Sometimes, your fridge starts making noise that will annoy you like no other thing in the world. Imagine enjoying dinner with your family or lying in bed with loud rattling noises in the background.
These rattling noises communicate many things to the user regarding the condition of various fridge components. You must know what the rattling sound means and how to eliminate it.
The rattling sound might stop after some time if you are lucky. However, you will mostly experience an even louder sound produced by the fridge when you do not solve it. The louder the sound gets, the more annoyed you will feel.
Let us look into the reasons behind the rattling sound that your fridge is producing. Our solution will help you get rid of the problem in the most effective way.
Contents
- 1 Fridge Making Rattling Noise: What Could Be Causing the Rattling Noise?
Fridge Making Rattling Noise: What Could Be Causing the Rattling Noise?
Drip pan
Problem
Is the rattling sound coming from the bottom of the fridge? If yes, you should relax because the solution to this problem is simple. A rattling sound from the bottom of the fridge means that the drip pan is not placed correctly.
The drip pan is usually located at the bottom of the fridge. Its main function is to accumulate the wasted water from the fridge. This water flows directly from the fridge to the drip pan because gravity pulls it there. The drip pan is an important part of your fridge for keeping the interior clean.
Solution
First, inspect the manual and see where the manufacturer has integrated the drip pan. In almost all cases, it will be at the bottom. Open the drip pan compartment and check the position of the pan.
Make sure it is supported well at the bottom and from the sides. You should also ensure that the bottom support is neither bent nor dented.
Condenser fan
Problem
If the rattling sound is heading from the back of the fridge, there is a high chance that the condenser fan is dirty. Most of the newer models do not have condenser fans. However, you will still find it in the older fridges. The condenser fan is usually integrated behind the access panel.
Dirt can accumulate on the condenser fan because it is exposed outside. This dirt, if not treated at the proper time, will restrict the motion of the condenser fan and eventually stop it.
A problematic condenser fan will have two other symptoms that will make it evident that it is not working. The first indicator of a faulty condenser fan is that the cooling inside your fridge will not be as effective as you would like. The second indicator is that the condenser fan will turn on and off frequently.
Solution
You need to check the condenser fan to solve this issue. See the user manual to locate the fan. Unplug the fridge from the power source. Remove the access panel if required (this will vary from model to model).
Once you have loathed the fan, check if it is dirty. If you find dirt on it, it is better to clean it with a wet cloth and let it dry. Also, check the grommets to make sure that they are not loose.
A more important factor is to check if the condenser fan motor is operating. If the motor is stagnant, then you should consider installing a new one or repairing the one that is worn out.
Evaporator fan
Problem
The evaporator fan inside the fridge can also be a reason behind the rattling sound. The evaporator fan is integrated inside the refrigerator to pull all the hot air to the coil and remove it from the food.
Rubber grommets in the evaporator fan keep the motor separate from the metallic bracket. The function of this rubber grommet is to reduce the contact between the mentioned components and muffle the vibration.
Solution
When your fridge produces an unwanted sound, you should check the evaporator fan and see if the grommet is in place. You can do this by reading the manual and finding the evaporator fan compartment inside the fridge. Once you have found the compartment, check if the sound is coming from it.
Now unplug the fridge and open the compartment. Remove the fan cover and check the physical condition of the rubber grommet. A completely worn grommet needs replacement, so you should call a technician.
Evaporator fan frozen in some fridges.
Reason
Depletion of the rubber grommet is not the only thing that can produce sound when it comes to the evaporator fan. Some fridge models are prone to a unique problem. The frost is so high that it reaches the back of the fridge.
This then affects the evaporator fan. You will hear noises because the ice will be deposited on the evaporator fan blades. The ice will restrict the motion, but the fan will try and find a way to rotate.
Solution
You need to find and expose the evaporator fan. If ice is deposited on the fan, unplug the fridge to ensure it melts. If the problem reappears afterward, then you should hire a technician.
