Problems With a Loud Noise When My Roper Refrigerator Turns On

Fans

• One of the most common noises from a Roper refrigerator is made by the fan. The fan located in the freezer behind the back freezer panel is for the evaporator. To access the fan you need to remove the back cover from inside the freezer by removing the screws. The fan is attached to the back of the fridge with three screws and two wires. If the fan motor is making excessive noise, remove the screws and pull the wires from the connectors to replace the unit.

Defrost Timer

• Loud noises from inside the fresh food compartment can be made by a defective defrost timer, located by the temperature control at the back of the fridge. Pull off the cover to the control to expose the defrost timer. Pull out the wire connectors using a pair of pliers. Set a multimeter to the X1 setting and touch the probes to the timer. The timer should read zero if the timer is below 40 degrees and infinity if above. If not, the timer needs to be replaced.

Noise from the Compressor

• If noise is coming from outside of the refrigerator the likely culprit is the compressor or compressor fan. The compressor is located towards the back of the fridge at the bottom. Unplug the refrigerator and pull it out from the wall. Plug the unit back in and listen for sounds from the compressor. If the compressor is making the sound, have it looked at by a service technician. Compressors hold a large electrical charge, even when unplugged, which can be very dangerous.

Installation Issues

• Installing the refrigerator improperly may also cause noise issues. There should always be a 3 to 4 inch gap between the refrigerator and the back wall to prevent the condenser coils from getting too hot, which causes the compressor to work harder. The refrigerator needs to be tilted slightly towards the back as well, which prevents water from building up at the front of the fridge, which may cause defrosting issues and the fan to run constantly.