It can be startling when our refrigerator noise changes from a familiar low hum to a loud noise. Whether it’s buzzing, rattling or clicking, when a Frigidaire refrigerator runs loud something may be amiss. Fortunately, some of these noises result from common causes with DIY solutions.
Troubleshooting When Your Frigidaire Refrigerator Runs Loud
The team at Ortega’s Appliance Service has seen it all when comes to a Frigidaire refrigerator making noise. To help you troubleshoot the problem at home, we’ve listed some common reasons why your Frigidaire refrigerator runs loud and how to address them.
Drain Pan Rattling
A Frigidaire refrigerator rattling noise coming from the bottom of the fridge is most likely due to a loose drain pan. The drain pan is typically located underneath the fridge to catch any condensation from the freezer’s automatic defroster. Since refrigerators normally vibrate as they work sometimes this pan can loosen and start to rattle. Luckily, a loose drain pan has a straightforward fix:
- Consult your manual to find the exact placement of your drain pan
- Disconnect the refrigerator’s water and power supply
- Remove the kick plate in the front of the fridge or move the fridge away from the wall, depending on the pan’s location
- Use a screwdriver to tighten the screws in the drain pan’s bracket
- Replace kick plate or slide fridge back into place and reconnect power and water sources
Faulty Evaporator Fan Motor
If your Frigidaire refrigerator makes noise that sounds like a squeal or chirp, a defective evaporator fan motor could be the cause. The evaporator fan blows air over the evaporator coils to help cool the refrigerator. If the fan’s motor is not functioning properly it can make these high-pitched sounds.
To access the evaporator fan, remove all the items in your freezer and unscrew the back panel. If the fan doesn’t move freely or the wires or connectors look damaged, it will need to be professionally replaced.
Worn Out Condenser Fan Motor
Condenser fan motors can be another common cause when your Frigidaire refrigerator runs loud. The condenser fan helps draw room air over the condenser coils and compressor to help cool them. Since this motor is often located in the back of the refrigerator, it can easily become blocked by debris or dust. Here’s how to assess a condenser fan motor problem:
- Move the refrigerator out from the wall
- Disconnect the power source
- Unscrew the refrigerator’s back panel
- Brush away any dust or debris from the condenser fan
- Tighten any loose screws around the fan
- Reconnect the power source and replace the refrigerator
If you find that your condenser fan has broken blades or this cleaning doesn’t fix the problem, a professional assessment is necessary.
Defective Water Inlet Valve
The refrigerator’s water inlet valve supplies water to the refrigerator’s dispenser and icemaker. Over time, mineral deposits can build up on the valve, lessening water flow. The valve is electronically controlled and can make a buzzing or clicking sound when this kind of problem occurs. How to stop a refrigerator from buzzing or clicking requires a professional repair to replace the inlet valve.
Compressor Malfunction
Refrigerator compressors are vital components that compress the refrigerant vapor before it enters the condenser coils. Loud compressor noises usually indicate that a compressor is failing, though it can continue to operate (albeit loudly) for some time. When wondering how to quiet a noisy refrigerator compressor, we suggest leaving it to the professionals. A technician can assess whether the compressor can be replaced.
Now that you know some common reasons why your Frigidaire refrigerator runs loud you can feel confident addressing some of these problems yourself. But when the problem calls for a refrigerator repair service, look no further than Ortega’s Appliance Service. We’re happy to help with any and all repairs!
