Why is My Refrigerator Noisy?

Strange sounds coming from a refrigerator is one of our most common service calls. That means our repairmen know just how to diagnose the issue and correct it. Call EZ Boise Appliance Repair today! The #1 Boise refrigerator repair service.

A noisy refrigerator is the worst. If the refrigerator in your kitchen is a little louder than it usually is there are a few simple things that you can check while trying to find the answer. There are several fans on a home refrigerator that might create strange noises. The appliance could also not be level too. Or you could have a compressor that is wearing out. If your refrigerator is much louder when the ice maker is working, the noises might be a broken a water valve.

There are a few obvious components that must be be checked. Like is your refrigerator filled too full? A refrigerator that is too could cause glass bottles and other items to clink together. This can cause a lot of unpleasant sounds inside the refrigerator that isn’t ideal because the refrigerator is running and thereby creating a small vibration.

If you have a model of refrigerator that has a water dispenser or ice maker but do not have the water line hooked up, be positive you shut off the water dispenser and the ice maker. There’s almost always a button on the dispenser on the refrigerator that can be used to shut off the dispenser. And with the ice maker, you simply need to pull up the bar inside of it. If the refrigerator is installed near a wall in the kitchen, it can cause the normal running sound to seem louder. This is because of the echoing of the noise of the refrigerator. Slide it out away from the wall and then see if that helps or not. A refrigerator should be around 2 inches away from the back wall to limit the noise.

If it’s not one of these simple and easier fixes, it’s time to explore the issue further. Most of the time, the fans are the reason for a refrigerator that is loud. There are fan blades that can get clogged and dirty. There are times the fan motors do too. There is a condenser fan in the refrigerator and an evaporator on refrigerators too. Often times the refrigerator condenser fan gets a coating of dust or fuzz on it and then needs to be cleaned regularly. If the dust gets too heavy it might wear out the bearings inside of 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 usually located in the back of the refrigerator. A lot of the time you will need a screwdriver or wrench to remove the back panel from the refrigerator. Once exposed you’ll notice a fan inside. If it is covered in dirt and dust, get a rag and gently wipe it off. While you’re in there look at the coils too. The coils are usually near there and will be full of the same dust and grime that the fan is. Wiping down the coils will only take a couple of minutes and it will help the refrigerator run efficiently. This is a very common issue that can cause a refrigerator to run non-stop.

Spin the fan blades. Do they spin freely? If they do not the fan motor bearings are broken. This is an easy fix, as the fan assembly is typically a unit that can be ordered and can be replaced by simply disconnecting it. However, before attempting this, ensure the refrigerator is not plugged in. Do the same process for the evaporator fan in the refrigerator, which is typically located behind the freezer. This is not usually the issue, as this particular fan is protected by being within the walls of the refrigerator. But, if the sounds are coming from the top of the refrigerator that’s the place to check.

If it’s possible it might be the refrigerator compressor, the large, usually black or gray object beneath the refrigerator by the coils, we recommend calling EZ Boise Appliance Repair. That isn’t a repair a homeowner should proceed with.

ADDITIONAL REFRIGERATOR RESOURCES

• How Does a Refrigerator Work?
• Ice Maker Not Working
• Water Dispenser Not Working
• Refrigerator Not Cooling