Why is My Refrigerator Noisy?

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

A loud refrigerator is very annoying. If the refrigerator in your house is a bit noisier than it usually is there are a couple of simple things that you can look at while attempting to find a solution. There are a lot of fans on a home refrigerator that could create loud noises. The appliance could also not be level too. Or you could have a compressor wearing out. If your refrigerator is much louder when the ice maker is working, the noises might be from a broken a water valve.

There are one or two basic components that need to be checked. Like is the refrigerator filled too full? A refrigerator that’s too can result in glass containers and other items to clink and clank together. This can cause a lot of loud noises inside of the refrigerator that isn’t ideal because the refrigerator is running and thereby creating a minor vibration.

If you own a model of 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 on the refrigerator that can be used to shut off the water dispenser. And as far as the ice maker, you need to pull up the bar inside of it. If the refrigerator is installed right by a wall in the kitchen, it will sometimes cause the normal running noise to seem much louder. This is due to the echoing of the sound of the refrigerator. Slide the refrigerator out a little away from the wall and then see if that helps at all. A refrigerator should be around 2 inches away from the back wall to reduce the sound.

If it’s not any of these basic and easier fixes, it is time to explore the issue further. Most of the time, the refrigerator fans are the reason for a refrigerator that is loud. There are fan blades that will often get dirty and clogged. Often times the fan motors do too. There’s a condenser fan in the refrigerator and an evaporator on the refrigerator too. Often times the condenser fan will get a coating of dust on it and needs to be cleaned on a regular basis. If the coating builds up and gets too heavy it might wear out the bearings inside of 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 remove the back panel from the refrigerator. Once exposed you will notice a fan inside. If it is full of dirt and dust, take a cloth and gently clean it off. While you are in there look at the coils too. These are typically near there and will be full of the same grime and dust that the fan is. Cleaning the coils only takes a couple of minutes and it will help the refrigerator run efficiently. This is a common issue that can cause a refrigerator to run non-stop.

Spin the fan blades in the refrigerator. Do they spin easily? If not the fan motor bearings are not working. This is an easy fix, as the fan assembly is typically a part that can be purchased online and can be replaced by simply 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 isn’t usually the issue, as this fan is protected by being inside the walls of the refrigerator. But, when the sounds are coming from the top of the appliance that’s the area to look.

If you think it could be the refrigerator compressor, the big, typically gray or black object beneath the refrigerator by the coils, we recommend calling Oshkosh Appliance Repair. That’s not a repair a homeowner should proceed with.

ADDITIONAL REFRIGERATOR RESOURCES