Why is My Refrigerator Noisy?

refrigerator noisy

Strange noises coming out of a refrigerator is one of our most common customer calls. That means our repairmen know just how to troubleshoot the problem and correct it. Call Witt Appliance Repair today! The #1 refrigerator repair service.

A noisy refrigerator is the worst. If the refrigerator in your kitchen is a little noisier than normal there are some simple place that you can check while attempting to find a solution. There are many fans on a standard refrigerator that could create strange noises. The appliance might also not be balanced too. Or you may have a compressor that’s wearing down. If your refrigerator is noisier when the ice maker is making ice, the noises might be a broken a water valve.

There are a couple of obvious things that need to be checked first. Like is your refrigerator filled too full? A refrigerator that is too might result in glass jars and other items to clink together. This will cause a lot of unpleasant noises inside of the refrigerator that’s not ideal because the refrigerator is cooling and naturally producing a minor vibration.

If you own a refrigerator that has a built-in water dispenser or ice maker but don’t have the water line hooked up, be positive you shut off the dispenser and the ice maker. There is typically a button on the dispenser that can be used to turn off the dispenser. And as far as 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 could cause the normal operating noise to seem a lot louder than it is. This is a result of the echoing of the sound of the machine. Move the refrigerator out a bit away from the kitchen wall and then see if that helps. A refrigerator should be close to 2 inches from the rear wall of the kitchen to lower the noise.

If it isn’t one of these basic and easier fixes, it’s time to dive on in. The majority of the time, the refrigerator fans are the reason for a refrigerator that’s loud. There are fan blades that can get clogged and dirty. Often times the fan motors do as well. There’s a condenser fan in the refrigerator and an evaporator on refrigerators too. Sometimes the refrigerator condenser fan will get a coating of dust or fuzz on it and then should be cleaned on a regular basis. If it builds up and gets too heavy it can wear out the bearings inside the fan’s motor.

Clean the Fan & Refrigerator Condenser Coils

The first thing to do is unplug the refrigerator. The condenser fan is typically located in the rear of the refrigerator. Most of the time you will need a wrench or screwdriver to get the back panel off. As soon as it is off you will see a fan inside. If it’s covered in dirt and dust, find a cloth and gently wipe it off. While you’re in there you should check the coils as well. The coils are typically right there and will be full of 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 efficiently. This is actually a common problem that sometimes causes a refrigerator to run non-stop.

Spin the fan blades in the refrigerator. Do they spin freely? If not it means the fan motor bearings are not working. This is an easy fix, as the fan assembly is usually a unit that can be purchased online and can be replaced by simply disconnecting it. However, before attempting any of 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 isn’t typically the problem, as this fan is protected by being inside the walls of the refrigerator. But, when the sounds are coming from the top of the refrigerator that’s the area to look.

If it’s possible it might be the compressor, the big, usually gray or black object under the refrigerator near the coils, we suggest calling Witt Appliance Repair. That isn’t a repair a homeowner should proceed with.

ADDITIONAL REFRIGERATOR RESOURCES

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