My refrigerator is making a lot of noise lately?

Question

I have one of those small dorm refrigerators. It's really pretty quiet normally. Since past friday though it's been making a lot of noise when the cooling thing goes on. It's a very loud buzzing/rattling sound. It will go one for 10-15 minutes then turn off. I checked the back and the bottom for anything that might have come loose but didn't notice anything. Also, it's working fine otherwise.

I'd rather not ask the residence admins to replace it. What could be wrong with it and is there something I can do about it?

The noise sounds like it's coming from the refrigerator itself. It's almost as if something metallic was shaking inside it towards the back.
I still hear the normal drippy sound from before same as the normal motor-ish sound under the noise of the rattle/buzz.

Answer 1

Let it defrost and then ask for it to be repaired / replaced.

A refrigerator of any type made in the last 30 years should operate at no more than a low hum. If it is making that much noise, there could be a problem, ranging from a loose fan or dented coil...both of which are "Yeah whatever" situations. Or, it could be up to a serious leak, and whether freon or the new coolant, can be a risk heath wise. It could also cause an electrical fire.

Answer 2

Well, where should are start with such a strange question. First, if your complaining about a dorm refrigerator, you must be someplace where there would be a need for compact cooling device. I would say, call home and get a loan for a new one, or get a seasonal job at the local best buy, wallmart, target and purchase a new ge or subzero or coleman mini-fridge for about 99.00 or you can add your name to my Secret Santa and the FIND and Goodfellows and to the Salvatiion army and we might be able to get you one. If funds is an issue and you need this, i cans see what the 600 sum people that work on charities for people who might have funds donated for the Refrigerators and applicances.... i will do my best..

Answer 3

It sounds like the fan inside the fridge is hitting on something
If you notice that it has a frost buildup on the back panel then
it probably has a defrost problem and the fan may be hitting on the ice. If so, you may not have the experience to fix it yourself. If you can get to the fan, you can stop the blade with
your finger and see if the noise stops.

Answer 4

You know that you have to defrost dorm fridges? a fan could be hitting ice or otherwise stuck creating a buzzing noise--until it burns out. If you let the ice build up to like 2 " , as I did, the whole compressor burns out, end of fridge. It doesn't like having the ice there.

Answer 5

Well, being that I am not there, I can't offer the best of advice, but does it sound like its making it on the floor, or in the machine itself? If its on the floor, put a towel inbetween the floor and it, and if not, replace it!

Answer 6

the refridgerator at my house did that too. Then it stopped cooling the fridge part and then the freezer part wouldn't freeze. now the freezer part works but not the fridge.
That noise is very annoying too I might add.

Answer 7

Maybe it's out of refirator cooling. But you need to tell that your residence admin. Cause you pay for it's usage. They need to replace it. That's the only thing I can think of.

Answer 8

Try defrosting it. If it's fan assisted and there's ice partially blocking the fan, it can make a heck of a racket.

Answer 9

sounds like the compressor motor is going could be the bearing might not be worth fixing

Answer 10

it maybe an old refergerator about to go out.
i suspect thats what the problem is,.