Why is My Refrigerator Noisy?

Strange noises coming from a refrigerator is one of our most common service calls. That means we know just how to diagnose the issue and repair it. Call Metro Appliance Repair today! The #1 Maryland refrigerator repair service.

A loud refrigerator is the worst. If the refrigerator in your home is a bit noisier than usual there are a couple of easy things that you can look at while attempting to find the answer. There are many fans on a standard refrigerator that often create strange noises. The refrigerator could also not be balanced too. Or you may have a compressor that’s wearing down. If your refrigerator is a lot louder when the ice maker is making ice, the noises could be from 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 will often result in glass bottles and other items to clink together. This can create a lot of loud noises inside the refrigerator that’s not ideal because the refrigerator is on and naturally producing a small vibration.

If you own a model of refrigerator that has a built-in water dispenser or ice maker but do not have the water connected, be positive you shut off the water dispenser and ice maker. There is usually a button on the water dispenser on the refrigerator that can be pressed to turn off the 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 could cause the normal running noise to seem a lot louder than it is. This is because of the echo of the sound of the appliance. Pull the refrigerator out a little from the wall and then see if that helps at all or not. A refrigerator should be around 2 inches from the rear wall to limit the sound.

If it isn’t one of these simple and easy fixes, it’s time to dive on in. The majority of the time, the refrigerator fans are the cause of a refrigerator that is loud. There are fan blades that will often get dirty and clogged. Sometimes the fan motors do too. There is a condenser fan in the refrigerator and an evaporator on the refrigerator too. Sometimes the condenser fan gets a coating of dust on it and then should be cleaned on a regular basis. If it builds up and gets too heavy it might wear out the bearings inside of the fan’s motor.

Clean the Fan & Refrigerator Condenser Coils

First, unplug the refrigerator. The condenser fan is usually located behind the refrigerator. A lot of the time you will need a screwdriver or wrench to get the back panel off from the refrigerator. As soon as it is exposed you’ll notice a fan behind it. If it’s covered in dust and dirt, find a cloth and gently wipe it off. While you’re in there you should check the coils as well. The coils are typically near there and full of the same grime and dust that the fan is. Cleaning the coils will only take a couple of minutes and it will help the refrigerator run efficiently. This is actually a common problem that can cause a refrigerator to run non-stop.

Spin the fan blades in the refrigerator. Do the blades 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 ordered and can be replaced by just disconnecting it. But, before doing any of this, be sure 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, when the noises are coming from the top of the appliance that is the area to look.

If it’s possible it might be the refrigerator compressor, the large, usually black or gray object under the refrigerator by the coils, we advise calling Metro Appliance Repair. That isn’t 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