Why is My Refrigerator Noisy?

Strange noises coming from a refrigerator is one of our most common customer calls. That means {we|our technicians know exactly how to troubleshoot the problem and correct it. Call Excel Oxnard Appliance Repair today! The #1 Oxnard refrigerator repair service.

A noisy refrigerator is the worst. If the refrigerator in your home is a bit noisier than it usually is there are some simple things that you can check while trying to find the answer. There are many fans on a standard refrigerator that could create strange noises. The refrigerator could also not be balanced too. Or you might have a compressor wearing down. If your refrigerator is louder when the ice maker is working, the sounds might be from a broken a water valve.

There are one or two obvious components that should be checked first. Like is your refrigerator filled too full? A refrigerator that’s too might cause glass containers and other food items to clink and clank together. This will create a lot of unpleasant noises inside the refrigerator that is not ideal because the refrigerator is on and thereby producing a small vibration.

If you have a refrigerator that has a built-in water dispenser or ice maker but you don’t have the water connected, be sure you shut off the dispenser and ice maker. There’s usually a button on the dispenser that can be pressed to shut off the water dispenser. And as far as the ice maker, you need to pull up the metal bar inside of it. If the refrigerator is installed right by a wall, it can cause the normal operating sound to seem louder. This is a result of the echoing of the sound of the refrigerator. Move it out from the kitchen wall and then see if that helps or not. A refrigerator should be about 2 inches away from the back wall of the kitchen to limit the sound.

If it isn’t any of these simple and easier fixes, it is time to explore the issue further. Most of the time, the fans are the reason for a refrigerator that’s loud. There are fan blades that will often get clogged and dirty. Sometimes the fan motors do too. There is a condenser fan and an evaporator on the refrigerator too. Sometimes the condenser fan will get a coating of dust on it and then needs to be cleaned often. If it gets too heavy it can wear out the bearings inside the refrigerator fan’s motor.

Clean the Fan & Refrigerator Condenser Coils

First, the refrigerator. Most of the time you will need to have a wrench or screwdriver to get the back panel off from the refrigerator. As soon as it is off you’ll notice a fan inside. If it is covered in dust and dirt, take a rag and gently clean it off. While you’re in there look at the coils as well. The coils are typically right there and will be full of the same dust and grime that the fan is. Cleaning the coils only takes a couple of minutes but it will help the refrigerator run more efficiently. This is actually a very common issue that can cause a refrigerator to run non-stop.

Turn the fan blades. Do the fan blades spin easily? If they do not 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 just disconnecting it. But, before attempting any of this, ensure the refrigerator isn’t plugged in. Do the same process for the evaporator fan, which is located behind the freezer unit. This isn’t typically the problem, as this fan is concealed within the walls of the refrigerator. But, when the sounds are coming from the top of the refrigerator that is the area to check.

If you think it might be the refrigerator compressor, the big, typically black or gray object beneath the refrigerator by the coils, we advise calling Excel Oxnard Appliance Repair. That’s not 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