Why is My Refrigerator Noisy?

Strange noises coming out of a refrigerator is one of our most popular service calls. This means our repairmen know just how to diagnose the problem and fix it. Call Allen Appliance Repair today! The #1 South Dakota refrigerator repair service.

A loud refrigerator is the worst. If the refrigerator in your house seems to be a bit noisier than usual there are a few simple things that you can look at while attempting to find a solution. There are several fans on a standard refrigerator that often create strange sounds. The refrigerator could also not be balanced too. Or you might have a compressor wearing down. If your refrigerator is much noisier when the ice maker is operating, the noises could be a broken a water valve.

There are a few obvious things that must be be checked first. Like is your refrigerator filled too full? A refrigerator that is too will often result in glass containers and other foods and liquids to clink together. This will create a lot of loud sounds inside the refrigerator that’s not ideal because the refrigerator is on and naturally creating a minor vibration.

If you have a refrigerator that has a built-in water dispenser or ice maker but do not have the water line hooked up, be positive you shut off the dispenser and ice maker. There is almost always a button on the dispenser on the refrigerator that can be pressed to turn off the dispenser. And with the ice maker, you need to lift the metal bar inside of it. If the refrigerator is installed very close to a wall in the kitchen, it can cause the normal operating sound to seem louder. This is due to the echo of the noise of the appliance. Move the refrigerator out a little from the kitchen wall and see if that helps or not. A refrigerator needs to be around 2 inches away from the rear wall to reduce the sound.

If it is not one of these simple and common fixes, it’s time to explore the issue further. Most of the time, the fans are the reason for a refrigerator that is loud. There are fan blades that can get dirty and clogged. Often times the fan motors do too. There’s a condenser fan and an evaporator on the refrigerator too. Often times the refrigerator condenser fan will get a coating of dust or fuzz on it and then should be cleaned on a regular basis. If the dust 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, the refrigerator. A lot of the time you will need a wrench or screwdriver to remove the back panel. Once off you will notice a fan behind it. If it is covered in dust and dirt, grab a rag and gently clean it off. While you’re in there look at the coils as well. The coils are typically near there and will be covered in the same dust and grime that the fan is. Wiping down the coils will only take a few minutes but it will help the refrigerator run more efficiently. This is actually a common issue that causes a refrigerator to run non-stop.

Turn the fan blades in the refrigerator. Do the blades spin freely? If not the fan motor bearings are not working. This is an easy fix, as the fan assembly is usually a part that can be purchased online and can be replaced by simply disconnecting it. But, before trying this, ensure the refrigerator is unplugged. Do this same process for the evaporator fan, which is located behind the freezer unit. This isn’t typically the issue, as this particular fan is protected inside the walls of the refrigerator. But, if the sounds are coming from the top of the appliance that’s the area to check.

If it’s possible that it could be the compressor, the large, usually gray or black object under the refrigerator by the coils, we advise calling Allen Appliance Repair. That is not 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