something’s wrong.

For a full overview of water cooler types and features, see our Water Coolers Guide or browse our freestanding water cooler range.

Normal Water Cooler Sounds

These sounds are expected and nothing to worry about:

• A low hum or buzz — the compressor running to maintain cold water temperature, similar to a bar fridge
• A gurgling sound when dispensing — water moving through the lines and into your glass
• A click when the heating element activates — the hot water tank maintaining temperature
• A brief bubbling sound after dispensing — air entering the bottle to replace dispensed water

Most people stop noticing these sounds within a day or two. If the cooler is in a bedroom or quiet study, a benchtop model tends to run slightly quieter than a full freestanding unit.

Unusual Noises and What They Mean

Loud Popping or Boiling Sound

Usually means the hot water tank is overheating or the vent pipe is blocked. Try lowering the thermostat by 5 degrees. If the noise continues, clean the hot water vent pipe as per your model’s manual. A blocked vent causes pressure to build up, which creates the popping sound.

Vibrating or Rattling

Check that the cooler is on a flat, stable surface. Tighten any loose side panel screws. If the vibration persists, the copper cooling coils inside may be touching the front panel — unplug the unit, remove the front panel, and gently bend the coils away from the panel surface.

Humming Louder Than Usual

Often caused by copper coils vibrating against the casing. The fix is the same as above — gently reposition the coils away from contact points.

Gurgling or Bubbling That Won’t Stop

Air trapped in the water lines. Turn off the cooler, remove the bottle, and dispense all remaining water from both hot and cold taps until empty. Reattach the bottle and run both taps briefly to reprime the lines.

No Sound at All (and Water Isn’t Cold or Hot)

Check the power connection and that the cooler’s switches are in the ON position. Some models have separate hot and cold switches on the back or base.

How to Reduce Water Cooler Noise

• Place on a flat, hard surface — uneven floors amplify vibration
• Leave clearance around the unit — at least 10cm from walls for airflow
• Clean regularly — scale buildup in the hot tank increases noise over time. Descale every 3–6 months
• Replace the filter cartridge on schedule — a clogged filter increases pump strain and noise. Browse our replacement cartridge range
• Check spare parts — worn taps or loose components can rattle. See our water cooler spare parts

When to Call for Help

If you’ve worked through the troubleshooting steps above and the noise persists, or if you notice leaking alongside the noise, it’s time to contact us. Call 1800 789 781 or email sales@awesomewaterfilters.com.au and we’ll help diagnose the issue.

Frequently Asked Questions