Why is My Refrigerator Noisy?

Strange sounds coming from a refrigerator is one of our most popular service calls. That means our technicians know just how to diagnose the issue and correct it. Call Direct Oceanside Appliance Repair today! The #1 Oceanside refrigerator repair service.

A loud refrigerator is the worst. If the refrigerator in your kitchen seems to be a bit louder than normal there are some simple things that you can look at while trying to find the answer. There are many fans on a home refrigerator that might create strange noises. The refrigerator might also not be level too. Or you could have a compressor that’s wearing down. If your refrigerator is a lot noisier when the ice maker is working, the noises might be a broken a water valve.

There are a few basic things that should be checked. Like is the refrigerator filled too full? A refrigerator that’s too can cause glass containers and other foods and liquids to clink together. This can create a lot of unpleasant sounds inside of the refrigerator that’s not ideal because the refrigerator is cooling and thereby creating a minor vibration.

If you have a refrigerator that has a water dispenser or ice maker but you don’t have the water line connected, be positive you shut off the water dispenser and ice maker. There is almost always a button on the dispenser that can be used to shut off the water dispenser. And with the ice maker, you need to pull up the bar. If the refrigerator is installed right by a wall, it can sometimes cause the normal operating sound to seem a lot louder than it is. This is a result of the echoing of the noise of the appliance. Pull the refrigerator out a bit away from the kitchen wall and see if that helps or not. A refrigerator should be close to 2 inches away from the rear wall to reduce the noise.

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

Clean the Fan & Refrigerator Condenser Coils

First, the refrigerator. Most of the time you will want to have a wrench or screwdriver to remove the back panel. As soon as it’s exposed you’ll see a fan inside. If it is covered in dirt and dust, take a cloth and gently clean it off. While you’re in there check the coils too. The coils are usually near there and full of the same grime and dust that the fan is. Cleaning the coils will only take a couple of minutes but 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 freely? If not it means the fan motor bearings are broken. This is a simple fix, as the fan assembly is usually a unit that can be ordered and can be replaced by simply disconnecting it. But, before attempting this, ensure the refrigerator is unplugged. Do the same process for the evaporator fan, which is typically located behind the freezer. This isn’t typically the issue, as this fan is concealed by being within the walls of the refrigerator. But, if the noises are coming from the top of the appliance that’s the place to check.

If you think it could be the refrigerator compressor, the large, usually gray or black object beneath the refrigerator by the coils, we advise calling Direct Oceanside Appliance Repair. That’s not a repair a homeowner should proceed with.

ADDITIONAL REFRIGERATOR RESOURCES

• How Does a Refrigerator Work?
• Ice Maker Not Working
• Water Dispenser Not Working
• Refrigerator Not Cooling