Why is My Refrigerator Noisy?

refrigerator unusual noise

Loud sounds coming out of a refrigerator is one of our most popular customer calls. That means our technicians know just how to troubleshoot the problem and correct it. Call Midwest Appliance Repair today! The #1 Minnesota refrigerator repair service.

A loud refrigerator is extremely annoying. If the refrigerator in your kitchen is a bit louder than normal there are a few simple place that you can check while attempting to find a solution. There are several fans on a refrigerator that could create strange noises. The appliance could also not be level too. Or you could have a compressor wearing down. If your refrigerator is a lot louder when the ice maker is working, the noises could be a broken a water valve.

There are some basic things that must be be checked. Like is your refrigerator filled too full? A refrigerator that is too will often cause glass bottles and other foods and liquids to clink and clank together. This can create a lot of loud sounds inside of the refrigerator that is not ideal because the refrigerator is cooling and naturally creating a small vibration.

If you have a refrigerator that has a built-in water dispenser or ice maker but do not have the water hooked up, be positive you turned off the dispenser and ice maker. There’s usually a button on the water dispenser on the refrigerator that can be used to shut off the dispenser. And as far as the ice maker, you just need to lift the bar. If the refrigerator is installed near a wall in the kitchen, it can cause the normal operating sound to seem much louder. This is due to the echo of the noise of the refrigerator. Move the refrigerator out a bit from the wall and then see if that helps at all. A refrigerator should be about 2 inches away from the rear wall to lower the sound.

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

Clean the Fan & Refrigerator Condenser Coils

First, unplug the refrigerator. The condenser fan is usually located in the rear of the refrigerator. A lot of the time you will need to have a wrench or screwdriver to remove the back panel from the refrigerator. Once off you will notice a fan behind it. If it’s covered in dust and dirt, take a rag and gently clean it off. While you’re in there look at the coils as well. The coils are usually right there and covered in the same grime and dust that the fan is. Wiping down the coils will only take a few minutes and it will certainly help the refrigerator run more efficiently. This is a common problem that sometimes causes a refrigerator to run non-stop.

Spin the fan blades in the refrigerator. Do the blades spin easily? If not it means the fan motor bearings are not working. This is a simple fix, as the fan assembly is typically a unit that can be ordered and can be replaced by simply disconnecting it. But, before attempting this, be sure the refrigerator isn’t plugged in. Do this same process for the evaporator fan, which is located behind the freezer. This is not usually the problem, as this fan is concealed inside the walls of the refrigerator. But, if the noises are coming from the top of the refrigerator that’s the place to check.

If you think it could be the compressor, the large, typically black or gray object beneath the refrigerator near the coils, we recommend calling Midwest Appliance Repair. That’s not a repair a homeowner should attempt.

ADDITIONAL REFRIGERATOR RESOURCES

Copyright ©2024  Midwest Appliance Repair