When your normally quiet refrigerator rattles, buzzes or squeals it’s clear something is amiss. However, the cause of the sound can be less obvious. Why is my Samsung refrigerator making noise? A loud knocking could indicate a condenser fan malfunction. Silence the sounds with these troubleshooting tips when your Samsung refrigerator runs loud.
Samsung Refrigerator Runs Loud? This Could Be Why.
While there may be a DIY fix when your Samsung refrigerator runs loud, sometimes only the right professional repair can restore function. Here’s how to pinpoint the cause of the sound and the right solution.
Drain Pan Rattling
A Samsung refrigerator rattling noise often has an easy fix. When this sound comes from the bottom of the refrigerator it’s usually indicative of a loose drain pan. This pan holds any residual water from the refrigerator’s defrost system until it evaporates.
Most drain pans are located behind a front toeplate at the bottom of the refrigerator. Remove or lift up the toeplate and slide the drain pan forward. Use a screwdriver to tighten the screws on either side before sliding the pan back in place and replacing the toeplate.
Faulty Evaporator Fan Motor
If your Samsung refrigerator makes noise that sounds like squealing, it could mean the evaporator fan motor is faulty. This fan expels air from the refrigerator’s interior over the evaporator coils to help cool the refrigerant inside, creating new cool air.
In addition to a squealing noise, the following signs indicate a faulty evaporator fan motor:
- Noise gets louder when the freezer door is open: This is because the evaporator fan is located behind the freezer’s rear panel.
- Freezer feels warmer or has a buildup of frost: If the fan motor has failed, refrigerant will fail to produce cool air for the refrigerator, increasing its internal temperature.
- Squealing sounds continue even if the door is closed: Most evaporator fans don’t run while the freezer door is closed. If the squealing continues when the door is shut, the fan has likely malfunctioned.
If multimeter testing of the fan motor confirms failure with a lack of continuity, the motor or the entire fan assembly requires replacement.
Worn Out Condenser Fan Motor
Wondering how to stop a refrigerator from buzzing? The condenser fan may need to be replaced. This component cools the compressor as it runs and also circulates ambient air over the condenser coils to help cool the refrigerant inside. If the fan fails, the refrigerator’s internal temperature will rise. The compressor will also start to operate continually in an effort to cool the refrigerator, often making a loud humming noise.
If the buzzing noise continues, it’s likely that a worn-out condenser fan motor, and not a faulty compressor, is responsible. To access the condenser fan, remove the refrigerator’s rear panel. If the fan blades or motor are dirty, sometimes a cleaning can restore function. However, if the fan doesn’t work after cleaning or the motor shows no continuity with multimeter testing, it must be replaced.
Defective Water Inlet Valve
What if your Samsung refrigerator runs loud when ice or water is being dispensed? These grinding sounds could mean the water inlet valve is defective. This valve opens and closes, as needed, to allow water from your home supply to flow to the refrigerator. Over time, the valve can fail either mechanically or electronically, resulting in grinding sounds and/or reduced water and ice.
If the valve shows visible damage or fails multimeter testing with no continuity, it requires professional replacement.
Compressor Malfunction
Most refrigerators make a quiet humming sound that can hardly be distinguished. However, if your Samsung refrigerator runs loud enough to be heard in another room, it could indicate a compressor malfunction. The compressor is an essential component that compresses and circulates refrigerant to produce cool air for the refrigerator. Over time, it can wear out and start to hum at a louder volume. While it may operate loudly for a while, a loud compressor should be promptly addressed, as the refrigerator won’t function if it fails.
So, how to quiet a noisy refrigerator compressor? A professional Samsung appliance repair service should assess this complex component and perform a replacement if necessary.
When you hear loud noises or notice other signs your refrigerator needs repair, call Appliance Genie for fast and professional service!
