Why is My Refrigerator Noisy?

Loud sounds coming out of a refrigerator is one of our most common customer calls. That means our repairmen know just how to diagnose the issue and correct it. Call Sterling Heights Appliance Repair HQ today! The #1 Sterling Heights refrigerator repair service.

A loud refrigerator is extremely annoying. If the refrigerator in your home seems to be a little louder than usual there are a couple of easy place that you can check while attempting to find a solution. There are many fans on a refrigerator that often create strange sounds. The refrigerator might also not be level too. Or you could have a compressor that’s wearing down. If your refrigerator is a lot louder when the ice maker is working, the noises could be a broken a water valve.

There are some obvious things that must be be checked. Like is your refrigerator filled too full? A refrigerator that’s too might cause glass containers and other foods and liquids to clink together. This can cause a lot of loud sounds inside the refrigerator that isn’t ideal because the refrigerator is on and thereby creating a minor vibration.

If you have a refrigerator that has a built-in water dispenser or ice maker but do not have the water line hooked up, be sure you shut off the dispenser and ice maker. There’s usually a button on the dispenser that can be used to shut off the water dispenser. And as far as the ice maker, you just need to lift the metal bar inside of it. If the refrigerator was installed right by a wall in the kitchen, it could cause the normal running noise to seem louder than it really is. This is due to the echoing of the sound of the machine. Move it out a bit away from the wall and then see if that helps at all or not. A refrigerator should be around 2 inches away from the back wall of the kitchen to reduce the noise.

If it’s not one of these simple and easy fixes, it is 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 sometimes get clogged and dirty. Often times the fan motors do as well. There is a condenser fan in the refrigerator and an evaporator on the refrigerator too. Often times the condenser fan gets 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

First, the refrigerator. Most of the time you will want to have a wrench or screwdriver to get the back panel off from the refrigerator. Once exposed you will see a fan inside. If it is covered in dust and dirt, grab a rag and gently wipe it off. While you are in there check the coils as well. The coils are usually near there and full of the same dust and grime that the fan is. Cleaning the coils will only take a few minutes and it will certainly help the refrigerator run more efficiently. This is a common issue that can cause a refrigerator to run non-stop.

Turn the fan blades in the refrigerator. Do the blades spin easily? If they do not it means the fan motor bearings are not working. This is a simple repair, as the fan assembly is usually a part that can be ordered and can be replaced by simply disconnecting it. But, before trying this, be sure the refrigerator is unplugged. Do this same process for the evaporator fan in the refrigerator, which is located behind the freezer unit. This is not usually the issue, as this fan is protected inside 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 is possible that it could be the refrigerator compressor, the large, typically black or gray object under the refrigerator by the coils, we advise calling Sterling Heights Appliance Repair HQ. That is not a repair a homeowner should try.

ADDITIONAL REFRIGERATOR RESOURCES

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