LG refrigerator noisy

Common reasons your LG refrigerator is noisy

The most common reasons your LG refrigerator is noisy are a faulty ice maker assembly, locked compressor or a defective electronic control board.

  • 50%

    50% of the time it's the
    Ice Maker Assembly

  • 33%

    33% of the time it's the
    Compressor

  • 7%

    7% of the time it's the
    Electronic Control Board

  • 10%

    10% of the time it's the
    Something else

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Most common repairs needed to fix a LG refrigerator

Ice Maker Assembly Replacement

A faulty refrigerator ice maker can have diverse effects, impacting various aspects of the refrigerator's operation, including its ability to make ice. Increased noise during the ice-making process could indicate a problem in the ice maker's components. A malfunctioning ice maker may lead to water leaks around the ice maker assembly, potentially causing water puddles in and around the refrigerator. If the bail arm fails to shut off ice production, it could result in the ice maker drawer jamming due to an overproduction of ice, potentially leading to damage to the drawer or adjacent shelf. The failure of other components in a refrigerator that stops cooling will affect ice production, so a thorough inspection of the refrigerator by a Sears Home Services professional is recommended for an accurate diagnosis.

Compressor Replacement

A locked refrigerator compressor can exhibit several symptoms indicative of a malfunction. The most noticeable sign is a lack of cooling in the refrigerator compartment, leading to elevated temperatures and the potential for food spoilage. The freezer may also fail to maintain the desired freezing temperatures, resulting in no ice production from the ice maker or dispenser. Additionally, you'll observe that the compressor is unusually silent or fails to produce its typical humming sound during operation. In some cases, the compressor may attempt to start but fail, resulting in repeated clicking noises. The inability of the compressor to circulate refrigerant properly can affect the defrosting process, leading to ice buildup in the freezer. Furthermore, a faulty compressor could send a sudden influx of melting frost to the drain line, causing it to back up, preventing adequate draining, and potentially causing water leaks.

Electronic Control Board Replacement

A defective electronic control board can lead to various failures in a refrigerator, including a lack of power or cooling and water leaking. This is because the board serves as the brain of the refrigerator, controlling crucial operations such as regulating internal temperatures, running fans, managing defrost cycles, overseeing the ice maker, and controlling dispenser functions. If the electronic control board malfunctions, it can disrupt communication between many different components, including automatic doors if equipped. A failing board may cause a chattering or clicking noise from the refrigerator and may emit a burning odor. Due to the potential impact on multiple components, it is advisable to have a Sears Home Services professional conduct diagnostic tests on the board to confirm if replacement is necessary.

Why is my LG refrigerator so loud?

When your LG refrigerator is making unusual noises, it may be caused by these common issues:

  • Loose parts.
  • Faulty fan motor or fan blade hitting ice buildup.
  • Worn-out compressor.

Understanding these causes can help you pinpoint the problem and determine whether it's a DIY fix or if you need to call in the professionals.

Loose Parts

Over time, the regular use of your refrigerator can lead to the loosening of components like door handles, shelves, fan screws or motor mounts. If you suspect this is the cause, a careful inspection and tightening of any loose screws or bolts should help.

If you hear a knocking noise as the compressor turns on and/or shuts off, the compressor motor mounts could be loose. Rattling noises can indicate that fan mounting screws are loose. A loose door handle or shelves can also make rattling noises as the fridge compressor runs.

Image of homeowner seeing problems with the fridge door gasket

Fan Problems

A faulty fan motor could also be the culprit. This crucial component circulates air throughout your refrigerator to maintain proper temperature levels. If the motor is malfunctioning, it may make strange noises such as grinding or squeaking. In this case, it's advisable to hire a professional technician for fridge repair near you.

When you hear a loud buzzing noise or grinding noise from inside the freezer compartment, the evaporator fan blade may be hitting ice and frost build-up on the evaporator. The excessive frost and ice could be caused by an air leak into the cabinet or a failure of the automatic defrost system in the fridge.

When you suspect problems with the automatic defrost system, follow the steps in this video to diagnose and fix the problem:

Refrigerator Compressor Problems

An overheated compressor can make loud noises such as loud buzzing or clicking. Dirty condenser coils can cause the compressor to run hotter than normal.

Another possible cause of refrigerator noise is a worn-out compressor. This component is the heart of the cooling system, circulating refrigerant through the refrigerator. If it's worn-out or damaged, it may make excessive noise such as loud buzzing or knocking. The refrigerator may also not cool as well as it should. Unfortunately, compressor issues usually need professional repair or replacement.

