5 Reasons Why Fridge Making Rattling Noise – Let’s Fix It

Is your fridge making rattling noise? It could be that nothing is wrong at all. Normal parts of the refrigerator, like the compressor or condenser fan, can make noise. If the rattling sound is excessive and irritating, it’s likely caused by something else. The most common problem is the drain pan or blades of the condenser fan or the defrost timer or compressor.

The rattling in your refrigerator could be caused by dishes inside or on top of the appliance. Make sure that it is not caused by the ice maker. If your refrigerator has an ice maker, it may make a rattling noise because there is a blockage in the water line or it is frozen. The problem is that the ice maker is rattling. You’ll need to find the cause. It’s possible that water is freezing in the waterline, which is why the line needs defrosting. The icemaker may also be rattling because of high water pressure.

Check Drain Pan

Ever noticed a drain pan or water tray near the bottom of your fridge? The pan collects dripping condensation and prevents a flood. Condensation is actually water that drips off the condenser coils. What often causes a rattling noise is the drain pan. And the sound is not a cause for alarm – it means your fridge is working properly and only if the noise is more then you should check the drain pan.

The noise coming from your refrigerator can be annoying and worrisome. The drain pan may be the source of the problem. If this is the case, it’s not too hard to fix. Simply reposition the drain pan and make sure the supports are not damaged. The refrigerator has a pan for catching water. It is usually located at the bottom of the refrigerator, and can be accessed by removing the front grille.

The refrigerator has a pan for catching water. It is usually located at the bottom of the refrigerator, and can be accessed by removing the front grille.

Clean Condenser Fan Blades

The condenser fan in your fridge is crucial for this machine to function properly. Located at ground level, it sucks in outside air to cool the condenser coils and compressor. If it becomes covered in dust and debris, you’ll likely hear a rattling or buzzing sound.

If your refrigerator is turning off regularly, it might be because of dust and debris clogging the condensers. If this happens, the inside of the freezer can also suffer, while the room it’s in will be warmer.

Your refrigerator needs a good cleaning every six to 12 months. To clean the condenser fan and coils, you must have access to the back of the fridge. You can either pull it out or remove a panel on the back of the fridge. If you have coils on the back of your fridge, you will need to remove them to access the fan. If you have a coilless fridge, there is no need to worry about a condenser fan.

If you want to check the condenser fan:

1. Unplug the refrigerator.
2. Move the fridge out of the way.
3. If there is an ice maker in it, make sure to turn off the water supply line.
4. Remove the rear access panel and find the condenser fan.
5. Clean the fan blades.
6. Remove debris with a brush or vacuum cleaner.
7. Check for damage. If there is any, it should be replaced.
8. Check the fan blade to make sure it turns easily. If not, the motor may need to be replaced.
9. Check the fan blade. If it’s loose or scraping against a panel or bracket, you may have a rattle.
10. To get rid of that rattling sound, check the condenser fan motor grommet. If it’s worn out, get a new one.

Faulty Defrost Timer Motor

Frozen items in your fridge will leave you with a mess. The defrost timer, an easy to use and inexpensive tool, can save you time and effort. It’s vital for the compressor and evaporator fan motors not to run when the fridge is defrosting, so the defrost timer switches the electric current off. Similarly, it switches on the electric current for the defrost heating elements.

If your defrost timer is making a rattling sound, it might be indicative of a faulty motor or frost buildup. If you hear a scraping or ticking sound coming from the timer, this is a sign that the timer motor is failing and needs to be replaced.

Defrosting a refrigerator can be hard. Luckily, most models have a timer. But the location of the timer will depend on the make and model. If you have a Samsung, for example, you’ll need to go behind the control panel. Other models may require removing the kick plate at the bottom. This part of your refrigerator’s manual will tell you where to find the timer and how to access it. But, before you head over there and start tinkering with the electricity, make sure you disconnect the refrigerator from the power source first.

Whether your appliance is using adaptive defrost control or a manual defrost timer, the test of the defrost timer can be accomplished through a multimeter. This is more of a complicated procedure and should not be attempted by people who don’t know what they’re doing.

Defective Compressor

The refrigerator is an extremely important item in the home. The compressor pumps refrigerant through coils to keep things cool. This can make a rattling noise, but if it is making more noise than before, it is failing and will need to be replaced soon.

If your refrigerator’s compressor is broken, you may need to buy a new refrigerator. It’s usually expensive to fix it, so getting a new one may be the smartest option.

A rattling noise from your refrigerator means one of two things: either replace the compressor or the refrigerator. The only good news is that the compressor might keep working for a while. The question is, are you ready to put up with the noise?

If your refrigerator is over 10-15 years old, it might be time to replace the compressor. The lifespan of a refrigerator depends on its age. If the fridge is about to reach the end of its lifespan, get a new one!

Your fridge is rumbling and rattling, and you’re not sure why? That may be happening for a number of reasons. If you diagnose the core cause, you’ll find it easier to fix. I wrote this article to share several tips with you on how to reduce the noise from your fridge. The tips are straightforward and work across the board, so test them out and see if any of them work for you!