Why is My Refrigerator Noisy?

Strange noises coming out of a refrigerator is one of our most common customer calls. That means our technicians know just how to troubleshoot the problem and correct it. Call Speedy Appliance Repair today! The #1 refrigerator repair.

A noisy refrigerator is the worst. If the refrigerator in your home is a bit louder than usual there are some easy things that you can look at while attempting to find the cause. There are many fans on a standard refrigerator that could create loud noises. The appliance could also not be level too. Or you might have a compressor that’s wearing out. If your refrigerator is a lot louder when the ice maker is operating, the sounds might be a broken a water valve.

There are a couple of basic components that need to be checked first. Like is your refrigerator too full? A refrigerator that’s too could cause glass jars and other food items to clink and clank together. This will cause a lot of unpleasant sounds inside the refrigerator that isn’t ideal because the refrigerator is on and naturally producing a small vibration.

If you have a model of refrigerator that has a water dispenser or ice maker but you do not have the water line connected, be sure you turned off the dispenser and the ice maker. There’s almost always a button on the dispenser that can be used to shut off the water dispenser. And with the ice maker, you just need to lift the bar. If the refrigerator is installed really close to a wall, it could cause the normal running sound to seem much louder. This is due to the echoing of the sound of the machine. Move it out from the wall and then see if that helps. A refrigerator should be close to 2 inches from the rear wall to limit the noise.

If it isn’t one of these basic and easier fixes, it’s time to explore the issue further. The majority of the time, the fans are the reason for a loud refrigerator. There are fan blades that sometimes get dirty and clogged. Often times the fan motors do as well. There is a condenser fan and an evaporator on the refrigerator too. Sometimes the refrigerator condenser fan gets a coating of dust on it and then should be cleaned on a regular basis. If it gets too heavy it can wear out the bearings inside of the fan’s motor.

Clean the Fan & Refrigerator Condenser Coils

behind the refrigerator. Most of the time you will need to have a screwdriver or wrench to get the back panel off. As soon as it is exposed you’ll see a fan in there. If it’s full of dirt and dust, find a cloth and gently clean it off. While you’re in there you should look at the coils as well. These are typically near there and covered in the same dust and grime that the fan is. Wiping down the coils only takes a couple of minutes but it will help the refrigerator run more efficiently. This is actually a common issue that causes a refrigerator to run non-stop.

Spin the fan blades. Do they spin easily? If they do not it means the fan motor bearings are not working. This is an easy fix, as the fan assembly is typically a unit that can be ordered and can be replaced by simply disconnecting it. However, before attempting this, ensure the refrigerator is not plugged in. Do the same process for the evaporator fan in the refrigerator, which is typically located behind the freezer unit. This isn’t typically the issue, as this fan is concealed by being inside the walls of the refrigerator. But, when the sounds are coming from the top of the appliance that is the area to check.

If you think it might be the compressor, the large, typically gray or black object beneath the refrigerator by the coils, we recommend calling Speedy Appliance Repair. That’s not a repair a homeowner should proceed with.

ADDITIONAL REFRIGERATOR RESOURCES

• How Does a Refrigerator Work?
• Ice Maker Not Working
• Water Dispenser Not Working
• Refrigerator Not Cooling