Why is My Refrigerator Noisy?

refrigerator unusual noise

Loud sounds coming from a refrigerator is one of our most popular customer calls. This means our technicians know just how to diagnose the problem and fix it. Call Excel Kent Appliance Repair today! The #1 Kent refrigerator repair service.

A noisy refrigerator is very annoying. If the refrigerator in your house seems to be a bit noisier than normal there are some easy place that you can look at while trying to find a solution. There are several fans on a refrigerator that could create strange sounds. The appliance could also not be level too. Or you could have a compressor that is wearing out. If your refrigerator is noisier when the ice maker is making ice, the noises might be a broken a water valve.

There are a couple of obvious things that need to be checked first. Like is your refrigerator too full? A refrigerator that’s too will often result in glass bottles and other foods and liquids to clink together. This will cause a lot of loud noises inside the refrigerator that’s not ideal because the refrigerator is running and producing a small vibration.

If you own 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 dispenser and ice maker. There’s typically a button on the dispenser that can be used to shut off the water dispenser. And with the ice maker, you need to lift the bar. If the refrigerator is installed right by a wall in the kitchen, it could cause the standard operating sound to seem much louder. This is due to the echoing of the sound of the appliance. Pull the refrigerator out from the wall and see if that helps or not. A refrigerator should be about 2 inches from the rear wall to limit the noise.

If it isn’t any of these basic and easy fixes, it’s time to explore the issue further. The majority of the time, the refrigerator fans are the reason for a refrigerator that’s loud. There are fan blades that can get dirty and clogged. Sometimes the fan motors do too. There is a condenser fan and an evaporator on refrigerators too. Often times the refrigerator condenser fan will get a coating of dust on it and then needs to be cleaned often. If the dust builds up and gets too heavy it will sometimes wear out the bearings inside the refrigerator fan’s motor.

Clean the Fan & Refrigerator Condenser Coils

behind the refrigerator. Most of the time you will want to have a wrench or screwdriver to remove the back panel. Once exposed you will notice a fan in there. If it is covered in dust and dirt, take a rag and gently wipe it off. While you’re in there look at the coils as well. The coils are usually right there and full of the same grime and dust that the fan is. Cleaning the coils will only take a few minutes but it will certainly help the refrigerator run efficiently. This is a very common issue that can cause a refrigerator to run non-stop.

Turn the fan blades. Do they spin freely? If not the fan motor bearings are not working. This is an easy fix, as the fan assembly is usually a unit that can be purchased online and can be replaced by just disconnecting it. But, before attempting any of this, be sure the refrigerator isn’t plugged in. Do this same process for the evaporator fan in the refrigerator, which is typically located behind the freezer unit. This isn’t usually the issue, as this fan is concealed within the walls of the refrigerator. But, when the noises are coming from the top of the appliance that’s the place to check.

If it is possible that it might be the compressor, the big, usually gray or black object under the refrigerator near the coils, we recommend calling Excel Kent Appliance Repair. That is not a repair a homeowner should proceed with.

ADDITIONAL REFRIGERATOR RESOURCES