If your refrigerator is making noise, it's important to address the problem promptly. Ignoring it can lead to further damage and potential food spoilage. While some issues can be easily fixed by tightening screws or bolts, other problems may require the expertise of a trained technician. Remember, it's always best to call in professional help if you're uncertain or uncomfortable about doing any repairs yourself.

how-to-clean-refrigerator-condenser-coils-image

Steps to Silence a Noisy Refrigerator

If your refrigerator is making unusual noise, there are a few steps you can take to quiet it down. Here are some common solutions:

  1. Tighten loose screws: Vibrations from the refrigerator can sometimes loosen screws, leading to rattling or buzzing noises. Check the various components like the compressor, fan motor, and condenser, and tighten any loose screws or bolts.
  2. Check for excessive frost: When you hear loud buzzing noise coming from the back of the freezer, manually defrost the fridge to see if the noise goes away. To get rid of frost on the evaporator, safely store sensitive medicine and foods in an ice chest and unplug the fridge or turn it off for several hours. Open the freezer door to allow warm air to circulate through the freezer and melt frost and ice off the evaporator fins. Restart the refrigerator and see if the fan still makes noise. If the noise goes away, you’ve resolved the problem – for now. If the noise returns, you’ll likely need to have a service technician diagnose and repair the automatic defrost system.
  3. Replace a worn-out fan motor: Buzzing or whining noise may be due to a worn-out fan motor. Consult your refrigerator's manual or contact a professional technician to determine if the fan motor needs replacing.
  4. Clean the condenser coils: Dust and debris can accumulate on these coils over time, causing your refrigerator to work harder and make more noise. To clean them, unplug the refrigerator, locate the coils (usually found on the back or underneath), and use a vacuum cleaner or brush to gently remove the dirt. Refer to your owner’s manual for more details on cleaning the condenser coils in your refrigerator.

Here’s a video that shows how to clean the refrigerator condenser coils:

By following these steps, you can address the most common causes of a noisy refrigerator. If the noise persists or you need professional help, consider contacting Sears Home Services for expert repair and maintenance.

What to expect when you experience an LG refrigerator makes noise issue

How is the makes noise problem fixed?

Correcting most makes noise problems usually involves replacing the ice maker assembly, compressor or electronic control board. However, there are many potential causes, so a thorough diagnosis is key to fixing the problem. An accurate diagnosis is essential to understanding how much the repair will be.

Sears Home Services recommendations for a noisy refrigerator

When the refrigerator makes noise it can be for many reasons. To avoid replacing unneeded parts, we recommend scheduling LG refrigerator repair with a local Sears Home Services professional who can perform diagnostic tests to identify the root cause of the problem. Our technicians are experienced at diagnosing all types of refrigerator failures.

What to look out for with a refrigerator that makes noise diagnosis

Diagnosing modern appliances without proper knowledge and training can be difficult. Without using proper diagnostic techniques, fixing your refrigerator problem will only be achieved through changing parts on a hunch. Appliances, especially in the last 10 years, have become extremely advanced, and many models have electronic parts that are difficult to test. DIY repairs on the latest appliance models are becoming increasingly difficult.

LG Refrigerator Making Noise Troubleshooting

Your LG refrigerator will make certain noises that are normal.

  • The compressor and fans will make faint humming noises as they run.
  • You’ll heart the clunk of ice falling from the ice maker as it ejects a batch of ice. You’ll then hear the buzz of the water valve filling the ice mold to make a new batch of ice.
  • You may hear sizzling or popping noise followed by water dripping as the automatic defrost system melts frost and ice from the evaporator fins.
  • You may hear random cracking or popping noises as parts inside the fridge expand and contract during temperature changes due to thermal expansion and contraction.

If you hear loud and unusual noises that don’t resemble these normal noises, then something may be wrong inside the fridge. Here are some abnormal noises you may hear.

  • Loud buzzing of the evaporator fan hitting excessive ice and frost buildup on the bottom of the evaporator fins.
  • Clicking and snapping noises coming from the ice maker because an ice cube is stuck in the ejector arms and jamming the ice maker.
  • Knocking or loud whining coming from the compressor because of motor mount problems or a worn bearing.

When you hear the unusual noises coming from your LG refrigerator, schedule repair service and we’ll send a Sears Home Services technician to your home to fix the problem.

What to do When You Hear Your LG Refrigerator Making a Loud Noise

Try to find the location when you hear your LG refrigerator making a loud noise. Knowing the location will help you troubleshoot the problem causing the noise.

