Why is My Refrigerator Noisy?

Strange noises coming out of a refrigerator is one of our most common customer calls. This means {we|our repairmen know just how to troubleshoot the problem and repair it. Call ARRC Redlands Appliance Repair today! The #1 Redlands refrigerator repair service.

A noisy refrigerator is the worst. If the refrigerator in your house is a bit noisier than usual there are a couple of easy place that you can check while attempting to find the answer. There are several fans on a refrigerator that might create loud noises. The refrigerator might also not be balanced too. Or you might have a compressor that’s wearing down. If your refrigerator is a lot noisier when the ice maker is operating, the sounds might be from a broken a water valve.

There are some basic things that should be checked. Like is your refrigerator too full? A refrigerator that’s too can sometimes cause glass containers and other items to clink together. This will cause a lot of loud sounds inside the refrigerator that isn’t ideal because the refrigerator is running and thereby creating a minor vibration.

If you own a refrigerator that has a built-in water dispenser or ice maker but don’t have the water hooked up, be sure you turned off the dispenser and the ice maker. There’s 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 simply need to lift the bar. If the refrigerator was installed right by a wall in the kitchen, it could cause the standard running noise to seem a lot louder than it really is. This is a result of the echoing of the noise of the appliance. Slide the refrigerator out a bit from the wall and see if that helps or not. A refrigerator should be about 2 inches away from the rear wall to lower the noise.

If it’s not one of these simple and easier fixes, it is time to dive on in. Most of the time, the fans are the cause of a loud refrigerator. There are fan blades that will often get dirty and clogged. Sometimes the fan motors do too. There is a condenser fan and an evaporator on refrigerators too. Sometimes the condenser fan will get a coating of dust or fuzz on it and needs to be cleaned often. If it gets too heavy it might wear out the bearings inside 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 in the back of the refrigerator. A lot of the time you will need a wrench or screwdriver to get the back panel off from the refrigerator. Once off you’ll notice a fan behind it. If it is full of dust and dirt, find a rag and gently wipe it off. While you are in there check 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 couple of minutes but it will certainly help the refrigerator run more efficiently. This is actually a common issue that can cause a refrigerator to run non-stop.

Turn the fan blades. Do the fan blades 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 usually a unit that can be purchased online and can be replaced by just disconnecting it. However, before doing this, ensure the refrigerator is unplugged. Do this same process for the evaporator fan, which is located behind the freezer. This isn’t usually the issue, as this fan is concealed within the walls of the refrigerator. But, when the noises are coming from the top of the refrigerator that’s the place to check.

If it is possible that it might be the compressor, the large, usually black or gray object under the refrigerator by the coils, we advise calling ARRC Redlands Appliance Repair. That is 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