Oven Cooling Fan Noise? 3 Causes and Best Fixes

The cooling fan is responsible for dissipating the heat generated by the oven and can become noisy if it isn’t working correctly. Understanding the potential causes and how to fix them can help you troubleshoot the issue and get your oven back to functioning correctly.

Oven cooling fan noise is caused by a faulty fan motor, loose fan blades, or a loose oven panel. These problems can be fixed by replacing the fan motor, tightening the blades, or securing the oven panel to the frame. The fixes should resolve the issue and reduce or eliminate fan noise altogether.

In this article, I’ll discuss these common causes of fan noise in more detail and explain the steps you should take to troubleshoot and resolve the issue. 

1. Faulty Oven Cooling Fan Motor

Faulty fan motors are a common cause of noise in many home appliances, not just ovens. The motor can become damaged from wear and tear over time, leading to loud noises when it is running as it struggles to turn the fan blades.

There are a few signs that the fan motor in your oven may be faulty:

• Noise: If the fan motor is faulty, it may make noise as it struggles to turn the fan. This can be a loud, grinding noise or a quieter, high-pitched whine.
• Unusual movements: The fan may not be turning as it should. This could lead to uneven cooling in the oven and heat-related damage to the interior parts.
• Decreased performance: If the fan motor is struggling to turn the fan, it may not be able to circulate air effectively. This can cause the oven to run hotter than usual or to take longer to cook food.
• Burned-out motor: If the fan motor has completely failed, it may have burned out. This can cause a burning smell and may trip the oven’s circuit breaker.

How To Fix?

The best way to fix a faulty fan motor is to replace it with a new one. This job should be left to a qualified appliance repair technician, as it involves disassembling the oven and handling electrical components.

To replace the fan motor, the technician will need to:

1. Disconnect the power to the oven: This is an important safety step, as it will prevent any electrical accidents. They must unplug the oven or switch off the breaker in the main fuse box.
2. Remove the oven’s back panel: The fan motor is located in the back of the oven, so the technician must remove this panel to access it.
3. Disconnect the fan motor: The technician will need to remove the wires that connect the fan motor to the oven’s electrical system.
4. Remove the fan motor: The technician will then need to remove the screws or bolts that hold the fan motor in place and carefully lift it out of the oven.
5. Install the new fan motor: The technician will then need to reverse the steps to install it, connecting it to the oven’s electrical system and securing it with screws or bolts.
6. Test the oven: Once the new fan motor is installed, the technician will test the oven to ensure it is functioning correctly. They will likely have to run the oven on a few different settings and check for unusual noise or movements.

Read: KENMORE Oven Is Not Heating? How To Fix It?

2. Loose Fan Blades

Another potential cause of cooling fan noise in an oven is loose fan blades. If the blades are not securely attached to the motor, they may vibrate and make noise as they rotate. This can be caused by debris or something obstructing the blades or the blades becoming loose over time.

There are a few signs that the fan blades in your oven may be loose:

• Noise: If the fan blades are loose, they may make noise as they rotate. This can be a loud, grinding noise or a quieter, high-pitched whine.
• Decreased performance: If the fan blades are loose, they may not be able to circulate air effectively. This can cause the oven to run hotter than usual or to take longer to cook food.
• Visible movement: If the fan blades are loose, you may see them moving or vibrating as they rotate.

How To Fix?

To fix loose fan blades, you will need to clean the blades and the area around the fan to remove any debris that may be causing the problem. You should also check the blades for any damage or deformities, as these can cause the blades to become unbalanced and make noise. If the blades are damaged, you may need to replace them.

To ensure both safety and peace of mind, here are the steps you need to take to fix loosened fan blades in your oven:

1. Disconnect the power to the oven: This is an important safety step, as it will prevent any electrical accidents. Unplug the oven or switch off the breaker in the main fuse box.
2. Remove the oven’s back panel: The fan is typically located behind the oven, so you will need to remove the back panel to access it.
3. Clean the fan blades: Use a soft cloth or brush to gently clean the fan blades and the area around the fan. Be sure to remove any debris or obstructions causing the blades to vibrate.
4. Check the blades for damage: Look for any dents, deformities, or other damage on the fan blades. If you find any, you may need to replace the blades.
5. Tighten any loose screws: If the fan blades are connected to the motor with screws, check that they are all securely tightened. If the screws are loose, use a screwdriver to tighten them.
6. Reassemble the oven: Once you have finished cleaning and tightening the fan blades, you can reassemble the oven by replacing the back panel to its original position.
7. Test the oven: Finally, you should test the oven to ensure it runs correctly and no more noise comes from the fan. Plug the oven back in, turn the breaker back on, and run it on a few different settings, checking for unusual noise or movements. If everything is working correctly, your oven should be free of any noise from the cooling fan. 

Read: Whirlpool Oven With Locked Door E2 F3. What Is It And How To Unlock It?

3. Loose Oven Panel

You may occasionally notice cooling fan noise in your oven, even if all the components work correctly. One possible cause of this noise is a loose oven panel. 

The panel is the metal casing that surrounds the fan and helps to keep it in place. If the panel is loose, it can cause the fan to vibrate and make noise as it rotates. This can be caused by the panel becoming loose over time, the oven being bumped or jostled, or the panel being removed and replaced improperly. If the panel around the fan is not securely attached to the frame, it can vibrate and make noise as it rotates. 

There are a few signs that the oven panel in your oven may be loose:

1. Visible movement: If the oven panel is loose, you may see it moving or vibrating as the fan rotates.
2. Noise: If the oven panel is loose, it can cause the fan to vibrate and make noise as it rotates. This can be a loud, grinding noise or a quieter, high-pitched whine.
3. Missing screws: The oven panel is typically held in place with screws. If you notice any missing screws, this may cause the panel to become loose.
4. Decreased performance: If the oven panel is loose, it may not effectively contain the fan and circulate air. This can cause the oven to run hotter than normal or to take longer to cook food.

How To Fix?

To fix a loose oven panel, you will need to secure it so it does not vibrate and cause noise. You may also need to replace the panel if it is damaged or cannot be tightened. 

Here are the steps you need to take to fix a loose oven panel:

1. Disconnect the power to the oven: This is an important safety step, as it will prevent any electrical accidents.
2. Check the panel: Visually inspect the panel to ensure it is securely attached to the oven frame and has no missing screws. Also, inspect the panel for any dents, deformities, or other damage that may be causing it to be loose. 
3. Replace the panel: If the panel is damaged or cannot be tightened, you will need to replace it with a new one.
4. Tighten any loose screws or bolts: Locate the screws or bolts that hold the panel in place and tighten them using a screwdriver or socket wrench.
5. Reassemble the oven: Once you’ve tightened or replaced it, reassemble the oven by replacing the back panel and reconnecting the power.

These problems can be dangerous if not handled correctly. If you are still getting familiar with working on ovens, you should call a professional appliance technician for help. This will ensure that your oven is repaired correctly and safely. 

Read: Why Frigidaire Oven Door Is Locked. How To Unlock?