How to deal with excessive noise in your window air conditioner

There’s nothing quite like the soothing white noise and breeze of a well-functioning window air conditioner to help you stay cool and comfortable during the hot summer months. But when that hum turns into unsettling rattles, bangs, and screeches, it can quickly ruin the environment in your home. Fortunately, you can do some digging yourself to find out what’s causing the problem and fix it yourself.

If you find out that you need any replacement parts for your appliance while you’re troubleshooting, you can enter your model number at AppliancePartsPros.com to order them. Most orders arrive in just two business days, and we have thousands of free guides to show you how to install your new parts.

The part replacement information provided in this article may not apply to your specific appliance model. While we strive to offer helpful advice for DIY appliance repairs, variations in models and configurations can lead to differences in troubleshooting steps, error codes and part replacements. For the most accurate guidance, we strongly recommend consulting the technical sheet for your specific appliance model.

Safety precautions

When working on any appliance, remember to keep safety first. Here are some tips to keep in mind: 

• Always power off and unplug your appliance or switch off the circuit breaker before attempting any maintenance or replacement work. This keeps you safe by preventing any risk of injury from electric shock.
• Wear insulated work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal parts, pinching hazards and debris.
• Take your time and don’t rush while working to prevent accidents and personal injuries.
• Work in a well-lit area so you can clearly see and access the interior parts.
• Clear your workspace of clutter and other obstacles. Keep children and pets away from the work area.
• Never work on internal parts with bare wet hands. Make sure the work area is completely dry.
• Check your user manual to see if there are specific installation or safety instructions for your part or appliance. 
• Be gentle when handling or removing parts. Excessive force might damage the appliance or cause injury.
• Wear safety glasses when working with chemicals, dust or cleaning large debris to prevent injury. 
• If the appliance has recently been used, give it plenty of time for any heating parts to cool down before working on it. 
• Take pictures or make a note of wiring terminals or other connections before disconnecting to prevent any problems with reassembly.
• When working with wires, avoid touching any exposed wires or terminals. If you need to touch a wire, use a non-conductive tool or wear insulating gloves to prevent electrical shock.

Troubleshooting steps

Check the mountings:

1. Inspect the mounting brackets and screws that secure the air conditioner to the window frame.
2. Check for any loose, damaged, or missing components.
3. Tighten any loose screws or supports.
4. Add additional mounting brackets or supports if necessary to ensure a secure installation.

Fan blades:

1. Examine the fan blades inside the air conditioner unit for any loose screws or other components that may be causing the fan to wobble or rub against the housing.
2. Tighten any loose screws to secure the fan in place.
3. Inspect the fan area for any obstructions or debris that could be interfering with the fan’s movement.
4. Remove any foreign objects to allow the fan to spin freely.
5. Closely inspect the fan blades for any bends, cracks, or imbalances.
6. Clean the fan blades of any accumulated dust, dirt, or debris using a soft cloth or brush.
7. Severely damaged or unbalanced fan blades will need to be replaced.

Fan motor:

1. Dry, worn bearings can cause the motor to run noisily.
2. Check the fan motor bearings for any signs of seizing or difficulty rotating.
3. Apply a small amount of lightweight machine oil or fan motor lubricant to the bearings to restore smooth operation.

Fan belt:

1. A loose or broken fan belt can cause rattling and other abnormal noises.
2. Inspect the fan belt  if one is used on your model for any signs of looseness, wear, cracks, or damage.
3. Tighten the fan belt according to the manufacturer’s specifications, if needed.
4. Replace the fan belt if it appears excessively worn or damaged.

Evaporator or compressor coils:

1. Obstructions on the coils can impede airflow and lead to increased noise.
2. Carefully remove the air conditioner’s access panels to inspect the evaporator and compressor coils.
3. Look for any debris, dust, or other foreign objects that may have accumulated on the coils.
4. Clean the coils thoroughly using a soft brush or coil cleaning solution.

Air ducts:

1. Clogged ducts can cause the air conditioner to work harder, leading to higher noise levels.
2. Check any ductwork or venting associated with the air conditioner for any blockages or restrictions.
3. Clear out any debris, dust, or obstructions within the air ducts.

Compressor motor mounts:

1. If the compressor motor mounts are worn or hardened, or the compressor motor itself is malfunctioning, it may cause excessive vibration and noise.
2. These issues require the expertise of a certified HVAC technician, as they involve the refrigerant system and should not be attempted by the homeowner.
3. The technician can properly repair or replace the necessary components.

Refrigerant tubing:

1. Loose refrigerant tubing can also contribute to unwanted noises from the air conditioner.
2. This is another issue that should be addressed by a licensed HVAC professional, as they have the proper training and equipment to handle the refrigerant system safely.

Additional information

Thank you for reading! We hope this guide helped you get your window air conditioner working again.

If you have any other appliance repair needs or projects, don’t hesitate to explore our other troubleshooting guides and videos. 

If you need replacement parts or some extra help with ordering them, grab your model number and head over to AppliancePartsPros.com, where you can chat with a pro, read our DIY blog and more.

Be sure to subscribe to us on YouTube and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

Keep Reading:

Diy Mrcool Units: Do Your Own Heating And Air Conditioning

How to get better air quality from your window air conditioner  

How to Clean Your Air Conditioner the Easy Way