Why is My Refrigerator Noisy?

refrigerator noisy

Strange sounds coming from a refrigerator is one of our most popular service calls. This means our technicians know exactly how to diagnose the issue and fix it. Call Solis Appliance Repair today! The #1 Orlando refrigerator repair service.

A loud refrigerator is very annoying. If the refrigerator in your kitchen seems to be a bit noisier than usual there are a couple of simple things that you can check while trying to find a solution. There are a lot of fans on a refrigerator that could create loud sounds. The appliance could 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 working, the sounds could be a broken a water valve.

There are some basic things that should be checked first. Like is the refrigerator filled too full? A refrigerator that’s too might cause glass containers and other items to clink and clank together. This will create a lot of loud noises inside the refrigerator that is not ideal because the refrigerator is cooling and thereby creating a small vibration.

If you own a model of refrigerator that has a water dispenser or ice maker but you do not have the water line hooked up, be positive you turned off the dispenser and ice maker. There’s usually a button on the water dispenser that can be used to shut off the water dispenser. And with the ice maker, you need to lift the bar inside of it. If the refrigerator is installed right by a wall, it will cause the standard operating sound to seem much louder than it really is. This is because of the echoing of the noise of the refrigerator. Pull it out from the kitchen wall and then see if that helps or not. A refrigerator should be around 2 inches away from the back wall to reduce the sound.

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

Clean the Fan & Refrigerator Condenser Coils

behind the refrigerator. Most of the time you will need a screwdriver or wrench to remove the back panel. As soon as it is exposed you’ll notice a fan in there. If it’s full of dirt and dust, find a cloth and gently wipe it off. While you’re in there you should check the coils too. These are typically right there and covered in the same grime and dust that the fan is. Cleaning the coils will only take a couple of minutes and it will certainly help the refrigerator run more efficiently. This is actually a very common problem that can cause a refrigerator to run non-stop.

Spin the fan blades in the refrigerator. Do the blades spin freely? If not the fan motor bearings are broken. 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 you do any of this, ensure the refrigerator is unplugged. Do the same process for the evaporator fan in the refrigerator, which is typically located behind the freezer. This isn’t usually the issue, as this particular fan is protected by being within the walls of the refrigerator. But, when the sounds are coming from the top of the appliance that’s the place to look.

If you think it might be the compressor, the big, usually gray or black object under the refrigerator by the coils, we advise calling Solis Appliance Repair. That’s not a repair a homeowner should try.

ADDITIONAL REFRIGERATOR RESOURCES