When buying an Atlant, Indesit, Samsung, Ariston refrigerator from a reputable store, the owner expects it to work uninterruptedly. Sometimes this forecast does not come true - the equipment begins to crack. There is no need to panic right away. It is necessary to establish the reason why the refrigerator is cracking. If, despite the extraneous noise, the refrigerator and freezer continue to freeze and the light inside is on, then there is no serious damage.
Refrigerator repairman
How to determine if a refrigerator needs repair?
What to do if an Atlant or other compression refrigerator cracks? It is worth trying to determine the cause of the crackling noise. In economical types of refrigeration equipment, the inner lining is made of plastic, which begins to contract or expand as the temperature changes. This process is accompanied by a crash, since the size of the inner and outer lining changes. A cracking sound can be produced when the temperature of the insulating substance located between the chamber body and the plastic casing changes.
Different sounds from the refrigerator
In not the best quality models, the gaps between different parts of the refrigerator are incorrectly adjusted. During operation, they can narrow, and therefore the parts of the equipment undergo friction with each other. Then the refrigerator cracks during operation. Sometimes overly zealous housewives, when washing the refrigerator compartment, press very hard on the surface, which causes the gaps to decrease.
In the described cases, the cracking goes away when the temperature equalizes. Why else might the camera make noise? Another reason for the cracking sound is a violation of the horizontal position when installing the refrigerator. If you check the horizontality of the floor in the kitchen and it turns out to be broken, you should take measures - place pieces of wood under one or two legs of the chamber to level out the horizontality.
A brand new refrigerator may crack a lot because the owner did not unscrew the shipping parts from the back before installing it. In the instructions for use there is a point about unscrewing unnecessary bolts.
The most harmless reason for the crackling sound is a mismatch in the position of the shelves with the grooves. In this case, it is enough to open the chamber and adjust the position of the shelves.
All these reasons are not a breakdown. But if you have taken measures and the cracking does not go away, you should contact a technician from the service center.
Operating sounds are normal
Refrigeration devices normally produce dull, quiet, ringing, rumbling sounds. Some devices are programmed to make characteristic low sounds before turning the engine on or off.
Frequent quiet and loud clicks, accompanied by hum and rumbling, require special attention from refrigeration technicians.
Quiet knocks heard during the compressor rest period indicate deformation of the metal walls of the frame (due to ice pressure exerted on the structure) during the heating and cooling process. This characteristic feature does not lead to breakdowns of the main parts, but it is highly advisable to pay attention to eliminating the cause.
Another common cause of clicking sounds is the capillary tube located at the bottom rear of the device. During the defrosting process, the device stops making clicks, but later the sounds appear again.
When the engine is running, the spiral tube becomes resonant, resulting in a characteristic quiet, rapid "thump" on the engine. A method for eliminating unpleasant sounds is to take a match and insert it between the walls of the engine and the spring.
When does a cracking sound indicate a breakdown?
There are several cases when you need to call a repairman if your refrigerator cracks:
- The cracking noise does not go away after following the instructions for installing the device. This may be a consequence of insufficient adjustment of various fasteners. If the owner of the equipment does not have the skill to repair electrical appliances, you should call a specialist who will adjust the parts.
- The most unpleasant cause of a crackling noise in a compressor refrigerator is a motor breakdown. A characteristic sign is a hum when the compressor starts, a click, and the device willfully switches off. In this case, you need to apply for warranty repair. When purchasing, it is worth taking the longest warranty so that repairs are carried out free of charge for 2 years.
- A refrigerator whose shock-absorbing parts have worn out is also subject to repair at the service center. This happens with older refrigerators, so you will have to pay for repairs.
- Insufficient quality of capacitor fastening. The noise is accompanied by noticeable vibration.
- Malfunction in the start-up relay. In this case, the refrigerator stops working, the light inside does not light and the temperature does not drop.
- Thermostat failure.
Refrigerator repair
The most unpleasant case is when an Indesit refrigerator or a compression chamber of another brand cracks, and this is accompanied by a refusal of equipment to work - the refrigerator does not freeze food, the light in the chamber does not light. In this case, you need to take the equipment to a service center or invite a technician to your home.
If the crackling sound of the refrigerator compartment is accompanied by sparking in the area of the socket, you should check the electrical components of the device:
- check if the outlet works well;
- Are the appliance plug and electrical cord made of good quality?
- is everything in order with the electrical wiring in the apartment;
- whether the control module is working (if it fails, the refrigerator does not work, and the lights on the control panel blink).
What to do
Any compressor can be scanned with a tester to identify the causes of failure. An old compressor can be repaired, but it is easier to replace it with a new device.
To avoid breakdowns, you need to avoid power surges by adjusting the optimal power supply.
Refrigerator repair
It is undesirable to start repairs on your own due to the lack of the necessary knowledge base. Let professionals deal with serious problems.
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No Frost refrigerator crackling
No Frost chambers are designed a little differently than compressor refrigerators. In No Frost, cooled air moves inside the system using a fan. If the chamber is not defrosted for a long time, the fan blades become covered with ice, and the refrigerator cracks violently during operation. If the owner hears such a sound, she urgently needs to defrost the device. Otherwise, the fan will break, and you will have to make paid repairs, since the owner of the refrigerator violated the operating rules of the model.
Refrigerator with No Frost system
What to do in this case
What can constantly click in a running refrigerator? Problems in the operation of freezing equipment can be divided into mechanical (damage to gaskets, housing, depressurization of cooling tubes) and electrical (breakage of the motor, power relay, fan).
