If your refrigerator runs loud, it’s annoying, right? Definitely. Don’t let it go too long without fixing it, as it could lead to something worse than an irritating noise down the road.
Once you hear that racket enough, you may start to wonder, “Why is my refrigerator noisy or loud?” There can be several reasons why your refrigerator runs loud. A few of the most common causes include dirty condenser coils, fan blade obstructions, evaporator fan motor failure, or worn out compressor. You can use the list below to troubleshoot your loud refrigerator and possibly fix it on your own.
If the noisy refrigerator appears to be more than you can handle with a DIY fix, call Action Appliance Repair for help!
Reasons Your Refrigerator Runs Loud
#1 Dirty Refrigerator Coils
If you find that your refrigerator is noisy or seems louder than usual, it may be time to clean the condenser coils. This is actually one of the most important refrigerator maintenance tasks. Dirty coils can block air flow and circulation, causing the refrigerator to work harder to stay cold. If the coils are dirty enough, you may find that the refrigerator runs constantly, and that’s where all the racket is stemming from.
To remedy this noisy refrigerator problem, simply clean the refrigerator coils. Us a cleaning brush and vacuum hose attachment to remove all the dust, hair, lint and other debris that builds up on the refrigerator coils. We recommend you do this once to twice a year to keep your refrigerator running properly. Learn more about How to Clean Refrigerator Coils.
#2 Fan Blade Obstruction
An obstruction of the evaporator or condenser fan blade can be the cause of your refrigerator making noise. If the fan blade is not able to turn freely you’ll hear noise coming from your refrigerator. It can be especially loud when the refrigerator door is open.
Use your owner’s manual to access the evaporator and condenser fan blades. Check to see if there is anything caught in the fan or if the blades are running against something. If there is a foreign object in the blade, carefully remove the obstruction. If the fan is ajar and hitting an adjacent part, realign it.[/vc_column_text]
#3 Compressor Worn Out
If you notice that the refrigerator noise is coming from the compressor, it may be the cause. Time takes a toll on the refrigerator compressor, and it can eventually wear out. If this is the case, you’ll notice that the refrigerator is noisy, particularly when the door is open.
You may still be able to get a few more years out of the noisy compressor, but it will fail completely at some point down the road. If you’re able to determine that the compressor is wearing out, contact a licensed technician to replace it.
#4 Water Inlet Valve
The water inlet valve can be the culprit when your refrigerator runs loud. If this is the case, you’ll hear loud refrigerator noises when the ice maker fills. This valve supplies water to the ice maker and refrigerator water dispenser.
Build up of mineral deposits can cause the water flow in the inlet valve to become restricted. This will lead to a noisy refrigerator. The valve will need to be replaced by a professional refrigerator repair technician.