Ice maker
Problem
Fridges also make a humming sound when the icemaker is filled with water. An occasional humming sound does not mean that the fridge is malfunctioning. An ice maker requires water inside the tray to produce ice.
However, if you hear the humming sound after every 10 to 15 minutes, then there might be some problem inside the ice maker. There can be a problem with the water pressure as well. Inconsistent water flow can also generate loud humming sounds, which can be annoying.
Solution
To solve this problem, remove the water supply from the ice maker. If you still hear the humming sound, the best thing to do is turn off the fridge. Unplug it from the electricity source to prevent any further damage. Call customer support so that you can find the most appropriate solution to this problem.
As for the humming sounds produced by water pressure, you should try and adjust it. The water pipe is connected to the fridge via an inlet valve. Make sure that the inlet valve is at a maximum of 45 degrees.
Expansion and contraction of the plastic
Reason
Popping and snapping sounds are very common in the new models. Most of the components in these models are made of plastic, and the contraction and expansion of these plastic components produce the said sound.
These sounds are normally produced when defrosting takes place. During the defrosting process, the temperature increases. The plastic expands with the increase in temperature, so a snap or pop can be heard.
Solution
The pop and snap sounds fade when the fridges are used. With regular usage, the plastic gets adapted to the environment of your home.
However, you should make sure that these sounds are not that high. If the sound gets too loud, it is suggested to call customer support to solve this issue.
The air vent issue
Problem
Vent issue is the most common thing that you will face. People tend to stuff their fridges with all sorts of foods. To make room for various items, you must know that the fridge has its capacity.
Inside a fridge, you should ensure that the food items are not placed too close to the walls, especially the back of the fridge. The vent airflow is restricted if the food items are not placed properly.
Solution
One of the easiest and most appropriate solutions to this problem is that the food items should not be placed at the extreme back of the fridge. Sufficient space should be maintained between each food item. These mistakes, if not avoided, can cause bigger issues.
Temperature and door issues
Problem
Several noises can be produced due to either high temperatures inside the fridge or issues with the door. When the door is properly closed but the temperature is too high inside the fridge (for whatever reason), the system will generate a beeping sound and flash several signs on the screen.
The fridge will try to show that the temperature is not cold enough and the food might spoil sooner or later. A problematic fridge door can also be why your fridge is making a beeping sound or flashing several lights.
If the door does not close properly, the system generates these alerts to inform you that the door should be closed. Another fault can be in the hinges, which might be too new or old. The door will produce a squeaking sound that can be annoying.
Solution
You should ensure the temperature is set at a sufficiently low level. If there is any cooling issue in the fridge, you should hire a technician to diagnose and solve it. Furthermore, you can check the door installation.
You should also lubricate the hinges from time to time. However, if the fridge is new, you should wait a week or two because the squeaking sound will diminish upon usage.
The defrost timer
Problem
Fridges run on two alternate cycles that follow one another infinitely. First, the fridge runs a cooling cycle that lowers the temperature. A defrosting cycle is run to prevent the temperature from going any further. However, when the defrost timer is faulty, the cooling cycle goes on without interruption.
This will cause excessive cooling, accumulating ice on the evaporator’s coils. The airflow from the fridge compartment to the evaporator gets restricted, producing a humming sound. The same issue causes ice to get deposited on the evaporator fan blades (as discussed earlier).
Solution
The best solution to this problem is to replace the defrost timer. Moreover, you should also check the fuse of your fridge because the excessive load on the evaporator fan might have damaged the fuse.
Conclusion
This article’s purpose is to inform you about why a fridge produces noise and how to reduce these sounds. However, we have learned in this article that sounds such as humming, popping, and snapping are not always bad. These sounds can be a routine thing that might indicate a phase that the fridge is going through.
A fridge has various fans and motors installed inside of it. This is why you should not expect it to be quiet every time. However, if the sound gets louder and louder, we advise you to take prompt action to ensure the least damage is done.
Call a technician as soon as possible because the sooner you call, the lesser your loss will be. Also, make sure that you avail of any warranty the manufacturer has provided you at the time of the purchase.
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