How to Quiet a Noisy Refrigerator Compressor-10 Creative Tips

The machine, Refrigerator has made our life easier than ever. But sometimes it can be as horrible that can snatch your sleep. It’s not unusual that refrigerators make a sound. The buzzing sound from the compressor ensures the refrigerator is running. But when the sound is too much to bear then you should look up to it whether there is any problem or not.

But you don’t need to be worried because we’ve come up with 10 effective tips to get rid of that noise. We’ll discuss identifying problems and how to fix them in creative ways.

My suggestion to you is, go through the article find out the problem then look for the solution right below. After completing reading the article you’ll become a pro of how to quiet a noisy refrigerator compressor. Let’s find out the tips.

Identify Why and Where the Noise Coming from

Many reasons can make your refrigerator to do noise. But the major center of annoying noises came out of the compressor. But We’ll also lighten up on the most common ones and how to fix them. So before fixing the problem let’s find out where and what the problem is.

  1. Compressor Running for Too Long: The high efficient compressor runs for much longer and slightly slower which causes some sound.
  2. Vibration Noise: When the fridge is not grounded properly then this noise may happen.
  3. Dripping Noise: This happens for oil flowing inside the compressor.
  4. Hissing Noise: This occurs because of the floor refrigerant.
  5. Sizzling & Gurgling noise: Causes by ice melting and melted water drain down the drip tray.
  6. Water Running Noise: during the defrost cycle ice melted and drips into the drain pan and makes noise.
  7. Buzzing noise: When the valve starts dispensing water this noise happens.
  8. Whirring noise: This occurs when the compressor and fans making adjustments for the normal performance.
  9. Popping noise: Because of the temperature changes the inside walls contract and expand which causes noise.
  10. Rattling/ Banging noise: This noise happens when you place some items on the top of your fridge that could be shaking around a bit.
  11. Clatter noise: Ice cubes fall in the storage bin and make noise.
  12. Water dribbling sound: Oil flow and refrigerant in the compressor are responsible for the noise.

>>If you’re looking for a full-size Budget Refrigerator under $200 check this guide

10 Effective Tips on How to Quiet a Noisy Refrigerator Compressor

1. Balance out the legs

Check where the noise is coming from. If the noise is not coming out from the compressor then it might be floor vibration noise. Though this noise is a common and minor issue it makes too much noise than normal.

This noise disturbs you when the fridge legs are not leveled properly on the floor. An uneven position of the refrigerator makes vibration noise.

level out the legs
Balanced Leg of a Refrigerator

So, all you’ll have to do is adjust the legs of your fridge. Almost every refrigerator nowadays comes along with adjustable legs. You can customize them according to your floor density.

Adjusting the legs will minimize the noise very much. But a thick rubber mat under the legs will make your refrigerator quieter than ever. It’ll absorb the noise. Also, an anti-vibration pad along with a rubber mat will vanish the noise completely.

2. Apply Acoustic Foam

The very next method to silence the refrigerator is acoustic foam. To reduce the noise that comes from the back of your refrigerator just install acoustic foam. It has the ability to absorb up to 90% of noise.

Your work with the acoustic foam is to attach the panels to the walls right behind the refrigerator. This method will trap the sound wave into the acoustic panel and prevent the noise of the back.

acoustic panel
Acoustic Foam

As acoustic treatment solutions have become a popular and common method, effective acoustic foams are super easy to find. I’ll recommend you the 48 Pack Acoustic Foam Panel (12x12x1) that is the best in the business.

3. Place the Fridge in a Wooded Cabinet/ Shelve

It’s super easy to build a cabinet/ Shelve for a refrigerator. Make one for yours and place that in the cage. But make sure to keep the front of the cage open. Just cover the fridge from left, right, and behind as you’re seeing in the picture.

Fridge in wooded cabinet
Refrigerator in a wooden cabinet

This cabinet will bind up noise and make your fridge even quieter. If you want some more calmness then I’d recommend you install an acoustic foam panel. It’ll work wonders.

4. Clean the Compressor and Fan

Proper maintenance always pays off. It enhances the lifespan of any product. If you clean the compressor and fan of your fridge regularly it’ll give you better and noiseless service.

When these get dirty and dust gets inside then the compressor and fan become relatively slower. And it causes annoying noises. Cleaning the condenser and fan is not difficult to work. And most importantly it won’t void the warranty for opening up the back.

5. Fill the Inside of the Fridge with Items

Yeap, when your fridge is empty or fewer items inside it shakes a lot. I’m sure you’ve heard a common saying – an empty vessel sounds much. Here it’ll be – an empty container makes the loudest noise.

Fridge filled with items
Full filled Refrigerator

But if your fridge is filled up with items then it becomes heavy and sticks to the floor. As a result, your fridge will be very quiet. You can put some bottles filled with water in the fridge in case there are not many kinds of stuff available at home.

6. Place the Refrigerator in an Even Place

Maybe the noise that your fridge is making comes because of improper placement. So make sure to place your fridge in the right place.

So shift the refrigerator to some other corner of the room in an even position. Also, try to keep it away from your living room.

7. Add a Vibration Pad under the Fridge

The refrigerator shakes and vibrates a lot when the compressor is running well. This vibration noise is pretty annoying. If you want to get rid of this noise don’t do much. Just install some vibration pads under your fridge and rest. The vibration pad will absorb and minimize the sound totally.

8. Use White Noise Sounds

This is the 8th method in our bucket. But using white noise sound isn’t a permanent solution. It’ll provide you temporary benefit from the noise.

Use white noise machines to play melodies that rule out the annoying buzzing sounds of your fridge.

9. Replace the Fan Motor

By the time the fan motor gets older, loses its strength, and produces so many noises. So call a repairman and ask him to replace the older fan motor with a new one.

10. Get a New Refrigerator

Till now we’re discussing 9 methods on how to quiet a noisy refrigerator compressor. If none of those nine matches you then it’s time to replace your fridge.

Go to the market and buy the latest model that comes with the quietest compressor. You’ll find many.

Final Words

I hope you’ll be benefitted from these methods. These 10 are the best ways to get rid of unwanted annoying sounds from refrigerators. And don’t forget to comment if you find it useful. Thanks!

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