Why is My Refrigerator Noisy?

refrigerator noisy

Strange noises coming from a refrigerator is one of our most popular service calls. That means our technicians know just how to troubleshoot the problem and repair it. Call Champion Chandler Appliance Repair today! The #1 Chandler refrigerator repair service.

A noisy refrigerator is the worst. If the refrigerator in your house seems to be a little noisier than usual there are some simple place that you can look at while trying to find a solution. There are many fans on a refrigerator that often create strange sounds. The refrigerator could also not be level too. Or you may have a compressor wearing down. If your refrigerator is noisier when the ice maker is making ice, the noises could be a broken a water valve.

There are a few obvious things that need to be checked first. Like is the refrigerator filled too full? A refrigerator that’s too can sometimes cause glass containers and other food items to clink together. This can cause a lot of annoying noises inside the refrigerator that’s not ideal because the refrigerator is cooling and creating a minor vibration.

If you own a refrigerator that has a water dispenser or ice maker but you do not have the water line hooked up, be sure you shut off the dispenser and the ice maker. There is almost always a button on the dispenser that can be used to shut off the water dispenser. And as far as the ice maker, you simply need to lift the bar. If the refrigerator was installed right by a wall in the kitchen, it might cause the standard running noise to seem much louder. This is a result of the echoing of the sound of the refrigerator. Slide it out from the wall and see if that helps. A refrigerator needs to be close to 2 inches away from the rear wall of the kitchen to reduce the noise.

If it’s not any of these simple and common fixes, it’s time to dive on in. The majority of the time, the refrigerator fans are the cause of a loud refrigerator. There are fan blades that can get clogged and dirty. Often times the fan motors do too. There is a condenser fan in the refrigerator and an evaporator on refrigerators too. Sometimes the condenser fan gets a coating of dust on it and should be cleaned on a regular basis. If the coating builds up and gets too heavy it can 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 want a wrench or screwdriver to get the back panel off from the refrigerator. Once exposed you will notice a fan behind it. If it’s covered in dust and dirt, find a rag and gently clean it off. While you are in there you should look at the coils as well. The coils are usually right there and covered in the same grime and dust that the fan is. Wiping down the coils will only take a couple of minutes but it will certainly help the refrigerator run more efficiently. This is a very common issue that causes a refrigerator to run non-stop.

Turn the fan blades in the refrigerator. Do the fan blades spin easily? 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 ordered and can be replaced by simply disconnecting it. However, before doing this, ensure the refrigerator isn’t plugged in. Do the same process for the evaporator fan, which is typically located behind the freezer unit. This is not typically the problem, 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 appliance that is the area to check.

If you think it might be the refrigerator compressor, the large, usually black or gray object beneath the refrigerator by the coils, we suggest calling Champion Chandler Appliance Repair. That’s not a repair a homeowner should try.

ADDITIONAL REFRIGERATOR RESOURCES