I replaced the water filter in my refrigerator and it has caused a noise. Since replacing the filter, when I dispense water from the fridge, it makes a vibration or chugging noise. What causes this noise that all of a sudden started after replacing the water filter?
Refrigerator Making Noise When Dispensing Water
When a refrigerator makes a vibrating noise when dispensing water, there are the 4 common things that can cause this noise issue. Check the filter, water lines for excessive air, filter housing and water inlet valve.
4 parts that can cause water dispenser noise in refrigerator:
1. Faulty or Dirty Water Filter
2. Air In Water Lines
3. Faulty Water Inlet valve
4. Damaged or Faulty Water Filter Housing
4 components that can stop water dispenser noise in refrigerator:
1. Dirt/Dust Free OEM Water Filter
2. Remove Air In Water Lines
3. NEW Water Inlet Valve
4. Clean/Fix Water Filter Housing
FAST FIX Refrigerator Noise When Dispensing Water:
Remove water filter and check for dirt or gunk on head section.
Water filter is faulty, use a different water filter to test.
O-ring or seal is missing from the filter housing or filter.
Seal is damaged on the water filter housing or filter.
Air in water lines – Run 15 full glasses of water to remove air.
Water inlet valve noisy? Remove and replace.
Noise still coming from housing area? Remove and inspect filter housing.
Water Dispenser Not Working AT All? – 8 Tips To Fix A Refrigerator Dispenser Not Working
HINT: A faulty or generic refrigerator Water Filter can cause a vibrating sound in your fridge. If the new Water Filter causes your refrigerator to make a strange noise when you dispense water, try using a different Water Filter to see if that changes anything. Inspect where the Water Filter inserts into the Filter Housing. Is anything blocking the area or missing a seal?
Troubleshoot the problem by listening to where the noise is coming from. Dispense water from the dispenser and listen to where the sound originates from. Is the noise coming from the water inlet valve (back of the refrigerator) or the filter area (inside refrigerator)?
Noise Coming From Inside Refrigerator (Water Filter)
Remove the water filter from the housing.
Install the filter bypass plug that should be located with the fridge owners manual.
Dispense water from the water dispenser.
Does the filter bypass plug stop the noise when water is dispensed?
If the noise stops, the water filter is the issue.
Remove the filter bypass plug from the filter housing.
Inspect the HEAD SECTION on the water filter for any dirt or gunk that could be causing a connection issue.
Clean the water filter of debris and be sure the seal is installed on the filter housing. (if applicable)
Reinstall the water filter into the filter housing.
Dispense water to see if the noise still persists.
If the noise persists, replace with a different dust and dirt free water filter.
If using the bypass plug does not eliminate the noise, inspect the water inlet valve.
Cap Filter Bypass for Refrigerator
Refrigerator Noise Caused By Air In Water Lines
Simply run 10 to 15 full glasses of water from water dispenser.
This should remove all air from the water lines in the refrigerator.
Refrigerator Noise Coming From Back (Replace Water Inlet Valve)
Carefully slide the refrigerator out from the wall.
Have someone operate the water dispenser while you listen to water valve at back.
Dispense water from the refrigerator water dispenser.
Carefully listen for the noise at the water inlet valve (located at the back of the refrigerator).
If the noise is coming from the water inlet valve it will need to be removed and replaced.
If the noise does not come from the water valve you will need to check the filter housing.
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Refrigerator Water Filter Housing Issue
Unplug power to refrigerator.
Turn off water to refrigerator.
Remove screws or tabs that hold panel over the filter housing.
Check here for refrigerator manuals to remove your specific filter housing.
Refrigerator Service Repair Manual and Owners Manuals Online
Once removed check for damage/faults.
If the filter housing assembly is damaged, replace it with a new assembly.
NOTE: The above repair methods will work with all brands of refrigerators including GE, Whirlpool, Samsung, LG, Haier, Kenmore, Hotpoint, Emerson, Maytag, Sharp, Bosch, KitchenAid, Frigidaire, Toshiba, and Panasonic refrigerator/freezers.
Do you have questions about your refrigerator making noises after a water filter change? Please leave your issue below with your refrigerator model number.
Kayla,
Here are a few things that can cause the loud noises when dispensing water:
One possible cause is a problem with the water inlet valve, which regulates the flow of water into the fridge.
