Why is My Refrigerator Noisy?

loud noises of refrigerator

Loud sounds coming out of a refrigerator is one of our most common service calls. That means {we|our technicians know just how to diagnose the issue and correct it. Call Legacy Lawrence Appliance Repair today! The #1 Lawrence refrigerator repair service.

A noisy refrigerator is the worst. If the refrigerator in your house seems to be a bit louder than usual there are a few simple things that you can check while trying to find the cause. There are several fans on a standard refrigerator that could create loud noises. The refrigerator could also not be balanced too. Or you might have a compressor that is wearing out. If your refrigerator is louder when the ice maker is working, the noises could be a broken a water valve.

There are a couple of basic things that should be checked first. Like is the refrigerator too full? A refrigerator that’s too can sometimes cause glass jars and other foods and liquids to clink and clank together. This can cause a lot of loud sounds inside of the refrigerator that is not ideal because the refrigerator is on and thereby creating a small vibration.

If you have a model of refrigerator that has a water dispenser or ice maker but you don’t have the water hooked up, be positive you shut off the water dispenser and the ice maker. There’s typically a button on the dispenser that can be used to turn off the dispenser. And as far as the ice maker, you need to lift the bar inside of it. If the refrigerator is installed right by a wall in the kitchen, it will sometimes cause the standard operating noise to seem louder than it is. This is a result of the echo of the sound of the machine. Move it out a bit from the kitchen wall and see if that helps at all. A refrigerator needs to be close to 2 inches away from the back wall to lower the noise.

If it’s not any of these simple and common fixes, it is time to explore the issue further. The majority of the time, the fans are the reason for a refrigerator that’s loud. There are fan blades that will often get dirty and clogged. Sometimes the fan motors do as well. There is a condenser fan in the refrigerator and an evaporator on refrigerators too. Sometimes the condenser fan will get a coating of dust on it and should be cleaned on a regular basis. If the dust builds up and gets too heavy it can wear out the bearings inside of the refrigerator fan’s motor.

Clean the Fan & Refrigerator Condenser Coils

The first thing to do is unplug the refrigerator. The condenser fan is usually located in the rear of the refrigerator. Most of the time you will want to have a screwdriver or wrench to remove the back panel. As soon as it’s exposed you will see a fan inside. If it is full of dust and dirt, find a rag and gently clean it off. While you’re in there you should check the coils as well. The coils are usually near there and will be covered in the same grime and dust that the fan is. Cleaning the coils will only take a few minutes but it will help the refrigerator run efficiently. This is a very common problem that can cause a refrigerator to run non-stop.

Spin the fan blades. Do they spin easily? If they don’t it means the fan motor bearings are not working. This is a simple repair, as the fan assembly is usually a unit that can be ordered and can be replaced by simply disconnecting it. But, before doing this, ensure the refrigerator is not plugged in. Do the same process for the evaporator fan, which is typically located behind the freezer unit. This isn’t typically the issue, as this particular fan is protected by being inside the walls of the refrigerator. But, when the noises are coming from the top of the appliance that’s the place to check.

If you think it might be the compressor, the big, usually black or gray object beneath the refrigerator near the coils, we suggest calling Legacy Lawrence Appliance Repair. That isn’t a repair a homeowner should attempt.

ADDITIONAL REFRIGERATOR RESOURCES