Winfred Kyalo

Fridge Making Rattling Noise When Door is Closed Does your fridge rattle when you close the door? If so, it could either be the fridge just doing its work or it could be a sign of a problem. In this blog post, we'll uncover the common causes for fridge rattling and how you can fix it. We'll also discuss how to prevent this problem from happening in the future. So, if you're frustrated with your noisy fridge, keep reading! Reasons For Fridge Making Rattling Noise When Door Is Closed When assessing the cause of a noisy refrigerator, it is important to consider the source of the noise. Is it coming from the motor, the fan, the condenser, or something else? Depending on the source, it may require different troubleshooting and repair steps. For example, if the noise is coming from the motor, it could be due to a defective fan or compressor. If the noise is coming from the fan, it could be due to a build-up of dust and debris. If the noise is coming from the condenser, it could be due to an issue with the fan or an accumulation of dirt or debris. Once the cause of the noise has been identified, the next step is to take the appropriate action to fix it. Let's look at the common causes of a fridge making rattling noise when the door is closed. Faulty Compressor A compressor works by pumping the refrigerant through the condenser coils and the evaporator to bring down the temperature in the fridge. Normally, a compressor will make rattling noise when it turns on and off. So if you hear a rattling noise, it'd be wise to pay attention if it's a normal sound or it is excess. If the rattling sound is excess, you might want to check if the compressor is faulty. If it is, then the compressor might be failing and need to be replaced. Beware that a new compressor is costly and could be approximately the same cost as a new fridge. Fix: Even though a faulty compressor will need a replacement, you might want to consider getting a new fridge instead. Faulty Door Seal or Gasket Over time, the seals can become worn or cracked, allowing air to escape and cause the refrigerator to work harder. This extra effort can result in a loud buzzing sound. To check the seals, inspect them for any damage or visible gaps. If the seals appear to be in good condition, try pressing a piece of paper against the seal. If the paper pulls away easily, there is an issue with the seal that needs to be addressed. To fix the problem, it is best to replace the seals completely. Replacing the seals is fairly simple and can be done with a few basic tools. Fix: If the seal or gasket to your fridge is worn out, consider replacing it as soon as possible. Fixing a new seal is not a hard task but ensure to do it correctly. Low Temperature Settings Checking the temperature settings is an important step in troubleshooting a noisy refrigerator. If the temperature is set too low, the refrigerator will work harder to cool the air inside, causing it to make more noise. Lower temperatures will also lead to ice build up in the fridge. When ice builds up beyond the normal levels, it blocks the evaporator fan and lead to production of a rattling noise. Fix: Do not set the fridge temperature too low. This makes the refrigerator to struggle. The functional temperature of a fridge is below 4°C, the freezer can go slightly below - 2°C and your food will still be good to go. For excess ice build up, you can use a hair dryer to defrost it mannualy or plug it off to allow ice melt on its own. Loose Drain Pan A drain pan is a tray/pan that collects water that drip off the condenser coils. Due to the continuous vibration of the fridge, the drain pan may be dislodged and it will start making a rattling noise. The support of the drain pan also wears out over time and could lead to your fridge making rattling noise when the door is closed. Fix: First ensure that the supports are not bent or damaged. You can straighten them or replace them if need be. Also reposition the drain pan and fix firmly to its position to prevent any noise coming from it. Unstable Fridge If you have placed your fridge on uneven ground, it will woble as it functions. This will lead to a rattling sound being produced. Fix: Stabilize your fridge. Even if the ground is uneven, most fridges come with adjustable bases. Faulty Defrost Timer Motor A defrost timer helps the fridge get rid of excess ice. The timer stops the compressor and evaporator fans by cutting off electricity flow to them. Over time, and due to its continuous working, the defrost timer motor starts to rattle and make a ticking sound. This is a sign that it needs replacing. Fix: if the defrost timer motor is faulty, the only way to fix it is to replace it. Condenser Fan A Condenser fan sucks in air from the outside, passes it over the Condensor coil and sucks out the hot air from the fridge. A Condenser fan can cause rattling noise through two ways; 1.​ Rattling sound can be a result of a dirty Condenser fan. As the Condenser fan sucks in air, dust and other particles accumulate on the blades. This will result in the fan making a rattling noise. 2.