Why is My Refrigerator Noisy?

refrigerator loud noises

Strange noises coming out of a refrigerator is one of our most popular service calls. This means our repairmen know exactly how to troubleshoot the issue and repair it. Call Cherry Appliance Repair today! The #1 Virginia refrigerator repair service.

A loud refrigerator is the worst. If the refrigerator in your kitchen seems to be a bit noisier than it usually is there are some simple place that you can look at while attempting to find the cause. There are several fans on a home refrigerator that could create strange noises. The refrigerator 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 operating, the noises could be from a broken a water valve.

There are a couple of obvious things that need to be checked. Like is the refrigerator filled too full? A refrigerator that is too can result in glass containers and other food items to clink and clank together. This can create a lot of annoying noises inside the refrigerator that isn’t ideal because the refrigerator is on and naturally producing a small vibration.

If you own a refrigerator that has a water dispenser or ice maker but don’t have the water line connected, be sure you shut off the water dispenser and ice maker. There’s usually a button on the water dispenser that can be used to shut off the water dispenser. And as far as the ice maker, you just need to lift the metal bar. If the refrigerator is installed very close to a wall, it will sometimes cause the normal running sound to seem a lot louder than it is. This is because of the echoing of the sound of the appliance. Move the refrigerator out a bit away from the wall and see if that helps at all. A refrigerator should be close to 2 inches from the rear wall to limit the sound.

If it isn’t one of these basic and easier fixes, it’s time to dive on in. Most of the time, the refrigerator fans are the reason for a refrigerator that is loud. There are fan blades that can get dirty and clogged. Sometimes the fan motors do too. There is a condenser fan and an evaporator on the refrigerator too. Sometimes the refrigerator condenser fan will get a coating of dust on it and then should be cleaned on a regular basis. If the dust gets too heavy it can 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 a wrench or screwdriver to get the back panel off. As soon as it is off you’ll notice a fan inside. If it is covered in dirt and dust, find a rag and gently wipe it off. While you are in there you should check the coils too. These are usually right there and covered in the same dust and grime that the fan is. Cleaning the coils only takes a couple of minutes and it will help the refrigerator run more efficiently. This is actually a very common issue that sometimes causes a refrigerator to run non-stop.

Turn the fan blades. Do they spin freely? If not the fan motor bearings are not working. This is an easy repair, as the fan assembly is usually a component that can be purchased online and can be replaced by just disconnecting it. But, before you do this, ensure the refrigerator is unplugged. Do the same process for the evaporator fan in the refrigerator, which is typically located behind the freezer unit. This is not typically the issue, as this particular fan is protected inside the walls of the refrigerator. But, when the sounds are coming from the top of the refrigerator that’s the place to check.

If you think it could be the compressor, the large, typically gray or black object under the refrigerator near the coils, we advise calling Cherry Appliance Repair. That isn’t a repair a homeowner should attempt.

ADDITIONAL REFRIGERATOR RESOURCES