Arctic Worn Fan Motor Bearings or Resonance

Refrigerator makes a high-pitched whine or squeal during operation

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Safety Warning

This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.

If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.

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Possible Causes

Evaporator fan motor bearings worn, Condenser fan motor bearings worn, Fan blade rubbing housing, Vibration against cabinet

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety first: Unplug the refrigerator before touching any fans.

Steps:

  • Identify source: Open the doors and listen to determine if the noise is from inside (evaporator fan) or from the back/bottom (condenser fan).
  • Inspect fan: Access the noisy fan and check for ice, debris, or wires contacting the blades. Clear any obstructions.
  • Spin test: Manually spin the fan. If it feels rough or squeals, the motor bearings are worn.
  • Replace fan motor: Install a new fan motor assembly and ensure the blade is correctly positioned and not rubbing the shroud.

Tip: Replace noisy fans promptly to avoid complete failure and loss of cooling.

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Repair Difficulty

Medium 3/5

Required Part

Evaporator Fan Motor
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