Have you been trying to figure out where that constant knocking sound is coming from?
Have you checked every appliance in the house and determined your refrigerator to be the culprit?
This is a common occurrence, so don’t panic! Read on to learn how to fix refrigerator knocking noise.
Why Refrigerator Is Making A Knocking Sound:
Here are some of the most common reasons why refrigerator is making a knocking sound and ways to fix these issues:
- If your refrigerator is leaning against a wall, its regular vibrations may be amplified into loud banging noises when it rattles against that wall. This is the most straightforward problem to fix; try moving your fridge an inch or two away from the nearest wall and see if the noise improves. Alternatively, your problem may be a gap between your fridge and the wall, which you can quickly remedy by moving the refrigerator until it is flush against the wall. Bridging this gap can reduce or eliminate the knocking noise that has been nagging you for a while!
- A similarly simple solution may be removing any items you may have stored on the fridge. In search of convenient storage, most of us keep our keys and glasses on top of the fridge, but again, the vibration of the fridge’s motor may be making these items rattle and make excessive noise. Remove anything you have kept there (yes, even the papers) and see if the noise settles.
The aforementioned are the simplest reasons why refrigerator is making a knocking sound.
However, if the problem persists even after trying these two things, then your particular problem probably runs deeper in the appliance’s parts.
In that case, here are other things you can try that may help with fixing a refrigerator that makes knocking noise:
Faulty Compressor
Long story short, the compressor is the main component of your fridge, and if your fridge is older than three years, chances are, the problem hides in your compressor.
The compressor is the unit that controls the circulation inside your fridge, and if there is a malfunctioning crankshaft in it, that may be the issue.
Alternatively, a part inside the compressor could have loosened.
How to fix it?
We suggest not tampering with the compressor tank of any home appliances; they are complicated and dangerous machine parts that run at extreme temperatures.
Fixing a refrigerator that makes knocking noise is not always within your capabilities! You could easily hurt yourself and damage your device if you attempt to D-I-Y this issue.
The best course of action is to contact a reliable refrigerator repair service such as https://fixappliances.ca/refrigerator-repair/, they are likely to have ample experience in fixing a refrigerator that makes a knocking noise due to a faulty compressor part.
Ice Maker Jammed
If your particular fridge model has a built-in ice-maker component, it may be jammed, causing the ice box to rattle and make noise.
Suppose the ice maker’s moving parts repeatedly strike against a frozen surface or stuck ice cube.
In that case, you will likely hear a repetitive rattling noise that may be amplified by the echo-chamber-like atmosphere inside your fridge.
How to fix it?
Again, fixing a refrigerator that makes a knocking noise due to this reason is relatively simple: remove the ice cube stuck inside the respective component.
However, if the channel is too narrow to remove the piece of ice manually, turn off the freezer component and wait for any hidden ice to melt completely – depending on the size of the ice cube, it may take anywhere from 2-6 hours.
Rerun the appliance and check for that noise. If you are lucky, that annoying sound will dissipate.
To avoid facing this problem again, avoid overfilling your ice machine and close its door/window altogether to avoid unnecessary frost filling the gaps.
Problems with the Evaporator Fan
The evaporator is part of the fridge’s cooling system, absorbing heat and emitting the cold air necessary to maintain the fridge’s standard internal temperature.
Within this component is a small fan that whirrs 24/7 to facilitate that circulation.
If there is a buildup of frost/ice in the blades of the evaporator fan, it can cause a rather annoying rattling noise that is repetitive and rapid.
Alternatively, ice buildup is only sometimes the culprit; the fan blade(s) may also be bent out of shape or obstructed by another object.
How to fix it?
If you suspect the problem is ice buildup, defrosting is the way to go.
If, however, there is another problem with the Evaporator fan, you will have to unscrew the panel inside your fridge walls that hide the evaporator fan(s) and inspect the problem carefully (we suggest having a mini-flashlight nearby).
If you have determined that the blades are bent out of shape, it won’t be a good idea to mold them back into shape on your own; replace the evaporator fan immediately because it is inefficient to have a professional reshape this relatively inexpensive component.
We suggest purchasing a spare fan as well.
Condenser Malfunction
The condenser (or AC condenser) is another essential part of your refrigerator that collects hot air and condenses it into a cold liquid to facilitate temperature regulation.
A big sign that the condenser is the culprit is if your noise seems to be coming from your appliance’s bottom/back end.
The condenser has two main components that may be the source of your problem:
- Condenser coils: They are usually black, hidden at the back/bottom of your fridge, and warm to the touch. If these coils are clogged or covered in debris, they may be the source of an annoying sound similar to a gargling or churning motor.
- Condenser fan: Yes, dear reader, another fan! You’d be surprised to know how many fans, cogs, and coils are integral to the smooth functioning of your fridge. The condenser fan may also be clogged with debris and lint, located behind a black panel near the condenser coil.
How to fix it?
If you have successfully located the condenser of your refrigerator, turn the appliance off and carefully inspect the coils for any debris; use a non-mental instrument to clean between the nooks and crannies of the coils; make sure they are not hot to the touch, or you may hurt yourself.
Before you rush to turn the fridge back on, take apart the panel that conceals the condenser fan, and inspect it for any damage/debris; clean it carefully and replace all the components exactly as they were.
Wait an hour to rerun the appliance (especially if you moved it a lot during this time) and see if you experience that annoying noise again.
Conclusion
Not all fridge noises are the same; they are not always a cause for panic. Here are some noises that are signs of a fully operational and smoothly running refrigerator:
- The damper usually causes a chirping sound on the fridge door(s), preventing excessive friction and damage to the walls.
- A gurgling sound is most common if your refrigerator model is relatively complex and has a lot of pipes. The churning and flowing water may cause these noises, which intensify when the door(s) is closed.
- A clicking sound is produced when your refrigerator’s timer automatically switches on and off to save power and cool more efficiently.
If you have tried your best to learn how to fix refrigerator knocking noise but have not succeeded, may it be time to put down the screwdriver and dial a technician like https://thedigestonline.com/branded-content/best-appliance-repair-mississauga/.
If the matter is severe, you may damage the fridge’s sensitive components and raise a higher bill in an attempt to solve the issue yourself.
Therefore, if none of these things work, it’s worth calling a professional to help with fixing a refrigerator that makes knocking noise.