In the first case, you can try to fix the problem yourself. If the refrigerator begins to make noise or crackle when turned on, this is most likely an electrical type of failure. It is impossible to fix the problem on your own. In this case, you will need the help of a qualified technician.
Crackling sounds from refrigerators of different brands
The most common brands of refrigerators in everyday life - Atlant, Indesit, Ariston, Samsung - are compressor devices. The causes of noise listed above apply to them fully. The most common serious cause of rattling noise from these devices is a broken thermostat. Such a malfunction can be repaired efficiently by a technician from the service center.
In the simplest case - the refrigerator is in the wrong position or there is poor contact in the plug, a man who has the skill to work with his hands can easily cope with the appearance of a crackling noise when operating a refrigerator of the listed brands. If there are symptoms of a more serious breakdown, you should contact a warranty workshop.
Lifehacks
For proper operation of the refrigerator, you need to follow the operating rules, and also know some tricks that will help in the prevention of this device.
It is important to know the misconceptions that are spread by various specialists: from private masters to service centers.
Common misconceptions and useless advice
Let's look at the most common and ridiculous recommendations that you can hear:
- The new equipment should make a little noise (hum). In this case, the “norm” is a humming refrigerator that operates this way for more than a day. In fact, it should make noise when first turned on, but not for more than 2-3 hours. During this time, the temperature inside the chambers will “settle down” and the compressor will begin to operate more quietly.
- Some experts attribute the hum to a lack of freon in the system, without making any diagnostics. At the same time, they are not guided by anything, relying only on their experience. As written above, there are many reasons for the occurrence of hum. Only a thorough diagnosis can reveal the true malfunction.
- Equipment with two compressors is quieter than with one. Allegedly, the load is distributed and the compressors individually need less power, and accordingly, they make less noise. This is a myth invented by marketers to increase prices for such models. Single-compressor models operate with the same noise level. The only difference is ease of use.
- If the hum is due to a clogged refrigerant pipe, then you can only throw out the refrigerator. Only inexperienced masters say this. It's better not to deal with them.
These are the main misconceptions that you can hear from different people or companies regarding the operation of a refrigerator.
Now let's look at useful tips that really help cope with noise.
How to reduce noise
To reduce noise levels, follow these guidelines:
- Install the refrigerator level
- Do not lean it against the wall or place it close to furniture or other interior items.
- Remove the shipping bolts after purchase and unpacking.
- Carry out diagnostics at the first sign of a problem. (appearance of icing, unclear operation of the compressor).
And most importantly, don’t put off calling a repairman if your refrigerator starts making strange sounds.
Features of warranty service
There is some good news. Nowadays, almost all household appliances are sold under warranty, which means that they are under warranty service for 6-24 months (depending on the manufacturer and company policy). In this case, replacement of incorrectly working or failed parts is carried out under warranty, that is, free of charge, if the conditions for providing the service have been met.
After such repairs, the refrigerator continues to work stably for many years, even after the warranty has expired. That is why it is so important to purchase licensed products, the quality of which is confirmed by the warranty service.
So, knowing the causes of the problems and having read the methodological guide loudly titled “How to act if the refrigerator is cracking,” you can easily get rid of such a problem with your own hands or by resorting to the help of a specialist, as you see fit.
A quick guide to diagnosing household appliances
The four simple steps described will help you understand what the problem is with clicks in the working unit:
- Contact a professional. This approach to solving a problem almost 100% of the time helps to achieve a successful solution to the issue. A specialist will be able to figure out why the refrigerator is cracking, eliminate the malfunction, competently find out the cause of the breakdown and efficiently eliminate the defect in the refrigerator’s operation.
- Check the equipment for operation and condition of connection to the electrical network. You can take a photo of where the power cord exits the housing, where the cord enters the plug, and the socket where you plug the appliance into. This data can be sent remotely to a repair shop or warranty service office, accompanied by a detailed description of the problem. They may be able to help you from a distance.
- If you are wondering why a No Frost refrigerator is cracking, the reason is most likely in the evaporator tubes, which, when in contact with each other, produce a sound similar to a click. This phenomenon is explained by the temperature jump between them and the metal sheet to which the tubes are attached. Sounds of this origin during operation of the refrigerator are regarded as normal and do not mean anything bad.
- Why Samsung (No Frost and other models) cracks becomes clear after examining the unit. Sometimes this happens due to the insulation or body of the device. If there are loud and distinct clicks, it is better to take the device to a service center.
Remember! Working with the courier company and group of movers, before sending home appliances for service, inspect them for scratches and damage before transportation and take several clear photos to prove the integrity of the device case. There are cases of dishonest staff work, and in this case you can easily prove that your unit was in marketable condition before transportation.
Search for reasons
To determine the severity of the problem, it is necessary to find out the reasons why the refrigerator is cracking. When the unit is working completely normally, but sometimes a cracking noise occurs, there is no point in “sounding the alarm.” Most likely, the cracking noise occurs due to temperature changes inherent in the components of refrigerators.
It is worth taking action only when the refrigerator is not functioning properly. The absence of cold and light inside the chambers, with the noise of the compressor operation, accompanied by a crackling sound, cannot be done without repairs.
How bad is it?
The problems described above arise in models of any brands, such as Indesit, Atlant, Ariston, Veko, Samsung, Bosch, Liebherr and many others.
The very first thing that a refrigerator owner may worry about is the cost of repairing the breakdown.
On average, the cost of elimination is not that high:
- Replacing a faulty compressor motor, the most expensive component, will cost about 6,000 rubles (maximum), depending on the model.
- Replace the relay, thermostat - 3,000 rubles.
The good news is that parts are replaced under warranty, most refrigerators work reliably and after many years the warranty expires.
