Want to know how to fix a noisy refrigerator or soundproof a fridge?

By their nature fridges can be noisy and loud. They cycle on and off on a regular basis, and you can’t actually avoid a lot of the noise, as this is simply just how they work.

Many of the more modern and fridges also come with ice making facilities, you may find that the noises it produces can be even louder than with a basic refrigerator.

Frustrating, I know.

The good news is that you do not have to put up with the noise that is coming from your fridge if you implement some very basis and cheap soundproofing tactics.

There are a few things that you can do to at least reduce the sounds that are annoying you so much, and I’ve put together some ideas for you below.

Before we start though, it’s also worth mentioning that you should pay attention to any new and louder noises that come from your fridge, especially if they have not happened before. This could indicate there is a problem with the appliance. In cases such as this, get it checked out by an engineer as soundproofing might not make any difference.

However, if your fridge is in perfect working order, there are still actions you can take. Here is what you should do to soundproof your fridge.

Step 1: Identify & Fix the Cause of the Noise

This is not always as easy as it sounds. There can be many reasons why a fridge is noisy.

What you need to do is listen to where the noise is coming from and this should help you to identify the problem. For example, common sounds and sources could be:

a) Noise Resulting from the Fridge Vibrating Against the Floor

To fix this type of problem all you might need to do is place some rubber matting under the fridge to reduce the vibrational noise.

It’s an easy enough job, but you might need someone else to help you to move the fridge whilst you place the matting underneath it. In my experience, if it’s just you, you can disturb, rip, and crease up the rubber mat if you don’t have someone to help you lift the refrigerator back on top, once the mat is in place.

But what type of rubber mat should you use?

My product recommendation is the Rubber Cal Elephant Bark Floor Mat (view latest prices on Amazon). When you view it online, make sure that you measure up the size you will want so that it fits neatly under your fridge, as it comes in a massive range of sizes.

But that’s not all you can do.

As well as the rubber mat, you can also get excellent results from going one step further with the use of anti-vibration pads.

These can be cut to size and placed underneath the feet of the fridge, once it’s on the mat. By using these, you will further cut down vibrational noise, and should be almost there with an effective solution to soundproofing your noisy fridge.

The anti-vibration pads I have used time and time again are these ones here available on Amazon.  Just check out the reviews and you will see how good they are for helping to fix a noisy refrigerator where vibration noise is the problem.

b) Noise from Loose Doors or Handles

This is quite a simple noise to identify, as typically you will be hearing a rattling sound.

It should be easy enough to fix by simply tightening screws or replacing hinges.

c) Noises from the Fan or the Compressor

If there is a considerable amount of noise coming from either of these parts this generally means that they are worn out.

Fans can be replaced easily and affordably, but if the compressor is worn out it’s often cheaper to buy a new fridge.

If there does not seem to be any particular cause of the noise coming from your fridge, and the sounds are consistent, this is probably just the noise that the appliance makes in order to work effectively.

But, this does not mean you have to sit back and put up with it.

Step 2: Position your Fridge in an Alcove (Optional)

Now that you’ve identified the noise sources above, and completed some basic soundproofing tasks, but what else can you do?

A lot of the time, reducing the noise from a fridge can be as simple as positioning it in a different place.

The best place to position a noisy fridge is in an alcove. Just placing the fridge in this position can help with noise reduction, and it also makes it easier for you to soundproof the area around the fridge too.

If you do not have a convenient alcove in which you can place the refrigerator, then a more drastic solution would to construct a wooden structure around the fridge. Make sure that you leave enough space around the fridge for it to operate safely; check the owner’s manual for further advice.

Step 3: Soundproofing the Alcove (Optional)

Once you have your fridge re-positioned into an alcove, you can make further improvements to that space to help reduce the sound from your noisy fridge.

One of the most effective ways is to place acoustic foam panels on the walls and roof of the alcove that surrounds the refrigerator.

This should soundproof your fridge to a higher level, but it will not eliminate noise completely. Try to get as much coverage as possible with the placement of the acoustic foam panels.

Most of the acoustic foam panels you see on the market are in black, as they tend to be designed for music studios.

It is possible though to find ones in various colors, for example, you can buy white panels on Amazon which might look better in a fridge alcove.

Step 4 – Soundproof a Noisy Fridge Internally (Optional)

So that alcove task might not be possible, so you’ve got one final tip that you can look to try, which is the actual internal components of the refrigerator.

In order to soundproof your noisy fridge as effectively as possible, you should use mass loaded vinyl to complete the job. See this product on Amazon (read reviews now).

If you can access the motor of the fridge, you can wrap it with the material.

You should then place more of the material under the fridge and run it out and up the wall behind the appliance. This helps to prevent sound from passing down, under the refrigerator and out into the room.

As was the case with placing rubber mat under a fridge, you may need help with manoeuvring the appliance during this process.

The Last Word

Most fridges create some noise when they are switched on; some more than others. It may be that you will always be able to hear some noise coming from your fridge, even after you have taken corrective action to soundproof it.

But, after soundproofing, the noise levels should be greatly reduced and should not cause the same amount of annoyance.

Soundproofing a fridge is usually a straightforward process – and in most cases you can just follow step 1 that I outlined with regards to the vibrational noise – so it may be that simply placing rubber mat under the fridge does the trick.

It may also be that you need to replace the fan or tighten up the doors. If this is not the case, you can still reduce the amount of sound that you can hear.

Following the steps I have suggested should mean that you are able to live with the noises that your fridge makes, simply by using soundproofing solutions to reduce their effect.