Why is My Refrigerator Noisy?

refrigerator noisy

Loud noises coming out of a refrigerator is one of our most common customer calls. That means our repairmen know exactly how to troubleshoot the issue and correct it. Call Ace Alhambra Appliance Repair today! The #1 Alhambra refrigerator repair service.

A loud refrigerator is the worst. If the refrigerator in your house is a bit louder than usual there are some simple place that you can look at while trying to find the answer. There are several fans on a standard refrigerator that might create loud noises. The appliance might also not be balanced too. Or you might have a compressor that is wearing out. If your refrigerator is much louder when the ice maker is working, the sounds could be from a broken a water valve.

There are one or two basic things that need to be checked first. Like is the refrigerator filled too full? A refrigerator that’s too will often cause glass jars and other food items to clink and clank together. This can cause a lot of unpleasant sounds inside of the refrigerator that isn’t ideal because the refrigerator is cooling and naturally producing a minor vibration.

If you own a model of refrigerator that has a water dispenser or ice maker but you don’t have the water line connected, be sure you turned off the dispenser and the ice maker. There is almost always a button on the dispenser on the refrigerator that can be pressed to turn off the water dispenser. And with the ice maker, you simply need to pull up the bar. If the refrigerator was installed right by a wall in the kitchen, it could cause the standard operating sound to seem louder. This is a result of the echo of the noise of the refrigerator. Slide it out a little away from the kitchen wall and then see if that helps at all. A refrigerator should be around 2 inches away from the back wall to reduce the noise.

If it isn’t one of these basic and easier fixes, it’s time to explore the issue further. Most of the time, the refrigerator fans are the cause of a loud refrigerator. There are fan blades that will often get dirty and clogged. Often times the fan motors do too. There is a condenser fan and an evaporator on the refrigerator too. Often times the condenser fan will get a coating of dust on it and needs to be cleaned regularly. If the coating gets too heavy it will sometimes 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 need a screwdriver or wrench to remove the back panel from the refrigerator. Once off you will see a fan in there. If it’s full of dust and dirt, grab a cloth and gently wipe it off. While you’re in there you should check the coils as well. These are typically near there and covered in the same dust and grime that the fan is. Wiping down the coils will only take a couple of minutes and it will certainly help the refrigerator run more efficiently. This is a common problem that can cause a refrigerator to run non-stop.

Spin the fan blades. Do the fan blades spin easily? If not the fan motor bearings are not working. This is a simple repair, as the fan assembly is typically a part that can be purchased online and can be replaced by simply disconnecting it. But, before attempting this, ensure the refrigerator isn’t plugged in. Do this same process for the evaporator fan, which is located behind the freezer. This is not typically the problem, as this particular fan is protected within the walls of the refrigerator. But, if the sounds are coming from the top of the refrigerator that’s the area to look.

If it is possible it might be the compressor, the large, usually black or gray object under the refrigerator near the coils, we suggest calling Ace Alhambra Appliance Repair. That is not a repair a homeowner should attempt.

ADDITIONAL REFRIGERATOR RESOURCES