Why is My Refrigerator Noisy?

Loud sounds coming out of a refrigerator is one of our most common service calls. That means our technicians know just how to troubleshoot the issue and repair it. Call Gibbs Appliance Repair today! The #1 CITY refrigerator repair service.

A noisy refrigerator is the worst. If the refrigerator in your house is a little louder than it usually is there are a few simple things that you can check while attempting to find the answer. There are a lot of fans on a refrigerator that often create strange noises. The appliance might also not be level too. Or you might have a compressor that is wearing down. If your refrigerator is louder when the ice maker is working, the noises could be from a broken a water valve.

There are some obvious components that should be checked first. Like is the refrigerator filled too full? A refrigerator that is too will often cause glass containers and other foods and liquids to clink together. This will cause a lot of unpleasant noises inside the refrigerator that’s not ideal because the refrigerator is on and naturally creating a small vibration.

If you have a model of refrigerator that has a water dispenser or ice maker but don’t have the water line hooked up, be sure you turned off the water dispenser and ice maker. There’s typically a button on the dispenser that can be used to turn off the water dispenser. And as far as the ice maker, you just need to lift the metal bar. If the refrigerator was installed right by a wall, it will cause the normal operating sound to seem much louder. This is because of the echoing of the sound of the machine. Pull it out a little away from the kitchen wall and then see if that helps. A refrigerator should be close to 2 inches from the back wall to reduce the sound.

If it is not one of these basic and easier fixes, it’s time to explore the issue further. The majority of the time, the fans are the cause of a refrigerator that is loud. There are fan blades that can get dirty and clogged. Often times the fan motors do too. There is a condenser fan in the refrigerator and an evaporator on the refrigerator too. Sometimes the refrigerator condenser fan gets a coating of dust or fuzz on it and should be cleaned often. If the coating 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

The first thing to do is to 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 get the back panel off from the refrigerator. Once exposed you will notice a fan inside. If it’s covered in dust and dirt, take a rag and gently wipe it off. While you’re in there look at the coils too. These are usually near 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 more efficiently. This is actually a common issue that causes a refrigerator to run non-stop.

Spin the fan blades. Do the fan blades spin easily? If they don’t it means the fan motor bearings are not working. This is an easy repair, as the fan assembly is usually a unit that can be ordered and can be replaced by simply disconnecting it. But, before trying any of this, be sure the refrigerator is unplugged. Do this same process for the evaporator fan, which is located behind the freezer unit. This isn’t typically the issue, as this fan is concealed within the walls of the refrigerator. But, when the sounds are coming from the top of the appliance that is the place to check.

If it is possible it could be the refrigerator compressor, the big, typically black or gray object beneath the refrigerator by the coils, we suggest calling Gibbs Appliance Repair. That isn’t 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