How to Fix a Loud Fridge

Fridges are machines. That is the cold hard truth about this appliance. While it does a great service for you, in the end, it is simply a machine, and machines can break down, have parts wear out and make a lot of noise at the wrong time.

There will be times when a part or two on your fridge wears down a little bit and starts to make a lot of annoying noises. Learning how to quiet a fridge will save you a little money and bring peace to your home very quickly.

To find out how to quiet your fridge when it starts to act up, just continue to read our article. It has the information you need to know about so you can avoid calling a repairman when you do not need one.

The Parts That Can Make a Lot of Noise

Before we get started on providing you with the instructions you need to follow in order to quiet your fridge, you need to know where to look first. Not every part will wear down and start creating noise.

That means you have limited places to look. Here are the main sources of noise in your fridge:

• Loose nuts, bolts & screws
• Condenser fan motor
• Evaporator fan motor
• Evaporator fan motor grommet

The key to finding the source of the problem and getting it fixed is to start with the simplest sources first. That way if the sound stops, you have saved money and time by fixing the simple issues.

In this case, the simplest source will be the screws, nuts, and bolts. If any of them are loose, the parts they hold in place can vibrate and make a lot of noise. Check to see if they are all tight before moving on to the more difficult and complicated sources.

Steps to Quiet Your Fridge

Step 1 – The Condenser Fan Motor

The duty of this part is to dry the moisture that enters the drain pan during the defrost cycle and to keep the condenser coil. If it malfunctions your fridge can cycle on or off frequently and possibly run too warm.

To fix this source of noise, you need to unplug the fridge, move it away from the wall and pull the back off the appliance. The fan motor is on the bottom of the fridge and the blades need to move freely. If they are not, that will be the source of the noise.

To clear up this situation, clean the fan blades and remove any debris getting in the way of the blades. Or straighten out any bent fan blades or replace them. If those are not the problem the motor may be wearing out and needs to be replaced.

Step 2 – Evaporator Fan Motor

If you hear unusual noises coming from your freezer, then chances are it is this part that is causing the noise. The evaporator fan motor ventilates the evaporator coils and the signs this is the source of the noise will be a warmer than usual freezer temperature, ice is slow to form, and similar issues.

To solve this problem, do the usual first three steps of unplugging the fridge, moving it out from the wall, and removing the back. If you see ice or frost on the fan, then your problem will be in the defrosting system. That may need a repairman to look at.

If the fan blades are loose, bent, or damaged you can either tighten the blades or replace the damaged ones. Then if the motor shaft is not turning freely, you may need to lubricate or replace the motor. When you see this is not the problem or the noise continues, call a repairman to look at it and fix the issue.

Step 3 – Evaporator Fan Motor Grommet

These little parts hold your evaporator fan motor in place and keep it still and steady. Vibrations can work the screws, nuts, or bolts loose and when they do, noise begins in your fridge.

To check on this problem and to fix it, do the same three first steps, then get down and check those grommets. If the screws, etc., are loose, all you have to do is tighten them up again.

If the grommets are worn and the screws, etc., are not loose, they can still make noise. Just replace them when you see that is the case.

Some Final Words

Fridges will make noise. It is a fact of life as they get older, and the parts get worn out or loosened somehow. To fix this issue always start with the simplest parts to fix before moving on to the more complicated parts.

Calling a repairman is your last resort when you see your fixes are not solving the problem.