Loud Samsung Refrigerator Fan Noise? (just do this)

Refrigerators make a noise, it’s all part of the way they operate, but if that noise has become louder, and is in particular the noise from the fan, we have some good news. We have a really easy and quick fix to resolve this annoying problem. Keep reading for the fastest and simplest way to solve a loud Samsung refrigerator fan noise.

What Causes The Loud Fan Noise?

Inside the Samsung refrigerator, on the back is a plastic panel which covers the evaporator. Inside this panel is the evaporator and the fan that blows cool air into the refrigerator. Ice builds up inside the plastic panel which gets caught on the fan and causes that loud noise. As the fan blades spin they hit onto the ice which makes that sound that can be so annoying.

How To Fix The Loud Fan Noise Fast

The fastest way to fix this issue is to defrost the fridge. Now defrosting a refrigerator properly takes time (upto 24 hours) and we often don’t have too much time to spare. So we need to use a shortcut to just clear enough ice to stop the fan noise.

The easiest way is to turn the fridge off by removing it from the power supply. Then aiming a hair dryer at the plastic plate at the back inside the fridge. The fans are usually located around the top of the panel so concentrate your hair dryer on that area. Be sure to not over heat the plastic, so keep the hair dryer moving so as not to concentrate too much on one particular spot for too long.

After 10 to 15 minutes reconnect the power supply to your fridge and listen, you should find the noise has gone because the ice has been successfully defrosted.

Force Defrost

Many Samsung models have a force defrost mode which will also clear all (or some) of the ice and prevent the fan from making too much noise. Different models have different settings to operate a force defrost and for more detailed information either consult your handbook or try one of the options on this link to our article on Samsung ice maker won’t come out which covers most of the popular Samsung models force defrost codes.

Force defrost takes anywhere between 20 to 40 minutes and to be honest it sometimes takes two goes before all of the ice is removed. But it saves using the hair dryer so you might prefer it if time allows. We have found it’s best to operate a force defrost when we’re out of the room because of the annoying beep that is constant until the program has completed.

Other Causes Of Ice Buildup In Samsung Refrigerators

The noisy fan is almost always caused by a buildup of ice around the evaporator but the cause of the ice buildup can be any one of a number of things. Your fridge could have developed a fault in the;

• Evaporator
• Condenser
• Compressor
• Defrost Timer
• Defrost Heater
• Defrost Thermostat
• Defrost Control Board

Unless you are a qualified electrician it is unwise to tackle any of the above yourself as you could not only invalidate any warranty. You could also endanger your life. If you suspect it to be anything mechanical or electrical, we would recommend contacting Samsung if your appliance is still under warranty or a fully qualified electrician if not.

Why Does Ice Form Inside The Fridge?

There are a few reasons that can cause ice to build up in the fridge but the number one cause is you. Every time you open the fridge door you allow warm air to enter the fridge which condenses and turns to ice. It’s this ice that forms around the evaporator fan that causes the noise.

Other reasons include;

Faulty Door Seal (Gasket)

If the seal that surrounds the door is defective in any way, it can have the same effect as leaving the door open. Warm air enters the fridge via the faulty door seals and condenses and turns to ice. It could just be an accumulation of dust or dirt on the door seal that prevents it from sealing correctly. Just wipe it with a damp cloth using warm soapy water and be sure to dry it once you’ve finished cleaning it.

Unlevel Fridge

If the fridge isn’t sited on a completely level surface, or if the feet are incorrectly adjusted gravity can cause the door to open slightly. Also if the fridge isn’t completely level, the fan can’t spin correctly, it will be slightly off centre which could also cause the fan to operate noisily.

Blocked Air Vents

If there are foods too close to the air vents, air can’t flow properly which in turn, leads to a buildup of ice. The vents need at least a 2 inch clearance to function correctly.

The best way to prevent a buildup of ice around the evaporator fan which is the most likely cause of the fan making so much noise is to…Keep the refrigerator door closed as much as possible. Try to work out in advance all of the items you need to remove to prepare your meal.

This simple act means the refrigerator door is only open for around one minute. By removing each item individually could mean a time increase of 5 minutes or more.

Uncovered Foods

Any foods left uncovered inside the refrigerator will release moisture into the air. This air will condense into frost within the fridge. Foods like;

• Raw Meat
• Vegetables
• Fruit (especially cut melons etc)
• Soup
• Uncovered Liquids
• And So On

Samsung Fan Not Working

If the fan isn’t working at all, determine what’s causing the problem by opening the fridge door. Then pushing the door switch fully in, if the fan motor starts up you know that’s not the problem. If it doesn’t start up it’s most likely faulty and will need replacing. However, it could be the fan is iced up so bad that it can’t spin which would prevent the motor from operating.

Before you can check this you’ll need to fully defrost the fridge because the plastic back panel could be frozen to the fridge and will easily break if you exert too much pressure on it. 

How To Remove The Evaporator Panel

Before attempting to remove the plastic panel located inside the back of the fridge, be sure it isn’t iced up. It’s only a thin plastic panel and if it is frozen, it is likely to break if you force it too much. Then locate the screws that are holding the panel in place (there will be 3 to 5 of them). 

Then disconnect the catches on the sides of the panel before carefully pulling it towards you. You should now have access to the evaporator coils and fan. 

Refrigerator Reset

Once you have resolved the issue of the noisy fan on your Samsung refrigerator, you could run a reset to ensure everything is running as it should. To perform a reset on any Samsung refrigerator, follow this link to our article on how to reset any Samsung refrigerator.

Frequently Asked Questions