When you encounter knocking noises emanating from your fridge, it's probable that they are a result of ice accumulation surrounding the evaporator fan.
Additionally, the noises may originate from the water pipes situated behind the refrigerator, leading to a similar auditory disturbance against the appliance or the wall. Another factor to consider is examining potential ice maker obstructions or whether the sounds stemming from the plastic components within the fridge. Finally, it's worth investigating whether the source of the noise could be attributed to the compressor.
What Does It Mean When Your Refrigerator Is Making A Knocking Noise?
Before embarking on the journey of troubleshooting the knocking sound emerging from your refrigerator, it's essential to grasp a critical point: not all knocking sounds in fridges are identical. Therefore, there's no necessity for an immediate alarm when you initially encounter this noise. In the majority of instances, it doesn't signify a grave issue. Here are the primary factors that are likely responsible for the knocking noise you're currently perceiving within your refrigerator:
1 Ice Around Evaporator Fan
The initial consideration should be the presence of ice and frost accumulating around the evaporator fan.
The evaporator is a critical component of the refrigerator's cooling system, located inside the refrigerator compartment. Its primary function is to absorb heat and release the cold air required for refrigeration.
Within the evaporator, there's a small fan responsible for driving cold air and evenly distributing it throughout the refrigerator compartment. This fan comprises a motor and rotating blades, much like any other fan.
However, if ice and frost accumulate around these fan blades, they can generate the knocking noise you're currently troubleshooting. This occurs because the spinning fan blades repeatedly come into contact with the ice buildup, resulting in the noise.
A key indicator that this is the root cause is the rapid and continuous nature of the knocking sound, particularly when the fan is operational.
To resolve this issue, you can eliminate the ice and frost buildup around the evaporator fan blades. Nevertheless, if the buildup is substantial and challenging to remove, it may be necessary to defrost the refrigerator and allow the ice and frost to melt away.
2 Water Pipes
Subsequently, it's crucial to closely examine whether the knocking noise is originating from the water pipes.
Refrigerators equipped with water dispensers and ice makers typically connect to your home's water supply through a network of pipes and hoses. These pipes and hoses are situated behind the refrigerator, sandwiched between the appliance and the wall.
The knocking noise you're hearing is most likely a result of these water fixtures coming into contact with the wall or the rear of the fridge. This occurs when there are significant fluctuations in water pressure within the pipe or hose or when a water hammer effect is in play.
Resolving this issue involves a bit of plumbing intervention. Firstly, ensure that the water connections are properly tightened, as they should be.
Next, make sure to securely fasten the hoses and pipes to the wall or the rear of the fridge. When these components are firmly affixed to a flat surface, they won't have the freedom to move and produce any further knocking noises.
In summary, when these elements are immobilised, they won't be able to generate any knocking noises.
Pros and Cons of Fridge
Pros
- Food Preservation
- Convenience
- Temperature Control
- Ice and Water Dispensers
Cons
- Initial Cost
- Electricity Consumption
- Maintenance
- Limited Lifespan
Differences Between fridge and dryer
Fridge (Refrigerator)
A refrigerator is designed to store and preserve perishable food items and keep them at a low temperature to slow down the growth of bacteria and extend their shelf life.
Dryer (Clothes Dryer)
A dryer, on the other hand, is used to dry wet clothing and other textiles. It uses heat and airflow to evaporate moisture from the clothes, making them dry and ready to wear.
Alternative to fridge
Root Cellar
A root cellar is an underground storage space or a well-insulated room built to store fruits, vegetables, and other food items. It relies on natural temperature and humidity control to keep food cool and extend its shelf life. It's an excellent option for long-term food storage, especially in regions with cold winters.
Read Also: Water Dispenser not working on Samsung fridge
3 Ice Maker Jam
If your refrigerator model features a built-in ice maker, it's essential to include troubleshooting this aspect of the appliance.
In general, ice makers are responsible for freezing ice cubes and transferring them to an ice bin. However, depending on the brand and model of your fridge, the ice might also be dispensed outside the fridge door.
Nonetheless, when you hear knocking noises originating from this part of the refrigerator, it's highly likely that an ice cube is causing a jam within the ice maker.
The repetitive knocking noise occurs when the ice maker's moving components encounter resistance from a trapped ice cube.
The solution for this issue is relatively straightforward: you need to address the stuck ice cube. It's important to exercise caution, as attempting to free the cube with your finger or any other object near the moving parts can be dangerous.
Instead, before attempting to dislodge the jammed ice cube, disconnect the fridge from its power supply. Alternatively, you can choose to defrost the ice maker, allowing the obstructing ice cube to naturally melt away.
4 Fridge Plastic Parts
Surprisingly, the knocking noise you're hearing can also be attributed to the plastic components lining the interior of your refrigerator compartment.
It's important to keep in mind that your fridge contains numerous plastic panels and parts within its interior. Furthermore, there's ample space for air to become trapped behind the plastic rear panel and other sections.
Consider this: your refrigerator doesn't maintain a constant cold temperature throughout the day. Instead, it periodically initiates an automatic defrost cycle several times a day. During this cycle, a heating element located around the evaporator is activated to melt any accumulated ice or frost.
As your fridge undergoes this repeated warming and cooling throughout the day, the air inside expands and contracts. This can lead to occasional "pop" sounds, which may be loud enough to resemble knocking.
In this scenario, there's no remedy to address it. These noises don't indicate an actual problem but rather constitute a natural aspect of your fridge's wear and tear, especially after many years of use.
Conclusion
Troubleshooting knocking noises in your refrigerator involves considering a range of potential causes. These include ice and frost accumulation around the evaporator fan, issues with water pipes and connections, ice maker jams, and even natural noises resulting from the expansion and contraction of air behind plastic components in the fridge. By identifying the source of the knocking noise and applying the appropriate remedies, you can maintain a properly functioning and quiet refrigerator.