​ A faulty Condenser fan either has a damaged motor or damaged blades. If you try rotating the motor manually to no success, then the motor is damaged. If the blades are torn, they'll produce a rattling noise. The Condenser fan might also be loose.k Fix: If the Condensor fan is loose, tightly screw it back to its position. If the motor is damaged, then replace it. Torn blades or worn out motor grommet can easily be replaced. Kkk Evaporator Fan A condenser and evaporator work hand in hand to make the fridge work effectively. The evaporator sucks heat from the inside and passes it to the condenser which releases it out to the outdoor air. A faulty, obstructed evaporator fan will result in the fridge making rattling noise. Fix: Replace a faulty evaporator fan to ensure the fridge efficiency is attained. Also, do not overfill the fridge with food stuff to allow proper circulation of cold air in the fridge for effective cooling of the food. Extra Fixes for Noisy Refrigerators As we've seen above, the causes for a fridge to make rattling noise can be easily corrected. It's also important to note that the noise can be caused by dishes inside or on top of the fridge, so to avoid troubleshooting a non-existent problem, ensure there's nothing on top of the fridge and dishes inside the fridge are stable. Below are extra fixes the apply to all fridges regardless of the source of rattling noise. ●​ Tighten Loose Parts Tightening loose parts is one of the most important troubleshooting tips for a noisy refrigerator. If the noise is coming from the back of the refrigerator, it could be an indication of a loose fan blade or motor mount. To fix the problem, check all of the screws and fasteners to make sure they are secure. If the screws feel loose, tighten them with a screwdriver or ratchet. Also check the bolts that hold the motor in place and make sure they are tight. If they are too loose, they may need to be replaced. Finally, check the fan blades to make sure they're spinning freely and not hitting the cabinet walls or other components. If they are, they may need to be adjusted or replaced. ●​ Change Air Filter When troubleshooting a noisy refrigerator, one of the most important steps is to change the air filter. This is because an old or clogged air filter can cause the compressor to work harder and make more noise than necessary. If the air filter is not changed regularly, it can cause dust and dirt to build up and block the airflow, which can lead to an inefficient cooling system and a noisy refrigerator. To change the air filter, first locate the filter in the back or bottom of the refrigerator, then twist the old filter off and replace it with a new one. Be sure to check the manufacturer's instructions for your specific model before replacing the air filter. Doing this regularly will help keep your refrigerator running smoothly and quietly. It is also important to note that different brands of fridges produce different sounds to mean a variety of things. Most of the noises are just indicative of normal fridge functioning. Let's look at the common fridge brands, and what different noise means in each case. Samsung Fridge Making Noise When Door is Closed We will classify these sounds into normal sounds and indicative sounds. Normal Sounds ●​ Gurgling or burbling sounds - a Samsung fridge will produce gurgling or burbling sound when the refrigerant is flowing. ●​ Low buzz sound - a Samsung fridge will produce a low buzz every time the compressor runs. ●​ Snapping sound - This can either be normal or indicative of a problem. Majorly it is caused by pasting parts contracting or expanding. Indicative Sounds ●​ Loud beeping sound - a Samsung Fridge will produce a high loud beeping sound when the inner temperature is high. High temperatures are occasioned by either a faulty condenser fan, obstructed evaporator fan, or Fridge temperature set to high. For each cause, the fix is provided in detail above. ●​ Squeaking sound - this is majorly an indicator of a faulty door and will need an immediate corrective action to ensure your fridge is effective and also do away with the possibility of the fridge door falling off. ●​ Loud vibrating sound - a faulty evaporator fan causes a loud vibrating sound in Samsung fridges. To fix this, you'll have to replace the evaporator fan. Whirlpool Fridge Making Noise When Door is Closed Normal Sounds ●​ Gurgling or dripping sounds - This is produced when ice is melting during a defrost cycle. ●​ Low buzz sound - when water is dispensing to the ice maker, a Whirlpool Fridge will make a low buzz sound. Indicative Sounds ●​ Loud humming or pulsating noise - this indicates that the water supply to the ice maker is off. To solve this, make sure that the water pressure is above 20 psi and that the water valve is functional. If it is not functional then you need to replace it. Make sure you switch the fridge off if the ice maker is not getting any water since it might get destroyed. ●​ Vibrating sound - this is causer by an unstable fridge. To solve this, either place it in an even ground or adjust the fridge stands until the fridge is stable. Bosch Fridge Making Noise When Door is Closed Normal Sounds ●​ Burbling or low humming sounds - This is noise produced when the refrigerant is flowing. ●​ Droning sound - made when fridge motors are running. ●​ Rumbling noise - made when ice drops into the ice maker. Indicative Sounds ●​ Loud vibrating noise - this is caused by an unstable fridge or a shaky tray inside the fridge. If your Bosch Fridge produces a loud vibrating noise, consider adjusting the stands if the fridge is on an unstable ground. Also ensure there is no shaky tray inside the fridge. Kenmore Fridge Making Noise When Door is Closed Normal Sounds ●​ Low buzzing sound - this noise is made when water is getting dispensed into the icemaker. ●​ Dripping sound - sound made when ice is melting. Indicative Sounds ●​ High pulsating noise - when you here this noise from a Kenmore Fridge, then water supply to the ice maker is off. Switch the fridge off then check if the valve and the pressure are set to functional levels. If the valve is non functional, then have a technician replace it. Troubleshooting a noisy refrigerator can be a challenge, but if you know what to look for and how to fix the problem it is much easier. Troubleshooting a noisy refrigerator can be a challenge, but with the right tips and knowledge, it is possible to identify and fix the problem.