Why Is My Refrigerator Making a Gurgling Noise?

A gurgling or bubbling sound from your refrigerator is one of the most commonly misunderstood noises — and in most cases, it's completely normal. Here's what causes refrigerator gurgling sounds and when you should be concerned.

Normal Gurgling Sounds

Refrigerant Flowing Through the Cooling System

This is the most common cause of gurgling in a refrigerator, and it's completely normal. Refrigerant — the fluid that absorbs and releases heat to keep your fridge cold — flows through a series of tubes and coils. As it changes state from liquid to gas and back, it can produce gurgling, bubbling, or hissing sounds.

Normal if: The gurgling is intermittent, occurs during or after a cooling cycle, and the fridge is maintaining the correct temperature.

Defrost Water Draining

During the automatic defrost cycle, frost melts off the evaporator coils and drains through a drain tube into a drip pan at the bottom of the fridge. This water flowing through the drain tube can produce a gurgling sound.

Normal if: The gurgling occurs periodically (every 8–12 hours), lasts a short time, and the fridge is cooling normally.

Water in the Drain Pan

Water that collects in the drain pan at the bottom of the fridge can gurgle as it evaporates or as new water drains into it.

Normal if: The gurgling is quiet and intermittent.

Abnormal Gurgling Sounds

Loud or Constant Gurgling

If the gurgling is unusually loud, constant, or has recently become much more noticeable, it could indicate:

Low refrigerant: If the refrigerant level is low due to a leak, the remaining refrigerant may gurgle more loudly as it moves through the system. This requires professional service.
Blocked drain tube: If the defrost drain tube is partially blocked, water may back up and gurgle more loudly before draining. This can also cause water to pool inside the fridge.

Gurgling Accompanied by Poor Cooling

If gurgling is accompanied by the fridge not cooling properly, a refrigerant leak or compressor issue may be the cause.

Fix: Call a qualified appliance repair technician.

Gurgling from the Water Line

If your fridge has a water dispenser or ice maker, gurgling from the water supply line when the valve opens or closes is normal. If the gurgling is loud or persistent, check the water supply line for kinks or low water pressure.

How to Clear a Blocked Defrost Drain

If you suspect a blocked drain tube (indicated by water pooling inside the fridge):

Unplug the refrigerator.
Locate the drain hole at the back of the fridge interior (usually behind a panel).
Use a turkey baster or syringe to flush warm water through the drain hole.
Check that the drain pan at the bottom is properly positioned to catch the water.

Monitor Temperature During Troubleshooting

The AcuRite Digital Wireless Fridge and Freezer Thermometer with Alarm monitors both compartments and alerts you if the temperature goes out of the safe range — helping you confirm whether gurgling is affecting cooling performance.

Quick Diagnosis Guide

Intermittent gurgling during/after cooling cycle: Normal refrigerant flow.
Periodic gurgling every 8–12 hours: Normal defrost drain.
Loud or constant gurgling: Possible low refrigerant or blocked drain — investigate further.
Gurgling + poor cooling: Call a technician.
Gurgling from water line: Normal, check for kinks if loud.

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