Why is My Refrigerator Noisy?

Strange sounds coming out of a refrigerator is one of our most popular customer calls. This means our technicians know just how to troubleshoot the problem and correct it. Call Bellevue Appliance Repair today! The #1 Bellevue refrigerator repair service.

A loud refrigerator is the worst. If the refrigerator in your house seems to be a little noisier than usual there are a few easy things that you can look at while trying to find a solution. There are several fans on a home refrigerator that often create strange noises. The appliance could also not be level too. Or you might have a compressor that’s wearing out. If your refrigerator is a lot noisier when the ice maker is working, the noises could be a broken a water valve.

There are some obvious things that must be be checked first. Like is your refrigerator filled too full? A refrigerator that is too will often result in glass containers and other items to clink together. This can cause a lot of loud noises inside the refrigerator that isn’t ideal because the refrigerator is cooling and producing a small vibration.

If you have a model of refrigerator that has a built-in water dispenser or ice maker but do not have the water connected, be sure you turned off the dispenser and ice maker. There is almost always a button on the dispenser that can be pressed to turn off the water 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 can sometimes cause the normal operating sound to seem much louder than it is. This is because of the echoing of the noise of the machine. Pull it out a bit away from the kitchen wall and see if that helps. A refrigerator should be around 2 inches from the rear wall to limit the noise.

If it is not one of these simple and easier fixes, it is time to explore the issue further. Most of the time, the refrigerator fans are the cause of a refrigerator that’s loud. There are fan blades that can get clogged and dirty. Sometimes the fan motors do as well. There is a condenser fan and an evaporator on the refrigerator too. Often times the condenser fan will get a coating of dust on it and then should be cleaned often. If the dust gets too heavy it will sometimes 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 see a fan behind it. If it is covered in dust and dirt, get a rag and gently wipe it off. While you’re in there you should look at the coils too. The coils are typically right there and will be covered in the same grime and dust that the fan is. Wiping down the coils only takes a couple of minutes but it will help the refrigerator run more efficiently. This is a very common problem that causes a refrigerator to run non-stop.

Turn the fan blades in the refrigerator. Do they spin easily? If they don’t the fan motor bearings are not working. This is an easy repair, as the fan assembly is usually a unit that can be purchased online and can be replaced by just disconnecting it. But, before trying any of this, be sure the refrigerator is unplugged. Do this same process for the evaporator fan, which is located behind the freezer unit. This is not typically the issue, as this fan is protected by being within the walls of the refrigerator. But, when the noises are coming from the top of the refrigerator that’s the area to look.

If it is possible that it could be the refrigerator compressor, the big, typically black or gray object beneath the refrigerator by the coils, we suggest calling Bellevue Appliance Repair. That is 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