Why is My Refrigerator Noisy?

refrigerator noisy

Strange noises coming from a refrigerator is one of our most common service calls. This means our technicians know exactly how to diagnose the problem and repair it. Call Nifty Nashville Appliance Repair today! The #1 Nashville refrigerator repair service.

A noisy refrigerator is extremely annoying. If the refrigerator in your kitchen seems to be a little noisier than it usually is there are some easy place that you can look at while trying to find the cause. There are several fans on a refrigerator that could create loud noises. The appliance might also not be level too. Or you may have a compressor that is wearing out. If your refrigerator is noisier when the ice maker is making ice, the sounds might be from a broken a water valve.

There are some basic components that need to be checked first. Like is the refrigerator filled too full? A refrigerator that is too could result in glass bottles and other items to clink together. This can create a lot of loud sounds inside the refrigerator that is not ideal because the refrigerator is on and creating a minor vibration.

If you have a model of refrigerator that has a built-in water dispenser or ice maker but you do not have the water line hooked up, be sure you shut off the water dispenser and ice maker. There is usually a button on the dispenser on the refrigerator that can be used to turn off the water dispenser. And with the ice maker, you need to lift the metal bar inside of it. If the refrigerator was installed near a wall in the kitchen, it can sometimes cause the normal running sound to seem louder. This is because of the echoing of the sound of the appliance. Pull it out from the wall and see if that helps at all. A refrigerator should be about 2 inches away from the back wall to lower the noise.

If it isn’t any of these basic and common 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 dirty and clogged. Sometimes the fan motors do as well. There’s a condenser fan in the refrigerator and an evaporator on refrigerators too. Many times the condenser fan will get a coating of dust or fuzz on it and needs to be cleaned on a regular basis. If the coating builds up and gets too heavy it might wear out the bearings inside of the fan’s motor.

Clean the Fan & Refrigerator Condenser Coils

behind the refrigerator. Most of the time you will need to have a wrench or screwdriver to remove the back panel from the refrigerator. As soon as it’s off you will see a fan inside. If it is covered in dirt and dust, grab a rag and gently clean it off. While you are in there look at the coils too. The coils are typically right there and will be covered in 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 actually a very common problem that causes a refrigerator to run non-stop.

Turn the fan blades. Do the blades spin freely? If they don’t it means the fan motor bearings are not working. This is an easy repair, as the fan assembly is typically a part that can be purchased online and can be replaced by just disconnecting it. However, before attempting any of this, be sure the refrigerator isn’t plugged in. Do this same process for the evaporator fan in the refrigerator, which is located behind the freezer. This is not usually the problem, as this fan is concealed by being within the walls of the refrigerator. But, if the noises are coming from the top of the refrigerator that’s the area to look.

If it’s possible it might be the refrigerator compressor, the big, typically black or gray object beneath the refrigerator by the coils, we suggest calling Nifty Nashville Appliance Repair. That’s not a repair a homeowner should proceed with.

ADDITIONAL REFRIGERATOR RESOURCES