Why is My Refrigerator Noisy?

refrigerator loud noises

Strange noises coming from a refrigerator is one of our most common customer calls. This means we know exactly how to troubleshoot the problem and correct it. Call Dunn Appliance Repair today! The #1 CITY refrigerator repair service.

A loud refrigerator is the worst. If the refrigerator in your kitchen is a bit noisier than usual there are a few simple place that you can check while trying to find the answer. There are several fans on a refrigerator that could create strange noises. The refrigerator could also not be balanced too. Or you might have a compressor that is wearing down. 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 components that must be be checked first. Like is your refrigerator filled too full? A refrigerator that’s too can result in glass bottles and other foods and liquids to clink and clank together. This will cause a lot of unpleasant sounds inside of the refrigerator that isn’t ideal because the refrigerator is on and naturally creating a small vibration.

If you have a refrigerator that has a water dispenser or ice maker but you don’t have the water line hooked up, be positive you turned off the water dispenser and ice maker. There’s typically a button on the water dispenser on the refrigerator that can be pressed to shut off the dispenser. And as far as the ice maker, you simply need to pull up the metal bar. If the refrigerator is installed right by a wall in the kitchen, it might cause the standard running noise to seem louder than it is. This is a result of the echo of the noise of the refrigerator. Slide the refrigerator out from the wall and see if that helps at all. A refrigerator should be close to 2 inches away from the back wall of the kitchen to lower the sound.

If it is not one of these basic and easier fixes, it’s 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 will often get dirty and clogged. Often times the fan motors do as well. There is a condenser fan in the refrigerator and an evaporator on refrigerators too. Often times the condenser fan gets a coating of dust or fuzz on it and needs to be cleaned on a regular basis. If it gets too heavy it will sometimes wear out the bearings inside the refrigerator fan’s motor.

Clean the Fan & Refrigerator Condenser Coils

First, unplug the refrigerator. The condenser fan is typically located in the rear of the refrigerator. Most of the time you will want a screwdriver or wrench to remove the back panel from the refrigerator. Once exposed you’ll see a fan in there. If it’s full of dirt and dust, grab a cloth and gently clean it off. While you are in there you should check the coils too. These are usually near there and will be full of the same grime and dust that the fan is. Wiping down the coils will only take a few minutes and it will help the refrigerator run efficiently. This is a very common issue that can cause a refrigerator to run non-stop.

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

If you think it could be the refrigerator compressor, the large, typically black or gray object beneath the refrigerator near the coils, we advise calling Dunn Appliance Repair. That’s not a repair a homeowner should try.

ADDITIONAL REFRIGERATOR RESOURCES

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