Why is My Refrigerator Noisy?

Strange sounds coming from a refrigerator is one of our most popular service calls. That means our technicians know just how to troubleshoot the problem and fix it. Call Hayward Appliance Repair today! The #1 Hayward refrigerator repair service.

A loud refrigerator is the worst. If the refrigerator in your home seems to be a bit noisier than it usually is there are a couple of simple place that you can look at while attempting to find a solution. There are a lot of fans on a standard refrigerator that could create loud noises. The refrigerator might also not be level too. Or you could have a compressor that’s wearing down. If your refrigerator is noisier when the ice maker is working, the sounds might be a broken a water valve.

There are a few obvious components that should be checked. Like is your refrigerator too full? A refrigerator that’s too could cause glass jars and other items to clink together. This will cause a lot of loud sounds inside the refrigerator that isn’t ideal because the refrigerator is on and naturally producing a small vibration.

If you have a refrigerator that has a water dispenser or ice maker but don’t have the water connected, be positive you shut off the dispenser and ice maker. There’s typically a button on the water dispenser that can be used to shut off the dispenser. And as far as the ice maker, you simply need to lift the metal bar inside of it. If the refrigerator was installed near a wall in the kitchen, it will cause the normal operating sound to seem louder. This is a result of the echoing of the sound of the appliance. Pull it out a little away from the wall and then see if that helps at all or not. A refrigerator needs to be around 2 inches from the rear wall to lower the sound.

If it is not one of these simple and easy fixes, it is time to explore the issue further. Most 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. Sometimes the fan motors do as well. There is a condenser fan in the refrigerator and an evaporator on the refrigerator too. Sometimes the condenser fan gets a coating of dust on it and needs to be cleaned regularly. If the coating builds up and gets too heavy it can wear out the bearings inside of the fan’s motor.

Clean the Fan & Refrigerator Condenser Coils

The first thing to do is to 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 from the refrigerator. Once exposed you’ll notice a fan behind it. If it is covered in dust and dirt, take a rag and gently wipe it off. While you’re in there check the coils as well. These are typically near there and will be full of the same dust and grime that the fan is. Cleaning the coils will only take a couple of minutes and it will certainly help the refrigerator run efficiently. This is a common issue that can cause a refrigerator to run non-stop.

Turn the fan blades in the refrigerator. Do they spin freely? If not it means the fan motor bearings are not working. This is a simple fix, as the fan assembly is typically a component that can be ordered and can be replaced by just disconnecting it. But, before doing 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 usually the problem, as this particular fan is protected within the walls of the refrigerator. But, when the sounds are coming from the top of the appliance that is the place to look.

If it’s possible it could be the refrigerator compressor, the big, typically gray or black object under the refrigerator by the coils, we suggest calling Hayward Appliance Repair. That’s not 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