Why is My Refrigerator Noisy?

Loud noises coming from a refrigerator is one of our most common service calls. That means our technicians know just how to troubleshoot the problem and fix it. Call E&L Coral Gables Appliance Repair today! The #1 Florida refrigerator repair service.

A noisy refrigerator is the worst. If the refrigerator in your home is a bit noisier than usual there are a couple of simple place that you can look at while trying to find a solution. There are a lot of fans on a standard refrigerator that often create loud noises. The refrigerator could also not be balanced too. Or you may have a compressor that is wearing down. If your refrigerator is louder when the ice maker is operating, the noises might be from a broken a water valve.

There are one or two obvious components that must be be checked first. Like is the refrigerator too full? A refrigerator that’s too can sometimes result in glass bottles and other food items to clink and clank together. This can create a lot of annoying sounds inside the refrigerator that isn’t ideal because the refrigerator is running and thereby creating a small vibration.

If you own a model of refrigerator that has a built-in water dispenser or ice maker but you do not have the water hooked up, be positive you shut off the water dispenser and the ice maker. There is typically a button on the dispenser that can be used to shut off the water dispenser. And as far as the ice maker, you need to pull up the bar inside of it. If the refrigerator is installed really close to a wall in the kitchen, it can cause the normal operating sound to seem a lot louder. This is due to the echoing of the sound of the refrigerator. Move the refrigerator out away from the wall and see if that helps. A refrigerator should be around 2 inches from the rear wall of the kitchen to reduce the sound.

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 refrigerator that is loud. There are fan blades that will often get dirty and clogged. Often times the fan motors do too. There is a condenser fan and an evaporator on refrigerators too. Many times the condenser fan gets a coating of dust on it and should be cleaned regularly. If it builds up and gets too heavy it can wear out the bearings inside the refrigerator fan’s motor.

Clean the Fan & Refrigerator Condenser Coils

First, unplug the refrigerator. The condenser fan is typically located behind the refrigerator. A lot of the time you will want a screwdriver or wrench to remove the back panel from the refrigerator. Once exposed you’ll see a fan in there. If it is covered in dust and dirt, take a rag and gently clean it off. While you are in there check the coils too. These are usually right there and covered in the same grime and dust that the fan is. Cleaning the coils will only take a few minutes and it will help the refrigerator run efficiently. This is a common issue that causes a refrigerator to run non-stop.

Turn the fan blades. Do the fan blades spin freely? If they don’t it means the fan motor bearings are broken. This is a simple repair, as the fan assembly is usually a unit that can be purchased online and can be replaced by simply disconnecting it. But, before doing this, be sure the refrigerator is unplugged. Do this same process for the evaporator fan in the refrigerator, which is located behind the freezer unit. This is not typically the problem, as this particular fan is concealed by being within the walls of the refrigerator. But, if the sounds are coming from the top of the appliance that’s the area to look.

If it is possible that it might be the refrigerator compressor, the large, usually black or gray object beneath the refrigerator near the coils, we suggest calling E&L Coral Gables Appliance Repair. That’s not a repair a homeowner should try.

ADDITIONAL REFRIGERATOR RESOURCES

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