If the valve is faulty or not installed properly, it can vibrate and create a loud noise when water is being dispensed.
Another possible cause is a loose or damaged water line.
If the water line is not securely attached to the back of the fridge, it can vibrate and make noise when water is flowing through it.
Also a clogged water filter can also cause the fridge to make noise when dispensing water.
Hope this help!
-RR
Loud noise coming from back of fridge when dispensing water.
Phil,
Try this… If your fridge is making the clunking noise when dispensing water, try removing the filter and just putting it back in.
Check this video… Whirlpool Fridge Water Clunking noise
Simple solution, but may fix your issue.
Let us know.
-RR
Hi
Thanks for the reply – I have checked this but it cannot be the cause as the water line is routed through the freezer door to the dispenser. The noise is stopped when I open the fridge door not freezer door. The only part of the water supply in the fridge compartment is a cooling loop which routes in and out at the back of the fridge and is nowhere near the door.
Model number is S20D RBB32-A/G
Phil,
We do not know the model number of your Whirlpool side-by-side refrigerator, but we can say with almost certainty that the water line that is running through the door of your refrigerator down to the dispenser is probably bent or somehow the water is not flowing properly.
If you can open the refrigerator door and the water still dispenses but stops making the noise it’s most likely because the water line is straightening out when you open the door.
This is the water pressure building up and causing the strange noise coming from the water dispenser on your Whirlpool refrigerator.
You will have to do a visual check on the water line inside your refrigerator door.
If the water line is damaged, obviously you will need to replace it and you should not hear the noise anymore.
If you wanna give us the model number of your refrigerator we can try to help you a little further.
-RR
I have a loud clunking noise from my Whirpool Side by side fridge freezer when dispensing water.
The noise is coming from the water inlet valves.
I have tried by passing the filter, fitting an external filter and finally change the inlet valve – noise remains but I have just discovered that opening the fridge door whilst dispensing water eliminates the noise and improves the flow. Any ideas on what the problem is?
I’m having the same issue! Plus the ice maker stopped working. Had a repairman here yesterday and he commented the filters can be the problem and not a good fit. Supply chain and quality issues can result in filter not snug. He took the filter out, put back in without the fridge filter cap adapter. Also, he ordered a new ice maker. Water was dispensing fine….for a day. When I remove the filter the water dispenses fine. And now the ice maker is working again. What’s the solution?
I had the same loud hammering noise when I changed my water filter and couldn’t figure out why. With mine I folded a partial paper towel and put it behind the water filter so it made it a little more snug and no longer anymore noise. Yah!!
We have a Bosch fridge and weirdly over-tightening the filter causes it to make the most obnoxious noise. It took us a bit to figure out what was wrong.
Hello. I have a 2016 Kenmore Elite side by side. Water dispenser and ice work fine.
The problem is air in the water. I changed the filter and purged several gallons. Air bubbles are very prominent. The odd thing is that with the filter out there are still are air bubbles.
I had the city come out to test outside line…
all clear. I also noticed the back of the fridge was noisy when dispensing water so I replaced the water inlet valve. Still noisy and still air bubbles. There is also a dual water inlet valve though yet to replace that one. Thoughts?
Joan,
Make sure you are buying genuine OEM water filters for your refrigerator. If you use a 3rd party brand, it may save you money, but it may not be up to the proper standards and cause issues such as noisy shuddering sounds.
-RR
I have a Jenn Air fridge with a water dispenser inside the fridge. When I replaced the water filter my fridge started making a noisy shuddering sound and the water flow slows down. When I put the old filter back in the noise stops and the water flow returns to normal. When I put the bypass plug in noise stops and the shuddering noise stops. I called and was sent another replacement filter, but the same problem happened again. I again put the old filter back in and the problem stopped. Have the filters changed he noiI called and ordered another filter. The same problem occurred again. I tried putting the old filter back in and the shuddering noise stopped. Have the filters changed?
We put in a new water filter but water very slowly runs out, we ran 4 gallons of water thru it as the water filter requires it! We took the water filter back out and the water runs as it is suppose to! We put in another water filter back in and it also runs very slowly! When we first push the dispenser it comes out normal but quickly goes back to a slow trickle! Could you please tell us what is wrong? Thank you!