Fridge Sounds Like Running Water Gurgling? Understand Why Your Refrigerator is Making Noises

If your fridge sounds like it’s running water or gurgling, don’t worry—it’s a common occurrence related to its normal operation. I’ve encountered this several times, and it’s often just the fridge going about its daily duties, such as when the ice maker fills up. 

The process sounds simple: water flows into the ice maker, freezes, and during this cycle, the movement may produce a gurgling noise.

Sometimes though, the sound can indicate something amiss that needs attention. For instance, if you’ve just installed a new water filter and the gurgling begins, you might need to expel any trapped air by running a few glasses of water through the dispenser. 

This is a quick fix I’ve shared with many excited first-time fridge owners, and it usually does the trick.

Understanding your fridge’s sounds is part of getting to grips with the ins and outs of kitchen maintenance. The gurgling, in particular, can be an auditory clue that everything is functioning as it should—or a sign to peek inside and ensure all is in order.

Dissecting Refrigerator Sounds

When your refrigerator hums along, it’s a sign of a well-functioning kitchen companion. It’s essential to distinguish between the symphony of normal operational sounds and those that might signal an issue.

Normal Operation and Sounds

Your refrigerator is a complex appliance, designed with a variety of components that each contribute their own sounds during normal operation. It’s like a kitchen orchestra where every part plays its tune, contributing to the overall harmony that keeps your food perfectly chilled.

• Compressor: A humming or buzzing sound typically indicates the compressor hard at work. It’s the heart of the cooling system, pumping refrigerant throughout your fridge.
• Cooling Cycle: During the cooling cycle, you may hear a dripping or boiling sound as the refrigerant moves through the coils. These sounds are a sign of heat exchange in action.
• Defrost Function: A soft crackling or popping sound is normal when your fridge enters the defrost cycle, melting any frost that’s collected on the evaporator coils.

A refrigerator that is slightly vibrating or producing a humming sound is just the appliance’s way of saying it’s in good working condition. It’s like the steady purr of a contented kitchen cat.

Common Causes of Gurgling Sounds

Gurgling can be as unique to your refrigerator as a fingerprint is to you. Here’s a breakdown of why your fridge might sound like a little brook in the woods:

• Water Inflow: When the automatic ice maker fills up, water rushing to meet the ice tray can cause a characteristic gurgling sound.
• Drain Pan: As your refrigerator defrosts, water flows to the drain pan, causing a gurgling or trickling noise as it makes its getaway.
• Evaporator Coils and Fan: As the defrost system melts away the frost, water drips over the coils, creating a sound. If ice obstructs the evaporator fan, you might hear a more pronounced gurgling or even a rattling noise.

If the gurgling persists or you notice your refrigerator vibrating more than a maraca in a salsa band, it might be time to put on your troubleshooting hat. 

Ensure your fridge is level, as a tilt can turn refrigerant flow into a mini waterfall inside.

Troubleshooting Gurgling Noises

Gurgling noises in your refrigerator can be alarming, but often they’re a normal part of the operation. Here’s a quick troubleshooting guide I developed from my own experiences trying to get rid of that pesky gurgling sound!

Identifying the Source of the Noise

First, you need to play detective and track down where that gurgling sound is coming from in your appliance. 

Typically, refrigerant passing through the expansion valve, as it turns from liquid to gas, can cause gurgles. Likewise, water flowing to the ice maker and passing through the inlet valve often creates a similar sound. 

Listen for whether the noise is coming from the back, bottom, or inside the fridge. Is it occurring after the defrost cycle, suggesting a defrost drain issue? Or might it be condensation settling in the drain tube? 

Getting up close and identifying the right spot is crucial.

DIY Fixes and When to Call a Technician

If you’ve pinned the noise down to a cycle involving the ice maker or natural refrigerant movement, rest easy; it’s usually a benign sound. 

Yet, it’s wise to check for leaks or frost buildup which can be cleared with a simple manual defrost. 

Keeping an eye on humidity levels can also prevent these symptoms; aim for low to medium humidity in your home to keep things running smoothly.

For DIY soundproofing, ensure your appliance is level and consider placing a mat underneath to dampen vibrations. 

Cleaning dirty condenser coils can eliminate a variety of odd noises, while a faulty evaporator fan might be replaceable by a handy homeowner.

However, if the gurgling is accompanied by a hissing sound or the unit isn’t cooling properly, it’s time to ring up a technician. 

The same goes for issues involving the refrigerator’s motor, pump, or sealed coolant system – these are often covered under warranty and not for the average DIYer.

Maintenance Tips to Prevent Gurgling Sounds

If you’re hearing gurgling sounds from your fridge, it’s often just the refrigerant flow or water moving during the defrosting cycle. 

To keep things running smoothly and prevent leaks or damage, here are some maintenance tips tailored just for you!

Check and Clean the Drain Tube: The defrost drain can get clogged with food particles or ice, leading to water backup and gurgling noise.

• Locate the drain tube—an easy find, typically at the back near the bottom.
• Use a small funnel or a turkey baster to flush it out with a mixture of warm water and vinegar.

Inspect the Water Supply Line: A leaky water supply line can cause an array of sounds.

• Ensure it’s not pinched or damaged.
• If you find a leak, it might be time for a replacement to prevent bigger issues.

Regularly Clean the Condenser Coils: Dust-coated coils can’t release heat as effectively, causing the fridge to work harder and sometimes leading to strange noises.

• Cleaning these every six months can prevent this. 
• Just unplug the fridge, and use a coil brush or vacuum.

Defrosting Cycle Maintenance: A fridge’s timer manages the defrosting cycle, but if this malfunctions, you might notice excessive gurgling as melted water isn’t properly dealt with.

• Check that the timer progresses and triggers the cycle as intended.

Water Valve Health: Occasionally, the water valve for your icemaker can create noise if it’s not shutting properly.

• Inspect the valve for signs of mineral deposit or wear and consider having it serviced if it seems finicky.

Maintenance Task	Frequency	Significance
Drain Tube Cleaning	As needed	Prevents water backup and gurgling
Water Supply Line Inspection	Annually	Prevents leaks and associated noise
Condenser Coils Cleaning	Biannually	Ensures efficient operation, reduces noise
Defrost Timer Check	Occasionally	Ensures proper defrosting, avoids excessive noise
Water Valve Inspection/Service	When issues	Prevents noise and ensures proper ice maker function