Your kitchen is supposed to be a relaxing, welcoming place – the heart of the home, so to speak. A noisy refrigerator puts a serious damper on your family’s ability to enjoy preparing, serving and sharing meals in this central room. Worse yet, the noises it is making can be an indication of a serious problem.
Do not wait until your refrigerator stops working properly – or dies altogether – to take action. From conducting your own investigation to calling in the pros, read on to find out how to silence a noisy refrigerator for good.
Determine The Location Of The Noise
When it comes to sounds emitted by your refrigerator, the location they are coming from is a huge indicator of the potential issue. For the sake of your safety, it is imperative to disconnect the power before attempting to access the different areas and parts.
Sounds that originate in the back are likely one of the following:
- Condenser fan – Sometimes this issue can be fixed by removing accumulated debris and dust with a soft brush.
- Compressor – A loud compressor may need to be replaced.
- Defrost timer – In the majority of cases, a defrost timer that is making noise will require replacement.
While it may be okay to clean off the condenser fan yourself, you should always entrust replacements of parts to the pros.
The culprit will be different if the sounds are coming from the inside of your refrigerator. It will most likely be the fan responsible for circulating the air through both the freezer and fridge. Consequently, if it is in need of repair, getting it fixed is critical. This is a determination you can make for yourself, by pushing in the light switch that is located in the freezer. If the noise gets louder, the fan needs to be replaced.
Parts That Commonly Make A Refrigerator Noisy
While your refrigerator was manufactured with many different parts, there are a few that commonly make it loud.
If the compressor seems to be the source of the noise, it may actually be the condenser fan. Making this determination can be done by unplugging the fan’s motor, plugging your refrigerator back in and listening to see if the sound continues when the fan is not running. If it does, that means you may have a faulty compressor. Figuring out which part is in need of repair is the first step in deciding how to quiet a noisy refrigerator compressor.
The evaporator fan is found in the freezer. Looking into this potential issue should be handled by a trained professional, as it requires getting into the inside panel. This area is often closed off with clips or screws. Removal of the latter may require a screwdriver. Once the repair technician has accessed the panel, they will inspect the fan blade, wires, grommets and other components for wear and tear.
Bear in mind that while there are certain minor tasks you can complete yourself, most refrigerator noise troubleshooting is best left to trained and experienced technicians who know exactly what they are doing. You should always put your safety and the safety of your family first.
Noisy Refrigerator FAQ
Q. How can I stop my refrigerator from buzzing?
If the noise stops when you open the door, the evaporator fan could be to blame. It may be hitting something or defective. Occasionally the fan causes a buzzing sound due to dirt build-up. You can attempt to remove the fan blade and clean it off, but you will have to make note of which direction the fan is installed on the shaft.
Q. Why is my fridge making a rattling noise?
Dirty condenser fan blades, a loose drain pan, water splashing into the drain pan and a faulty defrost timer can all cause your fridge to make a rattling noise. Sometimes it is not due to a mechanical issue at all, but rather, dishes inside of the fridge that are vibrating due to the compressor fan.
Q. Why is my refrigerator making a gurgling noise?
Gurgling that occurs while your fridge is running is likely due to refrigerant circulating. If the sound is coming from the door right after you close it, it may be due to water in the drain tube trap area.
Q. Why is my fridge making a dying noise?
While some noises are merely a nuisance, a refrigerator that sounds like it is dying should be inspected by a professional as soon as possible.
Q. What does an intermittent noisy fridge indicate?
It may sound worrisome to you, but an intermittent noisy fridge may very well be simply the motor turning on, running for the set time and turning off when it is finished. This is a normal part of a refrigerator’s design and typically not a cause for concern.
Q. Is a noisy fridge dangerous?
Any appliance has the potential to start a fire. The best defense is to stay on top of any unusual noises to make sure the refrigerator is in full working order. The better care you take of it, the less you will have to worry if a noisy fridge is dangerous.
The Expertise You Need To Fix A Noisy Refrigerator
The technicians at Area Appliance Service know exactly how to diagnose and repair parts that are causing a noisy refrigerator because they have decades of experience working on major appliance brands including Whirlpool, Kenmore, Amana and GE.
In addition to our extensive training and experience, we also take pride in delivering exemplary customer service. This includes holding off on work until we get your approval, arriving on time for appointments, only recommending work that is truly necessary and being transparent about costs.
It is our courteous and considerate approach, as well as our expertise, that have allowed your neighbors in Arlington Hts, Buffalo Grove, Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Barrington, Hoffman Estates, Lake Zurich, Northbrook, Deerfield, Vernon Hills, Mundelein, and most surrounding areas to entrust their appliances to us.
We also have credentials to recommend our work including the following:
- HomeAdvisor Screened, Approved & Awarded With Elite Service
- A+ BBB Rating
- An Average Online Rating Of 4.8 Stars
Give us a call today at 847-459-8070 to experience the Area Appliance Service difference!
