Why is My Refrigerator Noisy?

Strange noises coming from a refrigerator is one of our most popular service calls. This means our technicians know exactly how to diagnose the issue and fix it. Call F&S Forest Hills Appliance Repair today! The #1 Forest Hills refrigerator repair service.

A loud refrigerator is extremely annoying. If the refrigerator in your kitchen seems to be a bit noisier than it usually is there are a few easy place that you can look at while attempting to find the answer. There are several fans on a standard refrigerator that might create loud noises. The appliance could also not be balanced too. Or you might have a compressor that’s wearing out. If your refrigerator is noisier when the ice maker is operating, the sounds could be from a broken a water valve.

There are a few obvious components that need to be checked. Like is your refrigerator filled too full? A refrigerator that’s too might result in glass jars and other items to clink and clank together. This will create a lot of loud sounds inside the refrigerator that is not ideal because the refrigerator is on and thereby creating a small vibration.

If you own a refrigerator that has a water dispenser or ice maker but don’t have the water connected, be positive you turned off the dispenser and ice maker. There is almost always a button on the dispenser that can be pressed to shut off the dispenser. And with the ice maker, you simply need to lift the bar. If the refrigerator was installed near a wall in the kitchen, it will sometimes cause the standard operating noise to seem much louder. This is a result of the echo of the noise of the appliance. Move it out from the wall and then see if that helps or not. A refrigerator needs to be around 2 inches from the back wall to reduce the sound.

If it’s not one of these basic and easy fixes, it’s time to dive on in. The majority of the time, the fans are the cause of a loud refrigerator. There are fan blades that can get dirty and clogged. Often times the fan motors do too. There’s a condenser fan in the refrigerator and an evaporator on the refrigerator too. Many times the condenser fan will get a coating of dust on it and then should be cleaned often. If it gets too heavy it will sometimes wear out the bearings inside of the refrigerator fan’s motor.

Clean the Fan & Refrigerator Condenser Coils

behind the refrigerator. A lot of the time you will need a wrench or screwdriver to remove the back panel from the refrigerator. Once exposed you will see a fan behind it. If it’s full of dirt and dust, take a cloth and gently clean it off. While you’re in there look at the coils too. 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 very common issue that sometimes causes a refrigerator to run non-stop.

Spin the fan blades. Do they spin freely? If not it means the fan motor bearings are not working. This is a simple fix, as the fan assembly is typically a component that can be purchased online and can be replaced by simply disconnecting it. However, before attempting any of this, ensure the refrigerator is not plugged in. Do the same process for the evaporator fan, which is typically located behind the freezer unit. This is not typically the issue, as this particular fan is concealed by being within the walls of the refrigerator. But, when the noises are coming from the top of the refrigerator that’s the place to check.

If you think it could be the compressor, the big, typically black or gray object under the refrigerator by the coils, we suggest calling F&S Forest Hills Appliance Repair. That is not 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