Why is My Refrigerator Noisy?

loud noises of refrigerator

Strange sounds coming from a refrigerator is one of our most popular service calls. This means our repairmen know just how to diagnose the problem and fix it. Call Delta Des Moines Appliance Repair today! The #1 Des Moines refrigerator repair service.

A noisy refrigerator is very annoying. If the refrigerator in your home is a bit noisier than usual there are some simple things that you can look at while attempting to find the answer. There are several fans on a standard refrigerator that could create strange noises. The refrigerator might also not be level too. Or you may have a compressor wearing out. If your refrigerator is noisier when the ice maker is making ice, the noises could be a broken a water valve.

There are some obvious things that need to be checked. Like is your refrigerator filled too full? A refrigerator that is too will often cause glass containers and other food items to clink and clank together. This can create a lot of unpleasant noises inside of the refrigerator that isn’t ideal because the refrigerator is on and thereby creating a small vibration.

If you own a refrigerator that has a built-in water dispenser or ice maker but you don’t have the water line connected, be sure you shut off the water dispenser and ice maker. There is usually a button on the water dispenser on the refrigerator that can be pressed to turn off the dispenser. And as far as the ice maker, you just need to pull up the bar inside of it. If the refrigerator is installed very close to a wall, it might cause the standard operating sound to seem much louder. This is a result of the echoing of the noise of the refrigerator. Move it out a bit from the wall and see if that helps at all. A refrigerator needs to be close to 2 inches from the back wall to reduce the noise.

If it’s not any of these basic and common fixes, it’s time to explore the issue further. The majority of the time, the refrigerator fans are the reason for a refrigerator that’s loud. There are fan blades that can get dirty and clogged. Sometimes the fan motors do too. There’s a condenser fan in the refrigerator and an evaporator on refrigerators too. Sometimes the condenser fan will get a coating of dust or fuzz on it and should be cleaned often. If the dust builds up and gets too heavy it can 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. A lot of the time you will want to have a screwdriver or wrench to remove the back panel from the refrigerator. Once exposed you’ll notice a fan behind it. If it’s covered in dust and dirt, grab a rag and gently clean it off. While you are in there you should look at the coils too. These are usually near there and will be covered in the same dust and grime that the fan is. Wiping down the coils will only take a few minutes and it will help the refrigerator run more efficiently. This is a very common problem that sometimes causes a refrigerator to run non-stop.

Turn the fan blades in the refrigerator. Do the blades spin easily? If they don’t the fan motor bearings are broken. This is a simple repair, as the fan assembly is usually a component that can be ordered and can be replaced by simply disconnecting it. However, before trying this, be sure the refrigerator isn’t plugged in. Do the same process for the evaporator fan in the refrigerator, which is typically located behind the freezer unit. This is not typically the issue, as this particular fan is protected inside the walls of the refrigerator. But, if the sounds are coming from the top of the appliance that’s the place to check.

If it’s possible that it could be the compressor, the big, usually black or gray object beneath the refrigerator near the coils, we advise calling Delta Des Moines Appliance Repair. That is not a repair a homeowner should attempt.

ADDITIONAL REFRIGERATOR RESOURCES