Is your ice maker misbehaving? Take the knocking as a sign of trouble. It points to one or more of the following:
1). Ice Has Built Up In The Ice Maker
Ice makers make ice. But that doesn’t mean they can tolerate a build-up of ice. Thick layers of frost inside the machine can jam the moving parts. This will interfere with the ice maker’s operations. The knocking may get worse if you neglect the problem. Don’t be surprised if you hear grinding. The ice maker may stop working.
2). The Water Inlet Is Frozen
The ice maker uses water to make ice. What happens when the water inlet freezes? Without water, the appliance won’t work. You hear knocking because the device is trying to push ice cubes into the bin. But it has no ice cubes to push, hence the noise.
3). The Auger Is Defective
The auger works with a motor behind the ice maker to push ice cubes toward the dispenser. But the motor can wear out because of debris, clogging, and old age, generating strange noises whenever it runs.
If you only hear the knocking when you press the ice dispenser’s lever, the motor is the problem, especially if the ice maker refuses to dispense ice.
4). The Water Is Knocking
This GE guide has highlighted a phenomenon called ‘Water Hammer’ that occurs when the water valve opens and closes suddenly. The water hammer is more likely to occur in homes with very high water pressure. Water is noisier than people think.
You may hear it hissing or gurgling as it moves through the water lines. These sounds should only concern you if they become louder than usual. Otherwise, ignore them.
5). You Don’t Have Water
A frozen water valve is not the only factor that restricts the water flow in an ice maker. Have you inspected the water line for kinks and blockages? What about your home’s water supply? If the problem lies within the plumbing system, talk to a plumber.
A plumber can also examine an ice maker’s damaged water lines before recommending suitable replacements. They will discourage you from buying cheap plastic water connections.
6). The Ice Maker Is Uneven
Consider the ice maker’s position. If the device is sitting on an uneven surface, the vibrations can produce a knocking sound. If you place the ice maker in a cramped location, it may bang against the walls on either side, creating a rhythmic knocking sound.
7). The Fan Is Defective
Ice makers have a fan that circulates cold air. The fan can make a knocking sound because of a change in speed. For instance, the fan can speed up because the ice maker’s temperature has risen suddenly and dramatically.
Don’t rule out the possibility of obstructions and defects. Like every other component, the fan can wear out after prolonged use.
8). The Compressor Is Working
Compressors can generate a knocking sound as they start and stop. You hear these sounds in larger machines in commercial locations such as hotels. The compressors make a noticeable knocking as they turn on and off.
The intensity of the noise depends on the model. Knocking from a compressor in an ice maker in your home shouldn’t be so loud that it keeps you awake. Manufacturers don’t want their appliances to become a nuisance.
Therefore, any compressor loud enough to become a distraction should concern you. Don’t assume the loud knocking is normal unless the manual says so.
9). The Fan Bearings Are Dead
Fan bearings wear out over time because of friction. Observe the fan blades. Either they can’t rotate, or they don’t turn as smoothly as you remember. The fan’s speed will also suffer. If you’ve ruled out debris and obstructions, such as ice around the fan, check the bearings.
10). The Ice Maker Is Dead
The ice maker won’t work forever. Once it reaches the end of its lifespan, the appliance will manifest troubling symptoms such as knocking. Prime Supply gives ice makers a lifespan of ten years. If you’ve had yours for more than ten years, those knocking sounds show that your ice maker is coming to the end of its journey.
How To Fix GE Ice Maker That Makes Knocking Sound?
If your ice maker is old, replace it. There is little point in fixing an ancient ice maker. If you’ve only had the ice maker for a few years, use your warranty. GE will either fix the appliance or replace it. If you intend to repair the device yourself, your options will include the following:
- Disconnect the appliance and leave the door open for a few hours to defrost it. If your ice maker has a defrost function, use it to combat the ice build-up. Otherwise, defrosting the ice maker organically takes a long time, depending on the severity of the ice build-up. Some people don’t have the patience to wait.
- If you’re impatient, you can experiment with heat guns and hair dryers. But this method is frowned upon. You should consult an expert before you proceed. A technician will either recommend a suitable setting or perform this task themselves. Heat guns and hair dryers can melt, distort, and ruin the device’s plastic components. Maintain a healthy distance between the hair dryer and the item you want to thaw.
- You can try lubricating noisy, worn-out bearings. But the best option is to replace them, especially if the bearings are clearly old and worn out.
- Replace a damaged auger motor. You can consult a technician if you have questions about the motor’s viability. The technician will test the motor to determine whether you can repair it. But a new auger motor is more appealing because you can trust it to stand the test of time.
- If the water lines are damaged, replace them. Avoid cheap plastic connections. They will clog and fail sooner or later. Look for trustworthy copper connections that maintain a reliable water supply.
- Pay attention to the ice maker’s location. Find a flat, even surface where it can stand without vibrating incessantly. If the ice maker’s legs are uneven, add a wedge of sorts that maintains the machine’s balance.
- Make sure the ice maker has sufficient clearance in all directions, especially if you can see it knocking against the walls behind and on either side. Restrictive locations are bad because they limit ventilation and encourage overheating.
- As a layperson, you can’t troubleshoot the compressor. Appliance Analysts have published a diagram showing the compressor’s components. Most of you don’t recognize any of the parts in that diagram. You don’t know what compressor windings do or how to test them. The best you can do is to look for symptoms of a bad compressor, such as rattling and screeching sounds. Otherwise, you should step back and hire a technician to either fix or replace the compressor.
- If the fan is damaged, replace it, but not before searching for and removing obstructions.
- Inspect the water lines and remove blockages. Talk to a plumber about the water hammer. Technically, the banging noise it makes won’t harm the ice maker. But if you hate the sound, a plumber can offer a solution that fits your situation. They can also resolve any issues with the water pressure you may have.
- Unclog blocked valves and replace them where necessary.