If you have a noisy refrigerator, you have come to the right place. We will be discussing the most common causes of noisy refrigerator compressors and how to fix them. We will also review some of the best ways to quiet a noisy fridge compressor for good.
Why is my fridge compressor so loud?
A loud sound coming from your refrigerator can be caused by a few different things. You may have a defrost timer that needs to be replaced, a condenser fan that is loose or noisy, or a compressor that is going bad.
It is important to keep these parts in good working order so that your refrigerator can run efficiently and keep food cold.
Before troubleshooting your refrigerator compressor, it is best to try to figure out what the actual cause of the problem is.
We have a list of steps that will help you determine if your issue lies with the defrost timer, condenser fan, or compressor. This will allow you to know what needs to be replaced before purchasing new parts for your fridge.
How to Quiet a Noisy Refrigerator Compressor
Starting at the beginning, your refrigerator is a cooling system. The first place you want to start checking is the fan, which is also called the condenser fan. This fan helps circulate air through the refrigerator and helps remove excess heat.
If this fan is not working correctly, it can cause your compressor to run more often than needed or stay on longer than necessary, causing your fridge to be noisier than it should be.
If your condenser fan seems to be functioning properly when turned on, we will move onto troubleshooting the next possible problem: the defrost timer.
The defrost timer controls when and how long in time the defroster runs in the freezer of your refrigerator. If this timer is not functioning properly or is faulty, it can cause your freezer coils to ice up and your refrigerator compressor to run longer than needed.
Ice buildup in your freezer coils can also cause your fridge to be noisier because the compressor will have to work harder in order to keep the inside of the refrigerator from getting too hot.
If both the condenser fan and defrost timer are functioning correctly and you are still experiencing noise from your refrigerator, then the culprit may be a bad compressor. The compressor is responsible for allowing cool air in from outside.
If it is not working correctly or is faulty, you may hear a loud humming noise coming from your refrigerator. The vibrations from the compressor can also cause the crisper drawers above the refrigerator to rattle and shake, which may be mistaken for a loud noise coming from your fridge.
If this is the problem, you may want to look into ways to have the vibration dampened by modifying or adding new hardware and/or insulation.
Before replacing any of these parts, it is best to check your owner’s manual. This will help you identify what kind of parts you need in order to fix your noisy refrigerator. You may also want to call a professional if you are unsure how to tackle some of these repairs on your own or if the noise is excessive.
What are the signs of a bad refrigerator compressor?
A very loud noise coming from your refrigerator can be a good sign that something is wrong and you need to take it to either a repair person or a professional.
The following signs will help you determine if your problem is with the compressor.
- If the noise from your fridge is constantly on, even when the unit is turned off, then this may be an indication that the compressor is going bad and needs to be replaced.
- If you notice high levels of humidity in your refrigerator, this could also be caused by a failing compressor. This humidity can build up on coils inside of your freezer and cause them to ice over.
- Your refrigerator may also have an issue with the gaskets around the door. These gaskets are responsible for keeping cold air in and warm air out. If the door is not properly sealed, you will feel warm air come from around the edges of your refrigerator while it is running. This can be a sign that your gaskets are leaking or need to be replaced.
- Finally, but most obviously, if you hear a loud noise coming from your fridge when it is running, this could very well be an indication that your compressor needs to be replaced or fixed.
Is it worth replacing a compressor in a refrigerator?
A refrigerator compressor can be quite costly and some people may not want to buy a new part for their fridge if the issue is not too serious.
However, when a compressor begins to fail, it can become quite costly. If your refrigerator has no compartments for food storage, then your food will go bad very quickly, causing you to throw out the money in groceries.
In addition, your refrigerator will also start to make loud noises and vibrations, which can be annoying to hear and annoying for people who happen to live with you.
In some cases, if your refrigerator is too noisy, it can even distract people from what they are doing or watching on TV. If this is the case, it may be worth replacing the compressor to keep your food fresh as well as keeping the peace in a household where multiple people reside.