Why is My Refrigerator Noisy?

Strange noises coming from a refrigerator is one of our most popular customer calls. This means we know exactly how to diagnose the issue and correct it. Call Tru Appliance Repair today! The #1 refrigerator repair service.

A noisy refrigerator is the worst. If the refrigerator in your home seems to be a bit noisier than normal there are some simple things that you can check while attempting to find a solution. There are a lot of fans on a standard refrigerator that might create strange noises. The appliance might also not be balanced too. Or you might have a compressor that is wearing down. If your refrigerator is louder when the ice maker is operating, the sounds could be from a broken a water valve.

There are some basic components that should be checked. Like is your refrigerator filled too full? A refrigerator that is too could cause glass bottles and other foods and liquids to clink and clank together. This can cause a lot of annoying sounds inside the refrigerator that isn’t ideal because the refrigerator is on and producing a small vibration.

If you have a model of refrigerator that has a built-in water dispenser or ice maker but you do not have the water line connected, be positive you turned off the water dispenser and the ice maker. There is typically a button on the dispenser on the refrigerator that can be used to turn off the water dispenser. And as far as the ice maker, you just need to lift the metal bar. If the refrigerator was installed very close to a wall, it will sometimes cause the normal operating noise to seem much louder. This is because of the echoing of the noise of the machine. Pull it out away from the wall and then see if that helps. A refrigerator needs to be around 2 inches away from the back wall of the kitchen to reduce the sound.

If it’s not one of these basic and easier fixes, it is time to explore the issue further. Most of the time, the fans are the cause of a loud refrigerator. There are fan blades that sometimes get dirty and clogged. Sometimes the fan motors do too. There’s a condenser fan in the refrigerator and an evaporator on refrigerators too. Sometimes the refrigerator condenser fan will get a coating of dust on it and needs to be cleaned often. If it builds up and gets too heavy it might wear out the bearings inside of the fan’s motor.

Clean the Fan & Refrigerator Condenser Coils

The first thing to do is unplug the refrigerator. The condenser fan is typically located behind the refrigerator. Most of the time you will need to have a wrench or screwdriver to get the back panel off. As soon as it’s off you’ll see a fan inside. If it’s covered in dust and dirt, grab a cloth and gently clean it off. While you are in there look at the coils as well. These are usually right there and covered in the same dust and grime that the fan is. Wiping down the coils only takes a few minutes and it will certainly help the refrigerator run efficiently. This is a common issue that sometimes causes a refrigerator to run non-stop.

Spin the fan blades. Do the fan blades spin freely? If they don’t 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. But, before doing any of this, ensure the refrigerator isn’t plugged in. Do the same process for the evaporator fan, which is located behind the freezer unit. This is not usually the problem, as this particular fan is concealed by being within the walls of the refrigerator. But, if the noises are coming from the top of the refrigerator that is the area to look.

If it is possible that it might be the compressor, the large, typically black or gray object beneath the refrigerator near the coils, we advise calling Tru Appliance Repair. That isn’t a repair a homeowner should attempt.

ADDITIONAL REFRIGERATOR RESOURCES

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