Why is My Refrigerator Noisy?

Loud noises coming out of a refrigerator is one of our most common service calls. This means our repairmen know just how to troubleshoot the problem and repair it. Call Keen Appliance Repair today! The #1 Baytown refrigerator repair service.

A loud refrigerator is very annoying. If the refrigerator in your kitchen seems to be a little louder than normal there are a few easy things that you can look at while trying to find a solution. There are many fans on a refrigerator that might create strange sounds. The refrigerator could also not be balanced too. Or you could have a compressor wearing out. If your refrigerator is a lot louder when the ice maker is making ice, the sounds could be a broken a water valve.

There are a few basic things that need to be checked first. Like is the refrigerator filled too full? A refrigerator that is too could result in glass bottles and other foods and liquids to clink and clank together. This can create a lot of loud noises inside the refrigerator that’s not ideal because the refrigerator is running and naturally producing a minor vibration.

If you own a model of refrigerator that has a built-in water dispenser or ice maker but don’t have the water line connected, be positive you turned off the water dispenser and ice maker. There’s typically a button on the dispenser on the refrigerator that can be used to shut off the water dispenser. And with the ice maker, you simply need to lift the metal bar inside of it. If the refrigerator was installed near a wall in the kitchen, it will cause the normal operating sound to seem louder than it is. This is due to the echo of the noise of the machine. Slide it out a little away from the kitchen wall and then see if that helps at all. A refrigerator needs to be close to 2 inches from the rear wall to reduce the noise.

If it’s not one of these basic and easy fixes, it is time to dive on in. The majority of the time, the refrigerator fans are the reason for a loud refrigerator. There are fan blades that sometimes get clogged and dirty. Often times the fan motors do too. There is a condenser fan in the refrigerator and an evaporator on refrigerators too. Sometimes the refrigerator condenser fan gets a coating of dust or fuzz on it and then needs to be cleaned regularly. 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, the refrigerator. Most of the time you will need a screwdriver or wrench to get the back panel off. As soon as it’s exposed you’ll see a fan behind it. If it’s full of dirt and dust, find a rag and gently wipe 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 grime and dust that the fan is. Wiping down the coils only takes a couple of minutes and it will certainly help the refrigerator run more efficiently. This is a very common issue that sometimes causes a refrigerator to run non-stop.

Turn the fan blades in the refrigerator. Do they spin easily? If they don’t the fan motor bearings are broken. This is a simple fix, as the fan assembly is usually a part that can be purchased online and can be replaced by simply disconnecting it. But, before you do any of this, ensure the refrigerator is not plugged in. Do the same process for the evaporator fan, which is located behind the freezer unit. This is not usually the problem, as this particular fan is concealed by being inside the walls of the refrigerator. But, if the noises are coming from the top of the appliance that is the area to look.

If you think it might be the refrigerator compressor, the big, typically black or gray object beneath the refrigerator near the coils, we suggest calling Keen Appliance Repair. That isn’t 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