Refrigerators serve an essential function in our homes. They ensure that we’re able to keep our foods cool and fresh before we eat them. But refrigerators can have a few different problems that are annoying to deal with. For example, you might have a noisy refrigerator compressor on your hands. If so, there are a few different ways that you can resolve the problem.
The first step to fixing a noisy refrigerator compressor is determining the source of the problem. You may identify a specific part that needs to be replaced to fix the issue. You can also try applying acoustic foam to the fridge or placing it in wooden housing. Another strategy is to try cleaning the fans and compressor.
Why is My Refrigerator Making A Loud Humming Noise?
There are a few different components that could be causing this problem. It might be your compressor. A low level of noise is to be expected. But sometimes that sound that it emits can be too high. Try one of the solutions below if that happens.
Your humming noise could also be caused by condenser coils. These are located on the back of the appliance. They sometimes buzz when they have a lot of dust in them. So try cleaning the coils to resolve the issue.
Finally, the humming noise could also be coming from your ice maker. These always make a bit of noise. But if the noise has gotten very loud, you probably need a technician to come out and fix the problem.
How Do I Stop My Fridge Compressor From Making Noise?
There are many different strategies that you can try to fix a noisy fridge compressor. Here are several that are worth your attention.
Start by determining the cause of the noise
You’ll make the process much easier on yourself if you can determine exactly why the noise is so loud. You might figure out that floor vibrations are causing the sound. These happen when a fridge is improperly positioned.
You’ll get loud vibrations whenever the legs of your refrigerator are uneven on the floor. So try placing a thick rubber mat underneath the fridge. Or you could use anti-vibration pads to fix the problem.
Try applying acoustic foam
If floor vibrations aren’t the cause of the noise, you can try applying acoustic foam to your fridge. These absorb noise and reduce it by as much as 50-90 percent. You should attach the foam behind your fridge. Doing this could be all that you need to solve the problem.
Place the fridge in wooden housing
You might also try placing your entire fridge in a wooden housing. This strategy is a bit more involved. You will need to create a wooden structure that fits your fridge inside of it.
Just make sure that you don’t cover the structure entirely. Your fridge needs ventilation to function properly. When done correctly, this can significantly reduce the amount of noise that your compressor makes.
Clean both the fans and the compressor
Sometimes the loud noise that comes from a fridge is the result of dirty fans and compressors. So you may want to try cleaning yours if you’re still not sure what’s causing the problem. Doing so is a fairly straightforward process.
Simply locate the fans and compressor on your fridge. Then, make sure that there’s no dust or debris in them. This could be all that you need to do to fix the noise.
Fill the fridge
Empty fridges are sometimes louder than full ones. That’s because there’s less weight in a fridge when it’s empty. This can cause more intense vibrations, which lead to more noise.
Also, filling the fridge will stabilize it. Empty fridges turn off and on repetitively, which can cause a lot of noise. But full fridges tend to stay on longer to ensure the items remain cool.
Try moving the fridge to another location
Your refrigerator may also just be in a bad location for noise. It’s possible that your floor is uneven where you currently have your fridge. Or maybe the fridge is too close to your bedroom or living room so the noise seems louder.
To fix this, you can try moving the refrigerator to a different part of your home. That may make the noise easier for you to deal with.
Soundproof the inside of the fridge
We’ve already discussed how acoustic foam can be used outside of your fridge. But you can also take steps to soundproof the interior of the appliance.
One of the best substances for this is mass-loaded vinyl. Try using it to line the interior of your fridge. It could significantly reduce the level of noise that escapes from it.
Call a professional to repair the problem
Sometimes noisy refrigerator compressors are tough to fix with any of the methods described above. You may want to call a professional out if you’ve tried some of these solutions and haven’t had any success.
A repair person can take a look at the inner workings of your fridge to figure out what the real problem is. They may recommend that you replace either the compressor or another part entirely to fix the noise from your fridge.
If all else fails, buy a new fridge
At the end of the day, some fridges will always be louder than others. Your refrigerator could be working perfectly fine and still be too loud for you. In this situation, it’s probably best to just purchase a new fridge.
When you go shopping, make sure to look for fridges that are especially quiet. Purchasing one of these could ensure that you don’t have to deal with loud noise from a fridge ever again.
Is a noisy refrigerator compressor dangerous?
If you have a noisy fridge compressor, then it’s important to solve the issue quickly. Compressors can sometimes explode. They do so when the gas they transport is unable to vent properly.
You can prevent this by cleaning your compressor regularly. If it gets very noisy, then it’s best to call a repair person out to take a look. They can use their expertise to verify that you’re not in any danger.
What are the signs of a bad refrigerator compressor?
There are a few different ways to tell if a fridge compressor is not working. First, pay attention to the noise your refrigerator makes. The compressor should turn off and on throughout the day. If you don’t hear any noise, the compressor isn’t functioning properly.
Compressors may continue making noise even though they’re not working correctly as well. That’s why you also want to pay attention to your food temperature. If it’s starting to get warm, there’s a good chance your compressor isn’t working the way it should.
Can a noisy fridge cause a fire?
Yes, it is possible for a noisy fridge to cause a fire. The back of a fridge can get very hot sometimes. This can cause the compressor coils to contract.
Then, the gas they transport is blocked. If this gets ignited somehow, it could lead to an explosion and a fire in your home. That’s why it’s very important to address a noisy fridge quickly.
What causes fridge compressor failure?
There are actually quite a few different things that can cause compressor failure. For example, your fridge might have dirty coils. This could block its suction lines. That could lead to the compressor not getting the airflow that it needs to function properly.
Compressor failure can also be caused when it’s getting the wrong level of refrigerant. Both too high and too low refrigerant can cause this problem.
Other issues that can cause a fridge compressor to fail include:
- Incorrect suction line size
- Electrical problems
- Contaminants in the system
- Inadequate oil for lubrication
Related Questions
Is it worth replacing a refrigerator compressor?
The cost of replacing a refrigerator compressor can be quite high. The average cost of this service is between $300 and $500.
So you need to consider whether that’s worth it. It might not be if your fridge is already on its last legs. But it could be worth the investment if you just bought the fridge.
Basically, you should consider how much you would spend on a new fridge. Then compare that to the costs of the repair. You’ll have to figure out whether the repairs are worth it based on your own calculations.
Is it normal for a fridge to make noise?
Yes, it is completely normal for a fridge to make noise. Usually, this just means that it’s working properly. The noise that you hear is the fridge turning off and on to cool your food. In fact, it’s usually more of a problem when you don’t hear any noise.
That being said, too much noise is a problem. That usually means that there’s an issue with a part of your fridge. You can try to resolve issues like these on your own. Or you can call out a repair person to take a look at them.