How to Quiet Your Noisy Refrigerator & Get Some Peace

Stuck trying to figure out how to quiet your noisy fridge?

Don’t worry, this is a known issue and can be super frustrating when it happens, especially when you want to relax.

Unfortunately, this may happen due to an unbalanced load, loose parts, and the vibration of the compressor and other components.

But the good news is that you’ve come to the right place to get this issue fixed.

If you’re trying to quiet your noisy fridge, you’ll need to level out its legs, clean it, or put it on a mat. Moreover, placing soundproofing panels behind it, removing anything that may be on top of it, or changing its location may solve the issue.

Keep reading to quiet your noisy refrigerator!

7 Ways to Quiet A Noisy Refrigerator

You may not know this, but the compressors, fans, or ice machine could be the reason your refrigerator is making noises. 

You see, sometimes these parts can wear out and cause all sorts of issues, such as annoying noises.

But don’t worry, by trying the following tricks, you’ll be able to figure out the problem and fix it quickly:

#1 Level Out the Refrigerator

Your fridge is constantly running fans and the compressor to keep things cool. That means that moving parts are almost always in motion.

If your fridge isn’t leveled out, then you’re going to have noise problems.

As the fans move in your fridge, they cause little vibrations. If your fridge doesn’t have all four legs firmly on the ground, those vibrations can add up to a noise problem very quickly. Your fridge will wiggle very slightly on its base, rattling against the floor.

Luckily, leveling out your refrigerator legs can solve this instantly.

Most fridges have legs that you can lengthen or shorten individually. Try rocking your fridge gently on its base, and you should be able to feel which leg is a little short.

Then, you can have a friend hold onto the fridge while you screw the short leg out until it’s firmly on the ground.

The result should be a fridge that’s suddenly quiet. If that hasn’t solved your problem, then you might need to keep looking.

#2 Clean the Moving Parts

A fan that’s full of dirt or a clogged ice maker can both make rattling and grinding noises.

This is why, giving the inside and outside of your fridge, a thorough cleaning can help you quiet your noisy fridge. 

To safely clean these parts of your fridge, you should unplug it first. That will help keep any moving parts still while you’re wiping them down.

Then, you can move your fridge away from the wall and give everything you see a good wipe with a cloth.

You should also clean your compressor and fans regularly to stop excessive refrigerator noise. But, that might be easier said than done for a couple of reasons. Here’s just two of them:

1. Opening up the back of your refrigerator could be complicated if you don’t know what you’re doing.
2. Opening up your refrigerator could invalidate your warranty.

So, what should you do to clean these parts?

1. Phone a professional! If your refrigerator is still under guarantee then you may be able to get someone to come and look at it for free.
2. Check your user guide. The user guide may have more instructions on what to do when your compressor and fans are dirty.

To clean the ice maker, you’ll need to empty the ice bin and go scrubbing with a toothbrush. A 50/50 mix of water and vinegar is a great option for this.

You may also spot jammed pieces of ice – remove these, and your noise problems will probably be reduced.

#3 Use a Soundproofing Mat

Most refrigerator noises come from the vibrations of your compressor and other components. If your refrigerator is located on a thin, laminate floor, then it could be really noisy.

But this problem can easily be solved. To do so, you should place a soundproofing mat underneath your refrigerator.

The mat must be large enough to cover all the refrigerator’s legs for it to be effective. The mat will lift the refrigerator from the floor, eliminating vibrations. It will work to engulf any background noise that is the result of uneven flooring.

Soundproofing mats are available in many shapes and sizes. This will make it easy for you to find the perfect one to fit your refrigerator. Once you’ve got your soundproofing mat, do the following:

1. Remove the refrigerator from its place.
2. Place the mat where you want to put the refrigerator.
3. Return the refrigerator to its place. Make sure all four legs are firmly on the mat.

#4 Move the Fridge to an Alcove

If your fridge is still noisy, moving it is your best option to solve the issue. 

The fans and compressor on the back of your fridge are most likely the cause of any noise at this point. Putting your fridge somewhere with natural soundproofing will help solve the issue.

Some homes have alcoves built-in, or small holes designed for an appliance to live. Putting your fridge in one of these will help reduce noise in two ways:

1. The walls next to your fridge will keep sound from escaping.
2. Your fridge is probably further away from the rest of your kitchen.

The result is less noise, further from where you spend time.

#5 Soundproof Behind the Fridge

If moving your fridge isn’t an option, then the final solution is to buy soundproofing. There are soundproofing panels you can buy that will absorb noise before it makes it to the rest of your house.

The best way to install soundproofing for your fridge is to cover the wall directly behind it. Something that absorbs noise, like textured rock wool, will keep the sound from echoing off the wall into your home.

You can also wrap this around the edges of your fridge to trap even more noise. Just make sure you leave at least three inches behind your fridge for fans to blow waste heat out. Otherwise, your fridge may overheat and cause even more problems.

#6 Remove Items on Top of the Refrigerator

I get it. I get it. Refrigerators are kind of boring and ugly to look at. Up until recently, I had some simple decor on my refrigerator, a vase with some flowers inside, just to make the kitchen look a little more homely. But little did I know that my homely touch was the very thing that was disturbing my peace.

It turns out that the base of the vase I had on top of the refrigerator was ever so slightly uneven. So, when the refrigerator vibrated, the vase would tremble, just a fraction.

It didn’t shake enough for me to notice it just by looking at it. It was only when I removed the vase from on top of the refrigerator that I realized how much noise it was making.

So, if you are having problems with a noisy refrigerator, remove any items from on top of it. This may help to silence your kitchen!

Why Are Fridges So Loud?

There are three types of noise you might hear from your fridge: rattling, grinding, and whirring. Each of these noises can be very loud, and they all have different causes.

Rattling fridges are caused by loose parts or an unbalanced load. When the compressor and fans in your fridge are running, they’re sending all sorts of vibrations through it.

Loose parts can jingle, and the fridge itself might move back and forth. The result is a loud rattling noise that comes and goes. You can generally fix it by tightening the rattling parts or stabilizing the fridge.

Finding a Quiet Refrigerator

When all else fails, getting a new fridge can be the best option.

The newer the fridge, the more likely it is to be quiet. Modern fridges are almost unnoticeable when they’re running.

When you’re looking for a new fridge, keep an eye out for the following:

• Noise ratings. Many fridges are rated based on how many decibels they produce when they’re running. The lower the decibels, the quieter the fridge.
• “Quiet Operation” labels. Many brands that specifically work to make their fridges quiet will label them with “quiet operation.” That’s a sign that you’re on the right track.
• Rubber feet and rubber insulation will help keep noise down. The rubber will absorb any rattling or vibrations and keep noise from becoming a problem.
• Efficiency ratings. Finally, more efficient fridges are designed to use less electricity by running less often. The less often your refrigerator’s compressor kicks on, the less noise you’ll hear. Efficient fridges are simply quieter.
• Propane-run. If you’re looking for a fridge for a camper or an RV? Then consider a propane fridge. They run silently, with no compressor necessary. The result is a completely silent refrigerator.

Conclusion

A noisy fridge can be a constant annoyance. I hope that this guide helps you get a little more peace and quiet in your day-to-day life.

Whether you silence your current fridge or get a newer, quieter model, getting rid of fridge noise takes care of a constant source of stress.

If this article has helped you, why not support us by checking out our related articles?

Thanks for reading, and have a great day.

-Craig