Freezer Making Loud Noise? Find the Source and Fix It

A freezer making loud noise gives off a buzz, a hum, or a rattle that gets worse over time. Usually, a worn evaporator fan motor or a cracked fan blade is the cause. First, open the freezer and listen for whether the noise rises inside. Then, unplug the unit and check the fan parts below.

Safety first. Unplug the freezer before you open any panel. Do resistance and continuity checks with the unit unplugged, because those are the do-it-yourself steps. A freezer has no gas, but it does hold a sealed refrigerant system under pressure. Never open or recharge that system yourself; refrigerant work is regulated and belongs to a qualified, EPA-certified technician. Watch for sharp ice when you clear frost, and get help to move a heavy unit.

Sealed system. The sealed refrigeration system – the compressor, condenser, evaporator coils, refrigerant, and capillary tube – is not a do-it-yourself repair. Refrigerant handling is regulated by law, so a qualified, EPA-certified technician must diagnose and repair any leak, low charge, or failed compressor. Never open or recharge a sealed system yourself.

Parts to inspect for a freezer making loud noise

1. Evaporator Fan Motor

The evaporator fan motor pulls cold air across the coils and pushes it through the freezer. When the bearings wear, the motor gets loud, and when it quits, the freezer warms even though the compressor runs. Therefore, unplug the unit and spin the fan by hand to feel for roughness. Replace the motor if it grinds, hums, or will not turn freely.

Unplug the freezer before you reach this part.

2. Evaporator Fan Blade

The evaporator fan blade is the plastic fan that the motor turns to move cold air. When it cracks, loosens, or ices up, it can strike the shroud and make a loud clicking or buzzing noise. So inspect the blade for cracks and check that it clips tight to the motor shaft. Replace the blade if it is damaged or rubs the housing as it spins.

Unplug the freezer before you reach this part.

Find where the noise comes from

Before you order a part, locate the sound. First, open the freezer door, since a louder noise inside points to the evaporator fan. Then, unplug the unit and spin the fan blade by hand to feel for a rough bearing or a rub. Next, check the blade for cracks. Because the fan is the most common noise source, this quick check usually finds the fault.

Get the parts

We supply OEM and replacement parts in bulk. Browse the Appliance Parts catalog, or request a bulk quote for volume orders.

Is the freezer old or failing often? So weigh a repair against a new unit, and browse complete freezers and refrigerators when a replacement makes more sense.

Most of the time, a freezer that is making a loud noise traces back to one worn part. So replace it, then run a short cooling test and confirm the fix.

In short, a freezer making loud noise is most often the evaporator fan motor or a cracked fan blade.