Is a gurgling noise normal?

Yes. That's refrigerant moving through the system.

Is a noisy fridge going to stop working?

A failing fan motor usually gets louder before it quits. Getting it changed early can save the food.

Refrigerator Making Noise

Some sounds are normal: a hum, a gurgle, the ice maker dropping ice. A squeal, a loud buzz, or clicking every few minutes usually means a fan motor or the start relay.

Common causes

Squeal or chirp from the freezer. Evaporator fan motor wearing out, or ice rubbing the blade.
Rattle or buzz at the bottom back. Condenser fan motor, or something stuck in the blade.
Click every few minutes, nothing runs. Start relay or the compressor trying to start.
Loud buzz with water dispenser. Water inlet valve, or the ice maker with the water off.
Rattle from underneath. A loose drain pan.

Checks you can do safely

Turn off power (and water or gas where it applies) before you reach inside any appliance.

Open the freezer. If the noise gets louder, it’s the evaporator fan.
Check the drain pan under the front grille is seated.
If the ice maker buzzes, make sure the water is on or turn the ice maker off.

When to call us

Call if it squeals or grinds, if you hear clicking without the fridge cooling, or if the noise is new and getting worse. We work Monday to Friday, 8 to 5, across Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, Denton, Rockwall, Ellis and Johnson counties. The service call is $150 and we waive it if you go ahead with the repair. Parts and labor are covered for 90 days.

Service page: refrigerator repair.