What would we be without refrigerators? The must-have home appliance has been a staple in our kitchens for close to 100 years. So when your refrigerator starts making unusual noises, you will want to know what is causing it and how to fix it, preferably before the issue gets any worse. The good news is, by following this guide, you should be able to fix most issues without the need for an expensive repair service.
Before you get the screwdriver out, be sure to cross off these basic causes of refrigerator noise.
Evaporator fans are responsible for drawing air over the evaporator coils, which remove heat from the air, and then circulating the cool air through the refrigerator. The evaporator fan on most refrigerators is located behind a panel at the back of the freezer or fridge compartment. On most refrigerator models, the fan can be accessed from inside the refrigerator and is often visible.
Once you have determined where your refrigerator’s evaporator fan is located, try to determine if the noise is coming from that area. Evaporator noise issues can be caused by the fan blades, the fan motor, or the fan motor grommet. A defective fan motor will cause considerable noise.
To access the evaporator fan, you will need to remove items from the freezer or refrigerator, and on some models the shelves, support rails, and ice maker. Depending on the model, there may be several back panels to remove to access the evaporator fan. However, on most models, there will be one panel, which can be removed by using a Phillips-head screwdriver to remove the screws. Take care when removing back panels, as one may be connected to a thermistor. If there is a thermistor attached, detach the wiring harness to remove the panel.
To Check the Evaporator Fan:
The condenser fan uses outside air to cool the condenser coils and the compressor. The condenser fan is usually accessed through the refrigerator’s rear access panel, behind the refrigerator. Like the evaporator fan, the condenser fan’s motor, blades, or grommet could be defective and causing refrigerator noise. A defective fan motor will cause excessive noise, and the refrigerator will likely not be cooling very effectively.
To Check the Condenser Fan:
The compressor is typically located at the back of the refrigerator, behind the rear access panel. The refrigerator’s compressor pumps refrigerant through the condenser and evaporator coils. A problem with the compressor may make a single loud knocking sound as it begins to pump refrigerant and then sometimes again when it shuts off. However, if the compressor is failing, you should also notice it become louder and louder when it is operating.
While a noisy compressor means it is beginning to fail, compressors can last for years after they become noisy. If you cannot tolerate the noise any longer, contact a licensed professional to replace the compressor.
If your refrigerator has a built-in ice maker, the water inlet valve that controls the water supply to the ice maker can sometimes wear out and cause abnormal refrigerator noise. A malfunctioning water inlet valve will typically make a buzzing or strange humming sound when the ice maker is filling.
The water inlet valve is usually located behind the rear access panel behind the refrigerator. It is recommended that a faulty water inlet valve be replaced, as it is difficult to repair and will likely fail again.
To Remove and Replace the Water Inlet Valve:
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