A problematic motherboard cannot make a GE ice maker produce much noise; unless you are getting faulty ice makers. You need to understand that your ice maker can produce normal sounds and sometimes it can make knocking noise. However, a knocking sound is usually produced when the water valve opens and then closes.
This article will try to enlighten you about the possible causes and propose suitable solutions to each problem. Sometimes, your ice maker might start misbehaving due to an extended period in service. Fixing such an issue is straightforward as you only have to power it off and turn it on again.
Reasons for Knocking Sound in my GE ice maker
You need to understand that the knocking sound does not necessarily mean that your Fridge is undergoing a terrific issue that requires an investigation. More often than not, Fridge owners find that this sound is easily treatable and diagnosable without the service of experienced personnel.
Below are some of the major reasons your ice maker could be making knocking sounds;
Vibration and placement
The place you install the ice maker sometimes can determine whether the device should produce sounds or not. While installing, the instructions on the user manual could likely recommend placing the ice maker on an even and stable surface.
When you power the ice maker and it starts to operate, it can vibrate and that’s why if it’s installed on unstable ground, you will start to hear noises like knocking sounds. This may happen when the kitchen appliance shifts on the counter or sometimes bangs against the wall.
Solution: Therefore to curb this issue, the first thing will be to correct the sitting position of your ice maker, ensuring it sits on stable ground.
Compressor operations
Most models of moveable ice makers are equipped with compressors that are self-contained units. Occasionally, this mechanism can be the one to be held guilty for cold air during the ice-making. However, this action should be based on the type of ice maker you are using. So, when the appliance compressor starts and stops, it’s possible for it to produce a loud sound (knocking).
I don’t know whether you’ve been in a hotel and observed the ice formation process on their commercial appliance. It’s possible for it to make a louder knocking sound. However, some machines can come with their handy cooling units, located on the roof separately.
Solution: Now, if you own a portable unit, it’s likely to have a built-in compressor; expect a resounding amount of noise whenever the appliance starts to operate. Now, if the problem becomes persistent, it may be requested for repair and this could only be done by experienced experts. Persistent knocking sound implies that the compressor is faulty or it lacks the mechanism completely.
The main reason for compressor repairs is that the ice-making process needs to recharge the refrigerant. Seek technical help from your ice maker manufacturer to diagnose and treat the problem.
Cube size
Most of these ice makers tend to feature a setting that allows you to alter the cube’s sizes to produce. Mostly, you are allowed to select suitable cube sizes i.e., large and small; some models have even medium cube options.
Now if you are operating with a low-class ice maker, it may struggle when making large-size cubes. It will be left with no other choice, but to make loud noises. The action could be as a result of cubes sticking instead of passing via the basket or ice tray.
Solution: The best solution to such a problem is to alter the ice setting from large to either medium or small or medium to small. Until the cubes melt, they could be making some parts stick; hence the knocking sound. Decide a lower cube size to reduce the knocking sound from the appliance.
Water levels
Maintaining the water level of a particular ice maker could be a challenging task since there’s no reliable water line on its back. Therefore, you are supposed to refill the machine regularly. Occasionally, you can easily forget and when the appliance starts to make ice, it will lack sufficient fluid to facilitate the entire process; that’s when you will start to hear knocking sounds.
Additionally, you can also meet this issue among refrigerator ice makers, mostly when the water line is improperly installed or clogged.
Solution: The sound you will hear from the appliance simply implies that your ice maker is lacking sufficient water to fuel the ice-making process. Experts recommend maintaining a standard water level in ensuring the machine works to its fullest.
Water pump
This mechanism is also popular as a drain pump and it’s also responsible for sourcing water from the reservoir to the freezing parts to manufacture cubes. Therefore, you need to understand that any blockage in the water pump can prevent the machine from making ice. That’s when you will start hearing knocking sounds.
Luckily, fixing this issue is quite straightforward as you can rely on the user annually and do it yourself. Now, using your user manual;
1. Locate the water lines and the drain pump in the ice maker.
2. Detach the wires plus any available water filters to be sure there’s no stuck debris. You need to understand that debris can be of different forms like dust, dirt, or minerals from hard water.
3. Clean the pieces to ensure they don’t have any of the above debris. In this step, you are allowed to use a toothbrush, lemon juice, and vinegar.
4. Inspect the condition of the drain pump and ensure it’s in good working condition. Check for any blockages because a persistent blockage may lead to motor malfunctions.
Heating
Some folks might be holding questions as to why an ice maker requires some heating to freeze water. I need you to understand that these machines depend on the heat for ice making and distribution. Yes, freezing temperatures are essential and if it happens that your ice making is lacking it, there could be a problem.
That’s when you will now start to hear knocking sounds which could be irritating. The heat helps your appliance to source cubes from the finger prongs. Therefore, whenever heating is required, the ice maker will produce a loud sound like the compressor.
However, if this issue becomes persistent, there could be another problem and not the heating anymore.
FAQs:
- What should a faulty refrigerator compressor sound like?
You will start to hear kicking noise from the ice maker’s compressor. More so, you will hear a faint humming noise humming sounds emanating from your fridge. This is the compressor sound.
- How can I correct a noisy ice maker?
Replace some faulty parts like the condenser fan motor and the drain pump. How you should do so when the machine is off. On the drain pump, you are supposed to clear the debris.
Conclusion
You need to understand that there are various causatives that make your ice maker produce a loud noise while operating. Knocking sounds become common, but luckily fixing some of the issues is simple. Additionally, your appliance might be producing normal sounds like fan speed; this should not stress you.
As human beings, when a certain symptom becomes persistent, the best solution is to seek medical attention. So, you should do the same to your ice maker if the loud sound becomes consistent. The technician will help you with consultation and tackle the problem too.