  • For a loud buzzing noise coming from the freezer, check for excessive frost in the freezer compartment. Frost buildup on the bottom of the evaporator could be hitting the evaporator fan blades to cause the noise. You can temporarily get rid of this noise by safely storing food and manually defrosting the evaporator in the freezer. Shut off cooling or unplug the fridge for 4 hours and open the fridge and freezer doors to frost and ice melt from the evaporator. Turn the fridge back on or plug in the power cord and see if the noise ended. If it did, check the refrigerator and freezer door gaskets for cracks or damage that could be allowing warm, moist air into the cabinet to cause the excessive frost. Replace any door gasket that is damaged. This may permanently fix the buzzing noise coming from the freezer. If the noise remains after defrost or returns in a few days, a problem with the automatic defrost system could be causing the noise. Schedule repair service to have a Sears Home Services technician fix the noise problem.
  • If your LG refrigerator is making loud noise such as whining coming from underneath the fridge, a problem with the compressor or condenser fan may be making the noise. A service technician will typically need to diagnose and repair the refrigerator when you hear this type of noise.
  • Clicking and snapping coming from the icemaker can be caused by an ice cube caught in the ejector arms. Unplug the refrigerator and check for an ice cube or cubes stuck in that area. Clear ice cubes from the ejector arms and the noise will likely end. If the ice maker doesn’t work after removing the stuck ice cube or cubes, schedule service and we’ll have a Sears Home Services technician visit your home and replace the ice maker assembly.

LG Refrigerator Making Humming Noise

Humming noise in your LG refrigerator can be caused by the compressor, condenser fan or evaporator fan.

If the humming noise is faint and the refrigerator is cooling properly, the sound may be normal.

If the humming noise is louder than you’re accustomed to hearing, the sound warrants investigation. Try to find the location of the humming noise.

  • Humming noise coming from inside the freezer often indicates that the evaporator fan blade is hitting excessive frost buildup on the bottom of the evaporator fins. You can typically eliminate this noise by manually defrosting the evaporator and eliminating the source of excess frost. To manually defrost the evaporator, safely store food and turn off cooling or unplug the fridge power cord. Open the freezer door and refrigerator door and allow the fridge to defrost for 4 hours. Restore power and cooling to the fridge and see if the humming noise stopped. If it did, then you likely find the cause of the humming noise. To keep the noise from returning, check the refrigerator and freezer door gaskets for cracks or damage. Replace a door gasket if it’s damaged and this will help prevent excessive frost buildup and the humming noise from the evaporator fan. If the noise returns and you found no air leaks into the refrigerator, then a failure of the automatic defrost system is likely causing the humming noise. Have a service technician diagnose and repair the automatic defrost system in your fridge.
  • If the humming noise is coming from the compressor, it may be overheating due to dirty condenser coils. Unplug the refrigerator and clean the condenser coils and see if the noise ends. If not, schedule service to have a technician examine the fridge and fix the problem.
  • When the humming noise is coming from the condenser fan, unplug the fridge and check the condenser fan blades for dust buildup and debris. Clean the fan blades if necessary. Check the fan mounting screws and tighten them if necessary. If the humming noise doesn’t end after following these basic troubleshooting tips, you’ll likely need to schedule refrigerator repair service to have a technician check the fan and replace it if necessary.

Troubleshooting an LG Refrigerator Loud Knocking Noise

An LG refrigerator loud knocking noise is often caused by loose compressor motor mounts or an internal problem with the compressor.

If compressor motor mounts are loose, you may be able to eliminate the loud knocking noise yourself by unplugging the refrigerator and tightening those fasteners using this procedure.

  1. Remove the machine compartment cover on the back of the fridge to access the compressor.
  2. Allow the compressor to cool completely.
  3. Tighten the motor mounts using a wrench and then reinstall the machine compartment cover.
  4. Plug in the power cord to restore electrical power to the fridge.

If this doesn’t fix the loud knocking noise, you’ll likely need to schedule refrigerator repair service to have a Sears Home Services technician fix the problem.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my LG refrigerator making a loud noise?
Noises may be caused by a failing fan, dirty condenser coils, or an ice buildup. Inspect the evaporator fan to see if the fan blades are hitting ice and frost buildup.
How can I stop the noise from my LG refrigerator?
Check and clean the condenser coils, ensure the evaporator fan is working properly, and ensure the refrigerator is level.
What causes a buzzing sound in my LG refrigerator?
Buzzing sounds may be caused by the compressor, or ice buildup near the evaporator fan. Defrosting the coils or inspecting the compressor might help.
What should I do if my LG refrigerator makes a rattling noise?
Rattling noises could be due to loose parts, such as shelves or a malfunctioning fan. Check and secure any loose components.

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Glossary Terms

A dual ice maker is a feature in some refrigerators that includes two separate ice makers: one in the fridge compartment and another in the freezer section. This setup doubles the appliance's ice-making capacity.

A French-door refrigerator features two doors that open side-by-side on the top section for the refrigerator compartment, with a bottom freezer drawer, combining style, efficiency, and easy access to both refrigerated and frozen goods.

Refrigerant is a chemical compound used in HVAC systems and refrigerators to absorb heat from the environment by cycling through states of evaporation and condensation, enabling the cooling process through its cycle of evaporation and condensation.

R-12 refrigerant, also known as Freon-12, is a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) compound that was once widely used in air conditioning systems, refrigerators, and aerosol propellants before its phase-out due to environmental concerns.